Books #35

[missbct]

I don’t rate DNF unless it’s so hopelessly awful that I’m DNF on that basis alone. I’ve sacked off books before that just haven’t gripped me but I don’t feel fair rating them as it could be a me thing. For example I nearly DNF Bright Young Women because I couldn’t get into the first few chapters and then I reread and it ended up being one of my favourite books of 2024

Generally I’ll go something like this (and I use Storygraph)
0-1 - absolutely dreadful, why did I waste my time, please never speak of this again
1-2 - pretty bad, huge plot holes, dreadful characterisation, poorly handled topics
2-3 - not great, either plot holes or unbelievable narrative (if not fantasy), probably won’t read further books by author, dragged, poor characterisation but had some engagement
3-4 - solid reads, good content or view points, will keep in mind future books by author, engaging read, decent characterisation
4-4.75 - very good read, enjoyed or will stay with me, definitely will read authors other works and recommend books to others, interesting content and storyline, dimensional characters, will probably reread
5 - v v rare rating, exceptional writing, characterisation, plot, prose, engagement. Reserved for only a few books that I know will stay with me, highly recommended, will read everything by that author.

I think I’ve rated 4 books 5 in the last 18 months Most sit between at 3 and 4.

 

[anniemouse]

I prefer it to ones with real people, because if I don't find the man on the cover attractive I can't get into the character

Nothing puts me off a book more than a buff six pack on the cover.

 

[mindlessness]

Am I the only person who really doesn’t like the romance books with the really cartoony image pictures on the front ? I follow a few “booktokers” and even the ones who have really similar taste to me (contemporary and literary fiction generally) but who read broader genres like romance and romantasy, seem to love the types of cover that I see and immediately think that it will be crap.

Oh I hate the covers. But sometimes the books are good! I can't wait for the cartoon trend to end.

 

[CommentBelow]

Can’t believe Ministry of Time is on the Women’s Prize longlist.. on the upside I’ve already ticked one off!

 

[Tofino]

Finished Powerless by Elsie Silver. Ugh, 1 star from me purely for the squeezing woman’s throat during sex. Such red flag behaviour and it bothers me that women may think this is sexy. And I just can’t give any endorsement to this. We never hear of women squeezing men’s throats in real life? the feminist in me just feels this is just too much.
And the ages/age gap when they were kids would be concerning in real life. He would have been 16 when they met when she was 10? So as they grew up the ages would have been 12/18 and 14/20? And they were really close sitting on the roof by themselves at night?Found it all really grim tbh. I feel like Elsie rushed this one and I felt the same with Wild Love too. I feel like the more I read of Elsie the less I like!! Quantity seems to be more important than quality and I’m not even asking for much from a small town romance. I will still read the final two in chestnut springs as I already bought them but think I may have peaked with her books

 

[Caffeine Fiend]

Finished Powerless by Elsie Silver. Ugh, 1 star from me purely for the squeezing woman’s throat during sex. Such red flag behaviour and it bothers me that women may think this is sexy. And I just can’t give any endorsement to this. We never hear of women squeezing men’s throats in real life? the feminist in me just feels this is just too much.
And the ages/age gap when they were kids would be concerning in real life. He would have been 16 when they met when she was 10? So as they grew up the ages would have been 12/18 and 14/20? And they were really close sitting on the roof by themselves at night?Found it all really grim tbh. I feel like Elsie rushed this one and I felt the same with Wild Love too. I feel like the more I read of Elsie the less I like!! Quantity seems to be more important than quality and I’m not even asking for much from a small town romance. I will still read the final two in chestnut springs as I already bought them but think I may have peaked with her books

I think this is because women are more likely to be submissive in the sexual sphere than men. However you will have women who are dominant and men who enjoy being dominated. I just don't think its talked about or as main stream but it definitely happens.

Ultimately though it needs to be consensual and wanted.

I am huge feminist but if women actually consent and desire that sort of sex they shouldn't be shamed for it. Men should NOT assume though and frank discussions and safe practices and words talked about.

