Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Melismatic

Melismatic

Joined July 2018

I like mysteries where I can‘t guess the ending, strong leading ladies, and unreliable narrators. 💕 Thriller & Horror girlie. 😱
quote
Melismatic
The Phoenix Crown: A Novel | Kate Quinn, Janie Chang
post image

Whether or not you‘ve worked with divas in the arts, this is pretty hilarious…and right on the mark. 😅 #AuthorAMonth

Soubhiville 😆😆😆 1d
25 likes1 comment
blurb
Melismatic
The Phoenix Crown: A Novel | Kate Quinn, Janie Chang
post image

Starting the month with #AuthorAMonth 👑

Thanks again to @Soubhiville for running this challenge and for my prize. This title was what I was planning to read for April all along. 💖

Soubhiville I hope you enjoy it! ❤️ 3d
21 likes1 comment
blurb
Melismatic
post image

March wrap up! Not pictured: Naomi Watts‘ memoir/health book on menopause & a table book on Coco Chanel. Tagged was my fave of the lot but Womb City & Eleven Percent came pretty close.

quote
Melismatic
post image

Also couldn‘t *not* share this heartbreaking section on the “birth” so to speak of gynecology.

I need to find this plaque in Central Park. 😭

TheBookHippie 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 5d
22 likes1 comment
quote
Melismatic
post image

Phew. Reading this a little bit at a time bc damn. A notepad at my side to make notes but admittedly it‘s a lot of “wild! Can you believe this 💩?!”

Glad this is immensely reader friendly and doesn‘t feel like a textbook. As a result, I‘m “learning” so much to back up my obvious personal feelings regarding deciding what the hell goes on in my own body (a concept!!).

blurb
Melismatic
The Phoenix Crown: A Novel | Kate Quinn, Janie Chang
post image

Preliminary April TBR — audiobooks not included obvi. 💖🤘🏻 📚

#AuthorAMonth - the tagged
BOTM titles from Feb & March - need to catch up 😅

blurb
Melismatic
post image

One of my goals this year was to read more educational nonfiction so picked this up at the library to peruse a little bit each day. Wasn‘t expecting it to be this thicc. 🤕

blurb
Melismatic
post image

Someone take away my wallet! 😅

Other than BOTM, I‘m on a strict book buying ban til my birthday in June at least. I need to shrink this TBR before my bf throws me out of our apt. 🤪🫣

But given all of the chatter, I couldn‘t not pick the tagged up…and spied this lil Octavia essay for a later #AuthorAMonth. 😍

catiewithac Great choices!!! 👏🏻 5d
28 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
Melismatic
The Women: A Novel | Kristin Hannah
post image

Have reached the halfway point in the tagged book and feeling…indifferent?

I get why so many people like this author because she really paints an evocative picture but in terms of plot…it just feels soapy? I think I want it to feel denser.

Points for the focus on the hardworking women during the horrors of the Vietnam War. I wish that was more the overall focus rather than the flimsy love stories.

AmyG Absolutely agree. In Vietnam was the part of the book I liked the most. 1w
Melismatic @AmyG a lot of friends who love this author have said this isn‘t the best book for a first impression 🤷🏻‍♀️ but I‘m sensing this author might just not be for me 1w
BkClubCare @Melismatic - I can‘t read her books - they just annoy me for some reason 🤷🏻‍♀️ I tell people I am allergic to her writing style. 1w
See All 15 Comments
Elizabeth2 I agree with @AmyG - the part of the book that focused on the war was the best part. The later parts of the book dragged a little, unless the focus was on her PTSD, then it kept my interest. I also agree that this is not her best work. If you like historical fiction, try The Nightingale before giving up on the author. 1w
Melismatic @BkClubCare allergic lol - that‘s def me with Taylor Jenkins Reid or Colleen Hoover 1w
Melismatic @Elizabeth2 I‘ll definitely give her another shot - I do hope the ending helps. At this point I‘d prob DNF if it wasn‘t my in person book club pick. 🥹 The Nightingale is my friends fave as well. (edited) 1w
BkClubCare @Melismatic - Colleen Hoover is a no for me. Verdict still out on TJR 🤓 7d
TheBookHippie I loathe this author and refuse to read her 😂😂😂😂😂 5d
TheBookHippie @BkClubCare Hoover 🤮🤢 5d
Melismatic @TheBookHippie Hoover or Hannah? The former, totally get. 😂 The latter, I feel like her intentions are good…but she‘s not clear on what she really wants her message to actually be. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤣 5d
TheBookHippie @Melismatic Hoover is 🤢 and actually a danger to women. Hannah is probably just extremely privileged and doesn‘t realize. However I refuse to read either of them. And yes I‘ve tried both. 🤦🏻‍♀️😵‍💫😬😝 5d
Melismatic @TheBookHippie having read both now, I have to say I agree. 🫣 5d
TheBookHippie @Melismatic 😂😬🤷🏻‍♀️ I don‘t generally read “it” books so I‘m use to not liking what everyone else loves😊 SOME people get so upset when you don‘t like their favorites. Especially this one. 5d
Melismatic @TheBookHippie this is my book clubs pick for our meeting next week so…I‘m expecting discussion. 😂 But typically if it provokes a strong reaction positive or negative, I think that‘s good for a book club. Hoping I don‘t get out voted but I‘m thinking I will 😆 5d
TheBookHippie @Melismatic 😂😂😂 5d
26 likes15 comments
blurb
Melismatic
The Women: A Novel | Kristin Hannah
post image

