The Violence is one of the most violent books I've ever read. Shocker, right?! Well, before we begin, the author has a note about trigger warningsThe Violence is one of the most violent books I've ever read. Shocker, right?! Well, before we begin, the author has a note about trigger warnings. Just assume literally everything violent is possible in this book. Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse are major themes in this book.
That out of the way, this book is epic and quite literally an epic metaphorically depiction of so many current issues facing our society today. The story is focused on the Martin family—Chelsea, her husband David, their two daughters Ella and Brooklyn, and Chelsea's mother Patricia. Living in Florida, news breaks out that a new post-Covid (yeah, this book has Covid topics in it) pandemic has begin to rise. Initially unsure how it begins, they are calling it the Violence—a condition where people "storm" and lose control of their consciousness and express extreme levels of violent tunnel vision towards a target. As the world is grappling in a post-Covid world, the United States is currently dealing with political ploys about how to handle this new pandemic. Chelsea knows that she has to take care of her family, no matter the cost. However, Chelsea's family is also dealing with people who may actually be more chaotic then the Violence.
I cannot believe I just read 500 pages in 24 hours. This doesn't happen much, but when it does, YOU KNOW THE BOOK IS PHEMONENAL. It reads extremely fast for all the content that this book provides. This book uses the Violence as a metaphorical representation of many different themes, but I will let you figure out how it's messaging comes across. Delilah Dawson, WOW, I think you wrote one of my favorite books of 2022! ...more
I really thought that Nikki May's debut novel, Wahala was going to be my last read for 2021, but I just couldn't put it down during my post-HolidaI really thought that Nikki May's debut novel, Wahala was going to be my last read for 2021, but I just couldn't put it down during my post-Holiday commute back into NYC. The cover is spectacular and it may be a contender for best covers of 2022, and it's still 2021!
Picking up this book, I thought that it would be geared more towards a Nigerian Sex and the City, as the blurb hints at the main characters resembling them, but what we really get is a Anglo-Nigerian Big Little Lies, and I'm not mad about it!
The story focuses on three Anglo-Nigerian women in London—Ronke, Boo, and Simi, three women with different lives, but a core friendship nonetheless. Ronke is dating and feels like she's ready for a bigger commitment, Boo is married to a dedicated French husband with a child already, and Simi is the one that everyone gravitates towards. Simi appears to have the perfect life, but she has her own secrets that she isn't sharing. The trio soon meets Isobel, a woman who appears to also have everything handed to her. But when an outsider joins the group and changes everything, what does that really mean about the strength of their friendship?
This book had mystery/thriller undertones, but is mainly a women's fiction drama. PLEASE do not go into it thinking you'll be reading anything other than that. I was disappointed in thinking that we would get something a bit more twisty. That being said, I really enjoyed the power dynamics between Ronke, Boo, Simi, and Isobel. Each woman has a real influence over the narrative and their own personality. For example, Ronke was my favorite! Everyone will find a character to support and everyone will find a character to love to hate.
This book talks about many different topics that really drove my interest. Not only does the book talk about female friendship, socioeconomic power struggles, and relationships; but I also really enjoyed the conversations of what it means to be Anglo-Nigerian. Both the struggles and privilege, living in both London and Lagos. I really think this book will be a hit for readers, so let me know what you think when you finish!...more
I was really excited for Erin Young's debut novel, The Fields, because I haven't read a dark, twisty, procedural in a long time. Although this booI was really excited for Erin Young's debut novel, The Fields, because I haven't read a dark, twisty, procedural in a long time. Although this book takes place in Iowa, it has a very similar narrative as those from Nordic Noir procedurals. Sadly, this book wasn't my most favorite procedurals ever.
The story focuses in rural Iowa, specifically in a town that thrives off farming. When a body is found in an Iowa cornfield, Sergeant Riley Fisher leads the investigation behind the mysterious murder. It becomes even darker when the murder victim is one of Riley's childhood friends. As the investigation grows, more victims are found, promoting the culprit into serial killer territory. How will the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office uncover this slew of murders?
Let's start off on the positive—the writing. Erin Young's writing in this book is honestly spectacular. I really couldn't put the book down when I got into the story. I really was intrigued by the character development and the dialogue. However, I really don't care about the politics and drama surrounding the agriculture industry, which is a major contention in this book. That's where this book lost me completely. SORRY! I would 100% dive back into this series if the author takes another path for book 2. Political thrillers are not my favorite, no matter what the story is about or who the author is. Especially if it involves corn.
