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alexa_frost's reviews
281 reviews
Things That Cause Inappropriate Happiness by Danila Botha, Danila Botha
3.5
**Thank you to Guernica books for the ARC**
Like any collection of short stories, some resonated with me more than others. Some of these stories made me laugh and cry whereas others made me mildly uncomfortable, or made me feel like I didn't understand what the author was trying to do.
I was quite hesitant about the book after reading the first story which focused on a Canadian woman living in Israel. Particularly given the current political climate, it didn't quite sit right with me and it wasnt super clear the angle that the author was taking. I did do a bit of a search through the authors twitter and statements and I think she was ultimately critiquing the settler/colonial complex of people who move from western countries to Israel; this could have been a little clearer in the writing though.
Was overall pretty enjoyable but not life changing
Like any collection of short stories, some resonated with me more than others. Some of these stories made me laugh and cry whereas others made me mildly uncomfortable, or made me feel like I didn't understand what the author was trying to do.
I was quite hesitant about the book after reading the first story which focused on a Canadian woman living in Israel. Particularly given the current political climate, it didn't quite sit right with me and it wasnt super clear the angle that the author was taking. I did do a bit of a search through the authors twitter and statements and I think she was ultimately critiquing the settler/colonial complex of people who move from western countries to Israel; this could have been a little clearer in the writing though.
Was overall pretty enjoyable but not life changing
Girls Can Kiss Now: Essays by Jill Gutowitz
2.5
I loved the concept of this book but the execution was so aggressively millennial
I struggled to care about what she had to say after the chapter where she critiques Perez Hilton outing celebrities then says she makes money writing about Taylor Swifts sexuality but “it’s different”
I struggled to care about what she had to say after the chapter where she critiques Perez Hilton outing celebrities then says she makes money writing about Taylor Swifts sexuality but “it’s different”
For the Throne by Hannah Whitten
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Was really slow and felt too similar to the first book
Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell
4.0
**Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus Books for the ARC**
For about the first 50 pages of this book I was not sure that a story about a shapeshifting wyrm that used the body parts of its victims to shape itself would be for me. Someone you can build a nest in was such an unexpected delight. A love story about two unlikely companions that featured discussions of humanity, implicit neurologically diverse relationships, and queer love.
For about the first 50 pages of this book I was not sure that a story about a shapeshifting wyrm that used the body parts of its victims to shape itself would be for me. Someone you can build a nest in was such an unexpected delight. A love story about two unlikely companions that featured discussions of humanity, implicit neurologically diverse relationships, and queer love.
Role Play by Clara Drummond
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
**Thankyou to Netgalley and FSG Publishers for the ARC**
Role play follows Vivian, a young, wealthy woman in Brazil whose worldview and self perception is disturbed when she is witness to police brutality, after which she attempts to balance the moral repurcussions of ambivalence to such an event and the re-curation of her self image in a way that feels most socially advantageous
This book so wonderfully encapsulates every wealthy young woman/person who curates their image, the likes of which are regularly seen among influencers. The person who does things 'for the plot,' engaging in performative activism while carefully maintaining their wilful ignorance of real issues.
Role play follows Vivian, a young, wealthy woman in Brazil whose worldview and self perception is disturbed when she is witness to police brutality, after which she attempts to balance the moral repurcussions of ambivalence to such an event and the re-curation of her self image in a way that feels most socially advantageous
This book so wonderfully encapsulates every wealthy young woman/person who curates their image, the likes of which are regularly seen among influencers. The person who does things 'for the plot,' engaging in performative activism while carefully maintaining their wilful ignorance of real issues.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Police brutality
From the River to the Sea: Essays for a Free Palestine by Sai Englert, Rosie Warren, Michal Schatz
informative
3.75
Entwined: Essays on Polyamory and Creating Home by Alex Alberto
emotional
funny
fast-paced
5.0
Thank you to netgalley and quilted press for the ARC
I absolutely loved reading this book. It felt in many ways like a queer, polyamorous version of Everything I know about love. Alex so openly and lovingly discusses her life and relationships, as well as the challenges finding a sense of family in a society that views monogamy as the only appropriate relationship format.
There were a few times when I was a little confused by the timeline, but once you are familiar with the names this becomes a nonissue
No matter your preferred relationship format, I think everyone has something to learn and to gain from reading entwined.
I absolutely loved reading this book. It felt in many ways like a queer, polyamorous version of Everything I know about love. Alex so openly and lovingly discusses her life and relationships, as well as the challenges finding a sense of family in a society that views monogamy as the only appropriate relationship format.
There were a few times when I was a little confused by the timeline, but once you are familiar with the names this becomes a nonissue
No matter your preferred relationship format, I think everyone has something to learn and to gain from reading entwined.
49 Days by Agnes Lee
emotional
fast-paced
4.25
**Thank you to Netgalley and Levine Querido Publishers for the ARC**
This was such a beautiful story of grief and loss. The illustrations were so lovely and there were just enough words to provide context without detracting from the imagery. I don't normally read a lot of graphic novels but this made me want to read more!
This was such a beautiful story of grief and loss. The illustrations were so lovely and there were just enough words to provide context without detracting from the imagery. I don't normally read a lot of graphic novels but this made me want to read more!
The Absinthe Underground by Jamie Pacton
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
**Thank you to Netgalley and Peachtree Publishers for the ARC**
This book was a relatively easy read with a great premise but fell a little flat in the execution. The world building was lacking a bit - it was presented as a fantastical world inspired by 1800s Paris but I feel like it would have been better to lean into the magical realism and set it in Paris so the references to real artists would have bolstered the world building rather than feel forced.
The plot and pacing also missed the mark for me. The book was largely centred on a heist but it all felt a little too easy, the conflict felt forced and was all very conveniently and quickly resolved. I have seen some other reviewers say it felt a bit like the animated barbie movies which perfectly sums up how reading this book felt. Not inherently bad but just not quite what I was expecting.
I would recommend to younger YA readers, I feel like this is something I would have loved when I was 13.
This book was a relatively easy read with a great premise but fell a little flat in the execution. The world building was lacking a bit - it was presented as a fantastical world inspired by 1800s Paris but I feel like it would have been better to lean into the magical realism and set it in Paris so the references to real artists would have bolstered the world building rather than feel forced.
The plot and pacing also missed the mark for me. The book was largely centred on a heist but it all felt a little too easy, the conflict felt forced and was all very conveniently and quickly resolved. I have seen some other reviewers say it felt a bit like the animated barbie movies which perfectly sums up how reading this book felt. Not inherently bad but just not quite what I was expecting.
I would recommend to younger YA readers, I feel like this is something I would have loved when I was 13.