I love Nora Ephron so much, she is literally my idol. Her final collection of essays, I Remember Nothing: And Other Reflections is both witty and poigI love Nora Ephron so much, she is literally my idol. Her final collection of essays, I Remember Nothing: And Other Reflections is both witty and poignant and filled with charming anecdotes about old friends, New York, the Red Scare, failure, technology, getting older, and the dreaded egg-white omelette. Such a quick and delightful read. What a fascinating woman. RIP<3...more
Every woman should read this book. Girlhood is a collection of seven essays that focus on the period between adolescence and womanhood, a time when woEvery woman should read this book. Girlhood is a collection of seven essays that focus on the period between adolescence and womanhood, a time when women initially reap the consequences of the ways that society and the patriarchy have conditioned us to cater to the needs and desires of men, while losing ourselves in the process. Melissa Febos uses some of the smartest and most insightful metaphors I’ve encountered as well as personal anecdotes to relay her messages. The topics covered by the respective essays are as follows: "Kettle Holes" - The complexity of "desire"
"The Mirror Test" - Builds upon the notion that we are molded by society - Self-actualization - Origins of the word “slut” and how it’s evolved over time - Shame
"Wild America" - How adolescent standards of beauty and existence influence the ways in which we are perceived and perceive others through self hatred and projection
"Intrusions" - The male gaze -- The absence of male shame - The pathology of victimhood - Voyeurism and the “Peeping Tom” -- Stalking as a medium for love and romance ---As perpetuated by media (movies, tv, etc.)
"Thesmophoria" - The inherent complexity of the mother daughter relationship
"Thank You for Taking Care of Yourself" (my personal favorite) - FOCUSES ON CHANGING THE CULTURE OF CONSENT - Skin hunger (touch deprivation) - Empty consent -- Depersonalization -- Fearful consent --- Physical safety vs emotional relief - The lasting effects of sexual trauma even when you feel as if you’ve never experienced sexual trauma - Patriarchal possession and coercion - Sex work and negotiating consent - The fear of not pleasing -- “...women tended to use their partners physical pleasure as a yardstick of their satisfaction…for men, it was the opposite: the measure was their own orgasm.” - How do we categorize events that we feel don’t fit the accepted mold of “trauma” or “assault” but still do not qualify as healthy, enthusiastically consensual sexual experiences? - The paradox of shame (protecting ourselves while protecting the male ego) - The myth of sexual liberation through a white feminist lens - Acknowledging the inherent female traumatization of the sexual conventions of heterosexuality - Gender performance - The inevitability of the male gaze -- “...the apex of feminine beauty is nearly identical to that of physical powerlessness” -- Sympathy vs emotional labor -- Care vs performing care -- Empathy vs accommodation - “Yes means yes” as being an unrealistic model for consent --The struggle of saying no (often out of fear of the alternative)
"Les Calanques" - Self preservation - Addiction - Homesickness for a feeling unknown - Maturity and coming into oneself after a lifetime of hiding
Sorry that this review is the longest of all time, but this is important stuff that every woman out there can benefit from reading about. I urge you all to do so <3...more
The Love Hypothesis is the PERFECT romcom. Was it fairly predictable? Yes. Was it riddled with tropes? Also Yes. Did I LOVE every second of reading itThe Love Hypothesis is the PERFECT romcom. Was it fairly predictable? Yes. Was it riddled with tropes? Also Yes. Did I LOVE every second of reading it? Absolutely. The fake dating trope is one of my favorites, so obviously, I adore this book. Olive is relatable and dorky and cute and we love a woman in STEM, and Adam is my dream man in quite literally every single way. The book is fast paced, engaging, witty, and unexpectedly emotional at times. I strongly recommend this one if you're a fan of The Spanish Love Deception, The Unhoneymooners, or the Emily Henry books. 5 stars all the way....more
