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me_alley's reviews
1110 reviews
Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer by Dylan Mulvaney
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
A vulnerable and funny look at the inner thoughts and feelings of a blossoming girl. I loved reading this book, which was both funny and touching. I’m not much of a TikTok person, but I became aware of Dylan, her bubbly personality and reluctant activism during “beergate.” This book definitely is true to her voice- a musical theater kid who is both drawn to and repulsed by the spotlight. Although I will never understand the emotional impact of transitioning, let alone so publicly, Dylan sure does try to help me.
She jumps around a bit, from her childhood of dreaming about Broadway, to her early transitioning days, to the fallout of beergate and beyond. I was surprised and heartened to hear about her naïveté and conflict aversion. Dylan seems to see herself as having thin skin, but she is extremely strong. She’d have to be! After reading this fun memoir, I can truly see how she didn’t have an ambition to be as internet-famous as she is, and how she has become an icon. There are complex emotions involved in constantly having to be aware of how others “consume” your appearance. I also appreciated how she acknowledges her privilege in being able to control her transition and what choices she has made.
One change I am going to make after reading this book is that I will actively shame trolls and back up people dealing with hateful comments. I have a tendency to stay away from comments sections, knowing that’s where the trolls feast. But Dylan helped me see how useful it is and how just the small action of being supportive can strengthen us.
Like, if you speak negatively about, say, the weather reporter, and you make negative comments about her appearance, she won’t hear you, but your family will. And even subconsciously they will internalize the believe that if you are visible you are less worthy if you don’t look like you are “supposed to.”
Thanks to NetGalley and Abrams books for the ARC. Book to be published March 11, 2025.
She jumps around a bit, from her childhood of dreaming about Broadway, to her early transitioning days, to the fallout of beergate and beyond. I was surprised and heartened to hear about her naïveté and conflict aversion. Dylan seems to see herself as having thin skin, but she is extremely strong. She’d have to be! After reading this fun memoir, I can truly see how she didn’t have an ambition to be as internet-famous as she is, and how she has become an icon. There are complex emotions involved in constantly having to be aware of how others “consume” your appearance. I also appreciated how she acknowledges her privilege in being able to control her transition and what choices she has made.
One change I am going to make after reading this book is that I will actively shame trolls and back up people dealing with hateful comments. I have a tendency to stay away from comments sections, knowing that’s where the trolls feast. But Dylan helped me see how useful it is and how just the small action of being supportive can strengthen us.
Like, if you speak negatively about, say, the weather reporter, and you make negative comments about her appearance, she won’t hear you, but your family will. And even subconsciously they will internalize the believe that if you are visible you are less worthy if you don’t look like you are “supposed to.”
Thanks to NetGalley and Abrams books for the ARC. Book to be published March 11, 2025.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Eating disorder
Dream State by Eric Puchner
- 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
3.25
I am very glad that I read this book, but I am very frustrated as I finish it.
The Fable app has a few different ratings system, you not only give a book a rating out of five stars, but you also rate the characters, the research, the setting, and the writing style. For this book, I really love the writing style. Five stars on the writing style and also on the setting.
The title refers to being in a dream like state, but also refers to Montana, where the book is set. The book has a very sweeping timeline, Charlie and Garrett meeting each other in college in the late 90s, to 2004 when Charlie and CeCe are about to be married, and all the way through their children leaning into middle age. It can be a bit difficult to follow where you are chronologically, but I absolutely love this aspect of the book. In just a few paragraphs, you could easily skip 10 years.
My biggest problem with the book is the motivations of the characters. I am fine with having morally gray characters, I do think they are more interesting. It is a very strange scenario to use an enemies to lovers trope where the transition from enemies to lovers takes about a week. Some of the most interesting parts of these story just weren’t mentioned. Cece, in particular, is written as if the author hates women, and this is his view of what a woman is. She’s flighty, lazy, Selfish. Her reasons for doing things are really strange and out of left field. My favorite character, by a mile, is Lana. Cece‘s daughter has a great attitude, is very loyal, and has truly most of the best lines of the book.
There’s an underlying theme of climate change and impending Natural disaster, which makes sense for the setting. My biggest problem was the characters, when I was about 25% of the way through this book, I thought it was going to be a five star read. As time went by I understood the characters less and less and their motivations for doing things.
That said, I don’t think I could say that I don’t recommend this book. This is a strongly written story, and if you like decades-long family drama books, especially one set in Montana, you will probably love this book.
The Fable app has a few different ratings system, you not only give a book a rating out of five stars, but you also rate the characters, the research, the setting, and the writing style. For this book, I really love the writing style. Five stars on the writing style and also on the setting.
The title refers to being in a dream like state, but also refers to Montana, where the book is set. The book has a very sweeping timeline, Charlie and Garrett meeting each other in college in the late 90s, to 2004 when Charlie and CeCe are about to be married, and all the way through their children leaning into middle age. It can be a bit difficult to follow where you are chronologically, but I absolutely love this aspect of the book. In just a few paragraphs, you could easily skip 10 years.
