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1.84k reviews by:
caseythereader
Graphic: Cursing, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy, Alcohol
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
- SLONIM WOODS 9 is a firsthand account of how someone might unknowingly fall in with a cult. We follow Levin as he sinks further and further in, trapped before he even realizes it.
- It was fascinating and horrifying to see his internal monologue on the page, and how quickly things can go from going along to be polite to unable to say no to wildly horrific abuse in ways that make no logical sense to outsiders but seems perfectly normal to the cult members.
- I assume this is a result of Levin still working through his experiences, but much of this book felt really detached. Levin writes himself as having almost no agency or direction or even personality through most of the book, simply floating through life. Though, isn't that what makes someone a good target for a cult leader, I guess?
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia
Minor: Antisemitism
- SIRENS AND MUSES is atmospheric, enveloping the reader in the characters' art world bubble.
- It's got a touch of Donna Tartt to it, with the wealthy college students getting wrapped up in each other and their studies, and I think anyone who has ever been in an art program (hi, me) will find some aspects of the story highly, maybe uncomfortably, relatable.
- This book gets really deep into questions about what and who is art for, and while the fine art vs the internet throughline could have been trite, I think it was pretty well done. Additionally, the bits about how so much art has simply become items for wealthy billionaires to trade around...whew.
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Classism
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Torture
Minor: Racism, Sexual content
- Friends, Alexis Hall plus baking competition show romance equals an absolute hug of a book.
- I adored everything about ROSALINE PALMER TAKES THE CAKE. Hall's signature banter and self-effacing characters are so perfect in this setting, plus it also takes on larger issues like classism, thorny familial relationships, and biphobic stereotypes.
- This is a bit of a SPOILER!!!! but I don't think I've ever read a romance where the love interest changes halfway through! And I'm so glad I trusted Hall, because I thought Alain was a bit of a tool early on and thought it was going to be a story where he sees the error of his ways and tries to reform, and I'm so glad it wasn't like that.
Graphic: Biphobia, Cursing, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Classism
- SARAHLAND is a collection of stories that are engrossing, funny, dark, surreal, and super queer. I found every single one to be captivating in a different way.
- I loved how expansive it was, even while every story was about someone named Sarah trying to find themselves.
- In particular, I want to shout out the story "Becoming Trees." I listened to it on the Metro while on my way to work one day, and despite my surroundings, I haven't felt that at peace in a long time.
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Blood, Lesbophobia, Alcohol
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder
- Sarah Gailey takes on the gothic thriller and adds a supernatural twist in JUST LIKE HOME, and I could not put it down.
- Gailey excels at writing unlikable, difficult women, and Vera is no exception. You'll still find yourself on her side even as the story takes darker and darker turns.
- I also loved the commentary on our society's simultaneous disgust and fascination with serial killers.
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia, Alcohol
- FLYING SOLO is a wonderful exploration of living and loving outside the traditional path. I loved both Laurie and Dot (and Ginger!) and how they forged their own paths, knowing what they liked and didn't like and not letting anyone try to mold them into something else.
- I loved that Laurie knew she liked living alone and doing things just her way. I loved that this book breaks apart the idea that romantic love is worth blowing up your existing life and putting yourself into a life you otherwise did not want.
- The mystery (and small heist!) embedded in this story was great fun, too. I was on the edge of my seat for some scenes!
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Grief
Moderate: Terminal illness
Minor: Fatphobia