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Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'
The Girl, the Ring, and the Baseball Bat by Camille Gomera-Tavarez
2 reviews
zennyreads's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
"Alone was the last place I wanted to be. I'd had enough alone for two lifetimes. Not that I didn't appreciate it. Alone had been there for me when I needed her. When I got lost, alone was the home I'd always have to turn back to."
Something about this quote from my favorite character of this novel, Zeke, resonates with me and changes the way I've seen the word 'alone'. Being alone, doesn't mean that one's lonely. Solitude makes someone stronger with time and counting on it like how Zeke goes back to writing his beautiful poetry whenever he needs to express his feelings.
Three magical items - wearing a pink jacket will make someone listen to you, make someone fall in love with you by placing the ring on their finger, a baseball bat that can break things and fix them all over again. I found the pairing of the magical elements to Rosie, Caro and Zeke were really fitting and how it eventually develops onto their growth and decisions by exploring these abilities given to them.
This novel tackles grief, family complexity and overcoming challenges, fighting through injustice really delicately yet powerfully. The conversations and adventures about astrology, discovering queer identities and growing through facing their own challenges in this novel were engaging and moving that filled me with absolute joy. It feels like I've been brought back to my times as a teenager for sure!
There are various representations of diversity that features Syrian, Dominician & Afro-Latinx characters and also queer identities like sapphic, aroace and bisexual representations which I love seeing! Other side characters that I adore so much are Rishi and Ash, very supportive characters that won my heart and helped the trio with mending their hardships!
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Thank you Hear Our Voices Tour for the digital copy of The Girl, The Ring & The Baseball Bat, and Camille Gomera-Tavarez for writing this book!
Something about this quote from my favorite character of this novel, Zeke, resonates with me and changes the way I've seen the word 'alone'. Being alone, doesn't mean that one's lonely. Solitude makes someone stronger with time and counting on it like how Zeke goes back to writing his beautiful poetry whenever he needs to express his feelings.
Three magical items - wearing a pink jacket will make someone listen to you, make someone fall in love with you by placing the ring on their finger, a baseball bat that can break things and fix them all over again. I found the pairing of the magical elements to Rosie, Caro and Zeke were really fitting and how it eventually develops onto their growth and decisions by exploring these abilities given to them.
This novel tackles grief, family complexity and overcoming challenges, fighting through injustice really delicately yet powerfully. The conversations and adventures about astrology, discovering queer identities and growing through facing their own challenges in this novel were engaging and moving that filled me with absolute joy. It feels like I've been brought back to my times as a teenager for sure!
There are various representations of diversity that features Syrian, Dominician & Afro-Latinx characters and also queer identities like sapphic, aroace and bisexual representations which I love seeing! Other side characters that I adore so much are Rishi and Ash, very supportive characters that won my heart and helped the trio with mending their hardships!
-
Thank you Hear Our Voices Tour for the digital copy of The Girl, The Ring & The Baseball Bat, and Camille Gomera-Tavarez for writing this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Classism
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Addiction, Violence, and Alcoholism
yasidiaz's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
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
This is the first book I got sent over to review and because of that, it will have a special place in my heart.
However, that doesn't mean I am not going to be objective about this book. I loved the characters from the get-go, especially Zeke who is my absolute favorite. But it didn't exactly pull me in immediately. I liked it but I didn't yet love it. As a Puerto Rican, a Caribbean, there are so many things I was able to relate to and appreciate about the characters and their stories. But it wasn't until I was about 75% into the story that I found myself actually loving the story and being unable to let it go.
It felt slow at times during the first three-quarters of the book, and although the pace went back up towards the end, I would have enjoyed the book more if it had been like that since the start or at least a lot sooner. It's honestly the only reason why this is getting 4.5 stars instead of 5.
Again, the strength of this book it's the characters and their relationships to each other. Zeke is my boy and I'll do anything for him. From queer tortured poet to another queer tortured poet. Rosie's and Caro's relationships felt so realistic to me, from how complicated yet strong their bond was, to their contrasting personalities. Caro was the most complicated character for me, but I loved her nonetheless, she's ruthless, and takes bullshit from anyone, but that doesn't mean she doesn't need her mom's love and acceptance.
And as much I love going on and about the importance of stories with supportive parental figures, especially in BIPOC queer stories, it doesn't negate the need for stories with complicating parental figures. It is important to talk about this, especially from the perspective of BIPOC authors, as they can do this without the demonization of BIPOC parents, which I grew up seeing being perpetuated by white creators way too many times.
However, that doesn't mean I am not going to be objective about this book. I loved the characters from the get-go, especially Zeke who is my absolute favorite. But it didn't exactly pull me in immediately. I liked it but I didn't yet love it. As a Puerto Rican, a Caribbean, there are so many things I was able to relate to and appreciate about the characters and their stories. But it wasn't until I was about 75% into the story that I found myself actually loving the story and being unable to let it go.
It felt slow at times during the first three-quarters of the book, and although the pace went back up towards the end, I would have enjoyed the book more if it had been like that since the start or at least a lot sooner. It's honestly the only reason why this is getting 4.5 stars instead of 5.
Again, the strength of this book it's the characters and their relationships to each other. Zeke is my boy and I'll do anything for him. From queer tortured poet to another queer tortured poet. Rosie's and Caro's relationships felt so realistic to me, from how complicated yet strong their bond was, to their contrasting personalities. Caro was the most complicated character for me, but I loved her nonetheless, she's ruthless, and takes bullshit from anyone, but that doesn't mean she doesn't need her mom's love and acceptance.
And as much I love going on and about the importance of stories with supportive parental figures, especially in BIPOC queer stories, it doesn't negate the need for stories with complicating parental figures. It is important to talk about this, especially from the perspective of BIPOC authors, as they can do this without the demonization of BIPOC parents, which I grew up seeing being perpetuated by white creators way too many times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Alcoholism and Sexual harassment
Minor: Addiction
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