I missed these videos. Slumps are hard to get out of. Your book got me out of a decade reading slump and these videos always help especially when I'm book shopping
My heart rate increased just when she was talking about it. I feel very intrigued but dont know if I have the actual constitution to read a book like that
"She agrees to go to dinner by herself in his chambers" yeah that's men writing women. My dude. Like speak to like three women and you will know that's not true. Aaaah.
@@AlexaDonne Yes, I have actually been thinking of the question. What really makes a good women character? How should i write her that makes her appealing and relatable to the audience? How should i write them? These questions always came into my mind since i saw The Silence of the lambs, wonder woman and Star wars a new hope. They were written well and i always heard that she is a great character. I understand characters written well(Luke Skywalker)are considered great, but with writing women, why so many writers stumble hard into the path?
@@AlexaDonne Upon stumbling into the Fifty shades of grey adaptation, i have seen many reviewers say that Annastasia steele is a really bad character. I never saw the movie nor read the fanfics. Was she really that bad?
@@AlexaDonne I think Alex Michaelides should heed and listen to yours and Merphy's criticism. He's a promising writer, but he really fell apart in this one. The Silent Patient was a great thriller, but with maidens, i understand the points you're making and why you felt the way about the book. I hope he does understand everything mentioned and tries to hone his writing towards it. I have always read so many goodreads and half of them never mention why they never liked the book or what came to them as disappointing. Hard to trust many reviews there.
Yeah, 'bout The Maidens. Some of the issues highlighted were also evident in The Silent Patient. I think the issue with this book is that emphasis is on revealing the big twist.
I love the coordination you have going on with your shirt and lip, and also your eyeshadow and hair! It's like summoning fall because it's still too damn hot in California where I'm at. You definitely convince me to pick up some Kate Moore books! I'm typically not interested in nonfiction, which is weird bc I have a research background and I love learning, but I think it's because if I want to learn something I'd read research articles about it. Should definitely include more nonfiction in my tbr for more obscure topics
I was hoping to watch something tonight that wouldn’t depress or enrage me-so delighted to see an Alexa reading recap video! It definitely delivered! 😻
I read “Silent Patient” & won’t read Maidens, nor anything else from this author, so I listened to your spoilers. Your review didn’t surprise me since I had similar frustrations reading Silent Patient; if you read it too it’ll likely solidify your assessment of this writer. Along with other critiques, I also found his portrayal of women’s behavior & therapists misses the mark. He might improve over time, but IMO he thinks he’s got the skills of Agatha Christie & he’s sexist (some covers of Silent Patient have the line, “Only I can make you speak” 😜).
You look gorgeous in that red shirt! I really enjoyed The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, however, I saw the plot twist a mile off because I've read so many psychological thrillers. I read a lot of raving reviews about how it was something that had "never been done before" blah blah blah, but it really was predictable. That said, I devoured the book. I read it in two days and I can't remember the last time I read a book so quickly. It was good but predictable. I'm not going to pick up The Maidens though after hearing your thoughts. It doesn't sound like my kind of book! Not a huge fan of dark academia myself!
I started reading The Radium Girls based on your recommedation, and it is quite difficult to read, but I also am compelled to read about what they gone through. Every time I hear something about "...and one of the girls taught us this technique called 'lip pointing'!" I sometimes shudder, and sometimes think 'OOOH NOOOO!!!" The dread is so real because I knew it would NOT end well. Put a whole other GOD DAMN meaning to "The Dark Story of America's SHINING Women" 😰
100% agree with your opinions on The Maidens and I left a review on good reads stating that. I listened to it also on audio and the narration was fabulous. Now go read/listen to the Silent Patient. You won’t regret it
I just started A Familiar Sight and am enjoying it so far - thanks for the rec. I'd just finished rereading The Passage trilogy and couldn't decide where to go next. I was able to get the ebook and audiobook through Kindle Unlimited, so even better!
