My one thought while reading this book - "Yo Mariana, you okay there bud?" 😂 If the author wanted me to get creeped out and disgusted then mission accomplished. But I can't say I loved this collection of short stories. Though, none of these stories are going to leave my brain for a long long time.

My favourites were Kids Who Came Back and Our Lady of the Quarry.

P.S. pls also note that the book has some transphobic slurs.

An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten

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adventurous lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

4.0

hehe, nice book about an elderly lady killing people. ultimate palate cleanser.

The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

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dark emotional lighthearted sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

This really surprised me. I'm completely taken by Genevieve Gornichec's writing which reminded me so much of Madeline Miller. Perhaps it was because of the lore and mythology bits?

But while it was well written and heart-wrenching in all the right moments, there were also moments of spunk and wit (which of course you would expect of a storyline with Loki) and I loved it!

The pacing was a little off where it started off okay, had moments in the middle, slowed down a bit again and then really finished off with a wham, but that could also be attributed to the fact that the book has no chapters (only 2 very long parts+1 small part) which may have thrown me off a little.

Other than that, definitely recommend and can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next. :)

No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood

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challenging emotional funny reflective medium-paced

3.75

This is a polarizing book - either people have loved it or hated it. I think I'm smack dab in the middle.

But if I had to be honest, I'm veering just a little towards the people who like it. Why? Because there's a lot of truth in this. A lot that's not to be liked- but still is the truth. The 'portal' or the internet of today is so aptly discussed in this book. And sure, it may not be the internet that we know or interact with, but it's the internet that the author knows and that's what she writes about.

The second half, I was a little confused by at the beginning but I loved towards the end. And to know that this was 'autofiction' i.e. inspired by some very real things in her life and the life of her family? Wow. That just added to it. The thoughts of grief and coping but with a millennial twist is something I really enjoyed to read about because again, it was the truth.

Overall, its a short book. You can read it. You may not like it, but it is what it is.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

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emotional reflective sad medium-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? Yes

4.25

I LOVED this book but it also had me a little underwhelmed. I don't know what that means. Give me a bit more time to mull over this. :D

Infinite Country by Patricia Engel

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I have tears steaming down my face as I write this. The amount I cried because this book is so brilliant, so quiet, so heartbreaking, so true. I can't explain it. I can't write it down. I'm just grateful.

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santreads's reviews 842 reviews

santreads's reviews
842 reviews