My biggest problem with the book is the motivations of the characters. I am fine with having morally gray characters, I do think they are more interesting. It is a very strange scenario to use an enemies to lovers trope where the transition from enemies to lovers takes about a week. Some of the most interesting parts of these story just weren’t mentioned. Cece, in particular, is written as if the author hates women, and this is his view of what a woman is. She’s flighty, lazy, Selfish. Her reasons for doing things are really strange and out of left field. My favorite character, by a mile, is Lana. Cece‘s daughter has a great attitude, is very loyal, and has truly most of the best lines of the book.
There’s an underlying theme of climate change and impending Natural disaster, which makes sense for the setting. My biggest problem was the characters, when I was about 25% of the way through this book, I thought it was going to be a five star read. As time went by I understood the characters less and less and their motivations for doing things.
That said, I don’t think I could say that I don’t recommend this book. This is a strongly written story, and if you like decades-long family drama books, especially one set in Montana, you will probably love this book.
Four Aunties and a Wedding by Jesse Q. Sutanto
funny
mysterious
tense
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
3.0
I got an email with this book as a sale at chirp books. So I got the audiobook for only four dollars. I have enjoyed this author’s work before, so I thought I would give it a try. This is in a series, but for me, it did work as a standalone. The high jinx that happened in the previous novels are explained pretty well in this volume.
This revolves around Madeline and Nathan‘s wedding, Madeline and her family meeting Nathan‘s family. Although he comes from Singapore, he left there when he was very young and doesn’t know that much about the culture. I would classify this as a cozy mystery, the aunties are very endearing. The author finds a way to stay true to the culture and the characteristics of Indonesian women, without relying on stereotypes.
Like most cozy mysteries, some of the storyline is a bit convenient, but overall it’s a cute book
This revolves around Madeline and Nathan‘s wedding, Madeline and her family meeting Nathan‘s family. Although he comes from Singapore, he left there when he was very young and doesn’t know that much about the culture. I would classify this as a cozy mystery, the aunties are very endearing. The author finds a way to stay true to the culture and the characteristics of Indonesian women, without relying on stereotypes.
Like most cozy mysteries, some of the storyline is a bit convenient, but overall it’s a cute book
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
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
The Art of Vanishing: A Novel by Morgan Pager
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A lovely original story, reminiscent of a stand alone episode of Doctor Who or The Twilight Zone. Claire gets a great job cleaning an art museum and can't stop staring at the artwork, painting in the early 20th century. The tour guides are able to give people the background of the artists, painting their families, and the symbolism of the objects within the paintings. Claire has a good trainer, Linda, and takes a bit longer cleaning at night, until she realizes that she can see the people in the paintings move, which will remind you of the Harry Potter paintings at Hogwarts.
Like the magical paintings, the subjects are pulled into a painting world, do not sleep, and freeze in place during the day. But at night they come alive and can even visit worlds in the other paintings on the walls. Claire is unique in that she can step into the painting, and will fall in love with 19 year old Jean. She has some family secrets she isn't sure she wants to reveal about herself. But just as she is willing to open up, the covid pandemic happens and the painting subjects are completely confused as to why they have been abandoned, left in the dark. They surmise that the country is at war.
This debut novel is such a creative romantic premise, written simply and accessibly, for those that enjoy the magical realism and romantic genre. This is lighter on the romance and heavier on contemporary fiction and characterization. There are 3 storylines, Claire finding out about Jean in his world, the pandemic and what happens with Claire and her family during the 4 months they are apart, and a bit of a suspense/crime storyline at the end.
While some reviewers may not like the change in plot direction, I found it to be whimsical and clever. Jean is a relatable character, and Claire bringing her iPhone into the paintings and conversations about how different their worlds are is very humorous, smoking, technology, art and the appreciation thereof.
It is a bit of a doomed relationship for obvious reasons, but the best relationships teach us more about ourselves, even when they don't last forever.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the ARC. Book to be published July 1, 2025.
Like the magical paintings, the subjects are pulled into a painting world, do not sleep, and freeze in place during the day. But at night they come alive and can even visit worlds in the other paintings on the walls. Claire is unique in that she can step into the painting, and will fall in love with 19 year old Jean. She has some family secrets she isn't sure she wants to reveal about herself. But just as she is willing to open up, the covid pandemic happens and the painting subjects are completely confused as to why they have been abandoned, left in the dark. They surmise that the country is at war.
This debut novel is such a creative romantic premise, written simply and accessibly, for those that enjoy the magical realism and romantic genre. This is lighter on the romance and heavier on contemporary fiction and characterization. There are 3 storylines, Claire finding out about Jean in his world, the pandemic and what happens with Claire and her family during the 4 months they are apart, and a bit of a suspense/crime storyline at the end.
