Scan barcode
moonyreadsbystarlight's reviews
576 reviews
Taking Turns: Stories from HIV/AIDS Care Unit 371 by MK Czerwiec
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
There is so much in this one little graphic novel. Taking Turns by MK Czerwiec is the story of an HIV/AIDS unit in Chicago, but it's also a memoir, in parts it is an oral history, and also an exploration of grief and death.
This was such a powerful book in so many ways. Of course each person's story has a power in its own right, but there is a lot more beyond that. This hospital was unique in how it embraced care of the whole patient, altering assumptions about carer/patient relationships, and focusing more on mental well-being. It's so radically different from how care is done in most health practices and seeing that by itself was incredible. Another big take-away for me was the discussion of grief, how she handled her emotions through art and some of the conversations she had with others.
There was so much of this that struck me as someone who has been trying to read deeply about this time period, but also on a personal level. I also think this lays out quite a bit about what AIDS is and the timeline of AIDS in the US in a really helpful way. I highly recommend this for anyone, but I especially think that it's good for those who are just starting to learn about the AIDS epidemic.
This was such a powerful book in so many ways. Of course each person's story has a power in its own right, but there is a lot more beyond that. This hospital was unique in how it embraced care of the whole patient, altering assumptions about carer/patient relationships, and focusing more on mental well-being. It's so radically different from how care is done in most health practices and seeing that by itself was incredible. Another big take-away for me was the discussion of grief, how she handled her emotions through art and some of the conversations she had with others.
There was so much of this that struck me as someone who has been trying to read deeply about this time period, but also on a personal level. I also think this lays out quite a bit about what AIDS is and the timeline of AIDS in the US in a really helpful way. I highly recommend this for anyone, but I especially think that it's good for those who are just starting to learn about the AIDS epidemic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Homophobia, and Medical content
Moderate: Blood
I Hope We Choose Love: A Trans Girl's Notes from the End of the World by Kai Cheng Thom
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
4.0
This collection of essays and poetry is about queer community, how we love and what we can do to love better and be the key to each other's thriving (not just survival). She lays bare the ways in which people fail to love each other fully, gives us a look into ways people do love and continue to love, and (most importantly) asks us to imagine a world where we do embrace love and to think about how we can get there.
There were a couple of pieces that I wish she had expanded on more or made certain points more clear, but there were so many amazing essays in here! I'm definitely excited to check out her other works.
There were a couple of pieces that I wish she had expanded on more or made certain points more clear, but there were so many amazing essays in here! I'm definitely excited to check out her other works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Transphobia
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, and Violence
Doughnuts Under a Crescent Moon Vol. 4 by Shio Usui
emotional
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
A sweet slow burn work romance! There were some good side plots woth friends and family that I also really enjoyed. I'm glad to have found a Yuri with adults and I thought it was cool to see these kinds of characters. While they don't use this language in the books, it's pretty clear that these are neurodivergent ace lesbians (Asahi, probably being aro-spec too). I'm also a sucker for the moon so that thread on parts of the series also had my heart.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow by Emma Steinkellner
adventurous
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Racism
Tidesong by Wendy Xu
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was an adorable book with some really pretty, often very detailed art. The premise at face value seems like it might be something that has been done but there was a twist that made it much more fresh. There are some really important topics in this that are covered really seamlessly and age-appropriately, including: anxiety, communication, trauma, forgiveness, and accountability.
It seems like the author carefully thought out a lot about this world and I really hope we get to see more of it in future projects!
It seems like the author carefully thought out a lot about this world and I really hope we get to see more of it in future projects!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Bullying and Mental illness
Miss Major Speaks: The Life and Times of a Black Trans Revolutionary by Miss Major Griffin-Gracy
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
5.0
I'm not sure that I can really do this book justice through a review, but here's my attempt. Suffice it to say, this is one you need to check out!
Miss Major Speaks takes us through candid conversations with a legendary queer elder and activist. She introduces us to some key people and events that impacted her life and politics, while showing us how conditions for trans women of color have (and haven't) changed.
There is so much happening in this small book but a few key things: She heavily critiques the focus on representation (tokenizing and assimilation) that have remained an issue throughout her time and has relegated the most marginalized to the back. The majority of her conversations also go back to issues with the prison and policing. Of course these two points begin together in her discussion of the Stonewall riots and the way that the story of what followed is (mis)remembered today - but that is just where the conversation begins.
It was really incredible to see so many parts of queer history that I've read about before come together through one person's life. So many things can feel like they happened so long ago until you hear someone who is still around talk about it. The choice to make most of this just conversations rather than one narrative throughout adds to this, as it feels like you're right there listening. The introduction does have more of a linear structure that frames the conversation and gives necessary background, but the discussion is really where the history comes to life.
This isn't a 101 text or an explainer - this is the raw, honest conversation of someone who has lived life and has payed attention to these parts of history that have gone on and how they connect. So go into this book to learn but if you are less educated on trans issues or the prison industrial complex, I would not be inclined to tell you to read this as a primary introduction - but it should be on your list. This sort of wisdom from someone who has lived through all of this is invaluable.
Miss Major Speaks takes us through candid conversations with a legendary queer elder and activist. She introduces us to some key people and events that impacted her life and politics, while showing us how conditions for trans women of color have (and haven't) changed.
There is so much happening in this small book but a few key things: She heavily critiques the focus on representation (tokenizing and assimilation) that have remained an issue throughout her time and has relegated the most marginalized to the back. The majority of her conversations also go back to issues with the prison and policing. Of course these two points begin together in her discussion of the Stonewall riots and the way that the story of what followed is (mis)remembered today - but that is just where the conversation begins.
It was really incredible to see so many parts of queer history that I've read about before come together through one person's life. So many things can feel like they happened so long ago until you hear someone who is still around talk about it. The choice to make most of this just conversations rather than one narrative throughout adds to this, as it feels like you're right there listening. The introduction does have more of a linear structure that frames the conversation and gives necessary background, but the discussion is really where the history comes to life.
This isn't a 101 text or an explainer - this is the raw, honest conversation of someone who has lived life and has payed attention to these parts of history that have gone on and how they connect. So go into this book to learn but if you are less educated on trans issues or the prison industrial complex, I would not be inclined to tell you to read this as a primary introduction - but it should be on your list. This sort of wisdom from someone who has lived through all of this is invaluable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Police brutality, and Medical trauma
Sensory: Life on the Spectrum by Bex Ollerton, Schnumn
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
As with many anthologies, some parts were stronger than others. Some I really loved and some were more okay. But over all, this was a good read! It's got a lot that will be good for many autistic people to feel seen, but it's also very good for people who aren't familiar with autism at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Racism and Self harm
The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Racism and Colonisation
The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag by Sasha Velour
informative
inspiring
reflective
5.0
I went into this book, hoping it would be great but completely content if it was incredibly mediocre (if Sahsa Velour wrote it, I wanted to read it regardless). And it was better than I ever could have wanted! There is an incredible amount of history, some in the far past but much in our recent history, that is incredible to have in one place. The memoir elements were well written and compelling. It framed the whole manifesto - the history, the theory, the art - really wonderfully, giving insight on the author but also showing the impact of the history and the art.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent