Reviews

Bad Habit by Alana S. Portero

joiyu's review against another edition

challenging dark sad medium-paced

3.0

bmk215's review against another edition

4.0

Lyrical coming of age story set in 1980s Madrid of a queer woman trying to find herself. This is the time of Spain’s transformation from dictatorship to democracy and also Alex’s transformation from young man to a woman.

asgoncalves's review against another edition

dark emotional funny 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? Yes

5.0

bonnie_the_book_lady's review against another edition

emotional informative sad tense fast-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

5.0

This is a masterpiece. Bad Habit follows her trans woman’s life from the time she was four through the 1980s and 1990s. Her working class Madrid neighborhood had a heroin problem and quite a bit of toxic masculinity, especially in packs. But she knew she wasn’t like that. She loved to spin and dance. Even as a child, she knew she the balance of expressing her true self while staying safe, must be top priority. During adolescence, she fell in love. During mid to late teens, she met mentors. She saw and felt the trauma these women had endured. As her journey continued, the gut shredding emotions were stripped bare. The ending was poignant and perfect. Almost every trigger warning applies. This book isn’t for the faint of heart. But oh, my. Am I ever glad it found me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, and Sexual harassment

mrsloudlibrarian's review against another edition

emotional 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? Yes

4.0

paienpoesie's review against another edition

4.0

Muy emocionante la experiencia del audiolibro narrada por la autora. No sé si hubiera sido lo mismo de haberlo leído sin más.

Me ha emocionado muchas veces.
La experiencia de las mujeres trans es durísima.
Creo que hubiera sido bueno leerlo en conjunto porque hay muchas escenas que me encantaría comentar.

jsoliveira's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad tense 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? No

4.25

stoofoonie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

jadechii's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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

5.0

orrsi's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

4.0