Overall, I think procedural readers will really enjoy this book. Go in with normal expectations and report back to me when you're done. I'm curious to see how readers will react to Riley Fisher. ...more
I feel like such a grumpy reader lately with giving less than stellar reviews. I was excited about this book because I saw a lot of my favorite authorI feel like such a grumpy reader lately with giving less than stellar reviews. I was excited about this book because I saw a lot of my favorite authors giving blurbs about it, but sadly it was way too slow for my liking. If you like slow building drama, this book would work for you. I thought it would venture on the side of horror, but it didn't provide the scares that it could've with its storyline. ...more
This was my first venture into Heather Gudenkauf's books, and sadly, it just didn't work out for me. The story is broken into three different POVs—preThis was my first venture into Heather Gudenkauf's books, and sadly, it just didn't work out for me. The story is broken into three different POVs—present day, in the past (21 years ago), and then another mysterious POV. I really only enjoyed the present day timeline of this story, while the other two were too slow for my liking. Ultimately, I figured out what was going on early as well, which doesn't help when I only like 1/3 of the narrative. I'm not sure that I'll try again with this author....more
I don't normally read romance, but when I do it needs to be MM romance! Christopher Rice's Sapphire Sunset is steamy and fun, but ultimately the pI don't normally read romance, but when I do it needs to be MM romance! Christopher Rice's Sapphire Sunset is steamy and fun, but ultimately the perfect romance novel for those who want to read honest depictions in gay relationships. Literally, this book is White Lotus with a MM romance spin. I read this book in two sittings and I am so happy that Christopher Rice is creating a series in this genre. I will be first in line for each of them....more
I am struggling with how to review this one because the writing and the premise of this book are good, but I didn't enjoy it? I don't know, just hear I am struggling with how to review this one because the writing and the premise of this book are good, but I didn't enjoy it? I don't know, just hear me out! I was really excited to read Jessamine Chan's debut dystopian novel, The School for Good Mothers because I was hearing that it had Handmaid's Tale vibes. In today's current political climate, these types of books are great self reflections on how we need to keep in mind what is happening in our society.
When Frida Liu leaves her daughter Harriet home while running to work, she is contacted by Child Protective Services. Frida is now at the mercy of the government after her daughter was reported to the agency due to Frida's apparent "neglect and abandonment." After being deemed unfit, Frida is being watched by the government, and soon after is enlisted into a program for mothers who need to be taught how to become better mothers. Will Frida live up to the test?
The book sounds really good, right? Well, sadly this book is extremely repetitive and slow, with only the insight from Frida, rather than any world building to how the government has become this authoritative. This book may be dystopian, but it really sounded more of a book about divorced parents. I didn't really resonate with where the book was trying to go. I wish we had more of a bird's eye view of how society was handling this type of controlled government behavior.
However, I did enjoy the social commentary about being Chinese American in Philadelphia and the struggles Frida had with her ex-husband Gust. Frida is a very strong protagonist and I felt for her throughout the book. The School for Good Mothers is dark and emotional, sad and provoking, and most importantly, ended very powerfully. The final chapters really saved this book from being a 2 star read into a 3 star read. ...more
I devoured this book in one sitting. Daphne Palasi Andreades' poetic, contemporary fiction novel, Brown Girls needs to be mandatory reading in higI devoured this book in one sitting. Daphne Palasi Andreades' poetic, contemporary fiction novel, Brown Girls needs to be mandatory reading in high school. I'm telling you now that everyone needs to read this. The story focuses on a group of women of color and their experience growing up in Queens.
The characters struggle with their family, both in terms of immigration and their traditional values, while also struggle with their place in American society. This book is less of a work of fiction and more of a long poem or monologue explaining these struggles. It's truly powerful and I think many will appreciate this type of story. As a cishet white male, I found the story to be very profound and powerful, as someone who can't relate or experience these types of societal and emotional efforts placed on women of color, especially women of color coming from immigrant families. This book is one big depiction on the microaggressions people face in the United States. I saw some frustrations about the author (who is Filipino) speaking about other ethnicities and cultures, but I think the reason why this book was so powerful was that it really showed how women of color, no matter their race or culture, tend to be put into similar types of situations. If you enjoyed My Monticello, you'll enjoy Brown Girls....more
Highly recommend this as an audiobook. It's a dark one, but was a fun adventure via audio. Highly recommend this as an audiobook. It's a dark one, but was a fun adventure via audio. ...more
This book is one of the most odd horror novels that I've ever read, but I liked it! I still can't quite explain what I think this book was trying to cThis book is one of the most odd horror novels that I've ever read, but I liked it! I still can't quite explain what I think this book was trying to create, but I guess it's one of those things (like rewatching the Dune movie) where I'll eventually understand more and more as I think about it.
