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3littlewordz's reviews
178 reviews
Weightless: Making Space for My Resilient Body and Soul by Evette Dionne
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Grief is for People by Sloane Crosley
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
4.25
The writing in this memoir was profound - to write about loss and grief so beautifully without being incredibly heavy is difficult but Sloane Crosley achieved it. I loved the interplay of learning more about Sloan's friendship with her best friend Russell and the robbery that precedes his death. I had to rewind the audiobook so many times to soak in the quotables - two of my faves:
"If you don't change, change will find you in its most unruly form. It will press down on your vulnerability until they squish out the edges. Life needs volunteers or else it will start calling on people at random."
"The needs of the living are more important than the wants of the dead."
This was a quick listen - I strongly suggest the audiobook version!
"If you don't change, change will find you in its most unruly form. It will press down on your vulnerability until they squish out the edges. Life needs volunteers or else it will start calling on people at random."
"The needs of the living are more important than the wants of the dead."
This was a quick listen - I strongly suggest the audiobook version!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Grief
The Fraud by Zadie Smith
emotional
funny
informative
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Fraud by Zadie Smith was a surprisingly enjoyable read. I picked this up because it mentioned chattel slavery in Jamaica, and I am working to learn more about my ancestry. The book was based on historical events, centering around the trial of Arthur Orton, who attempted to claim the estate of Sir Roger Tichborne. Andrew Bogle, a formally enslaved man from Jamaica, testified on Arthur Orton's behalf. Smith used many historical references to develop and flesh out this fictionalized account and explored various themes - can you be considered a fraud when you genuinely believe in what you're saying? If you have to essentially become 'a fraud' to survive as Andrew Bogle did? Pertaining to Eliza, are you being fraudulent to yourself when you don't fully live in your truth, particularly when you would have to fight against so many norms to do so?
The story also addressed mob mentality in such a fantastic way. One statement summed it up so succinctly: "But such dry and inconvenient facts were of no consequence here, in the ocean of feeling."
The mention of Hope Plantation and Sam Sharpe led me to research further some prominent figures in Jamaica's history of slavery rebellions, which I appreciated. I understand that the plot structure may not have worked for many readers. At times it was offputting how often the story seemed to boomerang between past and present. But overall, I enjoyed the story, once I got through the first several chapters. I did NOT like most of the characters BUT the way the story was developed kept me engaged.
The story also addressed mob mentality in such a fantastic way. One statement summed it up so succinctly: "But such dry and inconvenient facts were of no consequence here, in the ocean of feeling."
The mention of Hope Plantation and Sam Sharpe led me to research further some prominent figures in Jamaica's history of slavery rebellions, which I appreciated. I understand that the plot structure may not have worked for many readers. At times it was offputting how often the story seemed to boomerang between past and present. But overall, I enjoyed the story, once I got through the first several chapters. I did NOT like most of the characters BUT the way the story was developed kept me engaged.
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Slow burn at the beginning, but my goodness, once I got to Ness's story, I couldn't put it down! Such an engrossing story that explored the generational trauma that slavery inflicted. It was easy to identify the common familial thread through several generations. It was heartbreaking at times but always hopeful. I would have loved to see each generation more fleshed out for a truly epic novel - I love big books, I can't lie! I'm very ready to Yaa Gyasi's second offering.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, and War
Ride or Die: A Feminist Manifesto for the Well-Being of Black Women by Shanita Hubbard
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Mix classic hip hop lines with a comprehensive, in-depth critique of the 'ride or die' concept so deeply entrenched in some parts of our culture and you have Shanita Hubbard's debut nonfiction work, Ride or Die. Hubbard mixes in personal experiences with hard data on the impact to our women from these well-celebrated archetypes.
Being a huge lover of hip-hop myself, I've long battled with my love of the culture, artists, and songs and the troubling, problematic themes that are at times reinforced through the music and lifestyle (I know, I know, #notallsongs 😂). It's of course easier to just bop your head and ignore the lyrics, but every once in a while, we must acknowledge how the music and culture influence how we interact with community.
While I may not agree with every assertion, I simply loved Hubbard's writing style and how she developed her treatise on black women and harmful themes. I look forward to any future work from Shanita!
Being a huge lover of hip-hop myself, I've long battled with my love of the culture, artists, and songs and the troubling, problematic themes that are at times reinforced through the music and lifestyle (I know, I know, #notallsongs 😂). It's of course easier to just bop your head and ignore the lyrics, but every once in a while, we must acknowledge how the music and culture influence how we interact with community.
While I may not agree with every assertion, I simply loved Hubbard's writing style and how she developed her treatise on black women and harmful themes. I look forward to any future work from Shanita!
