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whatellisreadnext's reviews
623 reviews
Pageboy by Elliot Page
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This audiobook read by Elliot himself was like a little window into his life. I struggled a bit with the time jumps within the narrative, but also think it made the book feel more authentic. Not every person who has a story to tell, is going have insane literary skills. This was extremely informative but also really self aware. Elliot has had a difficult life, but he's also fully aware of his privilege. It's a must read, but I think it's important we also pick up stories from trans authors from all walks of life.
Zero-Sum by Joyce Carol Oates
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This gal loves a short story, and this collection was top tier. Joyce Carol Oates is such a meta writer, and I can't believe this is the first book I'm reading from her. It's like she's made up her own rules of storytelling, and it just works.
Sometimes, I struggle to be immersed in such short narratives, but Joyce creates such vivid settings, situations, and characters that you can't help but be pulled in. I can happily say I enjoyed every single story in here, some more than others, but overall, it was a really solid collection and a great place to start on your Joyce Carol Oates journey. There's so many different vibes in here that I felt like I was getting a little taster from all her work.
This collection is out on the 20th of July, and if you love a deliciously dark short story, then you need to add it to your shelves. Thanks so much to 4th Estate Books for the gifted copy 🥰
Sometimes, I struggle to be immersed in such short narratives, but Joyce creates such vivid settings, situations, and characters that you can't help but be pulled in. I can happily say I enjoyed every single story in here, some more than others, but overall, it was a really solid collection and a great place to start on your Joyce Carol Oates journey. There's so many different vibes in here that I felt like I was getting a little taster from all her work.
This collection is out on the 20th of July, and if you love a deliciously dark short story, then you need to add it to your shelves. Thanks so much to 4th Estate Books for the gifted copy 🥰
The Nursery by Szilvia Molnar
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was great. I'm not sure how much I can comment on the post birth representation, but it felt really well done. It did not sugar coat at all, with all the good that comes with welcoming a child into the world, there are plenty of cons too. I don't know why but it reminded me a little of Pizza Girl in that the protagonist wasn't making smart decisions, but it made sense with their current frame of mind. Would 100% recommend the Audiobook as it was very stream of thought.
The Spite House by Johnny Compton
dark
emotional
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? Yes
3.0
This audiobook narrator was immaculate and very much brought the story to life. I'm talking TV in my head. I'm also a sucker for a creepy house, and Compton really knocked it out of the park when he thought up Spite house. You could not pay me enough money to stay there. I will say it wasn't perfect, however much I enjoyed it, I did have to suspend my belief a lot. This one doesn't hold back on the craziness, but it definitely kept me entertained whilst cleaning and cooking this past week.
Fish Swimming in Dappled Sunlight by Riku Onda
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The beginning wasn't amazing. My interest was peaked in the middle, and then it lost me again pretty quickly. What a load of b*ll*cks 💁🏻♀️
Everything the Darkness Eats by Eric LaRocca
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
What happened here?! I love LaRocca. I consider him a favourite author, but this was just bad. It didn't feel like him at all. He usually has this way with words that places me into a setting immediately and doesn't let me go until I finish. This was the opposite, I didn't want to pick it up because every time I did, it was chock full of bad metaphors and clunky dialogue. I've been waiting for this book for a long time, and nobody is more sad that I hated it than me. But if you also read and dislike this book and haven't tried his other stuff, go grab yourself a copy of his earlier work.
A House at the Bottom of a Lake by Josh Malerman
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was bloody lovely. I very much enjoyed this weird little book about two teens finding love in - you guessed it - a house at the bottom of a lake 💁🏻♀️
Malerman establishes James and Amelia really quickly, utilising a stream of thought narrative style. We get to hear both of their anxieties about the other as they embark on their first date on a lake.
Though it is totally different in subject matter, my mind couldn't help but think of its similarities with Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam. With the way it is written, but also how quietly weird the unknown aspects are of the narrative. Plus, don't go into this book thinking you'll get all the answers, because you won't, but I personally loveeeee a book that leaves you to your own thoughts and theories.
Even though this was mildly unnerving in parts, it was overall just really lovely. I was enamoured with this playful sense of adventure both Amelia and James found together. I could truly see myself revisiting this one just for that lil taste of childhood wonder that all our lives seem to be missing.
Malerman establishes James and Amelia really quickly, utilising a stream of thought narrative style. We get to hear both of their anxieties about the other as they embark on their first date on a lake.