Lila Sawyer and her mother Caroline live in Atlanta, Georgia, in an apartment together while her mother is an art professor at school nearby. Her mother is a local celebrity, a well-known sculpture artist, and a woman with a reputation. Lila is an average teenager who has some secrets of her own, but as she hits adolescence, her behavioral patterns begin to change. Lila is scared to divulge any of her secrets, and has a difficult time speaking of them with her father and his new wife or her mother. While the story takes place in 2019, the readers are also given glimpses into Lila's mother's life in 2004, before leaving Lila's father and living in New Orleans. Both Caroline and Lila's lives are intertwined by a similar threat, but people are not taking their fears seriously. Women are dying and bodies are piling up, but Caroline and Lila both have serious concerns as its affecting them both.
Go into this book with zero knowledge about what to expect. It's like supernatural wackiness of The Bright Lands infused with the psychological suspense of The Wife Between Us (it isn't a domestic thriller though, just stating it now). I really enjoyed seeing the story develop, but I think it'll take me some time to actually understand what exactly happened. Definitely a fun, wild ride, and if you enjoy horror novels, you'll enjoy Such a Pretty Smile....more
This was a lot of fun, especially since so many housewives participated, but there is very little "tea" provided. I knew it would be "real housewives This was a lot of fun, especially since so many housewives participated, but there is very little "tea" provided. I knew it would be "real housewives tea lite" as Andy Cohen is publishing the book, but figured it would be a fun ride. I'm not mad that I read it, but they didn't really dive too far into the juicy details that fans really want to know about....more
Catriona Ward is now two for two! I fell in love with Catriona Ward's writing when I read her 2021 release, The Last House on Needless Street, so I knCatriona Ward is now two for two! I fell in love with Catriona Ward's writing when I read her 2021 release, The Last House on Needless Street, so I knew that I needed to read her 2022 release, Sundial. Catriona, please keep the books coming because I think I found my new favorite horror author. Sundial will be very polarizing for readers, because it doesn't give the same vibe as her last book did, which goes to show you how finessed Ward's craft of storytelling is.
Sundial focuses on mother and wife Rob, her husband Irving, and their two children Callie and Annie. After witnessing some pretty gruesome and dangerous behavior by their daughter Callie, Rob decides to take Callie back to her childhood home—"Sundial", a compound in the Mojave Desert. Rob hopes that their time together in Sundial will help Callie reflect on her behavior, but Rob has a philandering and psychologically corrupt husband at home as well to worry about. Callie's behavior is just the tip of the iceberg for this extremely unstable family.
I don't want to give away too much, because as you expect, Sundial is best read when you know as little as possible. The story is way more straightforward than The Last House on Needless Street, so no need to worry about trying to catch the massive plot twist. However, this story is just as dark and captivating as its predecessor. I truly loved reading this book so much that I've began diving into Catriona's previous works. If you are unsure about reading horror, Catriona Ward expertly handles horror with care and interweaves it into other genres as well. This time, we get an extremely solid (yet chaotic and unstable) family drama, infused with horror and suspense. I read this book in two sittings and cannot wait to see what else this author has up her sleeve. Prioritize this one for 2022, readers!
Lucy Foley is becoming the new Ruth Ware, isn’t she? I really enjoyed The Hunting Party, but I struggled with the even more popular release The Guest Lucy Foley is becoming the new Ruth Ware, isn’t she? I really enjoyed The Hunting Party, but I struggled with the even more popular release The Guest List. However, once I saw the cover of Foley’s 2022 release, THE PARIS APARTMENT, I just knew I needed to read it.
I’ll be vague with the story, because the best part of it is how it unfolds. The story focuses on a UK woman named Jess coming to visit her half brother Ben after being invited to come visit him at his new apartment in Paris. While arriving, Jess finds his brother missing, with a group of residents with questionable behavior. Why is her brother missing and how does it relate to the tenants in the building? THE PARIS APARTMENT follows the similar formula that Lucy Foley has perfected, with multiple POVs, in a setting that also plays as its own character. This story is rich with French culture and atmosphere, and I feel like I’m transported to Paris. We have a deck of characters that really all have their own personalities. Talk about immersive—I was transported to that time that I visited Paris! If you liked the show Only Murders in the Building, with a hint of Emily in Paris, but with a Clue-esque twist, I definitely think this book is for you. This book’s climax and ending are seriously going to be resonating with me for awhile, it was just that epic. THE PARIS APARTMENT is proof that Lucy Foley isn’t just here to stay, but also to slay....more
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