Heard lots of good about radium girls. Also, your first ever audiobook? EVER? I used to listen to audiobooks when I was a kid while doing lego and jigsawpuzzles, as well as while in the car on road trips. Listen to them daily now, while walking, on my commute etc. Michael crouch has a great narrator voice. Ditto Moira quirk.
Hayley Mills! She used to be everywhere back in the day! Brooke Shields is another one who used to be such a huge controversial name, especially with regard to the movie Pretty Baby. I find I don't usually like the writing in autobiographies (with some exceptions--Shirley Maclaine is actually a good writer).
your spoilery discussion made me finally decide that i won't read the maidens. so thank you. but also. I'm not extremely curious what you'd think of dark vanessa. if the subject matter isn't too much for you, i'd really recommend you give it a try. i think you might really enjoy it
Can relate with your slower reading phase, I just call it taking a break rather than a slump. I’m a mood reader, too, & once I hit my goal of 52 books for the year I slowed way down… or, maybe I just read less in summer, not sure, but it’s nice to have a break even tho my TBR pile is huge, too. 📚 😆
Have you ever watched the made for TV movies, The Parent Trap 3 and Parent Trap 3, Hawaiian Honeymoon? Also both with Haley Mills. They are much better than Parent Trap 2! Thank you for your wonderful book reviews! My TBR list grows every time I watch. :)
The woman they could not silence, I'd seen that one on bookstore shelves recently, but didn't realize it was by the same author as The Radium Girls. Would definitely be interested in reading some more of her works. I also really enjoyed Bad Blood, so good to know Empire of Pain has a similar vibe to it, I've seen that title with online library audiobooks before, but always scrolled past it. Appreciate the recommendations, always enjoy these book discussions.
10 minutes in and I've added both Kate Moore books to my TBR ... And I don't really read historical non-fiction, or historical fiction, but, sounds super interesting!!!
Never in my life has a book enraged me as much as The Maidens. Not only the worst thriller I've ever read, but also one of the worst books I've read in my life. Btw loved The Ivies sm, recommending it to everyone I know ☺
I will definitely pick up “The woman they could not silence!” Based on your description, if you like this book, I think you would really like “Prey” by Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
That's disappointing about the Maidens. I actually really liked the Silent Patient. I listened to your spoilers and the funny thing is that I already guessed who did it during your 'non-spoiler' part. But that could be okay still... For example, I love Lisa Jewell's book. You nearly always know early on who did it/what happened (at least I tend to!) but her books are so well-written and so interesting that I really don't mind that I don't it. But it sounds like this book is just poorly executed. I will skip it. But I will definitely pick up The Woman They Could Not Silence. Oh, btw, I finally read the Ivies. Great work on your debut thriller! A bit of Kara Thomas vibes.
Some times I don't believe in using other peoples comments to rate a book when I haven't read it yet. Don't skip it. The writer put alot in it before releasing. The least you can do is read it and not listen to other people's advices.
@@catherinebardi8787 Who said I will rate the book? I will not rate, it I haven't read it, so obviously I will not freaking rate it. Who does that?!? Frankly, since I decided to listen to the spoilers, I wouldn't read it even if Alexa thought it was amazing! My reading list is endless and just because a write put a lot in it, I am not responsible for reading it. Every writer puts a lot in it yet I will never be able to read every book (neither will I want to read every book!). (Neither will you!) Frankly, this book didn't intrigue me even before Alexa's reviews so I probably would've never picked it up without Alexa's review either...and without her review, I would've likely never heard about it either. Lastly, I rarely read or listen to review, and buy based on the description or feel (and this book would've not catch my interest based on the topic!) but I decided to listen to this video cuz I wanted to waste time and like Alexa....and since I knew I wouldn't be reading this book anyways, I decided to listen to the spoilers. If you are so worried about the author, know the author, you are the author, and their precious time working on it, don't worry, plenty of people have and will read it and skip other books I may read with equally hard-working authors. You can't and frankly, shouldn't read every book cuz an author put time in it....
