This was possibly the weirdest book I've read this year and I loved so much of it.

Each short story was fresh and bizarre and and I need to read In The Dream House now!!

Definitely an adult book with strong/difficult themes but well worth the read if you're feeling up to it. It was also my first introduction to reading books that deal with body-horror and I'm in love. This has swung my decision to read more horror in 2021!

Disappointed that I didn't cry if I'm honest. Not my favourite of Silvera's novels but I enjoyed the development of all the relationships and the time jumping.

Fascinating look at race and class! The story follows a Filipino woman agreeing to take part in an elite surrogacy program in order to earn money for her newborn daughter. This gave me handmaid's tale vibes simply because of the novel's intelligence- it was so smart in the subtle relationships between each character and I felt like so much information was given to me, as a reader, through show not tell.

I'll start of this review by saying that I don't feel comfortable giving a novel that has antisemitic/racist remarks throughout a five star rating. However, plot wise, I was impressed by this book.

It read much smoother than I was expecting and I was able to follow the story far easier than previous classics. Parts of the story where Dorian listed his interests felt like they required context but not having the context didn't take away from the experience for me.

Dorian as a character was fascinating- it felt like he was easily influenced and yet at the same time had no issue influencing others for his own personal gain. My personal favourite character was Henry as I loved his philosophical thoughts and his radical view of life. I enjoyed his back and forth rapport he entertained with various characters particularly Gladys towards the end.

I can fully understand how this book was so shocking when it was published as I had no idea the book turned so dark! The evolution of the characters was fascinating to read and I'll definitely need to get myself a copy of this for myself to read again some time. It would be so interesting to study it from a literary point of view rather than simply giving my own thoughts on what I enjoyed.

Easily one of my favourite books of this year. I was looking to read something truly horrible and this provided. Lots of trigger warnings for this one including sexual assault so read with caution!

I hate mushrooms as it is and after this book I'm never touching them ever again. The whole book felt damp and uncomfortable and for the last 100 pages I was pulling a face as I read. It was physically repulsing and simultaneously hypnotic and additive. If I ever find a book that does what this one does I'll be impressed.

Noemi was a fantastic character- I was in love with her confidence and her attitude all the way through. Will definitely need to read this again some time, or get my own copy to mark my favourite parts of this wonderfully awful book.

Strange to read an Acevedo book not in poetry/prose. Such a heartwarming story with that little bit of magical realism to spice it up. This one didn't feel as emotional as Acevedo's other books but I'll never not be a fan of her lovely writing style. I'd love to meet these characters in real life, they're all so wonderfully written!

Also tempted to try the recipes in it now