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me_alley's reviews
1110 reviews
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
3.0
A dystopian landscape in which water has overtaken most of the planet, and a secluded island off the coast of Antarctica houses all varietals of seeds that will help the humans left on the planet survive, although most have been lost to fire or flood.
Enter Dominic and his children, teenagers Fen and Riff, who are Irish twins, and Orly, a younger precocious boy who has a big heart. Their mother died on the island. Enter Rowan, a woman in her 40s that nearly drowns and washes ashore. She is looking for her husband Hank.
It is difficult to categorize this book. Although it is definitely dystopian, it is not like most climate change books that I have read in that many are trying to persuade us to make better current choices to avoid the planet's destruction. In this book, the fires and floods and destruction is pretty much a foregone conclusion and what I would call an "educated guess" of what could happen. Hank and Rowen discuss having children and she says that doing so would be selfish, and the best way they could reduce their carbon footprint is to not have kids. This gave me food for thought. It has been awhile since I worried about overpopulation but it is certainly something to consider.
This is, in places, pretty terrifying on a visceral level, because of battling the elements and animals. Both Dominic and his family as well as Rowan have secrets to hide. There is good characterization but the narrative definitely drags on from 25% - 60%. There is a lot of necessary world building and good build up, but the plot fell a bit flat. I did guess the ending but only very shortly before the reveal, there are just enough easter eggs.
I liked this book, but did not love it. I read it very quickly, not because I was engrossed but because I was ready for the conclusion. I can't imagine picking it back up again.
Enter Dominic and his children, teenagers Fen and Riff, who are Irish twins, and Orly, a younger precocious boy who has a big heart. Their mother died on the island. Enter Rowan, a woman in her 40s that nearly drowns and washes ashore. She is looking for her husband Hank.
It is difficult to categorize this book. Although it is definitely dystopian, it is not like most climate change books that I have read in that many are trying to persuade us to make better current choices to avoid the planet's destruction. In this book, the fires and floods and destruction is pretty much a foregone conclusion and what I would call an "educated guess" of what could happen. Hank and Rowen discuss having children and she says that doing so would be selfish, and the best way they could reduce their carbon footprint is to not have kids. This gave me food for thought. It has been awhile since I worried about overpopulation but it is certainly something to consider.
This is, in places, pretty terrifying on a visceral level, because of battling the elements and animals. Both Dominic and his family as well as Rowan have secrets to hide. There is good characterization but the narrative definitely drags on from 25% - 60%. There is a lot of necessary world building and good build up, but the plot fell a bit flat. I did guess the ending but only very shortly before the reveal, there are just enough easter eggs.
I liked this book, but did not love it. I read it very quickly, not because I was engrossed but because I was ready for the conclusion. I can't imagine picking it back up again.
The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica
0.25
Either this book makes absolutely no sense or I am stupid. Probably the latter.
Count My Lies by Sophie Stava
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Liquid: A Love Story by Mariam Rahmani
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
Liquid: a love story.
Um. WHAT love story?
This one was not for me. I thought the blurb sounded so cute. This is definitely LitFic and probably is more meaningful to an Angeleno. I found it a bit boring and tedious.
The middle of the book has a spreadsheet of all of her dates’ names and what she remembers about them and this did make me laugh out loud in several parts.
Um. WHAT love story?
This one was not for me. I thought the blurb sounded so cute. This is definitely LitFic and probably is more meaningful to an Angeleno. I found it a bit boring and tedious.
The middle of the book has a spreadsheet of all of her dates’ names and what she remembers about them and this did make me laugh out loud in several parts.
Woodworking by Emily St. James
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
LitFic Trans-affirming story of a small town, sharing experience, strength, friendship and hope of trans women of different generations and journeys. Not all trans people "pass" as cisgender, although many do. It is such a small percentage of the population and yet so demonized. So many have a very difficult life but it doesn't have to be that way.
This book is respectful, and doesn't shy away from the nightmarish situations that happen to the community. But it also celebrates trans joy and that people are individuals with different experiences. It is SO funny, so cleverly written, SUCH a good plot. Abigail's voice is so real, so cynical, so angry for good reason. Erica is a strength in her life, the fact that these women are still walking around Montana is a testament to their grit and determination.
Abigail is 17, a student and the one that the whole town seems to be against.... or at least afraid of. She is self-assured and insecure all at the same time. She is learning how to trust people and how to keep herself safe. She has escaped her abusive family and looking for found family.
Erika is a middle aged teacher, and has just realized she is trans, or at least she is just able to admit it to herself. She helps Abigail in trying to grow up with little trauma, and Abigail helps Erika by being an ear on what it is like emotionally.
There are so many ridiculous side characters like me in the book-- cis, straight, well-meaning allies who are trying way to hard and getting it wrong half the time. They are very annoying to Abigail and so, so funny.
I am so grateful that it has the perfect title. I absolutely loved it, it is sure to be remembered as one of the "great complicated trans stories."
This book is respectful, and doesn't shy away from the nightmarish situations that happen to the community. But it also celebrates trans joy and that people are individuals with different experiences. It is SO funny, so cleverly written, SUCH a good plot. Abigail's voice is so real, so cynical, so angry for good reason. Erica is a strength in her life, the fact that these women are still walking around Montana is a testament to their grit and determination.
Abigail is 17, a student and the one that the whole town seems to be against.... or at least afraid of. She is self-assured and insecure all at the same time. She is learning how to trust people and how to keep herself safe. She has escaped her abusive family and looking for found family.
Erika is a middle aged teacher, and has just realized she is trans, or at least she is just able to admit it to herself. She helps Abigail in trying to grow up with little trauma, and Abigail helps Erika by being an ear on what it is like emotionally.
