Behold a new book post
Mar. 11th, 2025 01:39 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
glitteryvRe-reads. HUH.
None!
I DNF'd
* Boyslut by Zachary Zane (memoir) - I think my local library recced me this book by some guy I've never heard of. He seems to be a sex columnist for some men's magazine? IDK. ANYWAYS, Zane is an openly bisexual and polyamorous dude whose sex life has been quite robust.
Unfortch, I never clicked with the writing style--which I found v. abrasive yet OTT candid. So I bounced before the end of the first chapter. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I gave it 1 out of 5.
* Blood Sweat Glitter by Iona Datt Sharma (F/F novella) - This was THE most buzzed abt queer novella of 2024. Everywhere I went (Booktube, Discord, Bluesky, etc), someone would be squeeing abt it. I put a library request and was super ready when I got the notification letting me know I could borrow it...
One thing I need to point out is that, in order to keep my hype backlash quiet, I avoided reading the blurb for it. Also, the cover for the ebook I borrowed was a white one with the title and the author's name. The reason why I mentioned the latter is cuz this novella is a roller derby romance set in North London. #RuhRoh
This next thing is gonna made me sound extremely uncool, but whatevs: I remember the late 90s roller derby revival here in the US...and how I sidestepped all of it, haha. It's just that I don't care abt sports (any of them). And I pretty much detest sport romances unless there's something else that can keep me reading. It's like ppl who don't like mysteries or werewolves. All of that is fine; not every book will be for every reader.
The other thing that drove bonkers was Eleanor, one half of the MC and the POV character. She had what, to me, read as a v. nasty attitude abt everything and everyone. Even at 140-odd pages, the idea of continuing this novella in Eleanor's head put me off my reading. IIRC, I bounced at the beginning of Chapter 2.
THAT SAID, even I (despicable roller derby hater no.1) will admit that the writing was v. good. Here's hoping the author publishes something else that's far and away from anything sports related so that I can fully enjoy it. 😔
I gave this book a 2 out of 5 that was solely based in how great the writing was.
Had an awesome time at first (but it all went downhill from there)
* The Bombshell Manual of Style by Laren Stover (nonfiction) - Advice books have always existed. However, there was a distinct wave of HIP and COOL advice books that covered edgier stuff (such as Jenna Jameson's How to Make Love Like a Porn Star) to fashion-y stuff (like Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style) that dropped between 2000 and 2010.
This 2001 book was one that I'd wanted to buy at Borders (RIP) when I found it. As a fan of Classic Hollywood Cinema and fashion, it felt like a fun time. I never got around buying it 24 (!) years ago and promptly forgot abt it. Until I found it at my local library during one of their random sales. It was all of $3.50 (which was an excellent price given that it's currently going for $20.) So I snagged the copy and went on my merry way.
Finished it in abt 35 mins cuz, well, this book is the literally equivalent of meringue: nothing but fluff. Unlike other fashion/style books that are meant to inspire readers to create a unique version of the general idea of a bombshell, this book pushes/nearly guilts readers into become a Marilyn/Jayne/Sophia clone. >:|
Even worse is that the author kept mentioning the same 15 or so white classic Hollywood actresses...and Dorothy Dandridge. What abt Eartha Kitt? Lena Horne? Anna May Wong? Maria Felix? Dolores del Rio?
Anyways, I don't regret reading this book because I paid so little for it (LOL), but I've already left it at a local tiny library. I gave this book a 1.5 out of 5.
* Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll (a semi roman a clef? Historical fiction) - This is the fictionalized account of the last five years in Ted Bundy's murder spree, his trial, and then 20 years later. The "hook" is two-fold:
1. Ted Bundy is always referred to as "The Defendant"
2. The story is told from 2 POVs: Pamela (the survivor of one of the killer's attacks) and Ruth (a woman who will eventually become a victim*)
*This is NOT a spoiler as Pamela mentions Ruth's passing in Chapter 1.
