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analenegrace's reviews
447 reviews
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Mr Hendrix, I'm so sorry it's taken me this long to read!
I'm so glad my book club picked this one. It's my bestie's favorite, and I've been putting it off because I was nervous I wouldn't like it. I'm happy to say I loved it!
What an intense book that deals with class, race, fear, the South, and gender while being a story about a book club killing a vampire! This book handled these topics so well and still gave so many characters human sympathy to make them full-fledged humans.
My favorite of the MCs was absolutely Slick, so I wasso sad about her ending , but I thought it was still so well-written and well-done.
So many topics of the 1990s are touched on her casually, super-predators, AIDS, etc, and I think it really made the book settled into its time and reminded us how and why this community was behaving this way... again in a book about A VAMPIRE!
Mr. Hendrix gets the pass to write from a woman's perspective... I'm allowing it!
I'm so glad my book club picked this one. It's my bestie's favorite, and I've been putting it off because I was nervous I wouldn't like it. I'm happy to say I loved it!
What an intense book that deals with class, race, fear, the South, and gender while being a story about a book club killing a vampire! This book handled these topics so well and still gave so many characters human sympathy to make them full-fledged humans.
My favorite of the MCs was absolutely Slick, so I was
So many topics of the 1990s are touched on her casually, super-predators, AIDS, etc, and I think it really made the book settled into its time and reminded us how and why this community was behaving this way... again in a book about A VAMPIRE!
Mr. Hendrix gets the pass to write from a woman's perspective... I'm allowing it!
Moon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed the first book, but this sequel was such an amazing surprise! I was shocked by how much I enjoyed it and how emotional I felt at the very end!
Setting this book 12 years into the future allowed us to jump into the mind of new characters but still stay with Evan, whose death was so beautifully written and was emotionally devastating to me .
One of the things I believe in most is community, community-building, and caring for each other in society. This book showcases many different ways society had been rebuilt and how different groups of people found each other and built new (or returned to old) ways of living.
It was really powerful to read how the indigenous people in this book banded together and worked with the land to grow & strengthen their communities.
Dystopian fiction that focuses on how people come together in the small scale is one of favorite micro-genres and this series exemplifies that.
Setting this book 12 years into the future allowed us to jump into the mind of new characters but still stay with Evan
One of the things I believe in most is community, community-building, and caring for each other in society. This book showcases many different ways society had been rebuilt and how different groups of people found each other and built new (or returned to old) ways of living.
It was really powerful to read how the indigenous people in this book banded together and worked with the land to grow & strengthen their communities.
Dystopian fiction that focuses on how people come together in the small scale is one of favorite micro-genres and this series exemplifies that.
A Shore Thing by Joanna Lowell
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
Unfortunately, I really wanted to enjoy this one, but it was getting to a point where I was confused and frustrated. Especially when Kit told James he was trans but hasn't told Muriel but is mad when she gets frustrated with the way he talks about women's position in society. I don't like this type of miscommunication, and it seems it's gonna get even messier.
Also there was just so much science talk and it was dragging and causing me to skim.
Also there was just so much science talk and it was dragging and causing me to skim.
Ne'er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Amazing! Iconic! Wonderful! What more can I say about the brilliant Alexandra Vasti and her debut novel? I am so lucky to be in the same book club with her and have witnessed her amazingness in person for the last year as I waited desperately for this book to come out!
I adored Peter and Selina! I loved how most of their relationship issues came from outside rather than from within. Peter and Selina loved each other dearly, and once they knew the other had returned their affection, their relationship moved quickly. Even before, anything preventing them from interacting was by outside design. They had fantastic communication and, in almost everything, told the truth. They cared for each other deeply; how could I not grow to love them, too?
The supporting characters in this book were amazingly written. Every character feels fleshed out, although I can tell who's going to the MCs in the next two books, lol! I loved the children and how Peter cared for them, even when they didn't want him and were very difficult.
Plotwise, I think a library for the sexual awakening of ladies in the Ton is iconic! Selina genuinely cared for her community in that respect.
Peter's anti-slavery plot was terrific, especially since that is a topic often ignored in histrom. As someone from contemporary New Orleans, I found it great to see a fictional historical character who loved his home but acknowledged its profound evils. Today, we continue to look back on these things, and fiction is an important way to do that.
Alexandra Vasti has written a perfect gorgeous novel and I can't wait for books 2 and 3!!!!
I adored Peter and Selina! I loved how most of their relationship issues came from outside rather than from within. Peter and Selina loved each other dearly, and once they knew the other had returned their affection, their relationship moved quickly. Even before, anything preventing them from interacting was by outside design. They had fantastic communication and, in almost everything, told the truth. They cared for each other deeply; how could I not grow to love them, too?
The supporting characters in this book were amazingly written. Every character feels fleshed out, although I can tell who's going to the MCs in the next two books, lol! I loved the children and how Peter cared for them, even when they didn't want him and were very difficult.
Plotwise, I think a library for the sexual awakening of ladies in the Ton is iconic! Selina genuinely cared for her community in that respect.
