While I just started reading it bc I was in a grumpy and annoyed mood I thought I would read about a grumpy teenager and actually ended up liking it much more than expected. The first half was a bit slow but later it got actually funny, a teenager kicked out of school again trying to "survive" a few days in a big city before going back home, doing stupid things. As far as I know this is required reading in a lot of American high schools but is probably more enjoyable as an adult if you don't take him too seriously

While I thoroughly enjoyed the first half, the second half made this one of my new favourite books ever, which I didn't expect. The book follows 32 year old Nina trying to navigate her life as a single woman while almost all her friends are married with children (or getting there), getting ghosted by this POS and her parents - mother in a midlife crisis, father suffering from dementia and luckily, an actual feminist message. I didn't expect to love this book so much but it made me cry and feel somewhat hopeful at the same time. Dolly Alderton's writing is beautiful and considering this is her debut novel, I am looking forward to many more of her stunning proserve.

I have been interested in reading this for a long time because it sounded like something I would really enjoy (and might even make it onto my list of favourites) and I wasn't wrong for most of it. I noticed that I often don't really enjoy short stories in general, but Machado's were an exception. Although not all of them are as good as the others, some of them will probably stick with me for some time. 

The Husband Stitch: don't ever had a short story elicit so many emotions, depicting the subtle horrors of being a woman and even when giving your husband everything it will never be enough, until you give up yourself (update:  had me uncontrollably shaking and shivers all my body). If you are not sure you want to read this book, I beg of you to just please read this one - 4.75/5

Inventory: got better with time, good amount of horror (especially after covid was a bit weird) and did make me feel some kind of sadness for the woman of the story. Maybe just a little to short for my liking - 3.5/5

Mothers: while I am not a mother, it was still interesting that it starts with just this woman being handed over a baby by her ex, while at the end you aren't sure what is happening and if it is all real - 4.25/5

Especially Heinous. Not my favourite story, skimmed it mostly. It is well written, just not my cup of tea. 2.25/5

Real women have bodies: interesting concept, just not very memorable to me  - 3.25/5

Eight Bites: enjoyed this very much. Relatable and filling with sadness at the beginning, only to turn into more horroresque - 4/5

The Resident: so good, had me on edge the whole time - is it so bad to be the madwoman in the attic? 4.5/5

Difficult at parties: you could feel the pain of the protagonist, made me want to stare at a wall afterwards - 4.25/5

My second Agatha Christie, and while nit as jaw dropping as the first one, but still reinforce her title as queen of mysteries.  There were a lot of characters you were introduced to rapidly so at times it would get confusing. Had sort of spoiled myself yet was completely surprised and intrigued, especially when something happened that would disprove the spoiler. 

I never really knew the story of the Nutcracker, not even from other version from film or ballet or other media, so I don't quite have the nostalgic factor. Interesting short story, ending was a bit weird but not mad that I read it

Enjoyed reading it, but don't think it will stick with me

I usually don't read fantasy (although I don't hate it) and don't really have an interest in ghosts and such, I did end up really enjoying this book. Even though it is promoted as dark academia, it is more a supernatural mystery of like secret societies, that just happens to be set at a university, so if you want the academia, you won't find much here. While the first one third of the book was a bit hard to get i to because you just get plunged into this world you don't know, by the end I really started to enjoy the mystery which got all the other societies involved and the lore. Couldn't put the book down.

I probably had higher expectations of this book, especially the lack of the sapphic romance was disappointing. I couldn't get used to the writing style and like others have said in their reviews, most of the intrigue lies in the reader not knowing Carmilla is a vampire, which most of the modern audience does now. Putting it in perspective of the time it was written in, it cannot be said it is a bad book

2nd read: interesting read, not as life changing as expected for me at least, but definitely a great start for women dabbling into (radical) feminism. Maybe somewhat outdated but nevertheless worth the (short!) read.


DNFed because I forgot everything I had read, will try again another time

My first Agatha Christie and I loved it. Although it takes some time before the mystery starts, from there you will be so immersed, trying to figure it out. Pretty proud that my first instinct was almost right. All I can say is, expect the unexpected