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kailey_reads's review
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jennazim's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Domestic abuse, and Addiction
gwynne104's review
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
maiajanssen's review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rainbowbookworm's review
5.0
I've just gone through the 240 books I have read so far this year to see if this is, indeed, my favorite read of 2023 thus far. Signs point to it being my favorite Fiction read of the year.
My favorite YA has been [b:We Deserve Monuments|58484187|We Deserve Monuments|Jas Hammonds|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1644414847l/58484187._SX50_.jpg|88742849].
My favorite poetry read was [b:Appalachian Elegy: Poetry and Place|13793671|Appalachian Elegy Poetry and Place (Kentucky Voices)|bell hooks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1340762481l/13793671._SY75_.jpg|19427917].
I've actually enjoyed far too many picture books to list.
My favorite Middle Grade novel was [b:Big Tree|60758237|Big Tree|Brian Selznick|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1680232637l/60758237._SX50_.jpg|95801569].
I've read a handful of 5-star nonfiction books: [b:Lesbian Love Story|56150014|Lesbian Love Story|Amelia Possanza|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1660237321l/56150014._SX50_.jpg|87465196], [b:Another Appalachia: Coming Up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place|59249732|Another Appalachia Coming Up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place|Neema Avashia|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1642906184l/59249732._SY75_.jpg|93180358], [b:The World Record Book of Racist Stories|60568490|The World Record Book of Racist Stories|Amber Ruffin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1647264717l/60568490._SY75_.jpg|95463083], and [b:Queer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal Sexuality|58889121|Queer Ducks (and Other Animals) The Natural World of Animal Sexuality|Eliot Schrefer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1639949113l/58889121._SX50_.jpg|92769467].
I've read several vapid romances that I have given a five-star review based on the expectations for that genre and my satisfaction after reading the titles, but of the more literary books I have tackled this year, this is, hands down my favorite.
Agnes's story, her search for autonomy and independence in a world that would not value her for her contributions was a solid 5.
Her son Edward's naïveté, and quite frankly his uselessness was grating, but when the reader learns of his fate Edward's section goes from a two-star read to a five-star read in just one sentence.
Then there's Novak, a lesbian with a heart of gold who proves that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The entire 1986 section is solid, but the last sentences-foreseeable as they were when that scene started, shattered my heart into pieces that will take time to heal... Especially in light of the 2015 section. I actually had to stop reading the book after this part.
Finally there's Flip. What a hot mess of a human being, but there is a glimmer of hope in her future.
Addendum: Before I finished writing this review I went and summarized the plot to my wife who made me realize how tragic this book actually is. So I don't know if I am forgiving a multitude of sins by virtue of this book being so queer, but I stand by my statement that this is my favorite fiction read of 2023 thus far.
My favorite YA has been [b:We Deserve Monuments|58484187|We Deserve Monuments|Jas Hammonds|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1644414847l/58484187._SX50_.jpg|88742849].
My favorite poetry read was [b:Appalachian Elegy: Poetry and Place|13793671|Appalachian Elegy Poetry and Place (Kentucky Voices)|bell hooks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1340762481l/13793671._SY75_.jpg|19427917].
I've actually enjoyed far too many picture books to list.
My favorite Middle Grade novel was [b:Big Tree|60758237|Big Tree|Brian Selznick|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1680232637l/60758237._SX50_.jpg|95801569].
I've read a handful of 5-star nonfiction books: [b:Lesbian Love Story|56150014|Lesbian Love Story|Amelia Possanza|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1660237321l/56150014._SX50_.jpg|87465196], [b:Another Appalachia: Coming Up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place|59249732|Another Appalachia Coming Up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place|Neema Avashia|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1642906184l/59249732._SY75_.jpg|93180358], [b:The World Record Book of Racist Stories|60568490|The World Record Book of Racist Stories|Amber Ruffin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1647264717l/60568490._SY75_.jpg|95463083], and [b:Queer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal Sexuality|58889121|Queer Ducks (and Other Animals) The Natural World of Animal Sexuality|Eliot Schrefer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1639949113l/58889121._SX50_.jpg|92769467].
I've read several vapid romances that I have given a five-star review based on the expectations for that genre and my satisfaction after reading the titles, but of the more literary books I have tackled this year, this is, hands down my favorite.
Agnes's story, her search for autonomy and independence in a world that would not value her for her contributions was a solid 5.
Her son Edward's naïveté, and quite frankly his uselessness was grating, but when the reader learns of his fate Edward's section goes from a two-star read to a five-star read in just one sentence.
Then there's Novak, a lesbian with a heart of gold who proves that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The entire 1986 section is solid, but the last sentences-foreseeable as they were when that scene started, shattered my heart into pieces that will take time to heal... Especially in light of the 2015 section. I actually had to stop reading the book after this part.
Finally there's Flip. What a hot mess of a human being, but there is a glimmer of hope in her future.
Addendum: Before I finished writing this review I went and summarized the plot to my wife who made me realize how tragic this book actually is. So I don't know if I am forgiving a multitude of sins by virtue of this book being so queer, but I stand by my statement that this is my favorite fiction read of 2023 thus far.
meckels's review
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
miitine's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mmccue1997's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
kvmeehan's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mgwalsho's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved this book, even though I don’t usually love books that are essentially four short stories with a connecting thread. The last section lacked the intrigue that that other three had, but I appreciated how it ended with a bit of hope. Overall a really good read that I read whenever I could, would recommend!