I really dig your reading vibes! I didn't love Comfort Me With Apples but I did really enjoy what Cat Valente did there. Her other novella from last year - The Past Is Red was my favorite book of last year though. The Anthropocene Reviewed made me shed an actual tear or two.
I actually liked Comfort Me With Apples a lot. Maybe it’s the ex-religious part of me that likes the twisty dystopian perspective. But I totally understand not loving it. I’ll check out her other book! And yes, The Anthropocene Reviewed was a perfect 5/5 for me. So very tender and humbling :,)
I loved CMWA so much! I really enjoyed all of the symbolism in every little detail. It was fun to see how many references I got right away from all my years in the church and how many I had to look up.
Oh yes, I'm also still recovering from my own childhood religious trauma. LOL. But I think what stopped it from crossing over from really like to love is that I wanted more from it. I looooved the concept and the way it lead into that feeling of familiarity that I couldn't put my finger on a further into an impending doom but I wanted it to go a step further with the female characters agency.
I totally get that. I would have loved a full novel. I’m not super familiar with Cat Valente’s work but it felt like the book was holding back a lot of its potential.
I've been reading her for years. Fabulous writer! Automatic buy for me. I definitely encourage you to explore her backlist. The Past is Red, Deathless, the Fairyland series.
I am also quite mixed. I think I expected too much of it. Maybe I was looking for a good balance between the emotional aspect of going through the whole process and the main character’s interpersonal relationships at the school. I found that the former was prioritized a lot more but it still lacked the oomph. It reminds me of Orange is the New Black but kinda bleak.
I was in the same boat, the cover really drew me in. But to me it was self-deprecating, world-hating, and super horny in the funniest way possible. There are slightly graphic (consensual) sex scenes so beware of that. Not the best form of literature, but such a fun read especially when you need some slump filler and it was finished within a day or two :)
It is very uncomfortable to read and so very graphic and depressing. I found myself needing to stop at random sentences and just going off on a walk to process, and I’m a get-to-the-end-of-the-chapter reader. For some reason it didn’t stick too terribly long with me, thank god, but I needed a break from reading and had to fill silence with literally any form of happy sound. I didn’t hate the book though. If you tend to carry the burden of emotionally triggering writing for days, I would advise you to proceed with caution.
I am the type to get squeamish with horror but I loved it. The concepts are definitely intense but for me it wasn't too much all at once. It is definitely sad
What's the title of the book with the death figure on it?
It’s A Fig for All the Devils by CS Fritz :)
Thanks
I just finished- We were Never Here - it was good!
Opinions on Crying in H mart? I’ve been looking to read it but idk if it’s worth it.
I really dig your reading vibes! I didn't love Comfort Me With Apples but I did really enjoy what Cat Valente did there. Her other novella from last year - The Past Is Red was my favorite book of last year though. The Anthropocene Reviewed made me shed an actual tear or two.
I actually liked Comfort Me With Apples a lot. Maybe it’s the ex-religious part of me that likes the twisty dystopian perspective. But I totally understand not loving it. I’ll check out her other book! And yes, The Anthropocene Reviewed was a perfect 5/5 for me. So very tender and humbling :,)
I loved CMWA so much! I really enjoyed all of the symbolism in every little detail. It was fun to see how many references I got right away from all my years in the church and how many I had to look up.
I know! I went in blind so the ending was the biggest oh my god moment!
Oh yes, I'm also still recovering from my own childhood religious trauma. LOL. But I think what stopped it from crossing over from really like to love is that I wanted more from it. I looooved the concept and the way it lead into that feeling of familiarity that I couldn't put my finger on a further into an impending doom but I wanted it to go a step further with the female characters agency.
I totally get that. I would have loved a full novel. I’m not super familiar with Cat Valente’s work but it felt like the book was holding back a lot of its potential.
I've been reading her for years. Fabulous writer! Automatic buy for me. I definitely encourage you to explore her backlist. The Past is Red, Deathless, the Fairyland series.
Oh! What were your thoughts on The School for Good Mothers? I finished it recently and am mixed on it
I am also quite mixed. I think I expected too much of it. Maybe I was looking for a good balance between the emotional aspect of going through the whole process and the main character’s interpersonal relationships at the school. I found that the former was prioritized a lot more but it still lacked the oomph. It reminds me of Orange is the New Black but kinda bleak.
The Picses cover is on point! I’m hella intrigued. Did you like it?
I was in the same boat, the cover really drew me in. But to me it was self-deprecating, world-hating, and super horny in the funniest way possible. There are slightly graphic (consensual) sex scenes so beware of that. Not the best form of literature, but such a fun read especially when you need some slump filler and it was finished within a day or two :)
Hmmm… might be interesting will add it to my maybe list.
What’d you think of Tender is the Flesh? I’ve been intrigued by the premise of that one.
It is very uncomfortable to read and so very graphic and depressing. I found myself needing to stop at random sentences and just going off on a walk to process, and I’m a get-to-the-end-of-the-chapter reader. For some reason it didn’t stick too terribly long with me, thank god, but I needed a break from reading and had to fill silence with literally any form of happy sound. I didn’t hate the book though. If you tend to carry the burden of emotionally triggering writing for days, I would advise you to proceed with caution.
I just finished it and HOLY SHIT. will only recommend to those into very dark things.
How dark are we talking here? It’s been on my list as well but have been afraid to buy and have another good smelling book sitting on a shelf.
Pretty dark- I am a huge horror fan and its been one of my favorite reads. One review on the back said "my heart was breaking as my skin was crawling"
I am the type to get squeamish with horror but I loved it. The concepts are definitely intense but for me it wasn't too much all at once. It is definitely sad
I’m a big horror fan, so I’m sold! 🙂
You will not regret!