0ivy0's profile picture

0ivy0's review

2.0
informative

I listened to the audiobook of Sounds Fake but OK, an informative short book about Asexuality.

Overall, I'd say that this is an introduction to asexuality in different forms and the way it alters people's experience in the world including friendships, having children, gender identity, kink, sex and long term relationships (romantic or non-romamtic, sexual or non-sexual).

This is a brief overview and thus is a shorter read which makes it accessible. It includes a glossary as well as explanations and examples from real people throughout. This means that it is likely a good fit for people who are just learning about asexuality, figuring out their labels or people who aren't asexual and are learning more about it. It was more surface-level than I was expecting, however the author's themselves do discuss that there is more knowledge that they would need to have before being seen as an expert in the area.

It did feel more like a long podcast episode, which is not surprising as the two narrators have their own podcast together.

The biggest thing I struggled with was a HP reference and talking about the good of JKR's works 'despite her views'. Any reference to HP and JKR really would have been best edited out. JKR funding damaging anti-trans organisations and the disgusting things she says and does, which is increasing the hate and hate-crimes for our trans siblings cannot be ignored.  This is worsened when you have A WHOLE SECTION about transness and how many A-specs are also under the trans umbrella. Absolutely not. Disgusting that JKR was put in a positive light.
amu_pdf's profile picture

amu_pdf's review

4.0

I’m so glad I found this book. I like how it delved into so many different aspects of life and how being on the aroace spectrum affects the way you view life. I thought it was great how they spoke about their experiences but then also added in experiences from outside people who listen to their podcast. It was very educational and put into words a lot of my thoughts and experiences that I have struggled without throughout my life.


puglord's profile picture

puglord's review

2.75
informative medium-paced

Surface-level overview of the aroace spectrum. The authors acknowledge that their identity as cisgender white women made it limited, but the book still felt like it was trying to tackle a range of identities the authors just weren’t equipped for. The constant qr code  plugging their podcast at the end of every chapter was also annoying 
hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

Reading things that expand the understanding of my queer community is always a powerful experience. Reading things that shift my understanding of myself, my identity, and the world around me is an even more impactful experience, and this book achieved this in a significant way. 

I feel confident I'll be thinking about the content here for a WHILE, and whether or not you as a reader identify on the aspectrum, the insights and paradigm shifts in this book are POWERFUL. Not a reader? - unlikely if you're on here - but no problem! They have a podcast by the same name (which tbh I might go check out just cause I want more).

While it is a short read, it's PACKED with information. I took lots of pauses to reflect and feel like I came away with more - you might too. The authors also do a good job naming their own identities and where they can and cannot speak to intersectional identities, which I appreciate.

zoekk's review

3.0
hopeful informative lighthearted fast-paced

the book was well organized and covered a broad range of topics pertaining to a-spec living. i enjoyed how the authors included quotes from people within the community to solidify the argument they were making. overall, a good jumping off point for learning about the ace spectrum

sofia_santana's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 10%

Achei a forma como foi explicado muito bobo. O texto assume que você é estupido e de explica de uma forma tosca. Alem de corta o raciocionio de forma estranha varias vezes
fast-paced

Tries to be an aspec 101 but neither wants to engage deeply (because readers apparently wouldn't want to read that?) with any topic nor serve as a vehicle to any larger conversations or resources. Ultimately, feels more like a vehicle to their podcast than anything else 🤷‍♀️

(To me, the Harry Potter sentence is deeply funny (haha scary) because it reveals a real misunderstanding of what they've set up in that section on evaluating media with aspec lenses.) 
informative fast-paced
informative inspiring reflective fast-paced
fast-paced