moonyreadsbystarlight's reviews
576 reviews

The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs: The Untold Story of a Lost World by Stephen Brusatte

informative

3.75

The Bride Was a Boy by Chii

hopeful informative lighthearted

3.25

 This was a cute, simple memoir that included informational sections as well. 

Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 3 by Kamome Shirahama

adventurous

5.0

Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 2 by Kamome Shirahama

adventurous

4.5

Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 1 by Kamome Shirahama

adventurous fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

The Way of the Househusband, Vol. 1 by Kousuke Oono

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

 Very charming! Funny and cute. Definitely interested to read more 

What You Are Getting Wrong About Appalachia by Elizabeth Catte

informative tense

5.0

This book includes history of Appalachia and the history of how Appalachia has been misrepresented. While it is short, it holds an incredible amount of information. If you have read, seen, or even considered <i>Hillbilly Elegy</i>, you need to read this. Appalachia goes far beyond the white conservative population that is incorrectly painted as the majority. This goes into the profoundly racist history of journalism featuring Appalachia and Vance's narrative and personal relationship to it. There is also discussion of the rich leftist revolutionary action that has come out of Appalachia in the face of abuse and terror from coal companies (history that I never learned even a little bit about in school, despite being a stone's throw away from South Central Appalachia). Not only does a lot of the common narrative about Appalachia wholly misrepresent what has happened, but it is deeply rooted in white supremacist and eugenicist ideologies. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Moderate: Gun violence and Murder

There is one instance in particular that details a grieving mother and a desecrated gravesite of her child.

Heart Berries: A Memoir by Terese Marie Mailhot

emotional reflective sad

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Abortion and Death of parent

A child is also taken away by the courts

Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

This book was adorable, but does far more than the trope in the title will tell you. On top of a perfectly cute romace plot, we get to see more into other aspects of these characters' lives. There are (two very different) complex family relationships, a discussion of religion and culture, and a look at friendship. This explored some tough topics while maintaining the lightness of a YA romance.

Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala

emotional funny lighthearted

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

 There was so much I really loved about this. I loved the characters and the backdrop of cosplay. The story goes from being in the present day to having chapters that flash back and I think this was utalized really well! There were some details that were a little too convenient in the end, but it was still a really great time.