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4.5 AVERAGE
4.5 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
I just loved this book. The characters are hilarious and so relatable. The scene where Constance is pissed in the car and doesn't want to talk about it.... God have I been there. I just really love and felt all the feels with this book. I feel like it should be required reading. I think it's my best book of the year so far 😍
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Brooke's chapters were my favourite. It provided a reverie from the plot to dive into a trans experience and it's what eventually made me decide to rate the book as a 4. I loved the narrative around struggling to accept queer friendship due to social norms. It made me think of my own life and the queer friendships I've made. I like the political setting this book takes place in. I wonder how it would have changed if it were set in this climate almost a decade later.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow. This book was everything. 100% worth the hype.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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:
Complicated
Beautiful, multi-generational portrait of the trans woman experience. I cried, laughed, and learned a lot from this novel.
I loved it. The multiple perspectives were so distinct.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Child abuse
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
“But a person’s life is their own. Few sins are greater than trying to squeeze someone else into the shape you require them to be.”
Everyone should read this book to try to understand an ounce of what trans people experience in their lifetime.
Set during the 2016 election, Woodworking follows Abigail and Erica in their small town of Mitchell, South Dakota (a place I have surprisingly been to, only to see The World's Only Corn Palace). Abigail is seventeen years old & Erica is her teacher. Both of our main characters are trans people who lean on each other as they try to figure out who they really are in this world. I almost DNF’d 70 pages in because the relationship between teacher & student was a bit much at first, but I’m glad I didn’t. I promise it’s not as weird as it sounds. Emily St. James’ writing style in Woodworking is different than anything I’ve ever read. It’s told in parallel timelines from Abigail and Erica’s POVs. However, sometimes it’s narrated by their old selves. A bit confusing, but I liked it.
Don’t skip the author’s note or acknowledgments.
Everyone should read this book to try to understand an ounce of what trans people experience in their lifetime.
Set during the 2016 election, Woodworking follows Abigail and Erica in their small town of Mitchell, South Dakota (a place I have surprisingly been to, only to see The World's Only Corn Palace). Abigail is seventeen years old & Erica is her teacher. Both of our main characters are trans people who lean on each other as they try to figure out who they really are in this world. I almost DNF’d 70 pages in because the relationship between teacher & student was a bit much at first, but I’m glad I didn’t. I promise it’s not as weird as it sounds. Emily St. James’ writing style in Woodworking is different than anything I’ve ever read. It’s told in parallel timelines from Abigail and Erica’s POVs. However, sometimes it’s narrated by their old selves. A bit confusing, but I liked it.
Don’t skip the author’s note or acknowledgments.