Though it is totally different in subject matter, my mind couldn't help but think of its similarities with Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam. With the way it is written, but also how quietly weird the unknown aspects are of the narrative. Plus, don't go into this book thinking you'll get all the answers, because you won't, but I personally loveeeee a book that leaves you to your own thoughts and theories.
Even though this was mildly unnerving in parts, it was overall just really lovely. I was enamoured with this playful sense of adventure both Amelia and James found together. I could truly see myself revisiting this one just for that lil taste of childhood wonder that all our lives seem to be missing.
Peach Pit by Kristel Emma Buckley, Molly Llewellyn
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What a collection 👏 I truly think there is something in here for everyone, and I'm so excited to see what other people's fave stories end up being. Mine were Amaranth by Lauren Groff, Sick by Alicia Elliot, Manifestation by Sarah Rose Etter, and Buffalo by Alison Rumfitt.
Unhinged gals are my favourite type of protagonists, and this collection is chock full of them. The majority of my ratings for each story were 4 or 5 stars. I did have the odd low rating, but I revelled in trying the majority of these authors for the first time and getting a little sample of their writing styles. So many of these authors have new books out this year, and I'm most definitely going to be preordering from a bunch of them. Peach Pit is brilliant in that it lets you try different authors and styles to find what works for you without the commitment of a novel.
I would highly recommend to all my short story and unhinged protagonist lovers. Thanks again to @molsbymoonlight and Dzanc Books for an early copy in exchange for an honest review. Peach Pit will be out on September 14th, so make sure you get your preorders in 💃
Unhinged gals are my favourite type of protagonists, and this collection is chock full of them. The majority of my ratings for each story were 4 or 5 stars. I did have the odd low rating, but I revelled in trying the majority of these authors for the first time and getting a little sample of their writing styles. So many of these authors have new books out this year, and I'm most definitely going to be preordering from a bunch of them. Peach Pit is brilliant in that it lets you try different authors and styles to find what works for you without the commitment of a novel.
I would highly recommend to all my short story and unhinged protagonist lovers. Thanks again to @molsbymoonlight and Dzanc Books for an early copy in exchange for an honest review. Peach Pit will be out on September 14th, so make sure you get your preorders in 💃
The Thorns Remain by J.J.A. Harwood
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Not all bad, but really not for me. I love a bit of Scottish Lore as much as the next gal, but the protagonist came across childish, the bad guy gave me the ick, and I'm not sure what the point was.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
What to say about this book that hasn't already been said? There's a lot of emphasis on how sad the contents are, but I feel like that is only true because of how much love the story contains as well.
There's a lot of trauma in this story, so definitely look up the triggers if you're worried, but I honestly thought it was going to be worse. I'm a person who feels stuff so deeply, and this is definitely a sad book, but it is also still just a book.
That's not to say these characters weren't beautifully built and realistic. They definitely were. When I was reading, it was as if nothing else mattered. My life didn't even exist. I have lived with these characters for 2 weeks, and I think a little part of them all will be with me for a very long time. Hanya is a genius, and I don't say this very often, but this is a once in a lifetime read.
I read the last 80 pages in one sitting, sobbing on and off for the majority of it. Once I had finished, it was definitely a sombre feeling, but also, like I'd really achieved something. It isn't very often I'll read a 720 page book that I've owned for over 3 years. Me and @jeveuxmonlivre_ think we deserve a certificate or medal 💁🏻♀️
There's a lot of trauma in this story, so definitely look up the triggers if you're worried, but I honestly thought it was going to be worse. I'm a person who feels stuff so deeply, and this is definitely a sad book, but it is also still just a book.
That's not to say these characters weren't beautifully built and realistic. They definitely were. When I was reading, it was as if nothing else mattered. My life didn't even exist. I have lived with these characters for 2 weeks, and I think a little part of them all will be with me for a very long time. Hanya is a genius, and I don't say this very often, but this is a once in a lifetime read.
I read the last 80 pages in one sitting, sobbing on and off for the majority of it. Once I had finished, it was definitely a sombre feeling, but also, like I'd really achieved something. It isn't very often I'll read a 720 page book that I've owned for over 3 years. Me and @jeveuxmonlivre_ think we deserve a certificate or medal 💁🏻♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Eating disorder, Gore, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail