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anabel_unker's Reviews (1.16k)
*I received a copy of this audiobook on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, narrators, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
ELEKTRA tells the story of Troy, both the events leading up to the 10-year war and after. It has three viewpoints intertwined– the titular Elektra, her mother Clytemnestra, and the Trojan princess Cassandra. Each are strung together by the king Agamemnon, a vicious king from a long line of bloodthirsty men.
This book does something as delicate as making you love all sides of a story. The drowning dispare of a mother tricked into the sacrifice of a beloved daughter. The burning rage of a child who’s held onto hatred for as long as her hands could grasp. And the woman who dared stop her own rape at the hands of a god, cursed with knowing the destruction of her beloved home and having no one believe her.
It captures the true folly of the Greek gods, and the helplessness of those caught in the whirlwind of their mythos. Saint does a wonderful job of bringing life to each woman’s story– not only providing the emotional motives for each character but making you root her until the bitter end.
The audiobook in particular was truly spectacular. The narrators (all three) perfectly captured the spirit of these three woman. They were not afraid to wield the power of their voices, and in doing so made each part more powerful than the last.
This is an excellent book for fans of Madeline Miller’s work or anyone looking for a feminist retelling of classic Greek myths. I’ll be anxiously awaiting the next Jennifer Saint book!
ELEKTRA tells the story of Troy, both the events leading up to the 10-year war and after. It has three viewpoints intertwined– the titular Elektra, her mother Clytemnestra, and the Trojan princess Cassandra. Each are strung together by the king Agamemnon, a vicious king from a long line of bloodthirsty men.
This book does something as delicate as making you love all sides of a story. The drowning dispare of a mother tricked into the sacrifice of a beloved daughter. The burning rage of a child who’s held onto hatred for as long as her hands could grasp. And the woman who dared stop her own rape at the hands of a god, cursed with knowing the destruction of her beloved home and having no one believe her.
It captures the true folly of the Greek gods, and the helplessness of those caught in the whirlwind of their mythos. Saint does a wonderful job of bringing life to each woman’s story– not only providing the emotional motives for each character but making you root her until the bitter end.
The audiobook in particular was truly spectacular. The narrators (all three) perfectly captured the spirit of these three woman. They were not afraid to wield the power of their voices, and in doing so made each part more powerful than the last.
This is an excellent book for fans of Madeline Miller’s work or anyone looking for a feminist retelling of classic Greek myths. I’ll be anxiously awaiting the next Jennifer Saint book!
*I received an electronic copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity.*
Set during the late 1800s to early 1900s, this book is a gem for anyone who loves reading books set during the Edwardian, pre-WW1 era. Initially set on Beaver Island in Canada, the book then moves into the United States in a more populated area. The book provides the invaluable perspective of a non-white young girl that many books during this era (think Anne of Green Gables and Pollyanna) are missing.
This book touches on so many important topics that many middle-school aged girls struggle with– identity, divorce and remarriage of parents, friendships, first crushes, being proud of heritage, preparing for the future… just to name a few.
The main character, Norvia, will resonate with so many young girls and it will be so easy for them to identify with at least one facet of her life. She’s stubborn, shy, and a little egocentric. While a little tedious for an adult reader, her growth during the book was a joy to follow.
But what made this book special, in my opinion, was it’s origin in the author’s own family history. Not only was this book thoroughly researched, as evidenced by correct language use and detailed Native American history, but it was also obviously a labor of love. It was so special to read something to close to the author and her identify, and the family photographs attached at the end were a delightful surprise.
Set during the late 1800s to early 1900s, this book is a gem for anyone who loves reading books set during the Edwardian, pre-WW1 era. Initially set on Beaver Island in Canada, the book then moves into the United States in a more populated area. The book provides the invaluable perspective of a non-white young girl that many books during this era (think Anne of Green Gables and Pollyanna) are missing.
This book touches on so many important topics that many middle-school aged girls struggle with– identity, divorce and remarriage of parents, friendships, first crushes, being proud of heritage, preparing for the future… just to name a few.
The main character, Norvia, will resonate with so many young girls and it will be so easy for them to identify with at least one facet of her life. She’s stubborn, shy, and a little egocentric. While a little tedious for an adult reader, her growth during the book was a joy to follow.
But what made this book special, in my opinion, was it’s origin in the author’s own family history. Not only was this book thoroughly researched, as evidenced by correct language use and detailed Native American history, but it was also obviously a labor of love. It was so special to read something to close to the author and her identify, and the family photographs attached at the end were a delightful surprise.
*I received an electronic copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for honest feedback. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity.*
I am the perfect example of a novice baker. I can somehow scrabble together a loaf of bread, my cakes hold up at family birthday parties, but my macrons are ALWAYS wrong. While I enjoy shouting at my TV during the Great British Bake Off (who in their right mind would start a curd with five minutes to go??) I could never, ever be an actual competitor.
This book, however, has made even the incredibly intimidating jiggly Japanese cheesecake and elaborate mooncakes seem within my reach. I follow Kat Lieu on instagram (@subtleasian.baking), and have enjoyed her wit and humor for months now. I was so happy to find the book littered with awful puns and her trademark quips, as well as personal anecdotes and heartfelt thanks to the recipe's initial inspiration.
As far as the recipes go-- they are clear, concise, and many offer alternatives for dietary restrictions (gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan are the most common). She offers step by step instructions that break down hard-to-replicate techniques. There is a great balance between popular and traditional recipes and it's obvious they were chosen with great care.
There is a section in the beginning of the book that details some of the less common Asian ingredients in Western cuisine (and some common ones as well), and also suggests places these ingredients should be available for purchase. The three central flavors (ube, black sesame, and matcha) are present in almost every recipe, with suggestions on how to personalize your bakes or change the flavor profiles.
Lieu did a wonderful job of simplifying a complex and rich history of baking into a manageable book-- ready for a wider audiences' consumption. This is a wonderful book for anyone looking to expand their baking repertoire beyond their standard recipes and dip into the world of subtle Asian baking.
I am the perfect example of a novice baker. I can somehow scrabble together a loaf of bread, my cakes hold up at family birthday parties, but my macrons are ALWAYS wrong. While I enjoy shouting at my TV during the Great British Bake Off (who in their right mind would start a curd with five minutes to go??) I could never, ever be an actual competitor.
This book, however, has made even the incredibly intimidating jiggly Japanese cheesecake and elaborate mooncakes seem within my reach. I follow Kat Lieu on instagram (@subtleasian.baking), and have enjoyed her wit and humor for months now. I was so happy to find the book littered with awful puns and her trademark quips, as well as personal anecdotes and heartfelt thanks to the recipe's initial inspiration.
As far as the recipes go-- they are clear, concise, and many offer alternatives for dietary restrictions (gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan are the most common). She offers step by step instructions that break down hard-to-replicate techniques. There is a great balance between popular and traditional recipes and it's obvious they were chosen with great care.
There is a section in the beginning of the book that details some of the less common Asian ingredients in Western cuisine (and some common ones as well), and also suggests places these ingredients should be available for purchase. The three central flavors (ube, black sesame, and matcha) are present in almost every recipe, with suggestions on how to personalize your bakes or change the flavor profiles.
Lieu did a wonderful job of simplifying a complex and rich history of baking into a manageable book-- ready for a wider audiences' consumption. This is a wonderful book for anyone looking to expand their baking repertoire beyond their standard recipes and dip into the world of subtle Asian baking.
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
The second in a "series" (I'm using that term loosely because you don't really need to read the first one to understand what's going on), LIZZIE BLAKE'S BEST MISTAKE is a charming romance novel that follows an erratic erotic baker and the straight-laced Australian hottie she somehow bagged as the two of them navigate a totally platonic co-parenting situation.