There are so many ridiculous side characters like me in the book-- cis, straight, well-meaning allies who are trying way to hard and getting it wrong half the time. They are very annoying to Abigail and so, so funny.
I am so grateful that it has the perfect title. I absolutely loved it, it is sure to be remembered as one of the "great complicated trans stories."
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The specific details that are so seemingly insignificant…. Yet in those details it tells you everything you need to know about a person. I love the writing style, the characters are so flawed and awful and also written so well. What got me, over and over again, was the specificity. I never wanted this book to end.
My favorite back title of March 2025
My favorite back title of March 2025
Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Here is a book that makes me long for the more nuanced rating systems of other book-reading-reviewing-tracking apps.
This book is well crafted and written, very imaginative and cleverly aligned with the literature of F Scott Fitzgerald. Not only the stories of Tender Is the Night and The Great Gatsby, but also the lore of his life, his relationship with his wife Zelda, and thoughts that she was the author of his works.
What happens when you take a story and re-center it in the female perspective? This is very meta- it is multi-universal and there are layers upon layers of re-centering a story in a different perspective.
Here is the gist of it- this book is very well done. I hated the ending, the conclusion, I wanted to hurl the book against the wall. I hated the characters. They are really well characterized but I hated them so much. It is a brilliant book and I wish I never read it.
HOW DO I RATE THAT.
I guess 3 stars, but I am not happy about it.
This book is well crafted and written, very imaginative and cleverly aligned with the literature of F Scott Fitzgerald. Not only the stories of Tender Is the Night and The Great Gatsby, but also the lore of his life, his relationship with his wife Zelda, and thoughts that she was the author of his works.
What happens when you take a story and re-center it in the female perspective? This is very meta- it is multi-universal and there are layers upon layers of re-centering a story in a different perspective.
Here is the gist of it- this book is very well done. I hated the ending, the conclusion, I wanted to hurl the book against the wall. I hated the characters. They are really well characterized but I hated them so much. It is a brilliant book and I wish I never read it.
HOW DO I RATE THAT.
I guess 3 stars, but I am not happy about it.
While We're Young by K.L. Walther
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I didn't know how much I loved Ferris Bueller until I read this book. It was SO cute, so perfectly Young Adult, the sweetest romance. Very believable characters, good inner dialogue and good on audio. One of my favorite audiobook narrators plays Everett. I loved how true it was to the original Ferris Bueller movie but also quite a love letter to Philadelphia. The sibling character (played by Jennifer Gray) is now her brother James. Best friend Isa is in love with James, and Grace (who has faked her illness for epic senior skip day) is in love with Everett.
Maybe I was just in the mood for a YA romance, but I think this is my favorite KL Walther yet.
Maybe I was just in the mood for a YA romance, but I think this is my favorite KL Walther yet.
Dying to Meet You: A Domestic Thriller by Sarina Bowen
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I have this pet peeve- when the title of a mystery/thriller has nothing to do with the book at all. Stop doing that! It’s lazy!
This is about a 3.25/5– there is a lot to like about it.
Synopsis- Rowen is a single mom to Natalie, a teenager. Natalie’s dad is out of the picture after going to prison years ago. She was sad when her new beau, Tim, dumped her out of the blue. She felt a bit bad still following his location on Find My Friends. When she decided to figure out what he was doing at her work, she was shocked to see he had just been killed. She has to figure out who did it before she is accused herself.
Multi-POV with Natalie, who wants to get to know her long lost dad.
Coralie- a young secretary who is being taken advantage of by her millionaire boss who comes from old money. We don’t know what time period she is in until the end.
What I liked- the setting of an old mansion in Portland, Maine
Natalie and Rowen’s mom/daughter relationship
An easy villain to hate (rich guy who feels entitled to sexual assault)
A surprising ending
Good, believe dialogue
What I didn’t
Pacing in the middle was slow
Some of the minor characters did not have a lot of character building and they were a bit flat
A few interesting plot points that went nowhere
Overall, I liked this but didn’t love it. Would I read another book by the author? Yes definitely.
This is about a 3.25/5– there is a lot to like about it.
Synopsis- Rowen is a single mom to Natalie, a teenager. Natalie’s dad is out of the picture after going to prison years ago. She was sad when her new beau, Tim, dumped her out of the blue. She felt a bit bad still following his location on Find My Friends. When she decided to figure out what he was doing at her work, she was shocked to see he had just been killed. She has to figure out who did it before she is accused herself.
Multi-POV with Natalie, who wants to get to know her long lost dad.
Coralie- a young secretary who is being taken advantage of by her millionaire boss who comes from old money. We don’t know what time period she is in until the end.
What I liked- the setting of an old mansion in Portland, Maine
Natalie and Rowen’s mom/daughter relationship
An easy villain to hate (rich guy who feels entitled to sexual assault)
A surprising ending
Good, believe dialogue
What I didn’t
Pacing in the middle was slow
Some of the minor characters did not have a lot of character building and they were a bit flat
A few interesting plot points that went nowhere
Overall, I liked this but didn’t love it. Would I read another book by the author? Yes definitely.
Off the Air by Christina Estes
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I see a lot of bad reviews but I didn’t think this was horrible. It’s a decent mystery and very detailed on the TV reporter industry and a lot of detail about the Phoenix area. I can see why it won this “Tony Hillerman” prize because it’s very niche- a debut mystery set in the southwest.
This teeters the line between a cozy mystery and a more thriller/suspense. If you like mystery, Phoenix, and TV news, go for it.
This teeters the line between a cozy mystery and a more thriller/suspense. If you like mystery, Phoenix, and TV news, go for it.