Books that LIE! (and some A+ upcoming thrillers) | Spring Reading Wrapup

[@SensibleSoulHealing]

In regards to The Push, I wish more people were comfortable with story telling a happy ending that involves breaking ties with toxic relationships. If I hadn't cut ties with my toxic family, I wouldn't be happy. It's a valid option. And I hate HATE the idea that children in the foster system are "damaged". Its just not true and they deserve love too.❤

[@AlexaDonne]

Yeah I honestly expected a) her to continue to maintain (excellent) boundaries w/ her nmom for the sake of her child and b) to stand her ground w/ her partner, re: not being in the wrong, but instead she pulls a whole "oh I was acting crazy it's ok I love you" and I was like NOPE. It just felt like a cop out--I would have been fine with a "happy" ending if he admitted culpability and agreed to get counseling with Jax remaining firm. It is NOT always needed to "compromise" in a "who was wrong" situation--sometimes one person is 100% in the wrong! But it seems to always be women who give ground sigh.

[@SensibleSoulHealing]

@@AlexaDonne Preach it, sister! I want more stories whether its books, tv shows, or movies with the concepts you replied with. ❤

[@Luciferwinchester]

I am not a thriller reader, but my mom is. I watch to get gift recommendations for her, hasn't steered my wrong yet!

[@screaminggecko7660]

thats extremely sweet

[@Secretgirl97]

Comment on the spoilers section of The Push [so spoiler warning] Oh my god. That's so terrible and a topic that stokes my rage. It's such a common talking point around adoption too, that "older kids" aren't desirable. I'm a young woman and I really, really want to adopt an older kid. And I've been told "but babies bond better, an older kid won't go through the bonding thing properly with you", time and time again. and I find it so incredibly, shockingly selfish. To assume people want to adopt a child entirely to benefit themselves, and to refuse to give unconditional love to the kid you have. I don't think older kids in the system are necessarily "damaged", but wtf, even if they ARE, they still deserve love and family??? Children aren't toys that you throw away if they are broken. How toxic and awful. And poor kids who need to get adopted. Maybe that's why I have such a soft spot for the Queen's Gambit and Anne of Green Gables. They both show adopting an older child in a good light, and it warmed my heart.

[@sarahanonymous1036]

This upsets me so much too because I see this happen so often where an adopted kid will sometimes be a 'problem child,' ergo have serious unaddressed trauma that requires counseling and real help, and the parent/s will just shrug their shoulders and go 'this is too hard' and totally just give them up at the drop of a hat, (which of course just hammers in incredibly debilitating abandonment issues that will stay with them the rest of their lives.) It's not even as if they're more likely to develop these problems than biological children but for whatever reasons, some families just don't look at them as their actual children and it seems that whenever they took that step to adopt them, it was largely a performative gesture. At that point, it might have been better for them not to have done it in the first place. It's actually so disgusting to me.

[@Secretgirl97]

@@sarahanonymous1036 yeah exactly!! I've been asked " but what if the kid has ISSUES from their experience or previous family?" and its like???? Therapy for my kid obviously??? And unconditional love to help them feel safe?? And this is said by my family usually urg. Some people truly do just consider this "another person's problem" because they aren't "really" family. But I know when I do adopt, they will shut up and not say it to my face anymore, so yay.

[@AlexiaM]

I mean yeah that’s terrible to not be ok with adopting a child rather than a baby but a lot of people feel that way irl. I guess I’m ok with problematic characters bc people are problematic in real life.

[@ggjr61]

Just a comment on adopting older or damaged children. It’s a lot better to recognize your limitations before you cause more damage to a child already suffering from abandonment and very possibly other difficulties. For those who think the video is to long I just pause it and come back and finish it later.

[@brittneysbookshelf9491]

I can't wait for Survive the Night to come out! it sounds so good.

[@JessChii]

Oh great, the one Bi character is the cheater. Great representation there.

[@AlexaDonne]

Yeah I was Dismayed. Like... way to fail, book!

[@thechronicler159]

These covers are just butt-ugly though. Jesus they all have this looping font and colors akin to baby puke. I’ve been told not to judge a book by its cover, but what a shame it is to see those words in such a shit binding.

[@Joe_Maysky]

Final Girls tone + Lock Every Door pace is the best sell I could have, even though Survive the Night is preordered anyway, lol. I also loved and flew through His and Hers and that final twist, so RPS is on my radar.

[@WhatDoesEvilMean]

Hey Alexa - I’m currently submitting to several agents. Is it still correct form to let the agent know that you’re soliciting multiple agents? I know that used to be a thing. Thanks

[@AlexaDonne]

No need to say that--it would be assumed that you're querying widely! Only select "older school" agents get weird about things like exclusives. Good luck!!!