Shifting gears and queuing this up - my next in person book club pick and my first Kristin Hannah novel. So many friends wax so poetic about her writing.

I think I‘m ready to cry. Wow me, Kristin! 😅

tpixie This brings out all the feels! 2w
31 likes1 comment
review
Melismatic
The Testaments: A Novel | Margaret Atwood
post image
Pickpick

Solid buildup, shockingly quick read despite how emotional it all is. I will admit, the ending felt too abrupt…and dare I say too easy?

Like many have said, this felt less like a sequel and more like a coda/epilogue. But certainly a timely one. 🍊

blurb
Melismatic
Wayward Son | Rainbow Rowell
post image

I really don‘t need to add more books to my already crazy TBR but I saw this in the #LFL and couldn‘t resist Rainbow Rowell. I haven‘t read the first book this is sequel to though, so that‘ll have to come first.🫣 I loved Fangirl so much and these fanfic characters were in the background, correct?

🌈💖🥰

ChaoticMissAdventures Yes! Simon Snow is the famous character the Fangirl character was writing fan fiction about, it is all an interconnected world which I think is so fun and interesting. ❤️ 2w
ShelleyBooksie The first book in this series is great! 2w
25 likes2 comments
review
Melismatic
post image
Mehso-so

Pretty silly lil coffee table book of Dolly quotes. Most were pretty shallow rather than heartfelt but many made me chuckle.
👙 🤣🤷🏻‍♀️

tpixie She has to justify her boobs , hair, makeup more than any woman I know! She did a great job taking it in stride, I guess! 2w
Melismatic @tpixie so true! 🤪 2w
31 likes3 comments
quote
Melismatic
The Testaments: A Novel | Margaret Atwood
post image

Like…not to sound alarmist but…

This feels like the MAGA end goal, no? Reading this as they attempt to dismantle the Dept of Education this very week.

Sigh.

ChaoticMissAdventures I work at a law firm (not a lawyer) and you would not believe the conversations we are having right now. When to comply? What to comply on? How important are our values and are they more important than keeping 200 people employed? It is awful. And just like this. The way he is going after not just the Education dept. but lawyers and law firms is so scary. 2w
Ruthiella It is awful. We are in a dark period, for sure. 2w
Melismatic @ChaoticMissAdventures it truly feels surreal, like all of this is a bad movie, not real life. Seeing it first hand would drive me insane - stay strong, my friend. 💖 2w
Melismatic @Ruthiella truly! It‘s so bizarre! 2w
29 likes4 comments
quote
Melismatic
The Testaments: A Novel | Margaret Atwood
post image

The struggle with these kinds of dystopia stories is…this absolutely feels familiar. This absolutely feels like it‘s already happening. So is it really ✨ dystopian ✨ ? 🫣 Sigh.

quote
Melismatic
The Testaments: A Novel | Margaret Atwood
post image

#WithTheBanned is reading Handmaid‘s - and since I rarely re-read, now is the perfect time to get the sequel off my shelf and read. 🫣💖💪🏻

34 likes1 comment
review
Melismatic
post image
Pickpick

Soft pick. I enjoy Naomi‘s charm & humor but I found this to be lacking on much of the research I was expecting. This was a solid overview - but doesn‘t offer much in terms of nitty gritty regarding menopause.