OMG! I haven't read anything yet. I need to read some of these. It's so difficult for me to get books at times due to expense and I'd love a Kindle for Christmas. Or a book shopping spree. I'd really have to talk to my family members though. I still have your book on my list.
I've read books by a "big name male author" and I'm not convinced they have ever met a woman. Why don't they run their book by just one women before publishing??
The Maidens was not at all what I expected from it... I wanted a slow burn, dark academia mystery which is not what that book is at all... Not its fault, but yeah I only finished it bc I read it basically in one sitting on an airplane. **SPOILERS** Big dislike on the final twist, though I called that it'd be the cousin. I do think it's unfair for the text to tell you on line one "so and so is the killer" for it to not be them at all... that's cheating.
Big cheating!!! And same... a slow burn dark academia mystery would have been amazing! But I think it was the wrong POV, the wrong execution, and the wrong twist :/ (as rendered)
Re: The Maidens and the cluelessness/privilege of the male author not thinking about how most women wouldn't put themselves into that dangerous situation...that's exactly why I just stopped reading books written by men, especially books with female protagonists written by men. I do make some exceptions (namely Riley Sager), but overall, I just ran into that unthinking ickiness too many times for comfort. Do better, male authors!
Yes! I find that as well. And I swear it's not intentional--I've read plenty of male authors! But I picked up a book last year that I DNFed quickly b/c within PAGES it was 100% obvious the writer was a dude b/c the Male Gaze was SUPER STRONG yet the POV was a woman? I was just annoyed immediately. Like sorry no women don't look at other women at the work place and assess their bangability like that my friend. I'm noping out. Agree that Riley Sager is an exception for me! He's never icky and writes women well imo. Not in thriller, but another fave for me is Jasper Fforde. You can just tell he adores women in the right ways--he based his heroine in his Thursday Next series on his long-term partner and allowed that character to be Not Young And Hot In A Stereotypical Way.
Sanderson is usually really good with female characters but he talks alot about his wife being a big part of his editing revision process so that's possibly why
Oh my god the "men writing women poorly" stuff irks me immensely. It's gotten to the point I'll skip female-led books written by cis men. Luckily, there's so many other authors.
The Maidens might not be perfect but hearing you trashing the depiction of main character Mariana decision making and the author's twist choice when the same things can be stated about Survive the night main character Charlie and the ridiculous plot in that book that I know you loved, makes you sound non bias at all. Maybe you don't care what trash Sager writes because you're a super fan but Survive The Night demands a huge suspend disbelief from the reader. Objectively, same critics you're arguing about The Maidens can be argued about Survive the night. It would sound more honest that you admit The Maidens isn't your vibe kinda of book whilst Sager"s are even if they're highly flawed
![PASULOL รามเกียรติ์ ตอนที่ 4 นนทกพบรัก [Ramakien Ep.4: Nonthok in love]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tMUQgmZzf_A/mqdefault.jpg)
I missed these videos. Slumps are hard to get out of. Your book got me out of a decade reading slump and these videos always help especially when I'm book shopping
"The book thinks it's very smart." LMAO. Yeah, I hated the over refrencing of other works. We get it you've read Tennyson.
the whole women being declared insane because their husbands were tired of them, and this being legal, is a terrifying part of history.
My heart rate increased just when she was talking about it. I feel very intrigued but dont know if I have the actual constitution to read a book like that
"She agrees to go to dinner by herself in his chambers" yeah that's men writing women. My dude. Like speak to like three women and you will know that's not true. Aaaah.
Yep I was like OMG GIRL NO HAVE A CALL RESCUE PLAN WITH A FRIEND AT LEAST
@@AlexaDonne Yes, I have actually been thinking of the question. What really makes a good women character? How should i write her that makes her appealing and relatable to the audience? How should i write them?
