aether's reviews
103 reviews

ADHD & Us: A Couple's Guide to Loving and Living with Adult ADHD by Anita Robertson

challenging informative fast-paced

5.0

This book spoke so directly to the experiences of both myself and my wife, as two people navigating a relationship where one has ADHD. Being seen so deeply was very validating, even if it was difficult to shed a light on the reality of some pieces of how I (as a person with ADHD) operate with a partner. The strategies in the book ranged from endearingly goofy to challenging & constructive. If you are a person with ADHD who is struggling to make your partner feel loved in the ways that matter, or you are the partner of someone with ADHD, I cannot recommend this book enough!!

Paradise Rot by Jenny Hval

challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

A fascinating novella filled with lush descriptions of a verdant world filled with decay and decomposition. A young, queer woman looking to find herself in a queerplatonic situation that threads a world of dreams and mystery. It was a short read, it definitely felt to me like Hval using it to process feelings of queerness through the vivid and putrid descriptions of growth.

The Genesis of Misery by Neon Yang

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.75

This book is Evangelion + The Locked Tomb + Wrath Goddess Sing. It contains such _beautiful_ descriptions of coming into technology so indescribable that it breaches the divine. Yang has such a way with words when describing destiny, the unknown, and the unknowable. The breaks in narration throughout were a little heavy-handed, and I wish there was _a little more_ to the ending. There's a tease at what could be a possibility for what is actually the case, but not enough that it makes me want to strongly introspect the rest of the book. I would recommend this in a HEARTBEAT for anyone who loves screwed up chosen one with absurd power who pilots a mech story line.

As Happy as Pirates or Burglars by Jemma Topaz

adventurous emotional lighthearted 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? No

3.5

Fun and sexy read about a band of space pirates bound by their desire to be bound. 

Vampire Blood Drive by Mira Ong Chua

emotional funny lighthearted 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? No

3.5

Cute fun lesbian vampire read! Lots of silly scenarios in modern times. Enjoyed it! 

Crossplay by Niki Smith

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? No

4.0

Cute graphic novel about a ton of different relationships at a con! 

To Own the Libs by Zoe Storm

emotional lighthearted tense medium-paced

4.0

This is such a cute and fun premise, and the story is handled wonderfully. It's fantastic to see Lily's progression, and it feels so organic. 

README.txt: A Memoir by Chelsea Manning

challenging dark informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

Chelsea does such an excellent job conveying the reason for the actions she took, and also the tremendous and extremely unreasonable retaliation that the government and military imparted on her as a result. All throughout the book is a clearly conveyed picture of what being closeted under an oppressive system looks like, and how evil systems like solitary confinement can be. Manning is *such* a good writer, I was crying by the end of this story. There's so much about her motives and intent that resonate with me.

Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Nonmonogamy by Jessica Fern

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

This is SUCH a useful guide for navigating any relationships, let alone polyamorous/CNM ones. Fern gives a great overview on attachment styles and polyamory, and then uses both of those topics to frame how best to approach relationships. The advice in these books would be beyond useful for monogamous folks too, but it becomes even more important when engaging in multiple relationships. The book help give me some terminology and labels which were useful for navigating the space and discussions with people I was interested in. This is a *must read* for anyone looking to engage in any form of CNM! Particularly the distinction between polyamory as a lifestyle and polyamory as an orientation - that distinction was an important one to recognize in my mind. 

Mate of Her Own by Elena Abbott

adventurous dark emotional 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

4.0

A wonderful sequel to A Pack Of Her Own! It was great to see some characters come back and some new characters added to the mix! I enjoyed the overarching theme of "how do we change the pack dynamic".