[@WhatDoesEvilMean]

@@AlexaDonne Phew! Glad I asked! Haha Thanks so much! :D

[@Lorie336]

Thank you for the rec of When All the Girls are Sleeping. Riley Sager is an auto buy for me too, can't wait to get my hands on that book. Also, I am sorry for the loss of your mom and your fur baby. I can empathize with the loss of a fur baby, in fact, my 12 year old dog has developed dementia so I know it's a matter of time, but I am doing the best I can with vitamins and food to enrich her brain. I will send love and healing light to you. Please, try to enjoy some reading.

[@platoniczombie]

All of those problematic things, and you still gave The Push 3 stars? Hmm...

[@augabachoo]

When all the girls are sleeping seems really down my alley! Picking that up when it comes out.

[@BrekkeEl]

I’m not a thriller reader but I thoroughly enjoy your reviews of books! Especially when you talk about how, as a writer, certain craft choices do and don’t work for you! I recently was in a massive reading slump and decided to read some romance - which isn’t my usual genre. The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare was BRILLIANT and helped pull me out of a slump.

[@mereiriz]

I loved Survive the Night. I have become a big Riley fan.

[@megankirrmann6624]

Wow....I need to read Way more too.....doing a readathon today and tomorrow..... Stephen King's Desperation novel.... it rocks!!!

[@JesminMaria]

True

[@writenowdream3882]

Thanks for your recommendations. I’m not the biggest thriller fan, but I’ve found gems through you.

[@angieelle9334]

I’ve overextended myself with ARCs, which is the only reason I haven’t read the Sager and Feeney yet. I love that you’re such an enthusiastic Feeney fan. I am, too, and can’t wait to get to Rock Paper Scissors. Thanks for such critical, in depth reviews!

[@marikothecheetah9342]

Oh, thriller, a good one! Pregnancy? Ok, I'm out. :/

[@BeautifullyBookishBethany]

The Push sounds awful. Completely agree about Castle School- it's a great book but not at all suspenseful and not something I would have picked up if I knew what it was.

[@AlexiaM]

Finally read Rock Paper Scissors and ugh Alice Feeney is SO SO good at thrillers. She’s now an auto buy for me.

[@AlexaDonne]

She really is! Makes me super self-conscious about my writing ha.

[@teril733]

The Push sounds like another version of Big Little Lies.

[@LauraKadner]

I am dying to read Survive the Night. DYING. And I hate the manipulative POV switching oh so much. Just like why. If your book hinges on hiding information via manipulation...probably...like. Write a better book??

[@Luciferwinchester]

Coming from the fantasy side of Jen Williams, she DOES NOT mess around. And yes, gross stuff in those books too(but they are amazing).

[@AlexiaM]

An hour long video!!! Your wrap ups and vlogs are my favorites!!!! So excited!

[@curiousimp]

Alexa drops the F bomb. I like the fire.

[@raven8122]

Why dose this have so little likes? Put likes people.

[@dutchpeasantgirl8437]

Maybe I missed it, but I noticed in your last book review videos you mainly read books by female writers, is that a conscious choice to highlight these on your channel? Or just a coincidence? Just wondering :)

[@sarahanonymous1036]

That might just be coincidental. I could be wrong but my understanding is the YA is largely dominated by women authors.

[@Neverrgreen]

Cat tail!

[@Holsp]

Hello, I was wondering. What is your stance on profanity and swear words in books? I am currently writing one and came acros a passage where a swear word would fit nicely to drive the feel of the scene. It's on the fifth chapter and it's the first swear word that I have there. I was wondering if for instance just like in games where they have an age rating, books will too then be hindered by having swears in them. If it's not just better to take them out since I haven't used them since. Or if it's fine and sprinkling them troughout won't affect the book in a bad way.

[@imnickij]

Thank you for the animal death content warning for ADASP. It's a hard no for me in the media I consume and seems to be everywhere lately. I would have picked this book up based on the other details and I'm so glad I didn't. As a massive fan of the first two seasons of Luther I read the prequel right up to the point where an animal is killed and it was so horrific and unnecessary I straight up shut the book and never looked at it again. Very nearly did the same thing with Line of Duty (just started watching it) I wish animals, especially dogs and cats weren't used as a cheap shock factor plot device. It especially angers me when it's not crucial to the plot. For people who are naturally more empathetic, it can be incredibly traumatic.

[@DrVVVinK]

Survived the night sounds very good. Thanks for the rec

[@flyingwhalesllc2806]

Alexa, when you say “layers of meta,” what are you meaning? I guess I’m not familiar with some writer-babble.

[@JesminMaria]

Just GOT HERE FIRST! Literally! And girl...hmm...1:01:30 I don’t think so. But still love ya ❤️