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paigeinthepages_sg's reviews
104 reviews
Alone with You in the Ether by Olivie Blake
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A story of love, art, math, time, and bees. A study of what it means to be human and to be loved. This novel by Olivie Blake now holds the title of my favorite book. Blake's unique style shifts throughout the book, allowing you to see the story unfold from different angles. I found it impossible not to adore Aldo the theoretical mathematician and what he learns from the elusive Charlotte Regan in six conversations.
This is the first book I have ever tried annotating and it was an incredible experience, I found myself wanting to underline half the book. Here are some of my favorite non-spoiler quotes:
"Was it contrived, god descending from machine, or was it because she had been vacant where he was vacant, and therefore both would inevitably seek to be filled?"
"He contemplates formulas and degrees of rationality and they all turn into her. He thinks about time, which has only recently begun, or at least now feels different. He thinks: The Babylonians were wrong; time is made of her."
"Yes it is perilously wonderful to suffer so sweetly with you"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Leila Mottley introduces readers to her poetic voice in her contemporary novel debut "Night crawling". In this story we follow the protagonist Kiara as she tries to support her family (and found family) through any means necessary. She is a "reflection of the violence black and brown women face regularly"(quote from Mottley). I thought this was a well written story (especially because Leila Mottley began writing it at 17), but I found myself searching for more emotion. This may just be because I do not connect with the story in a personal level. I also felt like the ending seemed a little rushed (although that does make it align with the current state of the US justice system) . I cannot wait to see more from this author in the future! If a contemporary fiction piece about sex work, police scandal, and found family sounds interesting then this may be the book for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, and Trafficking
Moderate: Child death, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
This book was just as amazing as everyone said. I 100% recommend listening to the audiobook!
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Like Madeleine Miller, Jennifer Saint presents a Greek retelling for the female gaze in a way that is accessible to readers regardless of their knowledge of Greek myth. The story of Ariadine was captivating from start to finish, but could have been better in the beauty and emotion department.
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I found the book a bit hard to get through due to the chapters being super long. There weren't really any good starting and stopping points. I was having a hard time getting into it in the beginning, but the second half is pretty good. This is one of the first ever queer American novels, if that sounds interesting to you I definitely recommend reading just for the sake of it.
Teen Titans: Robin by Gabriel Picolo, Kami Garcia
adventurous
funny
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? It's complicated
4.5
Garcia and Piccolo knock it out of the park again! I will say I feel like I learned less about Robin(s) than I did about the other characters in their respective debut books.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It has been so long since I've been captivated by a book enough to finish in a few days. Like the tabloids in the book, I could not get enough of Evelyn Hugo. It feels hard to write a review about this book because mentioning anything I like about it feels like spoiling it. This book is best read knowing nothing but the title going into it.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
adventurous
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? No
4.75
I'm a little late to the game on reading this book, but I'm glad I did. It is just as awesome as everyone says. Kya was such an engaging character which made this book very hard to put down.
I would recommend this book to pretty much anyone, especially as a summer read.
I would recommend this book to pretty much anyone, especially as a summer read.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I don't really know what to say about this book. It is truly just beautifully written. This meloncoly roman-à-clef classic is a fantastic read, especially for someone in their early 20s. If you decide to read this book I highly advise you to check trigger warnings beforehand as it covers very serious topics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was a pretty unique romance novel. I at least have never read about a romance between an Instagram influencer and a crab fisherman before. The smut wasn't really my thing but the story was definitely cute. As with most romance novels there were some parts that seemed unrealistic but nothing insane. If you are looking for a laid back summer romance, I would definitely recommend.
A 3.0 is a pretty standard rating for romance books for me as they are not my favorite genre, but I do like to read one every once and awhile. If romance is your favorite I would definitely recommend this one to you though as it is one of the more fun ones I've read!
A 3.0 is a pretty standard rating for romance books for me as they are not my favorite genre, but I do like to read one every once and awhile. If romance is your favorite I would definitely recommend this one to you though as it is one of the more fun ones I've read!