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TracyReadsBooks
The Antidote | Karen Russell
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Mehso-so

I didn‘t love it…which honestly, comes as a surprise because everything else I‘ve read by Russell I really enjoyed. It has the right ingredients—interesting setting (Dust Bowl), a witch, a sentient scarecrow, a mystery, but…BUT, it‘s ponderous & slow moving, told in multiple POVs which aren‘t all that distinctive, & somehow (impossibly) devoid of emotional depth. I really should have cared about these characters & I just didn‘t. Just a so-so read.

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monalyisha
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Mehso-so

Quite possibly the most three-star book I‘ve ever read. 😅

Too many small details, which I normally don‘t mind, but it doesn‘t feel like they add anything (e.g. “I dropped the keys into the bowl on the table”; “I slid the bin from the shelf and lowered it to the ground”; “I pulled onto the shoulder…sliding the gear into park”; “I opened the door, getting out of the truck”, “I reached out…I pushed it open…My eyes widened,” etc).👇🏻

monalyisha 1/5: It could be the first person, present tense POV that doesn‘t work for me. At times, Young‘s writing style feels almost akin to a step-by-step instruction manual. I understand the choice. Each small action makes June feel real; it‘s basically a granularly-written, authorial mindfulness practice — an attempt to ground June in the moment, *whenever* that moment is. Still, it‘s grating. 1d
monalyisha 2/5: And…I‘m not fully convinced it‘s a stylistic choice and not just how Young always writes. It‘s fitting that what doesn‘t work for June is timing & tense; that‘s exactly what doesn‘t work for me about the whole novel. 1d
monalyisha 3/5: At the same time, if we‘re talking about living two lives, June‘s seems like one I *could* live. 1d
See All 8 Comments
monalyisha 4/5: Her blonde hair (check), her green dress (check), the abalone shell that holds her rings (consistent with my aesthetic sensibilities); her farm (a buried wish, to lead a simpler and more rural existence — one that our capitalist society and financial reality will never let me lead); her child (a sweet choice I did not make but conceivably could have) — not to mention her hunky Irish husband (yes, please). (edited) 1d
monalyisha 5/5: So, I can‘t hate the book entirely. There‘s a lot to feel sentimental and tender about. 1d
monalyisha Things I‘d like to have learned more about: 1. the origin of the curse, & 2. Birdie‘s life. June fights so hard to give Annie a life that doesn‘t disintegrate & unravel. What does she do with it? All we really know is that she ends up as June‘s parental figure & that she had a husband at some point. I need *more.* And, to be honest, I would have preferred more closure for Mason. “He fell in love with an intern” doesn‘t quite cut it. Why an intern? 1d
cariashley Such a great review, you nailed so many of my issues/questions with this one! 1d
monalyisha @cariashley Thank you! I was *scouring* reviews trying to determine if anyone else felt like I did and coming up wanting. 😅 So, your comment is both validating and appreciated! 21h
58 likes8 comments
review
Jen2
Water Moon: A Novel | Samantha Sotto Yambao
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Pickpick

Good

review
Bookish_Gal
Water Moon: A Novel | Samantha Sotto Yambao
Mehso-so

Audio. The whimsical tone of this book made it difficult for me to keep up with as an audiobook. As such, may have rated differently. It‘s a cozy show book, with a Studio Ghibli type atmosphere. Enjoyed hearing about the Otherworldly places; though the characters went through them too quick to fully appreciate them. The romance felt forced throughout, unnecessary. Even with the ending twist - which was well placed.

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JillR
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Pickpick

I love Sarah Winman but this one had passed me by. It‘s a lovely book, I thoroughly enjoyed it, even if the whimsical elements lost me slightly at times. There‘s a little mystery here as I pass a lot of my books onto my mum. I found this on her shelves but it didn‘t come from me and she has no recollection where it did come from. So who else is passing her books of this quality I ask?! I thought I was the one who gave her the best books 😆

Cathythoughts Who is this person ?! 🕵️‍♀️ 😂 4d
JillR @cathythoughts exactly! She does occasionally buy her own books 😆 but I don‘t think she‘d have picked this so the mystery deepens😆😆 4d
31 likes2 comments
review
bookandbedandtea
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Pickpick

This was a mixed bag for me- thou I seem to be one of few who didn't unconditionally love it. I loved almost everything about the 1920s part of the story: I felt like I was in Brooklyn, watching Augusta and her family live life(& death) & I loved everything about about teenage Augusta, Irving, & Aunt Ester. My difficulties come in the 80s timeline: I love that the characters we meet at the retirement village are happy, active, and still open to ⬇️

bookandbedandtea But I don't love that they behaved like teenagers who didn't have any experience in talking to other humans and resolving their issues. Maybe I'm just feeling grumpy but I'd like to think a group of 80 year olds would be less prone to melodrama. Thank goodness for Shirley! She was a breath of sensible air! 5d
36 likes1 comment
blurb
Eggs
Lost Lake | Sarah Addison Allen
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“Sometimes, all it takes is a leap of faith to find the magic that's been missing from our lives.”

#CoverStories #Lake

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Aims42 Loved this book so much! 💚💚💚 5d
Eggs @Aims42 Agree absolutely 💯 5d
BooksandCoffee4Me Lovely quote 💛 5d
See All 8 Comments
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful 💛💙 5d
AnnCrystal 💝💝💝. 4d
Eggs @BooksandCoffee4Me Indeed 🩵 4d
Eggs @AnnCrystal 🩷🩵💙 4d
56 likes1 stack add8 comments
review
BookBr
Water Moon: A Novel | Samantha Sotto Yambao
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Pickpick

I thought this was a beautiful book — inside and out. Whimsical in some ways, terrifying in others, thoughtful and thought-provoking. The imagery was bright and real, the journey engrossing, and Kei and Hana‘s developing relationship was lovely. I didn‘t see the final twist in the tale coming, and the plot moved at a good pace to a satisfying conclusion. But I‘m a sucker for a happy ending. Also, I loved folding the cover into a wee boat😍

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Deblovestoread
Black Woods, Blue Sky | Eowyn Ivey, Ruth Hulbert (illustrator)
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Pickpick

The beauty of the Alaskan wilderness is on full display here in this modern take on the Beauty and the Beast fairytale. Although Birdie has community support raising her daughter she feels stifled by their always watching eyes. When Arthur offers her an opportunity to live in solitude, nature and maybe even love, it seems like the answer she‘s needed to make a positive change for her and Emaleen. 3.5🌟

Thank you #NetGalley!

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Allthebookclubs
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Pickpick

An enchanting book about time travel and the consequences that could come. Every time I put the book down I couldn‘t stop thinking about June. This was so beautifully written and sure to be one of my tops books of the year. Book #25 in 2025