Things that I genuinely enjoyed in this book:
The main character is apologetically ADHD. It is so refreshing to see someone aneurotypical representing in a realistic manner. She's messy, unorganized, and chaotic-- and Lizzie is 100% aware of this. She struggles to embrace her brain for what it is and how it works, and so many people can relate to the struggle.
This book is spicy. Very spicy.
I also loved the emphasis on found family-- and recognizing that those you share blood with may not need to be in your life anymore. Lizzie, while dealing the the repercussions of an unplanned pregnancy, has a real amount of growth that takes place. She finds her community and embraces those who support and love her unconditionally.
Things that I struggled with in this book:
It was just so unrealistic. This book is written for the person looking for an escape from reality-- because while I know there are genuinely wonderful men who have two-night stands with women, I find it unbelievable they would relocate across the country to help raise the child. Rake left the job he liked and parents he adored, conveniently had dual citizenship and found and affordable, beautiful studio apartment-- all within the span of a few weeks. No questions asked.
If you can read books with a deep rooted suspension of belief, I think this book would be a five-star read. However, I couldn't completely lose myself in the book because it didn't feel real. All that said, I was rooting for them at the end and enjoyed the book-- and that's all you can really ask for!
The second in a "series" (I'm using that term loosely because you don't really need to read the first one to understand what's going on), LIZZIE BLAKE'S BEST MISTAKE is a charming romance novel that follows an erratic erotic baker and the straight-laced Australian hottie she somehow bagged as the two of them navigate a totally platonic co-parenting situation.
Things that I genuinely enjoyed in this book:
The main character is apologetically ADHD. It is so refreshing to see someone aneurotypical representing in a realistic manner. She's messy, unorganized, and chaotic-- and Lizzie is 100% aware of this. She struggles to embrace her brain for what it is and how it works, and so many people can relate to the struggle.
This book is spicy. Very spicy.
I also loved the emphasis on found family-- and recognizing that those you share blood with may not need to be in your life anymore. Lizzie, while dealing the the repercussions of an unplanned pregnancy, has a real amount of growth that takes place. She finds her community and embraces those who support and love her unconditionally.
Things that I struggled with in this book:
It was just so unrealistic. This book is written for the person looking for an escape from reality-- because while I know there are genuinely wonderful men who have two-night stands with women, I find it unbelievable they would relocate across the country to help raise the child. Rake left the job he liked and parents he adored, conveniently had dual citizenship and found and affordable, beautiful studio apartment-- all within the span of a few weeks. No questions asked.
If you can read books with a deep rooted suspension of belief, I think this book would be a five-star read. However, I couldn't completely lose myself in the book because it didn't feel real. All that said, I was rooting for them at the end and enjoyed the book-- and that's all you can really ask for!
Arrival Stories: Women Share Their Experiences of Becoming Mothers
Christy Turlington Burns, Amy Schumer
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
ARRIVAL STORIES is an impactful anthology of birth stories written by a wide variety of women. As a maternity nurse myself, reading how women feel and the experiences they all had was particularly moving since I'm usually on the other side in the scrubs. It's a diverse collection that attempts to cover all the different ways women can become mothers-- through adoption, IVF, post-abortion or post-miscarriage, accidentally, on purpose, naturally, medicated, single, or with a wide support group (just to name a few). I especially appreciated the representation of women of color, the disparity of treatment they face was (rightfully) discussed several times and serves as an amazing way to start an important conversation.
My only criticism is that it felt like most of the writers came from a place of privilege. Which, of course, is a population of people that still face difficulties and complications during birth, but at times, the book felt out of touch with the challenges most women face. It felt like the book wanted to dig deep and dirty into the mess of motherhood in today's society, but only hit the first few layers.
Overall, I think this book is a wonderful place to start. It provides a great variety in birth stories, and the resounding message is that though there are several different ways to become a mother-- the end is the same, love.
