literarypaiges's reviews
107 reviews

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.75

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark fast-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

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Have I Told You This Already?: Stories I Don't Want to Forget to Remember by Lauren Graham

funny lighthearted medium-paced

3.75

A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler

hopeful reflective

5.0

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman
Did not finish book. Stopped at 55%.

✨ A little DNF roast incoming ✨

I fully expected this book to work for me, but honestly — the best thing I can say about it is that I liked the cover. 

I love movies. I love classic film. When this one opened with a quote from The Philadelphia Story, I was all the way in. 

Until I had to DNF it halfway through. This read like self-insert fan fiction between the author and Chris Evans, so color me not-at-all surprised to learn that this book was at least partially inspired by a profile on him — which gets no acknowledgement by the author in her Acknowledgements section. 

There’s no chemistry. Our lead character is supposed to be a talented writer who doesn’t get the credit she deserves but when we get to read her writing, I agree with her dweeb of an ex-husband — her writing is, in fact, generic and has no voice. She goes on “rants” with hot takes such as “I don’t like Annie Hall even though I’ve never seen it, and I’m the only person brave enough to say Woody Allen is gross.” Give me a break. I can’t even touch the surface level, completely superficial “analysis” of The Philadelphia Story that the lead presents as some sort of deep, intellectual deep dive. 

I also could not move past there being an American James Bond. I truly could not. Like I said, I love movies. I know a surprising amount about the Bond movies thanks in part to the fact that my husband took a film school class about them. The Broccolis? They simply would NEVER. 

I normally refrain from trashing books. And I can see how this would be an entertaining read for people, but for anyone with a base-level knowledge of Los Angeles, film, and the industry — this one misses big time. 

Time to watch The Philadelphia Story again. 

Saint by Adrienne Young

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Heartburn by Nora Ephron

emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

adventurous dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0