Scan barcode
srosen930's reviews
81 reviews
A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum
4.0
This book was about exploring women's roles in the Palestinian/Palestinian American community, and all the complexities. This book focuses a lot on character development and establishing relationships between characters. The book also makes a huge statement about women's voices in a family structure and how hard it is for women to break out of the existing cultural structure.
I really loved the depth of characters and the thoughts that each of them inspired me to think about. Although this story is fictionalized, I can imagine that these scenarios are real issues in the community and this story helped bring out the human/emotional side to the silenced voices. I was astounded just how much of the characters have internalized their mistreatment, to the point where they feel like they deserve the punishments. Also, the amount of effort for the women in the book took to try to challenge their roles were exhausting to read; it promoted a deep sense of empathy.
This is a relevant read and one I will recommend to others.
I really loved the depth of characters and the thoughts that each of them inspired me to think about. Although this story is fictionalized, I can imagine that these scenarios are real issues in the community and this story helped bring out the human/emotional side to the silenced voices. I was astounded just how much of the characters have internalized their mistreatment, to the point where they feel like they deserve the punishments. Also, the amount of effort for the women in the book took to try to challenge their roles were exhausting to read; it promoted a deep sense of empathy.
This is a relevant read and one I will recommend to others.
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
2.0
I felt this book struggled to keep my attention, as short of a span it allows me. The descriptions and details in the book were focused too much on the mundane aspects, and breezed over the interesting aspects.
Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir by Jenny Lawson
5.0
One thing that has always attracted me to a Jenny Lawson book is her hilarious tone of voice. I usually dont laugh out loud at books, but Jenny consistently has made that happen for me.
This is the second Lawson book I've read (Furiously Happy being the first) and I would say that this book is a bit more organized than Furiously Happy. However, that doesnt mean that I love FH any less.
The stories in this book are so wild and makes you always question if these events really happened or not, but I would have to imagine that (minus the hyperboles) they are real because who would have the imagination to make stories like these up? Often, I would start a chapter in this book and at the end of the chapter questioning to myself "wait, how did she get here again?" But, Im often not mad at all the rants/detours away from the main point of the chapters because its often a very entertaining side note.
I really really love the openness Jenny gives to her audience and isn't afraid to show herself. We can all see our weirdness through these stories, and she makes a great example that we shouldn't be ashamed of our quirks or health issues or family upbring.
If you're looking for a book to forget about politics or the pandemic or anything in the news that brings you down, this is a great book to help you escape from that.
This is the second Lawson book I've read (Furiously Happy being the first) and I would say that this book is a bit more organized than Furiously Happy. However, that doesnt mean that I love FH any less.
The stories in this book are so wild and makes you always question if these events really happened or not, but I would have to imagine that (minus the hyperboles) they are real because who would have the imagination to make stories like these up? Often, I would start a chapter in this book and at the end of the chapter questioning to myself "wait, how did she get here again?" But, Im often not mad at all the rants/detours away from the main point of the chapters because its often a very entertaining side note.
I really really love the openness Jenny gives to her audience and isn't afraid to show herself. We can all see our weirdness through these stories, and she makes a great example that we shouldn't be ashamed of our quirks or health issues or family upbring.
If you're looking for a book to forget about politics or the pandemic or anything in the news that brings you down, this is a great book to help you escape from that.
Punch Me Up to the Gods: A Memoir by Brian Broome
5.0
I didn't know who Brian Bromme was before reading this, but I am so thankful I was able to learn his experience growing up in rural Ohio as a gay black man. This book is stylized after a Gwendolyn Brooks poem, with each line of the poem as a part of Brian's life story. It's amazing how his experiences line up with the poem.
This book has such depth and wide ranging experiences that is hard to summarize. Brian describes his thoughts about black masculinity, not fitting in as a black man nor in a white man's culture, not being black enough, abuse, gay life, drug abuse, and more. The book and prose was beautifully and poetically written, which kept me turning the page wanting to learn more.
The book switched from observing a black child on a bus Brian was taking from PA -> OH to his childhood/adult experiences. Each story comes in palatable portions and they are incredibly engaging and beautifully told. I will definitely recommend this book to others!
This book has such depth and wide ranging experiences that is hard to summarize. Brian describes his thoughts about black masculinity, not fitting in as a black man nor in a white man's culture, not being black enough, abuse, gay life, drug abuse, and more. The book and prose was beautifully and poetically written, which kept me turning the page wanting to learn more.