ARRIVAL STORIES is an impactful anthology of birth stories written by a wide variety of women. As a maternity nurse myself, reading how women feel and the experiences they all had was particularly moving since I'm usually on the other side in the scrubs. It's a diverse collection that attempts to cover all the different ways women can become mothers-- through adoption, IVF, post-abortion or post-miscarriage, accidentally, on purpose, naturally, medicated, single, or with a wide support group (just to name a few). I especially appreciated the representation of women of color, the disparity of treatment they face was (rightfully) discussed several times and serves as an amazing way to start an important conversation.
My only criticism is that it felt like most of the writers came from a place of privilege. Which, of course, is a population of people that still face difficulties and complications during birth, but at times, the book felt out of touch with the challenges most women face. It felt like the book wanted to dig deep and dirty into the mess of motherhood in today's society, but only hit the first few layers.
Overall, I think this book is a wonderful place to start. It provides a great variety in birth stories, and the resounding message is that though there are several different ways to become a mother-- the end is the same, love.
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
In HESTER, author Laurie Lico Albanese tries to answer the question "What if The Scarlet Letter had been based in truth?". It's fact that Hawthorne's inspiration for his other works came from his own experiences, but very little is known about the origin of his most famous piece of literature.
This book, however, is a work of fiction, but it's a beautiful one. The main character, Isobel, struggles to conceal her synesthesia but is able to express the colors she sees in her work as an embroiderer. At first, she is conscripted to a life of white on white embroidery, but through the initially advantageous marriage to the local apothecary, she's able to create her art in piece. After seizing the opportunity to create a new life in the New World, Isobel follows her husband to Salem, Massachusetts-- where she finds a market for her illustrious work and a new love.
HESTER is a story as rich, and embellished, as a hand-woven tapestry. The descriptions are beautiful, and it was so easy to lose myself in the world Albanese created. Albanese discusses very heavy topics of American history-- namely the Salem Witch Trials, during which innocent men, women, and children were falsely accused of witchcraft and some killed, and the Underground Railroad, a group of men and women who risked their lives to help slaves find freedom in the North.
This story, at its root, is a tale of strong women forging their own path in a world not accepting of independence. It was a wonderful book, and I look forward to reading some of Albanese's other work soon!
In HESTER, author Laurie Lico Albanese tries to answer the question "What if The Scarlet Letter had been based in truth?". It's fact that Hawthorne's inspiration for his other works came from his own experiences, but very little is known about the origin of his most famous piece of literature.
This book, however, is a work of fiction, but it's a beautiful one. The main character, Isobel, struggles to conceal her synesthesia but is able to express the colors she sees in her work as an embroiderer. At first, she is conscripted to a life of white on white embroidery, but through the initially advantageous marriage to the local apothecary, she's able to create her art in piece. After seizing the opportunity to create a new life in the New World, Isobel follows her husband to Salem, Massachusetts-- where she finds a market for her illustrious work and a new love.
HESTER is a story as rich, and embellished, as a hand-woven tapestry. The descriptions are beautiful, and it was so easy to lose myself in the world Albanese created. Albanese discusses very heavy topics of American history-- namely the Salem Witch Trials, during which innocent men, women, and children were falsely accused of witchcraft and some killed, and the Underground Railroad, a group of men and women who risked their lives to help slaves find freedom in the North.
This story, at its root, is a tale of strong women forging their own path in a world not accepting of independence. It was a wonderful book, and I look forward to reading some of Albanese's other work soon!
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
As a longtime fan of @punk_history on instagram, and a weirdo who likes to imagine the conversations art subjects may be having, I think this book is the perfect coffee table literature! The artwork chosen offers a wide variety of styles, and most importantly it's witty and relatable. Everyone has (or knows of) the friends depicted in FRIENDS TO KEEP IN ART AND LIFE, and this book is a fun way to appreciate traditional art/meme culture!
As a longtime fan of @punk_history on instagram, and a weirdo who likes to imagine the conversations art subjects may be having, I think this book is the perfect coffee table literature! The artwork chosen offers a wide variety of styles, and most importantly it's witty and relatable. Everyone has (or knows of) the friends depicted in FRIENDS TO KEEP IN ART AND LIFE, and this book is a fun way to appreciate traditional art/meme culture!