Peter's anti-slavery plot was terrific, especially since that is a topic often ignored in histrom. As someone from contemporary New Orleans, I found it great to see a fictional historical character who loved his home but acknowledged its profound evils. Today, we continue to look back on these things, and fiction is an important way to do that.
Alexandra Vasti has written a perfect gorgeous novel and I can't wait for books 2 and 3!!!!
I'll Have What He's Having by Adib Khorram
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thanks so much to Forever and net-galley for an E-arc of this book!
This was such a great, easy romance read with characters that felt so grounded and real! I read it in two days, and it only took that time because work made me pause!
Farzan and David were super compelling MCs whose romance was delightful. Especially during the sex scenes, they were generally good communicators, excluding the third-act breakup, although David was trying.
This is the third queer book I've read in recent months where one is becoming a master sommelier, and I don't know what that means for the community right now, but I'm obsessed...
I really enjoyed the restaurant focus of this book and how community-focused our two main restaurant settings were. The Iranian community is incredibly underrepresented in contemporary literature, especially romance, so it was great to see it spotlighted here!
Finally, extra points for the SHEER amount of Muppets references in this book... I love the muppets, and so it made me love the characters even more.
This was such a great, easy romance read with characters that felt so grounded and real! I read it in two days, and it only took that time because work made me pause!
Farzan and David were super compelling MCs whose romance was delightful. Especially during the sex scenes, they were generally good communicators, excluding the third-act breakup, although David was trying.
This is the third queer book I've read in recent months where one is becoming a master sommelier, and I don't know what that means for the community right now, but I'm obsessed...
I really enjoyed the restaurant focus of this book and how community-focused our two main restaurant settings were. The Iranian community is incredibly underrepresented in contemporary literature, especially romance, so it was great to see it spotlighted here!
Finally, extra points for the SHEER amount of Muppets references in this book... I love the muppets, and so it made me love the characters even more.
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Casey McQuiston is absolutely a must-read author, and this is no exception. This book was fun, sexy, and silly at times and serious at others. I enjoyed our two MCs and how they came back together.
I have to admit there was just SO much sex in this book that it got a bit boring. Their adventures through Europe were cool and very much made me want to eat there...
I thought the POV switch midway through worked super well, and I liked having both but not switching back and forth.
Altogether, it is very good, but due to the SMP boycott, I won't be putting this one on Instagram or giving it any attention beyond this.
I have to admit there was just SO much sex in this book that it got a bit boring. Their adventures through Europe were cool and very much made me want to eat there...
I thought the POV switch midway through worked super well, and I liked having both but not switching back and forth.
Altogether, it is very good, but due to the SMP boycott, I won't be putting this one on Instagram or giving it any attention beyond this.
Confounding Oaths by Alexis Hall
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thanks so much to the publisher and Netgalley for an e-arc of this book.
Alexis Hall is a must-read, must-buy author for me. In this series, he takes bolder chances and tries things out in his writing style. While this wasn't my favorite of his recent publications, I still loved his signature humor and how he wrote the narration of this book.
In Mortal Follies, the characters and their story were my favorite part, but in this one, I was much more intrigued by our narrator (the fairy from A Midsummer Night's Dream) and his adventures throughout the moral world. He's flitting between all of our characters here and offering hilarious and interesting quotes like "history is won by the writers," which I thought was quite profound for a romantasy!
This book was very plot-focused with less focus on our characters' romance, which was fairly easy as historical gay interracial romances go. There was a lot going on with the fairies, and the wishes, and the sword fights (a LOT of sword fights)! I had some trouble telling our characters apart since we were dealing with a family, particularly with Mary and Anne.
I think Hall is doing some very exciting things with his work, and I'm always looking forward to more!!!
Alexis Hall is a must-read, must-buy author for me. In this series, he takes bolder chances and tries things out in his writing style. While this wasn't my favorite of his recent publications, I still loved his signature humor and how he wrote the narration of this book.
In Mortal Follies, the characters and their story were my favorite part, but in this one, I was much more intrigued by our narrator (the fairy from A Midsummer Night's Dream) and his adventures throughout the moral world. He's flitting between all of our characters here and offering hilarious and interesting quotes like "history is won by the writers," which I thought was quite profound for a romantasy!
This book was very plot-focused with less focus on our characters' romance, which was fairly easy as historical gay interracial romances go. There was a lot going on with the fairies, and the wishes, and the sword fights (a LOT of sword fights)! I had some trouble telling our characters apart since we were dealing with a family, particularly with Mary and Anne.
I think Hall is doing some very exciting things with his work, and I'm always looking forward to more!!!
Romaphobia: The Last Acceptable Form of Racism by Aidan McGarry
informative
This was a fascinating academic read on a topic I felt very uneducated about. The Roma people and Romaphobia are something that I, as an American, have felt was missing from my knowledge base, and it was important for me to pick up this month and this year.
McGarry's book is an intense academic text written in a style that might not appeal to most but worked very well for this topic. In this book, he covers contemporary issues that affect the Roma community in Europe and impact discrimination against the Roma people. From topics such as territory and belonging to Roma pride and citizenship, McGarry overs a very expansive discussion on this topic.
