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allieginn's reviews
287 reviews
The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante
3.5
This being the first literary fiction story I have read in A While probably did this a disservice, which is my own fault & not the novella's. Forgot what it is like to read someone's sometimes insightful, but usually unbearable, internal monologuing for pages & pages.
Very beautifully written & very well translated.
I am down for stories with shitty people at their center, but I do wish that I understood our narrators motivations a bit better. I can respect being nosy & wanting to be in other people's business, but like. I need a better explanation as to why.
I understand that our Leda sees herself in Nina, but why punish Nina's daughter? For existing? For taking up space?
I think I have less sympathy for mothers than I should.
Very beautifully written & very well translated.
I am down for stories with shitty people at their center, but I do wish that I understood our narrators motivations a bit better. I can respect being nosy & wanting to be in other people's business, but like. I need a better explanation as to why.
I understand that our Leda sees herself in Nina, but why punish Nina's daughter? For existing? For taking up space?
I think I have less sympathy for mothers than I should.
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
4.25
Generally a really solid mystery. I am coming to realize that I enjoy slightly historical stories when they're given to me as mysteries, so this is probably something I will drive to dive deeper into.
Love a summer camp setting, I wish we had gotten more of it.
I do believe that the 60s timeline & the 70s timelines were a little hard to follow at times, especially when we would go from a character's POV in the 60s & then the next chapter would be that same character in the 70s.
Wish the character of Alice had maybe been given a little more grace within the narrative.
TJ Hewitt you are a lesbian to me, despite the book not saying anything explicitly.
Love a summer camp setting, I wish we had gotten more of it.
I do believe that the 60s timeline & the 70s timelines were a little hard to follow at times, especially when we would go from a character's POV in the 60s & then the next chapter would be that same character in the 70s.
Wish the character of Alice had maybe been given a little more grace within the narrative.
TJ Hewitt you are a lesbian to me, despite the book not saying anything explicitly.
The Mist by Stephen King
4.0
People who hate Stephen King, I do Get It, but that simply could never be me.
That's my paternal grandfather, and I would read his grocery lists.
I am not huge on Lovecraft-ian horror, but I think this story has just the right amount. Love, LOVE the big tall monster that we meet in the last 10 pages of this story.
Interesting look at herd mentality.
Honestly just a lot of fun!!!
That's my paternal grandfather, and I would read his grocery lists.
I am not huge on Lovecraft-ian horror, but I think this story has just the right amount. Love, LOVE the big tall monster that we meet in the last 10 pages of this story.
Interesting look at herd mentality.
Honestly just a lot of fun!!!
A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson
fast-paced
2.5
Never say never, but this was probably my last Peter Swanson. Just very, very mediocre all around. Guessed almost all of the twists, and while I think they were fun/fine twists, they weren't super well executed. Very readable, but very mid.
The Kind Worth Saving by Peter Swanson
2.0
Richard Kimball is a bad & boring protagonist to follow. Think I would have enjoyed this a lot more if it had been mainly from Lily's POV, but we don't get that until probably over halfway through the story.
I appreciated the Stephen King references (especially since one of our antagonists is so clearly a re-tread of Brady Heartsfield that I felt like I was re-reading Mr. Mercedes at times), but beyond that this was a very Fine thriller.
I am down for a murdering duo, but I needed it to be sexy or something. The dynamic was frankly boring! They were exciting when they were planning murders together but like. That was it.
Also, Lily's relationship with her parents kept pissing me off. I think this would not have been an issue had I not literally finished re-reading The Kind Worth Killing earlier today, but like. She does not like her parents in that book, but suddenly here they're two of the people she cares the most about? Felt dishonest to the character.
It was giving recent Peter Swanson mediocrity. Nothing offensively bad, but did not give in the way I wanted it to. This book had like no sauce compared to The Kind Worth Killing.
Anyways, the whole reason that I read this is because I bought A Talent for Murder before realizing it was connected to this series, so let's hope that one is good!
I appreciated the Stephen King references (especially since one of our antagonists is so clearly a re-tread of Brady Heartsfield that I felt like I was re-reading Mr. Mercedes at times), but beyond that this was a very Fine thriller.
I am down for a murdering duo, but I needed it to be sexy or something. The dynamic was frankly boring! They were exciting when they were planning murders together but like. That was it.
Also, Lily's relationship with her parents kept pissing me off. I think this would not have been an issue had I not literally finished re-reading The Kind Worth Killing earlier today, but like. She does not like her parents in that book, but suddenly here they're two of the people she cares the most about? Felt dishonest to the character.
It was giving recent Peter Swanson mediocrity. Nothing offensively bad, but did not give in the way I wanted it to. This book had like no sauce compared to The Kind Worth Killing.
Anyways, the whole reason that I read this is because I bought A Talent for Murder before realizing it was connected to this series, so let's hope that one is good!
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Pretty Little Liars for boys.
Stupid Dirty by Erin Russell
3.75
My poor sad little motocross boys 😥🫶🏼
Anyways, this doesn't need a sequel and I won't be reading it, but I had a lovely time with this.
Anyways, this doesn't need a sequel and I won't be reading it, but I had a lovely time with this.
The Crow Valley Karaoke Championships by Ali Bryan
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really love stories centering on small towns & the characters within them, and this was no exception. A very funny, and also very sad story, that for the most part worked for me. The multiple POVs didn't bother me, but I do wish some characters were more well fleshed out. Great depictions of grief, while also acknowledging that Dale was not infallible in life.
Would read more from this author.
Would read more from this author.
The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson
2.5
This did nothing bad, but also did nothing very interesting. Starting to think that maybe Peter Swanson isn't for me anymore which makes me sad bc I have such fond memories of reading A Kind Worth Killing & Eight Perfect Murders, but the last few releases I have read from him have been duds. The way he writes his central female characters irks me, idk.