These questions always came into my mind since i saw The Silence of the lambs, wonder woman and Star wars a new hope. They were written well and i always heard that she is a great character. I understand characters written well(Luke Skywalker)are considered great, but with writing women, why so many writers stumble hard into the path?
@@AlexaDonne Upon stumbling into the Fifty shades of grey adaptation, i have seen many reviewers say that Annastasia steele is a really bad character. I never saw the movie nor read the fanfics. Was she really that bad?
@@AlexaDonne I think Alex Michaelides should heed and listen to yours and Merphy's criticism. He's a promising writer, but he really fell apart in this one. The Silent Patient was a great thriller, but with maidens, i understand the points you're making and why you felt the way about the book. I hope he does understand everything mentioned and tries to hone his writing towards it.
I have always read so many goodreads and half of them never mention why they never liked the book or what came to them as disappointing. Hard to trust many reviews there.
Yeah, 'bout The Maidens. Some of the issues highlighted were also evident in The Silent Patient. I think the issue with this book is that emphasis is on revealing the big twist.
Oh man then I may hate The Silent Patient ha. Though still might be worth a "hate read"... (his prose IS lovely in places so it won't be all bad?)
The Ivies was part of my summer reading 😁
Same!
I love the coordination you have going on with your shirt and lip, and also your eyeshadow and hair! It's like summoning fall because it's still too damn hot in California where I'm at.
You definitely convince me to pick up some Kate Moore books! I'm typically not interested in nonfiction, which is weird bc I have a research background and I love learning, but I think it's because if I want to learn something I'd read research articles about it. Should definitely include more nonfiction in my tbr for more obscure topics
I was hoping to watch something tonight that wouldn’t depress or enrage me-so delighted to see an Alexa reading recap video! It definitely delivered! 😻
I almost never read nonfiction, but the women they could not silence, sounds fascinating! Also, I adore your shirt! It looks so flattering on you!
Thank you! It's a dress from Target :D
I love your blouse! The neckline gives me Renaissance vibes.
I read “Silent Patient” & won’t read Maidens, nor anything else from this author, so I listened to your spoilers. Your review didn’t surprise me since I had similar frustrations reading Silent Patient; if you read it too it’ll likely solidify your assessment of this writer. Along with other critiques, I also found his portrayal of women’s behavior & therapists misses the mark. He might improve over time, but IMO he thinks he’s got the skills of Agatha Christie & he’s sexist (some covers of Silent Patient have the line, “Only I can make you speak” 😜).
You look gorgeous in that red shirt! I really enjoyed The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, however, I saw the plot twist a mile off because I've read so many psychological thrillers. I read a lot of raving reviews about how it was something that had "never been done before" blah blah blah, but it really was predictable. That said, I devoured the book. I read it in two days and I can't remember the last time I read a book so quickly. It was good but predictable. I'm not going to pick up The Maidens though after hearing your thoughts. It doesn't sound like my kind of book! Not a huge fan of dark academia myself!
I started reading The Radium Girls based on your recommedation, and it is quite difficult to read, but I also am compelled to read about what they gone through. Every time I hear something about "...and one of the girls taught us this technique called 'lip pointing'!" I sometimes shudder, and sometimes think 'OOOH NOOOO!!!" The dread is so real because I knew it would NOT end well. Put a whole other GOD DAMN meaning to "The Dark Story of America's SHINING Women" 😰
100% agree with your opinions on The Maidens and I left a review on good reads stating that. I listened to it also on audio and the narration was fabulous. Now go read/listen to the Silent Patient. You won’t regret it
I just started A Familiar Sight and am enjoying it so far - thanks for the rec. I'd just finished rereading The Passage trilogy and couldn't decide where to go next. I was able to get the ebook and audiobook through Kindle Unlimited, so even better!
Heard lots of good about radium girls.
Also, your first ever audiobook? EVER?
I used to listen to audiobooks when I was a kid while doing lego and jigsawpuzzles, as well as while in the car on road trips. Listen to them daily now, while walking, on my commute etc.