I'd been considering picking up this novel all thru fall of 2023 and again last October. Aside from its premise, all I knew was that the book had topped a lot of book folks' Best of 2023 lists.
Among the pros is that the book is well written. The characters felt like real ppl. FTR, I finished this nearly-400 page book in abt 2 and a half days. That's ridic fast FOR ME. The last chapter was deffo my fave. It worked really well as a summary of all of the rage, sadness, and hope.
OTOH, there were a handful of things that made me 😒 at this novel...
Starting with the many time jumps (1974, 1978, 1982/83, 2019, and 2021). NGL, I was v. confused for the first 15% of the novel.
Secondly, I think the premise works in theory. But in practice...it gave me heavy White Feminism (TM) vibes. The book (via Pamela) is v. clear abt how there's a need to take the spotlight away from folks who hurt others. There's nothing special abt serial killers. Most of the time, they get lucky due to the police being inept, corrupt or both.
I appreciated that the book was determined to uphold survivors and those who mourn the victims' voices. All of the women in the book (just like IRL) were human beings worthy of love, dignity, and respect. They had dreams, opinions, and also faults.
But the idea doesn't quite land as well as it should've.
Then there's the fact that I legit have ZERO idea who this book is for..
Folks who like reading abt true crime and/or serial killers will have to deal with 50% of the book being abt women's issues, queer women (including their struggles in a homophobic society), women finding or staying away from women-centric communities, the expectations of the modern woman vis a vis patriarchal ideas, women's roles inside and outside of heteronormative relationships, and a lot of instances of misogyny.
Ppl who like reading abt women's fiction will have to learn how to navigate thru extremely graphic and gory scenes of horrible things that have been done to girls and young women. It's a lot to ask of some readers.
Oh, and there's also a character vividly recalling surviving CSA.
Finally, the main theme in the novel is grief: how it solidifies, the many different approaches folks have abt it, etc.
Sooo yeah, this was a feel bad type of book to me. Can't think of anyone I'd want to rec it to either. It was WAYYYY overhyped. I gave it a 2 out of 5.
Had a good time
* Sword Dance by A.J. Demas (Historical M/Nonbinary romance) - This is the first book in a trilogy abt Damiskos, a quartermaster, who visits a friend's villa on an island. There are some other folks there including Varazda, a sword dancer and eunuch, who catches Damiskos' eye. Then, a murder happens, followed by espionage, and Damiskos teaming up with Varazda to take down a conspiracy before it takes root.
IIRC, someone had recced another book by this author. My amazing library has all of her books, so I borrowed the first one. FTR, all of these book are set in an alternate version of ancient history. This author can WRITE! Her talent at creating the setting (with as much of a sensory experience as one can have thru a book)is impressive. I also liked Damiskos and Varazda as the MC: they were adults who have had difficult lives and, despite being opposites, they have INTENSE chemistry between them. I luuuuuuuuuurve their intimate scenes cuz I'm shallow like that, heheh.
OTOH, there was an insta-love angle (considering the entire story takes place in a week) that made me roll my eyes a little.
Also, I'd picked this up cuz it'd promised a MURDER MYSTERY IN A HISTORICAL SETTING. I was R-E-A-D-Y for all of it. Unfortch, though, the mystery was resolved by the halfway point (with the murderer confessing and everything)? Then the plot turned into a fight between Damiskos, Varazda, and the women vs. some ultra-nationalists bigots who want the empire to becoming a true patriarchy or some such bullshittery. I did NOT like how much of that mirrored the current state of the world. Finally, the way that second plot was solved made me think of Scooby-Doo, IJS.
HOWEVAH, I had enough of a good time to give this novel a 3 out of 5. Will continue in the series as this one ends of the tiniest of all HFNs.
Up next...
I'm reading a Courtney Milan and the first book in a duology by my (now beloved) Ada Maria Soto.
Current Fic tally Have started 57 and DNF'd 26. Not bad at all! The ship I've read the most of is Yoonjin, a.k.a. my first BTS ship. 😏
None!
