bedrotgrrrl

[bedrotgrrrl]

Weymouth on Boxing Day

[bedrotgrrrl]

Pearl

Pearl by Sian Hughes. USA publish date: August 6 2024. Long-listed for the 2023 Booker Prize.

Summary: Marianne's mother disappeared mysteriously when she was a child. Pearl is a meditation on growing up, missing one's mother, and mourning a childhood that ended too soon. Marianne's life unfolds, but continues to be haunted by her mother's songs and stories.

Review: My favorite read so far this year. Reflective and emotional, Marianne's memories build a rich life full of discovery, confusion, and pain that lifts off the page, exquisitely plotted and written.

An engrossing read that deserves to be devoured in one day or savored over many sittings.

[bedrotgrrrl]

One of the best parts of being a bookseller: galley boxes! Spoils from Scholastic.

[bedrotgrrrl]

New purchases :)

[bedrotgrrrl]

We Shall be Monsters

We Shall Be Monsters by Tara Sim. Publishing June 25, 2024.

This book had me by the tagline, "Frankenstein meets Indian mythology." 

Kajal, the protagonist, is a young woman that feels all too familiar in her self-criticism. She constantly confronts her flaws, reflecting in response to the plot. Her world is a well-crafted blend of Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh myth that beautifully represents the diversity of India. Each character feels real in the imagination. Actions have motivations that become clear over the course of the book. 

I was truly impressed with this novel; the world-building, character development, and story arc are all well developed and interesting. I will be passing this on to my teen sister! 

I received an uncorrected proof for free at the CALIBA Spring Forum, but I am voluntarily writing this review. 

[bedrotgrrrl]

Annie Bot

Annie Bot by Sierra Greer. Published March 19, 2024.

Summary: Annie is a Cuddle Buddy, a sex-box imbued with AI so that she can learn how to best accommodate her owner. Over the course of the novel, Annie become self-aware and understands her own wants and needs.

Review: Annie's journey is very clearly inspired by Frankenstein's creature. Not only is she learning social cues and how to blend in, but she is learning to think, dream, and desire. It is eerily similar to coming of age as a young, human woman in America.

As a bookseller I have noticed that many books are too long, sacrificing the story for the author's ego. Most new releases could have done with a stronger editor to remove all of the extra weight. This is not the case for Annie Bot. I found myself fully immersed in Annie's world without unnecessarily bloated description. Greer is a fantastic writer, able to communicate what she means clearly and concisely. Annie Bot is a must read for readers and writers alike.

[bedrotgrrrl]

new purchase :) so excited!

[bedrotgrrrl]

Feeling vindicated that Ursula K Le Guin said that Brussels is boring. Hard agree.

[bedrotgrrrl]

Funny Story

Photo by bridget [@/folkllore] on Pinterest

Summary: Daphne's fiance leaves her for his supermodel-level hot childhood best friend. With nowhere else to go, she moves in with the childhood friend's ex, whom she dumped to be with Daphne's fiance. Miles and Daphne grieve their relationships from adjacent rooms in the same apartment while Daphne counts down the days until she can escape this small Michigan town.

Review: Online I have seen many comparisons drawn between Miles and Nick Miller from New Girl. I really don't agree with this at all. Not only is Miles more driven and organized, he is actually connected to his feelings and wants. Daphne, on the other hand, is not nearly as "sunshine and rainbows" as Jess. She is not a manic pixie dream girl and feels real in her journey of building a life for herself before jumping into another relationship.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book. With layered characters who discover themselves through friendship and adventure, this romance is a great introduction to understanding which kinds of love are acceptable and which are not. I highly recommend this to anyone in their 20's who are still trying to understand their place in the world, but more specifically the dating world.

Published April 23, 2024

[bedrotgrrrl]

Song of Achilles on poppers:

I got to see Justinian Huang speak at the CALIBA Spring Forum this year. He is a wonderful person and now that I’ve read his book, I’m even more impressed. Though I received this book for free, I am reviewing on my own volition.

This is a beautiful tale of fate threaded with Asian culture, history, and mythology. An emperor and his lover reunite every lifetime, yet the curse of betrayal continues to haunt them through the millennia.

I was at first a little surprised at the sheer amount of sexual content, however it is so clearly an accurate representation of delayed discovery that so many queer people experience. And, it’s proof that Asians have always been, and always be, sexy.

This novel is Song of Achilles on poppers and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[bedrotgrrrl]

A pic of the physical tbr 🫶

[bedrotgrrrl]

Some books I received as gifts at the California Independent Booksellers Alliance (CALIBA) Spring Forum this week ❤️

I am so lucky to have a job that I love but also one that gets me free books! Each of these are beautiful in their own right and I can’t wait to dive in.

[bedrotgrrrl]

Silver in the Bone, a Book Review

Published April 4, 2023

By Alexandra Bracken

Summary: Tamsin and her brother were abandoned by their guardian. Ten years later they have followed in his footsteps and become Hollowers, or thieves hired by sorceresses to procure magical objects. An assignment takes them, and some companions, to Avalon, the island that Arthur Pendragon rests until he is needed again. They are looking for a magical ring, but find so much more.

Review: Technology and magic are blended seamlessly in this YA Fantasy. High stakes, powerful characters, and well-executed character growth come together to create a plot that is irresistible.

Bracken's mastery of the English Language and the art of storytelling tackles grief, purpose, family, and worthiness in an impeccable way. Though I finished reading several days ago, I am still searching for the right words to express just how good this read was.

This is an amazing book for a reader of any age. The use of Arthurian legend is unique and interesting. A small romance plot does not distract from the overall goals of each character. Plot twists hit when you're least expecting it.

This is definitely a 5 star read.

[bedrotgrrrl]

Beastly Beauty, a Book Review

Publish date: May 7, 2024 [Advanced Reader's Copy]

Beastly Beauty by Jennifer Donnelly

Summary: Beau is a thief, but of course has a heart of gold. He steals and manipulates so that he can earn enough money to take care of his ill younger brother. When a job goes awry, Beau end up heading towards a mysterious castle to hide. This castle presents the band of thieves with a decadent meal, as well as a murderous beast.

Review: While Donnelly had a fresh take on the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast, however, the execution was overall clumsy and cheesy. There was no trust in the reader's capability to read between the lines which led to a shallow, over-explained dialogue.

The beast was the noble woman, Arabella, cursed because she lacked any control of her emotions. Each lady of the court's name was an anagram of a negative emotion (despair, rage, jealousy). The humanoid manifestations of Arabella's feelings was a great idea that had more potential than was tapped.

This book is marketed as a Young Adult novel, however, I would not recommend this read to anyone older than 13. This is the perfect book for sheltered and insecure young women but access to the internet has changed things. There are better discussions of this topic on TikTok.

[bedrotgrrrl]

Every time I read a poem or thoughtful post about sisters, it hurts. I think of my sisters with love, but then I remember that they’re twins. And they’ll never think of me in the same way that I think of them.

[bedrotgrrrl]

This book had crack in it or something

[bedrotgrrrl]

Her soul belongs to words and books. Every time she reads, she is home.