It does offer a fab new idiom though: “must-erbation”. Feeling like you “must” do things even when over extended.

blurb
Melismatic
post image

My #Feminist perspective results. 💪🏻💖 Thanks for the link @Catsandbooks ! #riseupreads

Catsandbooks 👏🏼🎉✊🏼🔥❤️ 2w
26 likes1 comment
review
Melismatic
post image
Pickpick

This ARC felt very original to me - centered around four women, whose lives overlap in unique ways. Set in a future where men are kept in captivity because they are a believed liability and women largely rule the world.

🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ with fully fleshed out characters that feel very honest and sometimes unlikable. Dabbles in witchcraft & religion. Wild. Translated from Danish. Out at the end of April in English.

Melismatic My thanks to St Martin‘s Press & NetGalley for this ARC! Thoroughly enjoyed! 2w
26 likes1 comment
blurb
Melismatic
post image

Spied a whole table of signed copies of my current audiobook read. I‘m enjoying it so far - it‘s the perfect blend of serious medical insight with personal experience.

As an almost-38 year old, I‘ve been noticing odd symptoms that lend itself to perimenopause over the last few years. Definitely think this book provides a more general introduction of what to expect. 😵‍💫

blurb
Melismatic
post image

🥰💖🫣🤷🏻‍♀️💪🏻 #bnbookfest

ShelleyBooksie This is next on my tbr!! 3w
30 likes1 comment
blurb
Melismatic
post image

A moment for these spooky sprayed edges bc wow. 🫣 #bnbookfest

dabbe 😱❣️😱 3w
31 likes1 comment
blurb
Melismatic
post image

Met Jeneva Rose today at B&N‘s “Book Fest” event. (Lots more pics to follow.)

She was lovely & hilarious. And now my TBR is even longer. Whoops. 😅 #bnbookfest

Ruthiella How neat! 😃 3w
dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 3w
33 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Melismatic
Shadow and Bone | Leigh Bardugo
post image
Pickpick

Wow. This was very fast paced YA - like whiplash fast pace. I would have appreciated a little more world building because parts of the plot felt unearned. But this felt like one long intro paragraph for a greater story potential to be told.

I shall continue into the Grishaverse soon, I fear. 😨 #AuthorAMonth

StaceGhost I love the grishaverse— six of crows is my fave 3w
Melismatic @StaceGhost seems to be a popular favorite - that was initially where I was going to start! Something to look forward to 3w
Soubhiville I just started book 3 and I had no intention to read more than the first one this month 😆. I think that says something! 3w
Melismatic @Soubhiville !!!! Definitely! If I didn‘t have other book club commitments and an ARC to finish I‘d be right there with you! 3w
27 likes4 comments
review
Melismatic
post image
Pickpick

As a #kpop and music nerd, this was a fantastic quick read. While I think some specialized knowledge of the industry is required to get the most out it emotionally, Kwon touches on misogyny, racism, diet culture, suicide & mental health, and so much more - tethering her own personal life journey to the idols she‘s adored.

blurb
Melismatic
Shadow and Bone | Leigh Bardugo
post image

I get why this had its own fandom! I doubt I‘ll get to much more this month for #AuthorAMonth but I definitely think I‘d want to continue the whole series.

review
Melismatic
post image
Pickpick

The Grishaverse of it all has been on my TBR for years. I initially thought to start with Six of Crows but when researching, Shadow & Bone was the recommended entry point. This prequel was alluded to having spoilers, but since I‘m going into this totally cold, I decided to start here. 💙 👤

Now on to Shadow & Bone… #AuthorAMonth

review
Melismatic
Famous Last Words | Gillian McAllister
post image
Panpan

Maybe Pan is too strong but if you love solid mysteries/thrillers, this ain‘t it, henny.

This was a deflated soufflé. Solid twisty premise, then 200 pages of an obvious ending and a mopey hostage negotiator which added little to the plot, then a neat wrapped up ending. This is not my drag. ??‍♀️??‍?

I get why this author is popular -super quick page turner. But is it good? Not for me.

tpixie Sad… Thanks for the heads up! ⬆️ (edited) 4w
5feet.of.fury “A deflated soufflé” lmao 4w
JHSiess Harsh. And not at all warranted, in my opinion. But not every book is for every reader. You've probably loved books that didn't resonate with me. 3w
Melismatic @JHSiess I definitely wasn‘t trying to be harsh. But yes - definitely my own opinion. Not trying to say everyone will agree 🤷🏻‍♀️ 3w
37 likes4 comments
blurb
Melismatic
Shadow and Bone | Leigh Bardugo
post image

