I just started The Great Divide by Cristina Henriquez. It's good so far. I'm interested to see how it plays out.
Changed my mind. Don't bother reading this. There are so many characters and sub-plots, it's impossible to keep track. I'm not going to finish this one.
The reviews on Goodreads by Black women are…not good.
I don't ever use Goodreads but I'll take a look. I am also going to take a look and see what the professional reviews say/said. I decided to read it after hearing an interview with the author who describes it as a Get Out/Stepford Wives mash up. I am guessing that the negative reviews are because so much of the story centers being black around tragedy and that is most definitely true of the book. The main character very rarely discusses or even thinks about anything else.
The ending was not one I had ever considered despite the heavy set up by the main character's focus.
It was a very close rewrite of Stepford Wives. To the point where I looked to see if SW was somehow already in the public domain so she could use the plot and some of the wording without paying royalties.
I feel like the idea (rewrite SW to be about race vs woman’s rights at a more accessible reading level) was good but I don’t think she was the author to do it.
I kept thinking something would happen to reveal that these anti-Black characterizations were for a larger point but that never happened and in fact the author seemed to double down at the end. It was disturbing and not in the way I think she intended.
I just picked up Sandwich. Looking forward to starting it!
I’m a little over halfway done with this and am really enjoying it. If you aren’t in/near perimenopause though it’s probably not very relatable. I however am so it’s super funny to me.
I read about 40% and just don't get the hype. I think if I had older kids it would be much more relatable but don't think I'll finish it. Its too bad, I'd heard great things about it.
I don't ever use Goodreads but I'll take a look. I am also going to take a look and see what the professional reviews say/said. I decided to read it after hearing an interview with the author who describes it as a Get Out/Stepford Wives mash up. I am guessing that the negative reviews are because so much of the story centers being black around tragedy and that is most definitely true of the book. The main character very rarely discusses or even thinks about anything else.
The ending was not one I had ever considered despite the heavy set up by the main character's focus.
It was a very close rewrite of Stepford Wives. To the point where I looked to see if SW was somehow already in the public domain so she could use the plot and some of the wording without paying royalties.
I feel like the idea (rewrite SW to be about race vs woman’s rights at a more accessible reading level) was good but I don’t think she was the author to do it.
I kept thinking something would happen to reveal that these anti-Black characterizations were for a larger point but that never happened and in fact the author seemed to double down at the end. It was disturbing and not in the way I think she intended.
As I noted originally, I am still thinking about the book. But I find myself more focused on King's thoughts and motivations. Lack of insight about his character is what made the ending the most unsettling to me. That he does that TO her.
ETA: I have never actually read or seen the Stepford Wives but I know the basic premise.
It was a very close rewrite of Stepford Wives. To the point where I looked to see if SW was somehow already in the public domain so she could use the plot and some of the wording without paying royalties.
I feel like the idea (rewrite SW to be about race vs woman’s rights at a more accessible reading level) was good but I don’t think she was the author to do it.
I kept thinking something would happen to reveal that these anti-Black characterizations were for a larger point but that never happened and in fact the author seemed to double down at the end. It was disturbing and not in the way I think she intended.
As I noted originally, I am still thinking about the book. But I find myself more focused on King's thoughts and motivations. Lack of insight about his character is what made the ending the most unsettling to me. That he does that TO her.
ETA: I have never actually read or seen the Stepford Wives but I know the basic premise.
All of the characters were underwritten to the point there I felt anyone would do anything to anyone and it wouldn’t have been out of character.
I guess it’s been long enough since Stepford Wives was published that many people today wouldn’t have read it but it followed the exact plot and even some dialog was the nearly the same word for word. I don’t know how they weren’t required to disclose that on the book itself and in all promo materials. It’s only mentioned in passing (and among other books/movies) in interviews.
In the original, the people are more developed in general and the progression of the husbands/various characters’ views makes a lot more sense so while the ending is shocking, you can see how they got there
I just picked up Sandwich. Looking forward to starting it!
I’m a little over halfway done with this and am really enjoying it. If you aren’t in/near perimenopause though it’s probably not very relatable. I however am so it’s super funny to me.
