megbodz's reviews
594 reviews

Men Have Called Her Crazy by Anna Marie Tendler

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

Anna Marie Tendler's Men Have Called Her Crazy exceeded my expectations. For those hoping that this book would be filled with gossip from her divorce, this book is not tale, and is the better for it. Tendler's memoir is a moving exploration of grief, anxiety, and womanhood. She opens her book when she checks herself into a psychiatric hospital after a year of intense anxiety, depression, and self-harm, and we follow her two-week journey at the hospital and her recovery following, as well as anecdotes of her experience with men from her adolescence and young adulthood. It is a hard read, but rewarding and beautifully compassionate memoir. This book will stay with you.

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi

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challenging dark tense

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi is a challenging, dark, and tense novel. It is a perfect fit for readers who crave complicated characters and exploring the darker aspects of human nature. I found the story engrossing and hard to put down. Emezi weaves the different characters' perspectives expertly as we follow what happens in the underbelly of a Nigerian city over one weekend. I loved Emezi's previous works including Pet and You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty, and look forward to what they write next.

Content Warnings

Hot Earl Summer by Erica Ridley

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adventurous funny lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

The Wild Wynchesters series by Erica Ridley are delightful romps through and through. It really embodies my favorite tweet, "when the hero introduces himself and is like, "I'm one of seven brothers. We're all single and tormented by this ancient curse in our own way.'" Each of the Wynchesters is given their moment in the spotlight and find their romantic match. Hot Earl Summer's is sword-wielding's Elizabeth turn. Watching her and Stephen each overcome their fear of intimacy and letting someone see their weaknesses had me kicking my feet. Plus there are quite a few elaborate action sequences and a hunt for clues to discover a missing will. A true fun summer romance read, highly recommend.

Honey, Baby, Mine: A Mother and Daughter Talk Life, Death, Love by Laura Dern, Diane Ladd

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emotional reflective slow-paced

4.0

We Love the Nightlife by Rachel Koller Croft

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funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I loved the dark and mysterious world of Nicola and Amber's London. The two vampires have a complicated and compelling relationship after several decades of companionship amidst a changing nightlife scene. Through alternating perspectives and timelines we slowly unravel the plans that both women have for each other. The dry tone and humor throughout was a perfect fit for the book. It was a very fun and glamorous book for fans of disco, toxic friendships, and Interview with the Vampire.

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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 Lost Story by Meg Shaffer is a wonderful fairytale adventure. I read it all in one sitting, bringing me back to times spent under the covers as a child finishing similar books like the Chronicles of Narnia or Inkheart. I absolutely loved the characters and their magic journey of discovery.

Exhibit: A Novel by R.O. Kwon

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challenging emotional reflective medium-paced