#FastFive July Book Reviews

On By kyraalexandriaIn Books, Reviews

Here’s a quick look at some of my recent reading highlights:

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi (Make Me a World, 2019) YA Coming of Age

#ColorMeObsessed *content warning: blood, mentions of child abuse

Wow. I crammed this book in the morning of book club and proceeded to think about it for days afterwards. Emezi builds a fascinating utopia—a world post-interhuman harm and then creates a gnarly ‘what would you do to maintain the illusion?’ situation. Who do you turn to when your protectors lay down their arms? Is monstrosity in appearance or action? Heavy on the “social justice” commentary, the book boils down to a simple question of humanity. Those less familiar with relationships outside of monogamy or gender neutral pronouns may stumble a bit at the beginning of the book, but by the time we’re meeting relevant characters and monsters, the plot is more than compelling. It’s short! Please, please pick it up.

Dear Girls by Ali Wong (Random House, 2019) Memoir

#ColorMeObsessed

I am an Ali Wong stan, so my expectations were high, and gratefully they were also met! I describe the book as ⅓ gross bathroom humor, ⅓ romance, and ⅓ the grows and glows of mommyhood. Formatted as letters to her two young daughters about her life, Wong’s writing is equal parts hilarious, uncomfortable, and incredibly honest. If you’ve seen either of Wong’s stand up specials, you have an idea what to expect. Fun and very easy to read, I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for some laughter and any young ladies looking for some life advice.

The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton (Sourcebooks Landmark, 2018) Mystery

It was good until it wasn’t. *content warning: violence & mentions of sexual assault

Hailed as the second coming of Agatha Christie, upon cracking the spine of 7 ½ Deaths, I was expecting Turton to blow me away, and that he did. A creative twist on an otherwise standard murder mystery, 7 ½ Deaths draws you into its hybrid sci-fi/fantasy world with fascinating characters, an ambiance of dread, and an ever-ticking clock. Fantastic until it isn’t, my complaints about the book all form in its final act where we get not one, but four plot twists, only one of which I found enjoyable. We solve the crime (twice) and devolve alongside the main character into a philosophical debate about the redeemability of the human soul—yes, it comes as just as much of a swerve when reading the book as when reading this review. Overall, I enjoyed the book—the character switches are as fascinating as you can imagine & there’s plenty of gray morality for those looking for a villain to root for. Whether or not I’ll check out anything else from Turton, I’ve yet to decide.

Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera (Riverdale Avenue Books, 2016) YA Coming of Age

Short & so incredibly sweet.

I was pleasantly surprised with Gabby Rivera’s debut novel—it is free of frills; the jacket description is exactly what you get. I’d recommend for anyone aged teens to mid-twenties as it touches on all the relevant notes of self-discovery today: gender, sex, race, and personhood in all its messy glory. The writing style is interesting—for most of the book we live in Juliet’s brain, for better or worse (we navigate a messy breakup & a rogue mentor in first person, but their aftermath in third). A touch of romance and introspection round out this light read.

Confessions of a Video Vixen by Karrine Steffans (Amistad, 2006) Memoir

#NothingToSeeHere *content warning: explicit depictions of sexual assault

I was excited to read this book—I remember all the hoopla its publishing created back when I was in elementary school. I must say, the book disappointed. Rife with a very limited, judgmental brand of feminism that I ascribe to the early 2000s, an underwhelming narrative throughline, and simple, uninspiring writing, I found myself incredibly underwhelmed. The best way I can make sense of the book is in its press value during an era pre-social media & daily access to celebrities. The only way to not find Memoirs disappointing is to come in for the tell-all aspect and little else.

Have you read any of these titles? Disagree with an opinion? Have a recommendation to share? Drop a comment & share your thoughts!

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