I just added this to my hold list the other day. I thought We All Want Impossible Things was so incredibly moving and well-written.
I’m trying to debate if I want to do Covenant of Water. Generational dramas are my jam, but it’s daunting to read such a large book!
This one is a slog. I read it all and did really enjoy it (gave 4 stars) but it really could have used some editing to make it a little more concise. I remember being frustrated at several times that he would not just get on with the story.
ksun , what did you think of "We Were Liars"? I read that close to 6 years ago, maybe longer? and the ending never left my mind. Apparently I'm not super great at seeing endings/plot twists if you can call it that because I gave my husband a general synopsis and he predicted the ending.
Without giving away spoilers, once the ending became clear it made so much sense but no, I didn't see it coming either.
I have hardly read anything this year so I'm trying to make up for it. This month I've read The Housemaid is Watching and The Maid (unrelated). I've loved the Housemaid series so I'm glad there was a new one. I also found out the Maid is a series, so even though I didn't LOVE it I'll probably read the 2nd book. The main character/narrator is neurodivergent and it seems the auther picked and chose what kind of ND she was depending on the situation, which was annoying.
Next up is finishing Carrie Soto is Back, which I've read about half of.
I just finished The Housemaid and I am moving to the next one in the series. I don't normally read thrillers, murder mysteries, etc; but this really grabbed hold and wouldn't let go. All I can say is that I thought I had figured out the plot about 1/2 way. I was WRONG! So wrong.
Post by texasharleygirl on Jul 26, 2024 8:42:21 GMT -5
I finished "Shanghai Girls" by Lisa See a couple of weeks ago. It had been on my hold list with the library and I postponed the lending several times. I really liked it. It reminded me of "Pachinko".
Once I finished the Housemaid Series, I am going to reread some books that are in my Kindle from many years ago.
I just finished Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa. Omg it was so beautifully written and heartbreaking. I absolutely loved it, probably my favorite book this year.
I quit The Book of Doors 30% in. It just wasn’t capturing me. I might make a good tv series but the book was dragging on. I don’t even care to google spoilers to find out how it end.
I quit The Book of Doors 30% in. It just wasn’t capturing me. I might make a good tv series but the book was dragging on. I don’t even care to google spoilers to find out how it end.
It was a lot more...harsh? Than I was expecting. More violence and some really awful characters.
I quit The Book of Doors 30% in. It just wasn’t capturing me. I might make a good tv series but the book was dragging on. I don’t even care to google spoilers to find out how it end.
I also quit at around 15%. It’s pretty rare for me to quit a book, but this one was not it for me.
Post by wanderlustmom on Jul 26, 2024 15:24:26 GMT -5
Finishing A Little Life. I had heard all the mixed reviews so it was on me that I read it. It's the first time I've disliked a book so much that is so so well written. Don't want to spoil it for anyone.
I'm almost done Any Other Family by Eleanor Brown and it's been good. It's about different families that have each adopted a different sibling and the work of meshing all that together. I'll prob give it 4 stars, unless something super wild happens in the next 50ish pages.
I'm also reading Best of Friends by Kamila Shamsie. It's a coming of age of two girls in Pakistan. It's been really good, I would recommend!
Finishing A Little Life. I had heard all the mixed reviews so it was on me that I read it. It's the first time I've disliked a book so much that is so so well written. Don't want to spoil it for anyone.
Finishing A Little Life. I had heard all the mixed reviews so it was on me that I read it. It's the first time I've disliked a book so much that is so so well written. Don't want to spoil it for anyone.
Torture porn, I call this one.
Exactly! I thought it was so unrealistic and incredibly hard to read.
I quit The Book of Doors 30% in. It just wasn’t capturing me. I might make a good tv series but the book was dragging on. I don’t even care to google spoilers to find out how it end.
This is a book where I loved the concept and did not like the execution. I wish someone else had come up with the idea. Also I’m pretty sure there’s a plot hole and there would be two of the main character in the present day timeline.
Post by RoxMonster on Jul 27, 2024 16:30:10 GMT -5
I just finished What Happened to Nina? I would say 4 stars
I hated the cover and will say, I sometimes read books based on the cover, but glad I read reviews and tried it anyway. It was very reminiscent to me of the Gabby Petito case (this is a fictional book).