Michael crouch has a great narrator voice. Ditto Moira quirk.
I feel bad for laughing when you said the dead husband was named Sebastion. I was just imagining the crab
I figured out it was Zoë just listening to you post-spoilers.
Thanks Alexa, this was lovely to listen to. Kate Moore sounds like my next author to read!
I read Empire of Pain and The Maidens recently too! I was NOT into The Maidens but I still think I would read his first book.....
Hayley Mills! She used to be everywhere back in the day! Brooke Shields is another one who used to be such a huge controversial name, especially with regard to the movie Pretty Baby. I find I don't usually like the writing in autobiographies (with some exceptions--Shirley Maclaine is actually a good writer).
your spoilery discussion made me finally decide that i won't read the maidens. so thank you.
but also. I'm not extremely curious what you'd think of dark vanessa. if the subject matter isn't too much for you, i'd really recommend you give it a try. i think you might really enjoy it
Watching these videos always inspire me to refill my creative well myself. Inspired me to go get 7 new fiction books!
Can relate with your slower reading phase, I just call it taking a break rather than a slump. I’m a mood reader, too, & once I hit my goal of 52 books for the year I slowed way down… or, maybe I just read less in summer, not sure, but it’s nice to have a break even tho my TBR pile is huge, too. 📚 😆
Have you ever watched the made for TV movies, The Parent Trap 3 and Parent Trap 3, Hawaiian Honeymoon? Also both with Haley Mills. They are much better than Parent Trap 2!
Thank you for your wonderful book reviews! My TBR list grows every time I watch. :)
Haha! I agree with EVERYTHING you said about The Maidens.
Always love hearing your thoughts, pls keep them coming!
The woman they could not silence, I'd seen that one on bookstore shelves recently, but didn't realize it was by the same author as The Radium Girls. Would definitely be interested in reading some more of her works. I also really enjoyed Bad Blood, so good to know Empire of Pain has a similar vibe to it, I've seen that title with online library audiobooks before, but always scrolled past it. Appreciate the recommendations, always enjoy these book discussions.
You look great in red
Thank you! I don't own many things in red but when I find one I do enjoy wearing it ha.
As always you look great and have great book taste❤
10 minutes in and I've added both Kate Moore books to my TBR ... And I don't really read historical non-fiction, or historical fiction, but, sounds super interesting!!!
Never in my life has a book enraged me as much as The Maidens. Not only the worst thriller I've ever read, but also one of the worst books I've read in my life.
Btw loved The Ivies sm, recommending it to everyone I know ☺
I will definitely pick up “The woman they could not silence!” Based on your description, if you like this book, I think you would really like “Prey” by Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
That's disappointing about the Maidens. I actually really liked the Silent Patient. I listened to your spoilers and the funny thing is that I already guessed who did it during your 'non-spoiler' part. But that could be okay still... For example, I love Lisa Jewell's book. You nearly always know early on who did it/what happened (at least I tend to!) but her books are so well-written and so interesting that I really don't mind that I don't it. But it sounds like this book is just poorly executed. I will skip it. But I will definitely pick up The Woman They Could Not Silence. Oh, btw, I finally read the Ivies. Great work on your debut thriller! A bit of Kara Thomas vibes.
Some times I don't believe in using other peoples comments to rate a book when I haven't read it yet. Don't skip it. The writer put alot in it before releasing. The least you can do is read it and not listen to other people's advices.
@@catherinebardi8787 Who said I will rate the book? I will not rate, it I haven't read it, so obviously I will not freaking rate it. Who does that?!?