i just finished this 2 minutes ago, and i’m stunned, like WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?????? i want to cry and scream. this book was so perfect and incrediblei just finished this 2 minutes ago, and i’m stunned, like WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?????? i want to cry and scream. this book was so perfect and incredible and better than the first book, the cruel prince. just like the first book, it was well written, i loved the characters, and the plot was so thrilling. so many plot twists and surprises that caught me off guard every time. there was literally not a dull moment after the first 50 pages or so (expositions are pretty much always slow; i didn’t expect anything too exciting in the beginning). i’m still obsessed with jude and want to be her, and i’m still in love with cardan (but after that ending…he’s on probation). their sexual tension is literally insane. i strongly recommend this book after you read the first one; i physically could not put this down, and i’ve never experienced that with a fantasy book. ♾/5 fr. ...more
drop what you’re doing right now and reads songs in ursa major. when you read as many books as i do, it’s easy for the stories to blend together, for drop what you’re doing right now and reads songs in ursa major. when you read as many books as i do, it’s easy for the stories to blend together, for the impact to be lost. i can tell that this is a book that will stay with me for a very long time. jane quinn is a flawed, headstrong, and admirable protagonist with integrity and grit. she’s so painfully human. what i initially believed to be a romance between two stars turned into the love affair of an artist and her art. as someone who has felt deeply passionate about art, music, and creativity for her whole life, this book was uniquely inspiring. additionally, getting a glimpse into the music industry’s treatment of women in this era made my blood boil. the writing feels like poetry, and the volatile and enrapturing story is one i physically could not put down. there are powerful themes of mental health, addiction, fate, relationships, reality, and what we’re willing to sacrifice in order to get what we want. songs in ursa major left me feeling every emotion imaginable: melancholy, pride, sadness, frustration, joy, hope, wonder, etc. also, the end left me very satisfied and oh so curious. i’m almost overwhelmed in the best possibly way. i detect some influence from daisy jones and the six as well as the bell jar. an excellent debut chalk full of layers, depth, intelligent metaphors, and twists. i’m eager to see what emma brodie has in store for the future. ...more
Typically, I avoid classics, as I often find them banal. THIS, however, is something entirely different. Every! page! enthralled me and is filled withTypically, I avoid classics, as I often find them banal. THIS, however, is something entirely different. Every! page! enthralled me and is filled with the most beautiful prose that reflects the cosmic romanticism of the book's philosophy. An icon of early queer literature, The Picture of Dorian Gray oozes with homoerotic subtext (that had to be subtext, because it was the 1800's). Subsequently, Wilde utilizes the three main characters to represent different aspects of his personality and an outlet for his sexuality. Thoughts were provoked. Jaws were dropped. Basil Hallward's love for Dorian is precious, and Lord Henry got on my nerves. Some parts were quite funny, most were philosophical and deeply contemplative. It really makes you think about the role of beauty as currency in modern society, the nature of evil and influence, happiness versus pleasure, and the sanctity of art. Good god, I could not put this down. ...more
LOVED THIS!!! Love and Other Words is impossibly sweet. I just love when a book reminds me of how single I am in every page. Truthfully, Elliot is likLOVED THIS!!! Love and Other Words is impossibly sweet. I just love when a book reminds me of how single I am in every page. Truthfully, Elliot is like top 5 book boyfriends of all time; he is perfect. And Macy is a pretty relatable MC. I also enjoy the format of the book, how the chapters alternate from past to present. Nothing really major or shocking happens (veryyyy slow burn, but satisfactory), but it is such a cute read that I couldn’t put down!! The whole thing just feels very intimate, and you can feel the passion emanating from the words. Amazing. ...more
this is gonna be a lengthy review, so bare with me.
definitely a new favorite! one last stop is an absolutely beautiful love story with so many layers this is gonna be a lengthy review, so bare with me.
