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gharv03's review against another edition
5.0
In love with this book. It’s a feel good read that leaves you inspired and optimistic. Changed my outlook on life and sparked a love for myself and for adrienne marie brown. Can’t recommend enough
mis_shapes's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
ellerypage's review against another edition
5.0
I have some quotes to add here. I think everyone should read this book. Importance level high.
graveyardpansy's review against another edition
4.0
3.5? this was overall enjoyable, but i wanted a lot more in many ways. a lot of my thoughts are worded well in this review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2631085614
i wish it’d engaged more w actual politics, maybe a little more theory. there are still so many avenues to be explored and i felt like some of them weren’t given the attention they deserve. maybe it’s partly my straightedge-ness, but i really would’ve loved more exploration of how bodily autonomy doesn’t always mean drug use, and active choice in that regard is important in a multitude of ways beyond (but including!) what feels good. i also was a /little/ disappointed by the lack of discussion of kink/bdsm/power exchange, bc i just think there’s such a wonderful potential for (anarchist) theorizing around consensual playing with power and exploring pleasure in non-normative way.
i like the variety of perspectives amb brought in, and the intentions with which the diversity was handled. wish it’d been a little more intentional with incorporating queer history - it was implied a couple times but never discussed - disability justice, and prison abolition (which i feel like was tangentially mentioned as well but definitely not in depth.) the engagement with sex work was good, but could’ve been a larger thing as well (but maybe i just say that bc i’ve read and written quite a bit on SW as of late.)
i really enjoyed rereading the Lorde essay the book starts with, and also rly liked the pieces regarding pleasure after abuse, it’s smth i have been thinking abt more over the past year or so. also very much had fun with the essays on adornment and empowerment through self-expression in a variety of ways — although i also think that section could’ve benefitted from trans perspectives!!
regardless, overall, 3.5. enjoyable but not groundbreaking for me, and i think u should know what you’re in for before reading.
i wish it’d engaged more w actual politics, maybe a little more theory. there are still so many avenues to be explored and i felt like some of them weren’t given the attention they deserve. maybe it’s partly my straightedge-ness, but i really would’ve loved more exploration of how bodily autonomy doesn’t always mean drug use, and active choice in that regard is important in a multitude of ways beyond (but including!) what feels good. i also was a /little/ disappointed by the lack of discussion of kink/bdsm/power exchange, bc i just think there’s such a wonderful potential for (anarchist) theorizing around consensual playing with power and exploring pleasure in non-normative way.
i like the variety of perspectives amb brought in, and the intentions with which the diversity was handled. wish it’d been a little more intentional with incorporating queer history - it was implied a couple times but never discussed - disability justice, and prison abolition (which i feel like was tangentially mentioned as well but definitely not in depth.) the engagement with sex work was good, but could’ve been a larger thing as well (but maybe i just say that bc i’ve read and written quite a bit on SW as of late.)
i really enjoyed rereading the Lorde essay the book starts with, and also rly liked the pieces regarding pleasure after abuse, it’s smth i have been thinking abt more over the past year or so. also very much had fun with the essays on adornment and empowerment through self-expression in a variety of ways — although i also think that section could’ve benefitted from trans perspectives!!
regardless, overall, 3.5. enjoyable but not groundbreaking for me, and i think u should know what you’re in for before reading.
elizabirdnerd's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
wilhelmina_reads's review against another edition
3.5
This would have been rated a lot higher if it weren't for how much I personally dislike reading interviews, especially ones with people I have literally never heard of.
I do appreciate very deeply the themes and messages portrayed in this. It's good, mostly engaging, and puts into words things I've been feeling and thinking for a while. I would recommend it for sure. Just be aware that there's a lot of interviews/conversations that can be a touch on the drab side.
I do appreciate very deeply the themes and messages portrayed in this. It's good, mostly engaging, and puts into words things I've been feeling and thinking for a while. I would recommend it for sure. Just be aware that there's a lot of interviews/conversations that can be a touch on the drab side.
hartmancb's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
I was really excited to read this book and like many others thought the focus was more on activism, but then realized it was more about pleasure. The beginning of the book however didn’t set up the rest of the book right. I started off really excited and engaged and then wasn’t totally connected with a number of the essays and interviews. Like many others have pointed out, some pieces resonated more than others but it wasn’t as thought provoking as I expected it to be.
lexiefolkerts's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
2.5
I didn’t really know what to expect with this book, but it certainly wasn’t what I read. The beginning of the book was quite off-putting and a bit vulgar (for me personally). I like the very short chapter format and there were a few chapters that spoke to me in regards to maintaining positivity though activism or maintaining interpersonal relationship. I would recommend a hand full of chapters to friends, but that’s it.