Frankly, since I decided to listen to the spoilers, I wouldn't read it even if Alexa thought it was amazing! My reading list is endless and just because a write put a lot in it, I am not responsible for reading it. Every writer puts a lot in it yet I will never be able to read every book (neither will I want to read every book!). (Neither will you!) Frankly, this book didn't intrigue me even before Alexa's reviews so I probably would've never picked it up without Alexa's review either...and without her review, I would've likely never heard about it either. Lastly, I rarely read or listen to review, and buy based on the description or feel (and this book would've not catch my interest based on the topic!) but I decided to listen to this video cuz I wanted to waste time and like Alexa....and since I knew I wouldn't be reading this book anyways, I decided to listen to the spoilers. If you are so worried about the author, know the author, you are the author, and their precious time working on it, don't worry, plenty of people have and will read it and skip other books I may read with equally hard-working authors. You can't and frankly, shouldn't read every book cuz an author put time in it....
@@LauraPalmerD I understand.
I love that dress! (Or blouse) Great with the lipstick
Bri is a friend of mine! She's so talented
Tell her I'm a new fan!!! I picked up a few other titles on KU that I'm going to read :)
OMG! I haven't read anything yet. I need to read some of these. It's so difficult for me to get books at times due to expense and I'd love a Kindle for Christmas. Or a book shopping spree. I'd really have to talk to my family members though. I still have your book on my list.
I love so much all those videos from you. (all your videos tho)
I've read books by a "big name male author" and I'm not convinced they have ever met a woman. Why don't they run their book by just one women before publishing??
My mother in law is a therapist and she tries to psychoanalyze us all the time. I would have had no ability to suspend belief for the maidens.
I TOTALLY AGREE about The Maidens. What a ridiculous disappointment.
Never been this early... hi!
The Maidens was not at all what I expected from it... I wanted a slow burn, dark academia mystery which is not what that book is at all... Not its fault, but yeah I only finished it bc I read it basically in one sitting on an airplane. **SPOILERS** Big dislike on the final twist, though I called that it'd be the cousin. I do think it's unfair for the text to tell you on line one "so and so is the killer" for it to not be them at all... that's cheating.
Big cheating!!! And same... a slow burn dark academia mystery would have been amazing! But I think it was the wrong POV, the wrong execution, and the wrong twist :/ (as rendered)
@@AlexaDonne also wtf event was the point of her creepy patient???
@@faabyy21 Cheap tension early on? lolllllll. Foreshadowing at how horrifically bad a therapist Mariana was?
Re: The Maidens and the cluelessness/privilege of the male author not thinking about how most women wouldn't put themselves into that dangerous situation...that's exactly why I just stopped reading books written by men, especially books with female protagonists written by men. I do make some exceptions (namely Riley Sager), but overall, I just ran into that unthinking ickiness too many times for comfort. Do better, male authors!
Yes! I find that as well. And I swear it's not intentional--I've read plenty of male authors! But I picked up a book last year that I DNFed quickly b/c within PAGES it was 100% obvious the writer was a dude b/c the Male Gaze was SUPER STRONG yet the POV was a woman? I was just annoyed immediately. Like sorry no women don't look at other women at the work place and assess their bangability like that my friend. I'm noping out. Agree that Riley Sager is an exception for me! He's never icky and writes women well imo. Not in thriller, but another fave for me is Jasper Fforde. You can just tell he adores women in the right ways--he based his heroine in his Thursday Next series on his long-term partner and allowed that character to be Not Young And Hot In A Stereotypical Way.
Sanderson is usually really good with female characters but he talks alot about his wife being a big part of his editing revision process so that's possibly why
Oh my god the "men writing women poorly" stuff irks me immensely. It's gotten to the point I'll skip female-led books written by cis men. Luckily, there's so many other authors.
So early 🥰
Hey
The Maidens might not be perfect but hearing you trashing the depiction of main character Mariana decision making and the author's twist choice when the same things can be stated about Survive the night main character Charlie and the ridiculous plot in that book that I know you loved, makes you sound non bias at all. Maybe you don't care what trash Sager writes because you're a super fan but Survive The Night demands a huge suspend disbelief from the reader. Objectively, same critics you're arguing about The Maidens can be argued about Survive the night. It would sound more honest that you admit The Maidens isn't your vibe kinda of book whilst Sager"s are even if they're highly flawed