The book switched from observing a black child on a bus Brian was taking from PA -> OH to his childhood/adult experiences. Each story comes in palatable portions and they are incredibly engaging and beautifully told. I will definitely recommend this book to others!
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
4.0
This book had a lot of nuances about sexual assault and the stories a victim can tell herself to justify such an awful act. The characters are well developed and will elicit strong emotional reactions from the reader. This book will help start conversation about consent (even if underage), sexual assault, and the implications behind rape/assault. A lot of the moments in the book are extremely intense, so take caution if you need.
The only critique is that I thought the book went on a bit too long. Parts of the story could have been consolidated. The reader was exposed to a lot of repetitive thoughts, and it was a bit like beating a dead horse. But, I don't think it was to the point where it affected the story/enjoyment of the read too much.
The only critique is that I thought the book went on a bit too long. Parts of the story could have been consolidated. The reader was exposed to a lot of repetitive thoughts, and it was a bit like beating a dead horse. But, I don't think it was to the point where it affected the story/enjoyment of the read too much.
Tales from the Umbrella Academy: You Look Like Death Volume 1 by Gerard Way, Shaun Simon
4.0
I thought it was an entertaining side story for Klaus. Klaus is one of my favorite characters in the Umbrella Academy Universe, so it was great to see a lot more character development and powers. Parts of the story dragged a bit, but the parts that were interesting were really great. Amazing villains and artistry.
Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jedrowski
4.0
4.5 stars
The only reason I docked this a .5 star was because I thought there were parts where the melodrama was way too over the top.
However, this book was excellent, both in prose and character development. I felt instantly connected to the experiences of the main character. I love how the book was written as if it were a love letter to someone once loved.
The book was so bittersweet and the end will leave you feeling hallow, but still, if you’re into that sort of thing, you’ll love this.
I loved the complexity of being gay in the 1980s in communist Poland, where the Main Character’s lover thrives within the system that oppresses him. The tension between nationalism and acting upon homosexuality is clear and one that is unique in the literature that I have read.
The only reason I docked this a .5 star was because I thought there were parts where the melodrama was way too over the top.
However, this book was excellent, both in prose and character development. I felt instantly connected to the experiences of the main character. I love how the book was written as if it were a love letter to someone once loved.
The book was so bittersweet and the end will leave you feeling hallow, but still, if you’re into that sort of thing, you’ll love this.
I loved the complexity of being gay in the 1980s in communist Poland, where the Main Character’s lover thrives within the system that oppresses him. The tension between nationalism and acting upon homosexuality is clear and one that is unique in the literature that I have read.
Flamer by Mike Curato
5.0
Similar vibe to "Magic Fish," but more Americanized and explores different themes around coming out, especially the internalized shame teens feel about not being like their peers.
I found myself connected easily to the main character's experience and the struggles he went through. This book does take a dark turn, but you'll be super glad you read this.
Graphics are truly stunning and great character development.
I found myself connected easily to the main character's experience and the struggles he went through. This book does take a dark turn, but you'll be super glad you read this.
Graphics are truly stunning and great character development.
The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships, and Other Freedoms in Sex and Love by Dossie Easton, Janet W. Hardy
3.0
I thought this book had some potential. It is a great starting place for the topic of poly and open relationships. It had a lot of feelings-based information though, and I didn’t gather that a lot of it was super up to date or scientific.
But, this book is a good reminder on how to be a decent human being to one another. It’s not necessarily pigeon held to open relationships, but just relationships in general. The book likes to repeatedly remind readers it’s all about respect, communication and love/passion that makes for great relationships. (Repeated almost to the point where one may think “alright already, we get it)
I want to see more literature on this topic. It was decent, but I think it lacked in areas. Also, this book needs to be more trans/BIPOC friendly. The latest edition has tried to be more inclusive, but it didn’t really talk much upon that community.
But, this book is a good reminder on how to be a decent human being to one another. It’s not necessarily pigeon held to open relationships, but just relationships in general. The book likes to repeatedly remind readers it’s all about respect, communication and love/passion that makes for great relationships. (Repeated almost to the point where one may think “alright already, we get it)
I want to see more literature on this topic. It was decent, but I think it lacked in areas. Also, this book needs to be more trans/BIPOC friendly. The latest edition has tried to be more inclusive, but it didn’t really talk much upon that community.