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angieoverbooked's reviews
488 reviews
Francine's Spectacular Crash and Burn: A Novel by Renee Swindle
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Well, the title prepares you but Francine truly does crash and burn in the most spectacular of ways. In her defense, she is mourning the death of her mother, confronting the lasting impact of childhood trauma, and navigating toxic and codependent relationships. She is on a hard and messy journey. The entire time I was thinking, “Girl, what are you doing?” and anxiously waiting for her to get into therapy, make some positive changes and turn it all around. She had no place to go but up. While the plot did go a bit too off the rails for me, I enjoyed the way her relationship develops with Davie, a little boy on the spectrum who enters her life when she is at rock bottom. He is what made this story endearing and worth the read.
All Fours by Miranda July
dark
tense
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Most by Jessica Anthony
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Colored Television by Danzy Senna
5.0
Super rare for me to read a book twice in the same year but here we are! This became available on Libby so I decided to do the audio after reading an ARC several months ago.
I love this book! I love the meta-ness of a novel about novel writing. It’s commentary on race, class, marriage and parenthood which all sounds very serious…but it’s also a comedy…that kind of merges into a thriller? I don’t know but I’m just telling you, it worked for me.
I enjoyed rereading now that more people have read it and shared their thoughts. This was a fun refresher.
I love this book! I love the meta-ness of a novel about novel writing. It’s commentary on race, class, marriage and parenthood which all sounds very serious…but it’s also a comedy…that kind of merges into a thriller? I don’t know but I’m just telling you, it worked for me.
I enjoyed rereading now that more people have read it and shared their thoughts. This was a fun refresher.
The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I quite enjoyed this heartfelt and delightful story!
~ Jewish rep
~ magical realism
~ dual timelines
~ a 1920s pharmacy in Brooklyn neighborhood
~ a 1980s retirement community in Florida
~ a second chance at love- at 80 years old!
I selected this because I really liked her last book, The Matchmaker’s Gift. I liked this even more.
Such lovable characters and a sweet reminder that it’s never too late for life to surprise you.
I selected this because I really liked her last book, The Matchmaker’s Gift. I liked this even more.
Such lovable characters and a sweet reminder that it’s never too late for life to surprise you.