 

[SaintLeo]

I think this is because women are more likely to be submissive in the sexual sphere than men. However you will have women who are dominant and men who enjoy being dominated. I just don't think its talked about or as main stream but it definitely happens.

Ultimately though it needs to be consensual and wanted.

I am huge feminist but if women actually consent and desire that sort of sex they shouldn't be shamed for it. Men should NOT assume though and frank discussions and safe practices and words talked about.

This practice is something that also comes up in the latest Liane Moriarty (Here One Moment) although it sounds like in a less graphic way.

In Here One Moment a “psychic” tells passengers on a plane how and when they’ll die and one character is told she’ll die of “intimate partner homicide”. It resonates with her because she’s a newly wed who’s thinking of ways to spice up their sex life and had been talking to a friend who had mentioned enjoying choking during sex. Obviously given the prediction she decided it’s something she’s going to get into, but mentioned as something other people do and enjoy.

 

[LaBlonde]

Can’t believe Ministry of Time is on the Women’s Prize longlist.. on the upside I’ve already ticked one off!

i am still shaken to my core over how hyped this book is and have convinced myself that the author is an industry plant - petty of me but it makes me feel better

 

[StephenTJackson]

i am still shaken to my core over how hyped this book is and have convinced myself that the author is an industry plant - petty of me but it makes me feel better

That book was honestly my least favourite read of 2024 for how awful and over hyped it was

 

[Tofino]

I think this is because women are more likely to be submissive in the sexual sphere than men. However you will have women who are dominant and men who enjoy being dominated. I just don't think its talked about or as main stream but it definitely happens.

Ultimately though it needs to be consensual and wanted.

I am huge feminist but if women actually consent and desire that sort of sex they shouldn't be shamed for it. Men should NOT assume though and frank discussions and safe practices and words talked about.

I’ve put this behind a spoiler just because it’s a book spoiler

When I say I don’t know why women find this sexy (and I mean the strangulation, not the sub/dom thing in general) I don’t mean it in a shaming way, but in a ‘I find it worrying’ way, because there has been a normalisation of violent sex and porn whilst we also see an increase of violence against women and girls. Is it truly informed consent or is it women being conditioned to think this is sexy and what men want. Which is a much bigger discussion that’s off topic for this thead.

This is a best selling TikTok favourite amongst women despite it having scenes of strangulation. It’s an example of how normalised and mainstream it’s become. And Elsie Silver also doesn’t even go into consent, safe practices etc. although she does always raise condoms and birth control.

I don’t want to derail the thread further but THIS probably sums up my concerns. And I feel Powerless taps into the normalisation of it.

 

[anniemouse]

That book was honestly my least favourite read of 2024 for how awful and over hyped it was

I can’t believe they want £9.99 of our hard earned money for the kindle edition. No thanks

 

[CommentBelow]

i am still shaken to my core over how hyped this book is and have convinced myself that the author is an industry plant - petty of me but it makes me feel better

I’m with you on this one!!

 

[CommentBelow]

That book was honestly my least favourite read of 2024 for how awful and over hyped it was

Mine too and I’m still bitter about it… I want that time back.

 

[missbct]

Oh I quite liked Ministry of Time

My preordered, signed copy of Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie came this morning, just in time for her nomination for the Woman's Prize longlist. I've also read Ministry of Time (obviously), Nesting and The Safekeep off the longlist - my favourite was The Safekeep so far!

 

[wishiniwasskinny]

Oh I quite liked Ministry of Time

My preordered, signed copy of Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie came this morning, just in time for her nomination for the Woman's Prize longlist. I've also read Ministry of Time (obviously), Nesting and The Safekeep off the longlist - my favourite was The Safekeep so far!

