elderwoodreads's reviews
77 reviews

Milk Fed by Melissa Broder

Go to review page

dark emotional funny 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? Yes

5.0

This was my first book by Broder and I will certainly be reading more. I did have a heads up this would be weird going in which I think helped, but I think the weird was used well and was necessary.
Spoiler I personally liked the ending, however, I get why others didn't. I like endings where there is some realism about how much people are able/willing to change for each other, but I definitely get that it's frustrating
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I was stuck on a rating for this fort a bit. I think I would give the audiobook 5 stars but if I read this on paper it probably would have been 4 stars so I split the difference. The narrator of this audiobook absolutely sucks you in and transports you to 1950s India. I loved the rich descriptions of smells and tastes that were given, however I feel like in text this could have felt bogged down. The story itself is inspiring and deals with issues of autonomy, independence, and family. I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to the next one in the series. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby

Go to review page

funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.5

This is my first Irby book and I will be back for more! The only thing I disliked is a large essay in the book is dedicated to episode by episode reimaginings of Sex and the City which I have never seen so I had to trust through and/or skip. So funny, definitely a great palete cleanser. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Seven Empty Houses by Samanta Schweblin

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Like all short story collections I enjoyed some more than others. The stand out story to me was The Unlucky Man followed by None of That. I also really enjoyed My Parents and My Children because to me it read like a Black Mirror episode. I wish a lot of the stories had been a little longer, but on the other hand I felt like Breath From the Depths went on a little too long. Overall a decent read. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Tell Me I'm Worthless by Alison Rumfitt

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Not for me, probably not ever. 45 minutes in and I felt like the whole thing was super disjointed and not in a good way. 
What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
I really wanted to like this but it is just not for me. I feel like the book is a little disjointed and even though the author experienced terrible things I do not feel like she adequately addressed her privilege in being able to stop everything to heal. Maybe I'll come back to it but I won't be surprised if I don't. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Forever Is Now by Mariama J. Lockington

Go to review page

emotional inspiring reflective medium-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

5.0

So good I read it twice, can't wait for Lockington's next work!

See original review for content warnings and more in depth thoughts. 
Paris: The Memoir by Paris Hilton

Go to review page

emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.75

Paris's story is truly harrowing. I loved listening to her tell her story and she has a very unique writing style. 

I do wish she acknowledged the privilege she has more, as she used her existing privilege to springboard a lot of her life. She absolutely had terrible things happen but her story is different than other survivors because of her family's privilege. 

Highly recommend as this was a super engaging read and gives a lot of insight to the congregate care system. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Mary: An Awakening of Terror by Nat Cassidy

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
Not the vibe right now, may return to it but I'm not super compelled to. A little confusing on audio imo
Meet Me at the Museum by Anne Youngson

Go to review page

emotional 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? No

5.0

Literally no notes, this is my perfect book. I laughed and cried. I love reading such a tender and beautiful account of older adults, such an underrepresented population especially in romance. Please, please give this one a try. Absolutely beautiful. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings