Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes

51 reviews

bluberrybooks's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.0


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rory1387's review

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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nic_literarylair's review

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emotional lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Journey of Identity and Resilience:




Rarely has a young adult novel resonated with me as profoundly as 'The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School.' This book manages to be both unapologetically bold and delicately empathetic in its exploration of identity, faith, and family dynamics. If I were still teaching, this would undoubtedly be a part of my curriculum, its themes and characters offering a poignant discussion point for students.

While my heart yearned for a different resolution, the emotional journey the characters undertake is a testament to their resilience and growth. They aren't just fictional entities; they're individuals with palpable strength and vulnerability. The ensemble cast, diverse in their backgrounds and experiences, feels authentic and raw – a mirror to the real world.

The narrative's exploration of seeing parents as flawed adults, and the complexities arising from conflict within the marriage, offers a stark yet compassionate look at the dynamics that shape us. It's a reminder that families are intricate tapestries, woven from both love and imperfections.

'The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School' brings empowerment to its readers, evoking a sense of understanding and belonging. It's been a while since I've encountered a book so adept at reaching the innermost corners of my 16-year-old, reminding me that literature can still be a safe haven for those who feel lost, and a beacon for those navigating the labyrinth of self-discovery.

In a landscape hungry for genuine representation, this book stands tall, a remarkable testament to the power of storytelling. Every chapter invites readers to explore not only the characters' lives but also their own emotions and perspectives. 'The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School' is a mirror reflecting the myriad colors of human existence. It's a call to embrace one's identity, confront adversity, and recognize the beauty within our lives. An absolute must-read for individuals of all ages, this novel is an eloquent reminder that voices silenced by society's noise deserve to be heard."

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sunnysab's review

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funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


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martapsalvado's review

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emotional lighthearted sad slow-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

4.0

This book is beautiful inside and out 🩷💛 The pace was a little slow at times, but I really liked the story overall and how themes like being a queer kid in not very open environment, being a person of color in a predominantly white school, mental health, family issues and self-identity were handled. 

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emily_mh's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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? No

5.0

I don’t really feel capable of giving a proper, detailed review of this book because I am simply in awe of it. Just know that it is a perfect book about queerness, lesbians pining for each other, a gorgeous sibling relationship, celebrating every part of who you are, complicated families, mental health, the trauma of religious bigotry, being Brown and queer in a majority allocishet white space, forced separation from family, relearning to trust, rebonding with loved ones, simple and massive moments of joy, and ultimately, hope. I loved reading every second of it. 

My favourite quote was: “I can’t make him love himself. The closest I can get is loving myself unapologetically right in front of him.” 

Rep: lesbian Chicana MC, lesbian Chinese-American LI, bisexual Chicano SC, Native American (Navajo) SC, queer Black SC 

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elenushka8's review against another edition

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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

4.75


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massivepizzacrust's review

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emotional hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This was delightful and so hopeful. It felt like being hugged by someone you love. I was surprised by how much of the book was left after the resolution of the main conflict but I actually really enjoyed that we just got to spend more time in a happier world. 
This book doesn't shy away from hard topics, and it is hard to read sometimes. Not everything is resolved by the end of the book. But the characters develop better support systems with people who will stand by them no matter what. 
The audiobook read by Karla Serrato is wonderful, highly recommend! 

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lucidreads's review

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emotional funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.5


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bisexualwentworth's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad
  • 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

THIS BOOK!!!

If you've ever been a closeted teen, if you grew up in a religious family or an immigrant family, if you've ever been worried about your financial situation to the point of that anxiety starting to run your life, if you went to private school and have complicated feelings about that, if you have really conflicted feelings about certain family members, or if you just want a really adorable yet heartfelt queer coming-of-age story, this novel is for you.

Yamilet is such a hilarious and relatable and heartbreaking protagonist and narrator. I loved her relationship with her brother and how important that relationship was to the plot. I loved Bo as a love interest and how Yami and Bo found similarities and differences in their experiences as two of the only queer people of color at their Catholic high school. 

Honestly one of the most accurate representations of being a queer teenager that I've ever read.

It's hard to describe how lovely this book is. Just read it if you think it sounds interesting. 

Please check the content warnings, as this book handles a lot of heavy topics, but it handles them all sensitively and delicately.

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