I DNF'd
* Boyslut by Zachary Zane (memoir) - I think my local library recced me this book by some guy I've never heard of. He seems to be a sex columnist for some men's magazine? IDK. ANYWAYS, Zane is an openly bisexual and polyamorous dude whose sex life has been quite robust.
Unfortch, I never clicked with the writing style--which I found v. abrasive yet OTT candid. So I bounced before the end of the first chapter. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I gave it 1 out of 5.
* Blood Sweat Glitter by Iona Datt Sharma (F/F novella) - This was THE most buzzed abt queer novella of 2024. Everywhere I went (Booktube, Discord, Bluesky, etc), someone would be squeeing abt it. I put a library request and was super ready when I got the notification letting me know I could borrow it...
One thing I need to point out is that, in order to keep my hype backlash quiet, I avoided reading the blurb for it. Also, the cover for the ebook I borrowed was a white one with the title and the author's name. The reason why I mentioned the latter is cuz this novella is a roller derby romance set in North London. #RuhRoh
This next thing is gonna made me sound extremely uncool, but whatevs: I remember the late 90s roller derby revival here in the US...and how I sidestepped all of it, haha. It's just that I don't care abt sports (any of them). And I pretty much detest sport romances unless there's something else that can keep me reading. It's like ppl who don't like mysteries or werewolves. All of that is fine; not every book will be for every reader.
The other thing that drove bonkers was Eleanor, one half of the MC and the POV character. She had what, to me, read as a v. nasty attitude abt everything and everyone. Even at 140-odd pages, the idea of continuing this novella in Eleanor's head put me off my reading. IIRC, I bounced at the beginning of Chapter 2.
THAT SAID, even I (despicable roller derby hater no.1) will admit that the writing was v. good. Here's hoping the author publishes something else that's far and away from anything sports related so that I can fully enjoy it. 😔
I gave this book a 2 out of 5 that was solely based in how great the writing was.
Had an awesome time at first (but it all went downhill from there)
* The Bombshell Manual of Style by Laren Stover (nonfiction) - Advice books have always existed. However, there was a distinct wave of HIP and COOL advice books that covered edgier stuff (such as Jenna Jameson's How to Make Love Like a Porn Star) to fashion-y stuff (like Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style) that dropped between 2000 and 2010.
This 2001 book was one that I'd wanted to buy at Borders (RIP) when I found it. As a fan of Classic Hollywood Cinema and fashion, it felt like a fun time. I never got around buying it 24 (!) years ago and promptly forgot abt it. Until I found it at my local library during one of their random sales. It was all of $3.50 (which was an excellent price given that it's currently going for $20.) So I snagged the copy and went on my merry way.
Finished it in abt 35 mins cuz, well, this book is the literally equivalent of meringue: nothing but fluff. Unlike other fashion/style books that are meant to inspire readers to create a unique version of the general idea of a bombshell, this book pushes/nearly guilts readers into become a Marilyn/Jayne/Sophia clone. >:|
Even worse is that the author kept mentioning the same 15 or so white classic Hollywood actresses...and Dorothy Dandridge. What abt Eartha Kitt? Lena Horne? Anna May Wong? Maria Felix? Dolores del Rio?
Anyways, I don't regret reading this book because I paid so little for it (LOL), but I've already left it at a local tiny library. I gave this book a 1.5 out of 5.
* Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll (a semi roman a clef? Historical fiction) - This is the fictionalized account of the last five years in Ted Bundy's murder spree, his trial, and then 20 years later. The "hook" is two-fold:
1. Ted Bundy is always referred to as "The Defendant"
2. The story is told from 2 POVs: Pamela (the survivor of one of the killer's attacks) and Ruth (a woman who will eventually become a victim*)
*This is NOT a spoiler as Pamela mentions Ruth's passing in Chapter 1.
