Still trying to catch up on end of year/New Year content! Thanks for bearing with me!
ALL THE UGLY AND WONDERFUL THINGS by Bryn Greenwood
1/5 Stars
Yes. You’re reading that correctly. One star. Honestly should have given it a zero. Hands down the worst book I’ve ever read. The book is about a young daughter of drug addict/meth dealer and her relationship with an adult male. It is filled with child abuse and grooming. The book is told through different perspectives, but it just didn’t “do” it for me. I found it too disturbing. Why did I finish it you ask? I thought there was no way it was going to end the way it ended. I couldn’t fathom an author writing such fiction and ending it as a love story the way it was. BLAH, it was horrible.
OLGA DIES DREAMING by Xochitl Gonzalez
4.5/5 Stars
This is one of the most highly anticipated books of 2022. It’s REALLY good. I was lucky enough to meet Xochitl on a press trip years ago and I’ve followed her personal newsletter ever since. Can I just say, I’m so freaking proud of her. Olga Dies Dreaming is such a unique and stellar debut novel. It’s incredibly smart, sharp, and witty. The book follows Olga, a 40 year old Puerto Rican wedding planner in Brooklyn, and her politician brother. It covers so much: family relationships, romantic relationships, sexuality, and politics.
CULTISH by Amanda Montell
4/5 Stars
If you’re intrigued by cults, definitely pick up this book. I’ve been seeing it everywhere and I definitely understand the hype. It’s about the language of cults and just gives a fascinating look at what cults are and why they are “successful.” I wouldn’t say it’s all that groundbreaking if you’ve read about cults, but it’s still interesting. It veered a little snarky at times too, which I think took away from the overall goal of the book? But overall, I was into it because I really do find cults fascinating. I shared it with a bunch of my friends who are equally as intrigued and it was a hit for everyone.
THREE GIRLS FROM BRONZEVILLE by Dawn Turner
4.5/5 Stars
I loved this memoir by Dawn Turner. It’s about her childhood and the path her life takes, juxtaposed with the life paths of her sister Kim and her best friend Debra. All three Black girls grew up in the same area of Chicago, but each ended up with completely different life outcomes. Dawn Turner reflects on their upbringing and circumstances and wonders how they could have gone down such diverging paths. It was a little bit slow at points, but overall a fantastic memoir that will stay with me.
READ WITH ME
I love your book review posts! Thanks so much for sharing!!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Thanks for this — I’m adding Olga Dies Dreaming to my TBR list. You may have already heard about it, but Bookshop.org is a lovely alternative for Amazon if people want to order books online and support independent bookstores instead of Besos. Thanks again!
You sold me on both cultish and olga! Adding to my list now. And reminded me why I never picked up ugly and wonderful! lol.
Thanks for putting Three Girls from Bronzeville on our radar. I hadn’t heard if it yet and am aiming to read more books by authors of color this year.
I’ve heard so many good things about Olga Dies Dreaming, I can’t wait to read it but I’m trying to get through all my night stand books before buying new ones…not sure how much longer I’ll be able to hold back.
I love your book posts. I just finished 3 girls from
Bronzeville upon your rec and it was great. Thank you!