It took me awhile to warm up to it, but the current administration made it much easier for me to relate. My question is: why am I seeing less book reviews and more promotional crap on this site? I thought this was a sacred book site. Am I wrong?! I wanted to come here for inspiration. Not to see that you enjoyed tater tots with your soda. I‘m weary of posts that loosely connect to books. Try FB or IG. I‘d like to see this back to where it belongs.

The simplistic plot line is tough, the teenage musings are tough, the twist is tough. This book is tough. When I say “tough,” I mean poorly written, predictable, and too easy. The prose wasn‘t notable, the narrative was inconsistent, and the twists were predictable and cheap. I‘ll save it for my niece though. A 9 year old might find this scandalous.

Wait. Did I just pick up a YA novel disguised as a beach-read? Granted, I picked this book randomly because I like a mindless thriller, but this has GOT to be YA. I‘m not experienced with that genre, but I think if I was 15 I‘d really like this.

Amazing so far. Only half way through, but I‘m so entertained by her voice...where‘s my Xanax martini?

“She didn‘t believe he actually killed himself. He was too attached to his problems.”

Should a thriller carry the actual fears of us, or should it give us just enough to safely feel enthralled? Is it a carnival ride, or a way to speak to very real fears under a very real government that promotes very very real violence toward marginalized communities? I‘m impressed.

Ok, so this book was boring for the first 90 pages. But...now that I‘m past that, I actually love this. It‘s making me wonder a lot of things, not just about the plot, but as a creative woman who wants conventional life-moments, but who is also very opposed to convention. If you read this, stick with it. Even if you give up, it succeeds in posing interesting questions about life, expectations, art, expression...hated it at first, love it now.

This book is a slow burn, but manages to keep a fair amount of tension throughout. The protagonist is vile and wading through his depraved unreliable perspectives can get a bit tiresome. I did enjoy the downward sloping if his psychosis, which was written convincingly.

Meh.

Ok bookish friends, I need a “beach read.” Like, a Gone Girl sort of situation. Life has been a bit stressful and I just want to get lost in someone else‘s drama. I want to be so absorbed that I don‘t even notice the crowds on the subway. Recommendations? Thoughts? Advice? All of it?

He brought me a signed copy from Strand, because...you know...it was a Wednesday. Good read, until it gets worse.

Is there a better wedding gift than your BFF getting you PageHabit where I don‘t even have enough space or characters to explain this awesomeness???? It‘s creepy how well they know me. The notes from the author are almost the best part. My husband liked the complimentary pint glass. Lol!!!

This definitely wasn‘t the best book I‘ve read in a while. Left a bad taste in my mouth. Lacked suspense, lacked good writing, found myself laughing at the absurdity of the premise and the misogyny that drove it. Don‘t bother.

This book is the blood and guts of the human spirit. A twelve year old girl‘s story of survival. I have read her father described as “complex,” which I challenge. The true complexity lies in the inner dialogue of Turtle, and how we all would like to think there is a piece of her within ourselves, even the ugly parts. A haunting and gorgeously rendered narrative that stays with you long after reading it. Very tough act to follow.

Something about this makes no sense. Everything about this makes sense. Still half way through.

Whoa whoa whoa...

How is it that this got great reviews, yet, I'm having a hard time investing? I love how her voice supersedes time and place, but I wanted to like this more than I actually do. I'm going to keep on keeping on though. I'm hoping my mind will change soon.

Got married at the New York City Public Library! Hair blown back with joy!

This furry friend is the only child that I have, but my heart is still pounding! Even more fun with intermittent hand written notes by Gin Phillips. Thanks Page Habit! Best wedding gift a bibliophile can get!

Unfortunately, I struggled to relate to Broder's voice. I can say that she has an admirably creative mind and thought process, yet, where I expected a certain humility, I found narcissism...not in a good way. I thought this was an unfulfilling read overall. Maybe I just wasn't sad that day.

When you get a manuscript that is exciting/beautiful/awesome, and a humble debut!!

So, the thing about this book is that it really sheds light on the internal dialogue that women have about their self-image, how we manifest those feelings physically, and how we are bombarded, even by magazines that claim to want to help us. However, the terrorism side plot is implausible to me.

Wow wow wow. I read this in one sitting. So naked, afraid, brave, and relevant. I am in so much awe that Cahalan not only wrote this so eloquently, but also that she examined and exposed herself so honestly. My only regret is that I haven't read this sooner.

Meh. I loved the '80's references, and I thought the friendship between the two girls was great. The actual exorcism lost me. It got muddy, then kind of unraveled. Too bad. This book had potential.

As Babe would say, "This is major." Witty, funny, narcissistic, and very entertaining. Quick and amusing read. Great pallet cleanse. Highly suggest.

Starting this right now, and I already love it. I have a weakness for her books.

Whoa...do yourself a favor and read this book. This novel, a memoir from the perspective of the first chimpanzee to obtain language, is by far one of the most deeply intellectual and interesting books that I've recently read. Hale defies convention to bring forth a shocking exploration of humanity.

Whoa...I'm tragically already half way through this book. Can't put it down, and never want it to end. I'm completely obsessed.

LOVED this book. Written in a haunting prose, this novel is somewhat of a coming of age story, but really more of a deep exploration of who and what influences identity, and the lengths people are capable of going to in order to solidify themselves. I loved the Nirvana (band) themes. Very clever.

Up next! Starting this first thing tomorrow.

I so genuinely wanted to love this book. Unfortunately, this was simply a swing and a miss. She might grow a bit, but more like she bounced herself and identity off of her crush. I can't even say I loved the writing. The idea was there, but it doesn't live up to its hype. Impossible to invest.

Is anyone else struggling to invest in the protagonist or narrative? Only about 60 pages in, and I keep putting it down for minor distractions! Like, for instance, putting it down to post on Litsy. I really hope this grabs me soon.

While her inspiration may be a bit transparent, this book is a very refreshing view on the female perspective that I found to be exciting, creative, relatable, and deeply quotable. More than coming of age...this is coming of mind, body, place, sex, gender, and gorgeously written to boot.

Have been waiting to read this little gem. Only one way to start a new book on a summer evening...a glass of rosé.

Amazing collection of short stories. Edgy, sometimes grotesque, but with such a poignant streak of humanity. Hale has a very unique literary voice, and his imagination is fascinating. Highly recommend.

Currently reading. I'm struggling to see what the hype is about. For some reason, the narrative and characters just aren't gripping me the way I expected.

Currently reading... One thing I like so far is that Celeste Ng has a really masterful way of switching character perspectives seamlessly within a paragraph. It's almost like a 3D view of what's happening, and I think she pulls it off very well.

Quick, suspenseful, and fun (yet dark). A bit untidy, but it definitely made me feel as though I was there. Turned a lot of pages and drank a lot of water! Loved being sucked into this, but it was a bit muddy for my taste overall.