I'd been considering picking up this novel all thru fall of 2023 and again last October. Aside from its premise, all I knew was that the book had topped a lot of book folks' Best of 2023 lists.
Among the pros is that the book is well written. The characters felt like real ppl. FTR, I finished this nearly-400 page book in abt 2 and a half days. That's ridic fast FOR ME. The last chapter was deffo my fave. It worked really well as a summary of all of the rage, sadness, and hope.
OTOH, there were a handful of things that made me 😒 at this novel...
Starting with the many time jumps (1974, 1978, 1982/83, 2019, and 2021). NGL, I was v. confused for the first 15% of the novel.
Secondly, I think the premise works in theory. But in practice...it gave me heavy White Feminism (TM) vibes. The book (via Pamela) is v. clear abt how there's a need to take the spotlight away from folks who hurt others. There's nothing special abt serial killers. Most of the time, they get lucky due to the police being inept, corrupt or both.
I appreciated that the book was determined to uphold survivors and those who mourn the victims' voices. All of the women in the book (just like IRL) were human beings worthy of love, dignity, and respect. They had dreams, opinions, and also faults.
But the idea doesn't quite land as well as it should've.
Then there's the fact that I legit have ZERO idea who this book is for..
Folks who like reading abt true crime and/or serial killers will have to deal with 50% of the book being abt women's issues, queer women (including their struggles in a homophobic society), women finding or staying away from women-centric communities, the expectations of the modern woman vis a vis patriarchal ideas, women's roles inside and outside of heteronormative relationships, and a lot of instances of misogyny.
Ppl who like reading abt women's fiction will have to learn how to navigate thru extremely graphic and gory scenes of horrible things that have been done to girls and young women. It's a lot to ask of some readers.
Oh, and there's also a character vividly recalling surviving CSA.
Finally, the main theme in the novel is grief: how it solidifies, the many different approaches folks have abt it, etc.
Sooo yeah, this was a feel bad type of book to me. Can't think of anyone I'd want to rec it to either. It was WAYYYY overhyped. I gave it a 2 out of 5.
Had a good time
* Sword Dance by A.J. Demas (Historical M/Nonbinary romance) - This is the first book in a trilogy abt Damiskos, a quartermaster, who visits a friend's villa on an island. There are some other folks there including Varazda, a sword dancer and eunuch, who catches Damiskos' eye. Then, a murder happens, followed by espionage, and Damiskos teaming up with Varazda to take down a conspiracy before it takes root.
IIRC, someone had recced another book by this author. My amazing library has all of her books, so I borrowed the first one. FTR, all of these book are set in an alternate version of ancient history. This author can WRITE! Her talent at creating the setting (with as much of a sensory experience as one can have thru a book)is impressive. I also liked Damiskos and Varazda as the MC: they were adults who have had difficult lives and, despite being opposites, they have INTENSE chemistry between them. I luuuuuuuuuurve their intimate scenes cuz I'm shallow like that, heheh.
OTOH, there was an insta-love angle (considering the entire story takes place in a week) that made me roll my eyes a little.
Also, I'd picked this up cuz it'd promised a MURDER MYSTERY IN A HISTORICAL SETTING. I was R-E-A-D-Y for all of it. Unfortch, though, the mystery was resolved by the halfway point (with the murderer confessing and everything)? Then the plot turned into a fight between Damiskos, Varazda, and the women vs. some ultra-nationalists bigots who want the empire to becoming a true patriarchy or some such bullshittery. I did NOT like how much of that mirrored the current state of the world. Finally, the way that second plot was solved made me think of Scooby-Doo, IJS.
HOWEVAH, I had enough of a good time to give this novel a 3 out of 5. Will continue in the series as this one ends of the tiniest of all HFNs.
Up next...
I'm reading a Courtney Milan and the first book in a duology by my (now beloved) Ada Maria Soto.
Current Fic tally Have started 57 and DNF'd 26. Not bad at all! The ship I've read the most of is Yoonjin, a.k.a. my first BTS ship. 😏