definitely a new favorite! one last stop is an absolutely beautiful love story with so many layers and life lessons. it’s hilarious (i laughed a lot) and written in a relatable way (the slang/pop culture references were not misplaced or unnatural). as expected from casey mcquiston, there is SO much representation; i mean there’s gays, lesbians, bisexuals, trans folk, drag queens, and a variety of races, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds, which was incredible to see. additionally, the characters are all super lovable, and i love how a lot of their stories intertwine. this book is what it feels like to have a huge soul-shattering crush on someone like august does. with that being said, august is one of the most relatable characters i’ve read. it’s like i was getting a glimpse into my own psyche. she’s closed off emotionally, socially awkward, constantly having an existential crisis, and an analytical, obsessive, nerd who just wants somewhere to belong. her character development was inspiring to say the least. also, the sexual tension in this book is unparalleled. finally, i’ll leave you with my favorite paragraph, because wtf my emotions are all over the place after reading this damn book.
“there aren’t perfect moments in life, not really, not when shit has gotten as weird as it can get and you’re broke in a mean city and the things that hurt feel so big. but there’s the wind flying and the weight of months and a girl hanging out of an emergency exit, train roaring all around, tunnel lights flashing, and it feels perfect.” <3 my heart ...more
the silent patient truly exceeded my already high expectations. immediately, based on the story, the unreliable narrators, as well as the format of ththe silent patient truly exceeded my already high expectations. immediately, based on the story, the unreliable narrators, as well as the format of the book, i was picking up on a gone girl (one of my all time favorite books) vibe, which was much appreciated. i love how the narrators broke the fourth wall, because it made me more invested in the story, and i loved the use of intertextuality by way of euripides’ alcestis. it added so much nuance and depth to an already complex plot. with that being said, alicia and theo are genuinely some of the most intriguing characters i’ve ever read. reading books with unreliable narrators forces me to question everything and trust no one, but nothing could have prepared me for this plot twist. it was literally insane and had me so confused, and then soon enough, everything came together and made sense. drop what you’re doing right now, and read this mf book. ...more
It’s currently 5:00 am, and I read Verity in one sitting. Dear god this book is FUCKED UP, and I love it. I'm obsessed with twisted, disturbing, dark It’s currently 5:00 am, and I read Verity in one sitting. Dear god this book is FUCKED UP, and I love it. I'm obsessed with twisted, disturbing, dark stuff that messes with my brain. It feels like a mix between The Silent Patient and Gone Girl. I physically could not put this book down. Definitely my favorite Colleen Hoover book I've read. This had everything I love: smut, sadness, and mind-bending plot twists. This book felt like a rollercoaster, and I implore you all to read it. Such a thrilling read....more
wow i literally just finished this three minutes ago. i LOVED it so much. emily henry makes me feel so seen; it’s like she put my interior monologue owow i literally just finished this three minutes ago. i LOVED it so much. emily henry makes me feel so seen; it’s like she put my interior monologue on paper, which got me so invested in the book. it was sort of slow at first, but when the story picked up i couldn’t put it down. i also liked the flashbacks, so the reader could gain insight into poppy and alex’s last twelve years of friendship. also, it got spicy, which was great lol. overall, i loved this book so much. it is absolutely perfect. ...more
WOW ok. taylor jenkins reid’s characterization skills never fail to impress me. it’s always refreshing to indulge in a story with characters that i caWOW ok. taylor jenkins reid’s characterization skills never fail to impress me. it’s always refreshing to indulge in a story with characters that i can connect with, because i feel like i know them. i loved the references to the seven husbands of evelyn hugo and daisy jones & the six!! additionally, the format is so unique, and i enjoyed how the story went from backstories to the present day. what i loved most of all was the extended metaphor comparing fire to a baptism; it was subtle and masterfully executed by the end of the story and perfectly encapsulated the central themes (at least in my perception) of new beginnings, hope, and breaking the cycle laid by your past. i strongly recommend this amazing book <3...more
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