James by Percival Everett
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
FIVE STARS!!! This retelling of Huckleberry Finn from Jim's perspective was a masterpiece! Instant classic. Everett gave agency to the enslaved James (his chosen name) where the world pushed to strip it from him wherever possible. The story demonstrated the still very much current requirement to code-switch that so many Black people in America feel compelled to do. I never felt a need to re-read Huckleberry Finn but I know I'll revisit James again and again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Rape, Slavery, Violence, and Trafficking
Moderate: Physical abuse, Racism, Torture, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Parable of the Talents, the second in the Earthseed series by the incomparable Octavia Butler, broke me down and built me back up in so many different ways. In my buddy-read discussions and research, I learned that Ronald Reagan was Butler's inspiration for Jarret, but it could easily be DJT if Earthseed had been written in 2016. Near prophetic is the best phrase for how Butler captured Jarret and his fanatics, "Jarret's Crusaders", and their comparison to DJT's followers. But I think Butler was also showing society's natural degeneration with Reagan (and DJT), his acolytes, and the apathy of the rest of the US population if left unchecked. 'Talents' in particular is a forewarning of what happens when too many people look the other way and expect someone else to do it.
My only detraction is the end of the novel, which felt pretty rushed to me. I'm not fond of using an epilogue to explain large sections of the story.
I wish Octavia would have been able to write her third planned book in the series. I know it would have been mind-blowing.
I wish Octavia would have been able to write her third planned book in the series. I know it would have been mind-blowing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia, Trafficking, and War
Hood Wellness by Tamela J. Gordon
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
How do we approach wellness with limited funds? How do we build a sustainable community when we've been displaced? During isolation in a pandemic? Hood Wellness by Tamela Gordon explores this through Gordon’s personal stories and those of some amazing humans. I was particularly struck by Holly's story from both Tami's and Holly's perspectives - I work in clinical research and want to do my tiny piece to move the needle on one of the very issues Holly raised.
This book won't give you simple tips on Self-care Sunday (although she does encourage whatever ritual you'd like to pursue) nor does the author plug surface-level quick fixes to make you feel good for a little while. It goes beyond the superficiality that can come with the billion-dollar wellness industry and emphasizes the hard work of healing in all of its forms and with all of its potential ugliness.
This book made me think about how, at times, I view self-care and wellness through a shallow lens and ways to dive deeper into true wellness and community. This is a wonderful addition to your arsenal of books on true wholeness, communal wellness, and self-care.
This book won't give you simple tips on Self-care Sunday (although she does encourage whatever ritual you'd like to pursue) nor does the author plug surface-level quick fixes to make you feel good for a little while. It goes beyond the superficiality that can come with the billion-dollar wellness industry and emphasizes the hard work of healing in all of its forms and with all of its potential ugliness.
This book made me think about how, at times, I view self-care and wellness through a shallow lens and ways to dive deeper into true wellness and community. This is a wonderful addition to your arsenal of books on true wholeness, communal wellness, and self-care.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I can't believe how hyped this is.
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I was utterly spellbound reading Parable of the Sower. There was an uncomfortable level of parallels between the book Octavia Butler wrote in 1993 to society today, particularly after starting this book for the first time on July 20, 2024. Even at her young age, Lauren Olamina knew that society would continue to devolve, even when the adults in her neighborhood kept their heads in the sand. The book was unsettling for me for so many reasons, most importantly because I am not ready for this type of collapse of society, and we're incredibly close to this occurring if things don't change SOON. Octavia's vision was so easy to visualize because we're so close to it!
Lauren's narration was clear and poignant - she knew what was coming, and knew what to do when the time came. She also had a quiet, determined resolve that made her a survivor and contributed to her philosophy. She also welcomed community/chosen family, even in circumstances where trusting new people could prove deadly.
I did wonder why Earthseed was approached as a religion instead of a philosophy. It would seem "God is change" and her assertion that her 'religion' was change wouldn't rise to the definition of a religion, but I'm looking at it from my understanding of religion. She spoke a bit about Destiny being among the stars and at times it did seem she meant this literally, so maybe that's where religion comes in. Bankole actually mentioned this during her first explanation of Earthseed.
My only ick is the age gap between Lauren and Bankole. This is the second book of Octavia's that I've read where she introduces either an actual large age gap or the appearance of one. This is one of the few tropes I hate to see in books. I understand that Lauren probably gravitated to Bankole because he reminded her of her father, but no. Nah. I don't want to see it. I want to read more of Octavia's work, but not if that will continue to be included.
I wonder what a newer version of this story (complete with the influence of social media) would look like.... how much mis- and disinformation would be included to make everything 1000x worse. Either way, this work can be utilized as a look into the future, both as a warning and a deterrent. I hope as many people as possible take it as such.
Lauren's narration was clear and poignant - she knew what was coming, and knew what to do when the time came. She also had a quiet, determined resolve that made her a survivor and contributed to her philosophy. She also welcomed community/chosen family, even in circumstances where trusting new people could prove deadly.
My only ick is the age gap between Lauren and Bankole. This is the second book of Octavia's that I've read where she introduces either an actual large age gap or the appearance of one. This is one of the few tropes I hate to see in books. I understand that Lauren probably gravitated to Bankole because he reminded her of her father, but no. Nah. I don't want to see it. I want to read more of Octavia's work, but not if that will continue to be included.
I wonder what a newer version of this story (complete with the influence of social media) would look like.... how much mis- and disinformation would be included to make everything 1000x worse. Either way, this work can be utilized as a look into the future, both as a warning and a deterrent. I hope as many people as possible take it as such.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, and Trafficking