While some reviewers may not like the change in plot direction, I found it to be whimsical and clever. Jean is a relatable character, and Claire bringing her iPhone into the paintings and conversations about how different their worlds are is very humorous, smoking, technology, art and the appreciation thereof.
It is a bit of a doomed relationship for obvious reasons, but the best relationships teach us more about ourselves, even when they don't last forever.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the ARC. Book to be published July 1, 2025.
Yours, Eventually by Nura Maznavi
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Very nice closed-door romance- I loved seeing a bit of Muslim Pakistani culture, the pressure to be married off, meddling aunties and family honor. Asma is a good main character, this is a second chance romance based on Jane Austen's persuasion. The one that got away is Farooq. She broke off their engagement after her rug exporter father and Aunt did not approve. Farooq was a college drop out. Now it is 8 years later and he has sold his company for $500 million dollars. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he is a lot more interesting to her now. Her father has lost most of their family money in a Ponzi scheme.
I liked the writing and learning about the culture. It was jarring to see how much stock the older people put into being married and having children. It caused so much pressure for Asma and her other unmarried sister. I didn't feel a lot of chemistry between Farooq and Asma, but I could see her growing and not caring as much what people think. I enjoyed the author's style, the dialogue was very believable and characters were well developed.
I liked the writing and learning about the culture. It was jarring to see how much stock the older people put into being married and having children. It caused so much pressure for Asma and her other unmarried sister. I didn't feel a lot of chemistry between Farooq and Asma, but I could see her growing and not caring as much what people think. I enjoyed the author's style, the dialogue was very believable and characters were well developed.
Old Soul by Susan Barker
3.0
I picked up this book as it was listed as a recommendation for me in the weekly email. I get from Penguin random house. I wouldn’t call it a horror book exactly, but it is pretty creepy. Almost like a ghost story from Girl Scout camp. The characters are nuanced and the dialogue is fresh. I can’t say that I enjoyed it, exactly, but it was an interesting concept. After coming in contact with a woman who is hundreds of years old, across the entire planet, people have their organs and everything on their bodies flipped from one side to the other.
I Did Warn Her by Sian Gilbert
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
1.5
A locked-door mystery which takes place on a yacht; the characters all look- and even act- alike. Sasha is starting her career as a stewardess on a billionaire's yacht, where a year ago one of the stewardesses was murdered. It doesn't take long for another murder to occur. The stewardesses/coworkers all look alike, the same beauty, the same long blond hair, same high cheekbones. We need to learn who killed the recent person and the past one. It is a typical locked room mystery with several suspects, all pointing the fingers at each other.
They are kind of awful to each other, none of them are people you are really rooting for. The characterization in this novel was really lacking, once the killer was revealed I wasn't surprised, it was a bit of a letdown. It is definitely very readable, but not very interesting. I didn't like any of the characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Book to be published June 17, 2025
They are kind of awful to each other, none of them are people you are really rooting for. The characterization in this novel was really lacking, once the killer was revealed I wasn't surprised, it was a bit of a letdown. It is definitely very readable, but not very interesting. I didn't like any of the characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Book to be published June 17, 2025
Far and Away by Amy Poeppel
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Lucy and Greta swap homes for a year; what could be a fish-out-of-water story becomes a dual POV fishes-out-of-water story. Greta's husband Otto is taking a position in Dallas, temporarily, and they list their small Berlin apartment for a home swap saying "perfect for someone in need of an escape." Lucy and her kids fit the bill. Her husband, Mason, is unreachable and out on assignment from NASA, is he on Mars? Jack has been expelled from high school the day before graduation and his dreams of going to MIT are crumbling. Lucy's parents live in a small home on their property, and Greta meets them and takes care of the cats. Otto gets into living in the US more than Greta.
This was a fun read, easy to examine and fun mis-translations. Lucy has twin girls who are written almost perfectly, I only wish we had gotten more of the twins. Her son Jack was treated so unfairly it seemed almost impossible for his life to be ruined so thoroughly over a misunderstanding. Everything, naturally, works out for the best, and that really is the lesson. That sometimes we need to move an ocean away to see ourselves clearly. Although I found Lucy a bit boring, the interweaving storylines kept things interesting.
This is best read on kindle so that you can translate the German phrases and sentences. I shelved it as women's book club fiction, it is contemporary and lighthearted. Easy to read this is very accessible to many readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC. Book to be published June 10, 2025.
This was a fun read, easy to examine and fun mis-translations. Lucy has twin girls who are written almost perfectly, I only wish we had gotten more of the twins. Her son Jack was treated so unfairly it seemed almost impossible for his life to be ruined so thoroughly over a misunderstanding. Everything, naturally, works out for the best, and that really is the lesson. That sometimes we need to move an ocean away to see ourselves clearly. Although I found Lucy a bit boring, the interweaving storylines kept things interesting.
This is best read on kindle so that you can translate the German phrases and sentences. I shelved it as women's book club fiction, it is contemporary and lighthearted. Easy to read this is very accessible to many readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC. Book to be published June 10, 2025.