The book got better as I read. The first 30% or so, the writing felt...stilted to me? Or like I was being told instead of shown? I can't describe it. Either I just got used to it or the author got more in her element as she kept writing and the last portion of the book, the writing felt better to me.
It was a very close rewrite of Stepford Wives. To the point where I looked to see if SW was somehow already in the public domain so she could use the plot and some of the wording without paying royalties.
I feel like the idea (rewrite SW to be about race vs woman’s rights at a more accessible reading level) was good but I don’t think she was the author to do it.
I kept thinking something would happen to reveal that these anti-Black characterizations were for a larger point but that never happened and in fact the author seemed to double down at the end. It was disturbing and not in the way I think she intended.
As I noted originally, I am still thinking about the book. But I find myself more focused on King's thoughts and motivations. Lack of insight about his character is what made the ending the most unsettling to me. That he does that TO her.
ETA: I have never actually read or seen the Stepford Wives but I know the basic premise.
That actually made sense to me - he had such a need to protect. The part I didn’t get were the people who had lived in the town for a long time…just from a logistical standpoint point, was it taking them longer? And what role did identity pride play? Did it mean that fear was greater than pride?
I just finished What Happened to Nina? I would say 4 stars
I hated the cover and will say, I sometimes read books based on the cover, but glad I read reviews and tried it anyway. It was very reminiscent to me of the Gabby Petito case (this is a fictional book).
The book got better as I read. The first 30% or so, the writing felt...stilted to me? Or like I was being told instead of shown? I can't describe it. Either I just got used to it or the author got more in her element as she kept writing and the last portion of the book, the writing felt better to me.
Just started Come and Get it by Kiley Reid, seems good so far.
Last two I read - midnight feast by Lucy Foley and Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan. Both good!
My library has a section called the Lucky Day collection, new books that have no holds and no renewals, most of the time now I go there and choose a couple and it’s been working out well for me.
I’m a little over halfway done with this and am really enjoying it. If you aren’t in/near perimenopause though it’s probably not very relatable. I however am so it’s super funny to me.
I read about 40% and just don't get the hype. I think if I had older kids it would be much more relatable but don't think I'll finish it. Its too bad, I'd heard great things about it.
It is definitely a read for those of us at that stage of our lives (older children, aging parents). I laughed a lot. I cried a ton.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
I just finished What Happened to Nina? I would say 4 stars
I hated the cover and will say, I sometimes read books based on the cover, but glad I read reviews and tried it anyway. It was very reminiscent to me of the Gabby Petito case (this is a fictional book).
The book got better as I read. The first 30% or so, the writing felt...stilted to me? Or like I was being told instead of shown? I can't describe it. Either I just got used to it or the author got more in her element as she kept writing and the last portion of the book, the writing felt better to me.
It is specifically a fictionalized version of the Gabby Petito case. I started it and stopped it fairly early on, but maybe I should try it again if it gets better.
I’m on a quick read streak. I loved Sandwich and the Lion Women of Tehran (I ugly sobbed through the end). I enjoyed the Paradise Problem, though I thought it was kind of dumb. Sloughed through some crap. Kind of enjoyed Cancelled, loved House in the Cerculean Sea (though I felt some kind of way about the premise as it reminded me a lot of some pretty deplorable government action here in the US)
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
I just finished What Happened to Nina? I would say 4 stars
I hated the cover and will say, I sometimes read books based on the cover, but glad I read reviews and tried it anyway. It was very reminiscent to me of the Gabby Petito case (this is a fictional book).
The book got better as I read. The first 30% or so, the writing felt...stilted to me? Or like I was being told instead of shown? I can't describe it. Either I just got used to it or the author got more in her element as she kept writing and the last portion of the book, the writing felt better to me.
It is specifically a factionalized version of the Gabby Petito case. I started it and stopped it fairly early on, but maybe I should try it again if it gets better.
Oh interesting I didn’t know it was intentionally a fictionalized version of the case.
I just picked up Sandwich. Looking forward to starting it!
I’m a little over halfway done with this and am really enjoying it. If you aren’t in/near perimenopause though it’s probably not very relatable. I however am so it’s super funny to me.