Leigh Bardugo is #AuthorAMonth so I‘m using this as my excuse to finally wind my way into the Grishaverse. 🩵 💙

blurb
Melismatic
Rouge | Mona Awad
post image

Iffffff you want perfectionnnnnn 🎶

Just got home from seeing ‘Death Becomes Her‘ on Broadway. Just as campy and hilarious as the movie. 🍿 🤣

Texreader How fun! 1mo
readingwithbrian Megan was excellent! 1mo
Melismatic @readingwithbrian truly!! It‘s my 3rd time seeing her live after Wicked and 9 to 5 - she‘s one of the greats 1mo
readingwithbrian I first saw her in 9to5 and fell in love with her! 1mo
31 likes4 comments
blurb
Melismatic
post image

I was approved for this nonfiction/semi memoir about #kpop and immediately had to cue it up same day. The author uses her fandom of various groups, mostly boy bands and solo female artists, to tell the story of her journey to adulthood.

Kpop will always be special to me. My first live concert from a Korean artist was JYJ back in 2010 — one of its 3 members has already been mentioned quite a bit in this book.

Melismatic In my 20s, I kept a blog about music I loved & live concerts I attended. It‘s fun to relive now years later. http://www.melismaticblog.com/2010/11/jyj-in-nyc.html?m=1 (edited) 1mo
22 likes1 comment
review
Melismatic
Womb City | Tlotlo Tsamaase
post image
Pickpick

This book was a treat — a super fast paced sci-fi ghost story. Elements felt a little repetitive or all talk/no show, but so much of this was lyrically delicate, super descriptive body horror. This is the author‘s first novel - I‘m really excited to see where she goes from here.

blurb
Melismatic
The Black Kids | Christina Hammonds Reed
post image

February wrap up! The tagged was my favorite read of the month by far followed by Keke‘s memoir. 💖💌

blurb
Melismatic
Parable of the Sower | Octavia E. Butler
post image

I‘ve read this & its sequel a few years back and ever since I‘ve been telling everyone I know to read it. Especially if they are against the now current Administration in the US. The story feels eerily current but also strangely comforting in that unsettling familiarity? Hard to explain.

Hope everyone reading for #WithTheBanned enjoys. 💌

quote
Melismatic
Womb City | Tlotlo Tsamaase
post image

This book is wild. And not for the faint of heart.

review
Melismatic
post image
Pickpick

Admittedly this book is more self-help/motivational than memoir, but regardless, it was highly enjoyable. Definitely recommend. Keke‘s got a good head on her shoulders.

20 likes1 stack add
blurb
Melismatic
Wild Dark Shore | Charlotte McConaghy
post image

Going with my gut for my March box (and haven‘t even touched my Feb box 🫣). #botm

BarbaraBB Can‘t wait for this one. 1mo
BarbaraBB @Megabooks You‘re stuck with BOTM one again I suppose 🩷 1mo
Megabooks @BarbaraBB I did not get this one. I‘m third in line at library, so I‘m going to try to wait on that. I got this written by Bourdain‘s assistant to go with my Bourdain books. I also wanted Liquid, but the app would only let me order one book. It‘s like they knew I didn‘t need to spend the money!! 1mo
BarbaraBB @Megabooks Okay, Bourdain‘s assistant I can understand 😉😘 1mo
Karisimo I read this early through LibroFM and loved it! It's dark and suspicious. Very atmospheric! 1mo
30 likes5 comments
quote
Melismatic
Womb City | Tlotlo Tsamaase
post image

This will likely be my last read of February and it‘s much denser than I was expecting. Think Nnedi Okorafor meets N.K. Jemisin meets The Handmaid‘s Tale.

nelsonmatt890 I like to connect with you and read, lol. 1mo
36 likes1 comment
blurb
Melismatic
post image

Sundays are turning into my self care days and I‘m not mad at it.

Fresh mani, breakfast at one of my fave neighborhood places, and an audiobook walk. Started this memoir/selfhelp read from Keke Palmer - def recommend the audiobook since she narrates. It‘s like listening to a friend. Love it.

BookmarkTavern Lovely nails! 💅 1mo
ChaoticMissAdventures Gorgeous ? I love Keke she is so effortlessly hilarious - "sorry to this man" is burned into my brain ? 1mo
Melismatic @BookmarkTavern thank you 💖 1mo
Melismatic @ChaoticMissAdventures 💖 she really is - her energy is so infectious 1mo
31 likes4 comments
blurb
Melismatic
Lone Women: A Novel | Victor LaValle
post image

Anyone interested in either of these? Free of charge. Both were signed by their respective author in person. Light handling. Autograph was personalized. I have no pets/am a non-smoker.

