savvylit's reviews
537 reviews

Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin

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dark emotional funny sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

Everyone in This Room Will Someday be Dead is a very well-crafted, darkly humorous slice-of-life that I absolutely loved. I laughed a ton and cried just as much. I truly think that this novel has a broad appeal - particularly due to the aforementioned dark humor - however, I can't be totally certain because I feel too close to it. The reason I loved this book was because I found it deeply relatable. In fact, I was almost uncomfortable with how much Gilda's story made me feel seen.

Are you or have you ever been depressed? If so, I think you would appreciate this nuanced and hilarious look at a young woman with mental illness.
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Pet by Catherine Chidgey

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challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Very compelling literary thriller about manipulation and obsession. The characters are so layered and true to life. Really just such an immersive novel.
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Private Rites by Julia Armfield

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Incredibly atmospheric dystopian novel. Realistic characters, nuanced relationship dynamics, just enough really freaking weird shit. I loved the sisters' dynamics. I loved the slowburn cult creepiness.

Julia Armfield, I am obsessed with you and your pelagic imagery.
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You're the Problem, It's You by Emma R. Alban

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Honestly, aspects of this story were even less believable than its predecessor. Like a lot less!! But this time around, I committed to the near-fantasy aspect. (A double lavender marriage is hard to believe especially for the era). But I ate this up. Also, I prefer enemies to lovers more than friends to lovers - sue me!
Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

Such a sweet and earnest friends-to-lovers romance. Required that I suspend my disbelief about a LOT of aspects of Regency-era society which took me out of it!
Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad

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emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Beautifully written, character-driven novel about a British Palestinian woman spending time living and working in occupied Palestine. I liked this but struggled with the pacing.
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The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Twisty and ridiculous. Played into tropes in a slightly surprising way. Didn't like a single character but it worked for me. Only read this if you want pure made-for-TV mystery.
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Brand New Ancients by Kae Tempest

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1.5

The concept behind this - that history is cyclical and epic dramas occur around us every day - is excellent. However, overall, this book-length poem ultimately felt a little too much like it was hitting me over the head with it's idea.
What Kind of Woman: Poems by Kate Baer

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1.5

I'll be honest, I picked this collection up at the library because I liked the cover! Unfortunately, though, these poems were the most shallow meditations on cliches about cis-womanhood, marriage, girl's nights out, motherhood, and divorce.

If this collection were a song, it would be "Woman's World" by Katy Perry.
Strike Anywhere by Dean Young

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1.5

This is a surreal ride of a poetry collection. It made me feel inebriated in a bad way.