The only one I’ve read is The Safekeep and it was a hard read for me. I felt it was SUCH a slow burn it felt like a bit of a slog. Seen a lot of people saying they enjoyed it though.
I am waiting on All Fours from the library (number 2 atm) and I’m a big Elizabeth Strout fan so keen to read Tell Me Everything. Dream Count is on my TBR and I might explore some of the others. Obviously been put off Ministry of Time reading this thread

 

[Carapop]

I don’t rate DNF unless it’s so hopelessly awful that I’m DNF on that basis alone. I’ve sacked off books before that just haven’t gripped me but I don’t feel fair rating them as it could be a me thing. For example I nearly DNF Bright Young Women because I couldn’t get into the first few chapters and then I reread and it ended up being one of my favourite books of 2024

Generally I’ll go something like this (and I use Storygraph)
0-1 - absolutely dreadful, why did I waste my time, please never speak of this again
1-2 - pretty bad, huge plot holes, dreadful characterisation, poorly handled topics
2-3 - not great, either plot holes or unbelievable narrative (if not fantasy), probably won’t read further books by author, dragged, poor characterisation but had some engagement
3-4 - solid reads, good content or view points, will keep in mind future books by author, engaging read, decent characterisation
4-4.75 - very good read, enjoyed or will stay with me, definitely will read authors other works and recommend books to others, interesting content and storyline, dimensional characters, will probably reread
5 - v v rare rating, exceptional writing, characterisation, plot, prose, engagement. Reserved for only a few books that I know will stay with me, highly recommended, will read everything by that author.

I think I’ve rated 4 books 5 in the last 18 months Most sit between at 3 and 4.

What were your 5* reads??

 

[aalmaalm]

Finished Powerless by Elsie Silver. Ugh, 1 star from me purely for the squeezing woman’s throat during sex. Such red flag behaviour and it bothers me that women may think this is sexy. And I just can’t give any endorsement to this. We never hear of women squeezing men’s throats in real life? the feminist in me just feels this is just too much.
And the ages/age gap when they were kids would be concerning in real life. He would have been 16 when they met when she was 10? So as they grew up the ages would have been 12/18 and 14/20? And they were really close sitting on the roof by themselves at night?Found it all really grim tbh. I feel like Elsie rushed this one and I felt the same with Wild Love too. I feel like the more I read of Elsie the less I like!! Quantity seems to be more important than quality and I’m not even asking for much from a small town romance. I will still read the final two in chestnut springs as I already bought them but think I may have peaked with her books

Consent is very much key in situations like this. And every book I’ve read with it the MMC always wants to hear that it’s okay and FMC gives constant reassurance.
Everyone likes different things and that’s great, what works for you won’t work for someone else. I will say if you’re uncomfortable with the age gap in powerless - you may not like hopeless.
I didn’t enjoy powerless for completely different reasons, friends to lovers is my least fave trope.

 

[Tofino]

Consent is very much key in situations like this. And every book I’ve read with it the MMC always wants to hear that it’s okay and FMC gives constant reassurance.
Everyone likes different things and that’s great, what works for you won’t work for someone else. I will say if you’re uncomfortable with the age gap in powerless - you may not like hopeless.
I didn’t enjoy powerless for completely different reasons, friends to lovers is my least fave trope.

I don’t see the consent in Powerless. He squeezes her throat before he asks her if she likes it.

Age gap in itself isn’t an issue for me, only if there is suggestion there was some sort of connection when the younger partner was still a child. It’s grim and usually unnecessary. So you’re right, if Hopeless has an age gap relationship that has some origins with the younger one in childhood then I won’t like that book either. (I’ve only seen the blurb which are adult ages though)

Of course plenty of people will find violent sex (and worse) enjoyable. Doesn’t mean I can’t find it grim or criticise something I feel is harmful to the wider issues around VAWG especially when the book is so popular I guess it’s like the discussions around 50 shades of grey when those books were peaking in popularity.

 

[OwlHen]

I can’t believe they want £9.99 of our hard earned money for the kindle edition. No thanks

The only upside to having bought the hardback was I flogged it on Vinted when I was done. It was like poorly written fanfic of her own life, how it’s nominated I don’t know.

 

[ScoutFinch]

Has anyone read Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez? It’s historical fiction but based on a true story. I can’t believe I didn’t know anything about it. It was beautifully written but something felt a bit off about the pace for me so I gave it 4*.