Left is hardcover. Right is paperback.

Let me know in the comments! 🥹

ShelleyBooksie That's very kind of you! 1mo
26 likes1 comment
review
Melismatic
The Summer I Ate the Rich | Maika Moulite, Maritza Moulite
post image
Mehso-so

I have a lot of mixed thoughts here after reading this novel.

It‘s thought-provoking and timely in this current political moment in 2025 — that goes without saying. So much was packed into this story, delving into class warfare, social justice, racism and lack of workplace diversity. But - and it‘s a big one - so many times I was left thinking I was missing pages because the plot kept racing forward with little explanation.

Melismatic To me, the plot got bogged down in trying to do too much at once. There‘s a meaningful statement here, but maybe it got lost in the sauce. My thanks to Macmillan Children‘s Publishing Group for the chance to read this ARC! 💖 1mo
29 likes1 comment
blurb
Melismatic
The Summer I Ate the Rich | Maika Moulite, Maritza Moulite
post image

And now for something entirely different. Digging in to the tagged YA horror ARC, out on shelves in late April. 🧟‍♀️ 🍴

LoverOfLearning Yum! And I love that you read ARCs so cool! 1mo
kspenmoll I am drooling! 1mo
Melismatic @kspenmoll @LoverOfLearning right?!? Our Galentines brunch was so good to us lol 1mo
5feet.of.fury 😍😍😍 1mo
annahenke This looks utterly delectable. 1mo
31 likes5 comments
review
Melismatic
The Kiss Countdown | Etta Easton
post image
Pickpick

This was cute. It‘s what I picture when I think of breezy romance beach read: quick pace, familiar tropes (fake dating, “forced” proximity), plus the guy is hot and an astronaut? 😅 Romance isn‘t my typical genre but this was very cute. 3/5 stars for me…but I‘m not really a romance girly. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Photo is from this weekend. S‘mores Latte was yum.

#RiseUpReads

LoverOfLearning Love the fit and that looks good! Give me a classic hot coca because I can't do coffee haha 1mo
Melismatic @LoverOfLearning thank you! 💖 and this tasted more like hot chocolate tbh, it was so good! 1mo
Catsandbooks Ooo s'mores latte! ✊🏼🔥💖 1mo
33 likes3 comments
blurb
Melismatic
The Kiss Countdown | Etta Easton
post image

Started on audio today for #RiseUpReads 💖

Quite Hallmarky so far in a cute way. Tis the season. 🥰🤷🏻‍♀️

Kerrbearlib Love that book!
2mo
Catsandbooks 💖🔥 2mo
30 likes2 comments
review
Melismatic
Difficult Women | Roxane Gay
post image
Mehso-so

Ive read some of Gay‘s nonfiction in the past and enjoyed it so I opted for some of her fiction — but maybe I should have stayed with her nonfiction. Some of these stories worked for me but the majority didn‘t, and collected together, some felt repetitive and confusing. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Perhaps the confusion was the intent.

#AuthorAMonth

33 likes1 stack add
review
Melismatic
The Black Kids | Christina Hammonds Reed
post image
Pickpick

What a fantastic read. Set in 1992 Los Angeles amid the Rodney King verdict, but sadly familiar to our modern times. Lyrically written, educational and relatable without being preachy. This should be part of high school reading curriculums.

quote
Melismatic
The Black Kids | Christina Hammonds Reed
post image

Started this today - quite pleased with it already. The type of YA novel that should be read/taught in high school because the characters feel like believable teens while still having rich, lyrical writing.

blurb
Melismatic
Difficult Women | Roxane Gay
post image

I know our phones listen to us because I started my #AuthorAMonth pick today and was served this Ad on Insta 🤣🤷🏻‍♀️

Soubhiville It‘s a great shirt though. 😆😱 2mo
Melismatic @Soubhiville true 🤷🏻‍♀️🤣 2mo
BookmarkTavern Love it! 2mo
42 likes3 comments
review
Melismatic
Babylonia | Costanza Casati
post image
Pickpick

First half? Adored. Flew through it. Back half? Felt dragged down into a more obvious romantic love triangle.

That being said, this felt like a page-turney, super accessible version of Game of Thrones. I enjoyed it.

#BOTM

35 likes1 stack add
blurb
Melismatic
The First Ladies | Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
post image

#BOTM really arrives quick. 😅

I‘m thinking the tagged will be a great bridge between #BlackHistoryMonth & #WomensHistoryMonth