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alexandriaslibrary's reviews
230 reviews
First Love by Ivan Turgenev
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Brilliant and moving. A novella from the 1860s following a teenage boy who becomes enamored with his neighbor (a poor yet very charming princess). Perfect if you love an old gossipy story with passion and stakes
You Will Never Be Forgotten: Stories by Mary South
dark
reflective
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Incredibly compelling short stories. Each distinct yet reflective of the full collection. Grief, the internet, and bad relationships are also my personal trifecta!
Loved “Keith Prime”, “The Age of Love” and “You Will Never Be Forgotten”
Loved “Keith Prime”, “The Age of Love” and “You Will Never Be Forgotten”
Ecology of Fear: Los Angeles and the Imagination of Disaster by Mike Davis
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Mike Davis everyone! You are guided by an expert through the ecology of LA and the bigger questions of fear in LA. Davis confronts the ugliness of our urban identity and its racial tensions, class inequality, and ecological disasters.
For anyone who is looking to think more critically about LA and also read about the 1990s predication of LAs future (spoiler alert, alarmingly accurate)
For anyone who is looking to think more critically about LA and also read about the 1990s predication of LAs future (spoiler alert, alarmingly accurate)
Sexus by Henry Miller
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was hesitant to pick this one up and now cannot believe I once felt that way. Raw, unflinching, gross and horny. (No one writes sex like Miller) Meanders (in the good way) through dirty streets and between the legs of women, monologues on morality, and a narrative masterpiece. Proof that any story can be compelling with the write voice
Butter Honey Pig Bread by francesca ekwuyasi
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
A braided story of a mother and her twin daughters who reunite after their childhood trauma drove them apart. Normally I’m not huge on multiple POVs but this was very well done, each character felt really well rounded and unique. Also the food writing here is top notch!
Terminal Boredom by Izumi Suzuki
dark
reflective
4.25
LOVE her voice, can’t wait to dive into her novels. So unusual, so crisp, so “contemporary” for stories written decades ago
For fans of Sayaka Murata or Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
For fans of Sayaka Murata or Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Classic case of characters who really need therapy and to stop being so horny
Gigi by Colette
dark
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
People have always been people! Love authors that are deeply concerned with society and psychology. Gigi follows a girl who is being groomed to become a mistress/sex worker (courtesan if you will) as she grows close to a wealthy bachelor
The Cat is a novella about a young groom who cannot decide if he is happy to be married (but he DEFINITELY loves his cat) (his wife does not love that he loves his cat)
The Cat is a novella about a young groom who cannot decide if he is happy to be married (but he DEFINITELY loves his cat) (his wife does not love that he loves his cat)
Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain
dark
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.75
Feeeedd the biiitcchhhhhh is entering my permanent lexicon
My Face for the World to See by Alfred Hayes
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
There is nothing quite like an ill-fated affair between two people who need some serious help