Never Not Reading

I particularly enjoyed how in control she appears to be from the outside, something the messy girl trope often fails to achieve in its own goofiness. Erin binge drinks and does drugs, but there’s nothing particularly cool or out of control about it. She’s simply lost, and it seems her peers are as well in their own different ways. If they recognize her grief, they don’t know how to openly talk about it. When one acquaintance bluntly reveals important information, she squirms, but recognizes the possibility of a deeper friendship. I loved her internal voice and the quiet way she shifts forward. It’s a slice of life story that feels deeply real. I enjoyed it’s quiet moments, but also the vivid portrayal of Irish friendships and dynamics. I think fans of Fleabag and Sally Rooney will find a lot to love here. 

The story follows two successful TV actors, Lilah and Shane. Lilah is back on the show that made her famous after leaving for a few years for more prestige projects. Shane stuck around and held his own. Neither of them want her back. But their connection is palpable and unavoidable, and an important aspect of what made the show famous. Wilder does an excellent job of honoring the trope itself while keeping it fresh. She balances playful humor and the realities of 21st century fame that feel endearing and real rather than focused on the glitz of wealth. It's not that it's invisible, but the focus really is on their relationship in this landscape - which makes it interesting rather than cheesy. Lilah and Shane each have their own intense and relatable struggles, and Ava writes them with aplomb. A was surprised by how both riveting and sexy this was. This should be the romance read of the summer! And yes, it should also be adapted. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC.

Here's one for the mystery-thriller reader who thinks they've read everything! Silvia Moreno-Garcia has crafted a uniquely atmospheric supernatural thriller with a perfect sense of place for fans of mystery and horror. Moreno-Garcia dives into the world of Mexican horror B-Movies, and the two friends who grew up watching them. Taking place in the 90s, the stories and traumas of war aren't quite as distant, and any fringe subjects can only be found in books and memories. Montserrat works as a struggling audio engineer when her friend and childhood crush Tristán tells her his new neighbor is legendary B-movie director Abel Urueta. They quickly dive into a world of intrigue and horror after agreeing to dub an unfinished film that Urueta was involved in, without knowing the explosive risks. I particularly loved the "science" of the occult that Moreno-Garcia has created here. She perfectly blends history and supernatural in a way that feels fully realized. The time and place are sharply imagined and saturated in the realities of the past, from Nazi occultism to racism in the film industry and beyond. I would be psyched to see this adapted someday. There's a cozy undertone to the whole story specifically because of the food and spaces that are so vividly represented. This is my first time reading something by Silvia Moreno-Garcia but definitely not the last. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC.

A shocking and stunning story with a perfect blend of intrigue, The Fetishist is an absolute force that hooked me from the start. It begins with musicians and a mysterious revenge murder plot. Following a few characters and the windows into their various interconnected pasts, if you enjoy stories with multiple perspectives this one is a unique treat. The most prevalent theme throughout is the pervasive fetishization of Asian women (in this case, in the music industry.) And Katherine Min doesn't hold back. The way Min writes anger is especially remarkable - it completely drew me in. The anger explodes from the page, and it's so beautifully realized that I had to pause and let it sit. She balances this force with humor and charm. I was particularly enamored with Alma, the love interest of the character the book is named for, and the true main character in my opinion. Through the fetishization of the character of Alma, Katherine Min confronts self worth and personal value. By showing multiple angles of self confrontation, she creates a conversation that allows different facets of pain to flourish. It's a perfect blend of literary fiction and thrills, which is a favorite combo of mine. Despite what I've mentioned here, this book is also about love. Love for music, for places, for people. It is being published posthumously by Min's daughter - but the care and love that made that a reality is obvious too. I can't think of novels I can compare it to, but if you gravitate towards dramatic stories with humor and introspection this is not one to be missed. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC.

Spring finally feels like it's here and I'm planning my garden (zone 4 gang rise up!), so I kept visualizing chili peppers while reading this. The kind that deeply burn your mouth but keep you coming back for more. This book wrecked me - but I had to keep going. Calla's fate is decided by lottery once she hits puberty. If she chooses a blue ticket, she is "free" from having children and is forced to receive a copper implant. If she chooses a white ticket she is allowed to have children eventually. Calla is initially happy with her blue ticket. Within the hour of receiving it, she is released with a few supplies to make her way alone to the nearest city. As an adult, Calla enjoys her lifestyle, but she begins to feel something new. She decides to remove her implant and try to get pregnant. Once she is discovered to be pregnant, she is again released into the wild - but this time with the hope of crossing the border where she can safely keep her child. Mackintosh is strategic in what she shares with us. Details are revealed sparingly and without humor. It's a dark and uncaring landscape. The gaps I filled in were equally cheerless, but carried a pathos that can be applied to our own contemporary failures. Calla has little choice, but also little understanding of what physically awaits her, for she was never taught. What she lacks in knowledge, she has in sheer determination and anger. It's a haunting journey, one that culminates in an equally haunting ending. One that I won't soon forget. It's a provoking rumination that had my heart racing with every chapter. I received my copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Doubleday!

Kidding! I can’t say I enjoyed this series, but I won't deny that my college roommate and I had a blast seeing the movie in theaters without any irony. I still watch them occasionally for comfort viewing too. 

I received my copy in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Ecco!

The orange represents the recently announced shortlist by the way!