One of the parts that stood out most to me was the consistent comparison to LGBTQIA+ Pride and how it is the most similar movement to Roma Pride. Romani people are one of the most unique communities, particularly in Europe, and their relationship to the nation-states around them also uniquely positions them in the EU.
I feel like this is a really great comprehensive work on this topic, with a particular focus on post-1990s Europe & Roma, and I highly recommend it to those looking for more information on the Roma people.
McGarry's book is an intense academic text written in a style that might not appeal to most but worked very well for this topic. In this book, he covers contemporary issues that affect the Roma community in Europe and impact discrimination against the Roma people. From topics such as territory and belonging to Roma pride and citizenship, McGarry overs a very expansive discussion on this topic.
One of the parts that stood out most to me was the consistent comparison to LGBTQIA+ Pride and how it is the most similar movement to Roma Pride. Romani people are one of the most unique communities, particularly in Europe, and their relationship to the nation-states around them also uniquely positions them in the EU.
I feel like this is a really great comprehensive work on this topic, with a particular focus on post-1990s Europe & Roma, and I highly recommend it to those looking for more information on the Roma people.
You're the Problem, It's You by Emma R. Alban
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thanks so much to the publisher and Netgalley for an e-arc of this book!
My book club read the first book when it first came out, and I loved it. I was so excited to get an ARC of the second one!
We were introduced to Bobby and James in the epilogue of the first book, and I was so excited to see how Alban would handle the Lavender Marriage trope—and I think she slayed it!
Bobby was such a kind soul who was really struggling mentally as the book began, and I felt for him so much as he tried to find his place in society as a gay second son. His relationship with Beth and Gwen, as perhaps their greatest champion, was such good gay/lesbian solidarity, and I Loved it!! James was a more complicated character who was initially complicit in society but grew so much as a person.
Gwen and Beth's attempts to set them up were so cute and funny, and I really liked how the book flowed with the different events of the season.
The blackmail plot kept the book interesting and complicated, creating much-needed tension.
Finally, the epilogue was amazing, and I loved howchildren were teased throughout and actually came to fruition.
My book club read the first book when it first came out, and I loved it. I was so excited to get an ARC of the second one!
We were introduced to Bobby and James in the epilogue of the first book, and I was so excited to see how Alban would handle the Lavender Marriage trope—and I think she slayed it!
Bobby was such a kind soul who was really struggling mentally as the book began, and I felt for him so much as he tried to find his place in society as a gay second son. His relationship with Beth and Gwen, as perhaps their greatest champion, was such good gay/lesbian solidarity, and I Loved it!! James was a more complicated character who was initially complicit in society but grew so much as a person.
Gwen and Beth's attempts to set them up were so cute and funny, and I really liked how the book flowed with the different events of the season.
The blackmail plot kept the book interesting and complicated, creating much-needed tension.
Finally, the epilogue was amazing, and I loved how
Hers for the Weekend by Helena Greer
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Helena, it can't actually be over, right???? I need Carrigans always and forever!
Thanks so much to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an e-arc of the completion of one of my favorite romance trilogies!
I adored Tara, a background character in both of the previous books, so her getting her story was so exciting and important as a way to end this series! As a woman from the South myself, I really saw how passionate Tara was about the place she was from and how much she loved it. Working to make it better for marginalized folks is one of the most important jobs in the South right now, and although Tara wasn't always doing it for the right reasons, I really admired her dedication, particularly as a wealthy white woman.
Holly was an amazing character, and I couldn't believe how much I had grown to love her even though she only appeared in one book. She struggled to really know what she wanted out of her life, although she did know what she didn't want, and that's just as important.
It was so great to see the Carrigan crew, especially from this somewhat outsider perspective, and how supportive, silly, and a little kooky they all are.
The romance in this book had so many perfectly-written tropes like fake-dating, FWB, and more, and I really enjoyed how the third-act breakup happened. It was necessary for our character's growth.
I always say I love books where our characters have to figure out their shit, and boy did these characters!
Thanks so much to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an e-arc of the completion of one of my favorite romance trilogies!
I adored Tara, a background character in both of the previous books, so her getting her story was so exciting and important as a way to end this series! As a woman from the South myself, I really saw how passionate Tara was about the place she was from and how much she loved it. Working to make it better for marginalized folks is one of the most important jobs in the South right now, and although Tara wasn't always doing it for the right reasons, I really admired her dedication, particularly as a wealthy white woman.
Holly was an amazing character, and I couldn't believe how much I had grown to love her even though she only appeared in one book. She struggled to really know what she wanted out of her life, although she did know what she didn't want, and that's just as important.
It was so great to see the Carrigan crew, especially from this somewhat outsider perspective, and how supportive, silly, and a little kooky they all are.
The romance in this book had so many perfectly-written tropes like fake-dating, FWB, and more, and I really enjoyed how the third-act breakup happened. It was necessary for our character's growth.
I always say I love books where our characters have to figure out their shit, and boy did these characters!