From the Bookshelf of Book of The Month…

Anita de Monte Laughs Last

Xóchitl González

Start date: February 29, 2024

Finish date: March 29, 2024

Discussion: MARCH 2024

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Showing 2 of 6 topics — 54 comments total

MARCH 2024

* Who got what this month?
By Trisha · 18 posts · 56 views

last updated Sep 12, 2024 04:48PM

Kill for Me, Kill for You : Discussion Thread
By Trisha · 5 posts · 34 views

last updated Aug 08, 2024 02:54PM

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What Members Thought

Sep 08, 2025 Trisha rated it liked it

Shelves: botm-challenge, goodreadschoice2024

"Boys hate to lose their toys."

Artists, rage, toxic relationships, and what we're willing to give up for money and men. I'm torn on this one. The message in the book is very heavy handed and angry. The rage made me uncomfortable and, although i could understand it, it wasn't fun to read.

Raquel's story was definitely more interesting. You could see the cycle again and I loved, as we got near the end, how things started to line up and then as they concluded.

A read that won't be for everyone but ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 09, 2025 Lindsey Gandhi rated it liked it

Shelves: rw-bookclub, 2025-ng-reading-challenge, books-i-own, botm

Ugh, I'm not really sure how to rate this book. I'm in between a 2 and 3 star rating. The premise of this book sounded really good and I thought I'd like it. I can't exactly put my finger on what didn't sit right with me - could be part writing style I wasn't a huge fan of, part of the book being overly dramatic, focused so much on race at every turn if the page versus on the life of this artist being erased. Maybe a mix of all of it. This book just wasn't for me.
...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 27, 2024 Shannon rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley2024, bookclub

4.5 stars. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

We, the readers, accompany Anita and Raquel, two women of Cuban descent, in two different timelines - one in the 1980s and one in the 1990s. Both are trying to break into the art world, confronted with misogyny, racism, classism, complex relationships, and challenges in making space in the white dominated art and academia spheres. Parallels emerge between their stories and we find ou 4.5 stars. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

We, the readers, accompany Anita and Raquel, two women of Cuban descent, in two different timelines - one in the 1980s and one in the 1990s. Both are trying to break into the art world, confronted with misogyny, racism, classism, complex relationships, and challenges in making space in the white dominated art and academia spheres. Parallels emerge between their stories and we find ourselves in tension between the two timelines, wondering if they will intersect and if Raquel will be able to transcend and avoid the destructive power dynamics and devastating fate that befell Anita.

What I loved:
🌺 The character development is vivid and whole. I felt like I was getting to know real people. Raquel is young and unsure of herself, and I appreciated her growth and self-discovery. Anita is a force of nature and I was captivated by her voice, full of passion and rage, even a bit unhinged at times.
🌺 The dual narratives, told in different perspectives with Anita in first person and Raquel in third person, was effective. I appreciated the contrast of Anita looking back and revealing the how and why she is what she has become, with Raquel's linear journey of coming of age and finding identity.
🌺 The magical realism element was a creative device to tell Anita's story. The supernatural dimension sets this book apart from conventional fiction. It was also sometimes kind of fun, while other times emphasizing Anita's heartbreak and frustration.
🌺 The audiobook narrators were all fantastic! I especially enjoyed the theatrical presentation of Anita's character. If you are one who enjoys audiobooks, I highly recommend you check out this one.

Minor critique/things to note:
👻 While I appreciated the chapters of Anita's husband Jack's perspective, I'm not sure I needed them to understand his motivations and skewed view. It didn't detract, though.
👻 Some readers may want to check content warnings for fat-shaming and eating disorders

Highly recommend! Out 3/5/24. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Apr 28, 2024 Candide rated it really liked it

"There was loneliness and heartbreak and restlessness and not knowing if she was understood and also ambition!"

I LOVED Anita de Monte and really all the characters in this book, but especially Anita. Her pain, rage, and artwork were so vividly portrayed that I found it difficult to put the book down.

While I usually enjoy exposition and getting a glimpse into a character's mind, in this book it felt excessive and made the narrative drag. A little less exposition and a bit more dialogue would hav ...more

1 like · Like · see review