alexenjoysthings's Reviews (383)

People of Pride: 25 Great LGBTQ Americans

2.0

fast-paced

This book unfortunately is full of multiple problems. Like many other reviewers have mentioned, it deadnames a trans man and uses very outdated language by saying he was "born in a girl's body." I also don't agree with some of the choices in people displayed; it's like telling queer youth "You too can be a bully or class traitor." The design is also quite lacking. It would be much better if there were illustrations instead of photographs. I also feel like the language is much younger than the targeted audience. I truly wanted to like this book, but overall, I cannot recommend it.

After the Rain

Nnedi Okorafor

3.0

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

It was definitely a good October read! I'm not a horror reader, but I'm trying to get more into it and this book really scared me, both in storytelling and art. It was also really nice to see Nigerian mythology in a story; I haven't seen that as much, but it's really interesting! I did feel like the story was rushed and the ending didn't make much sense to me. It also didn't make sense to me why the protagonist is a cop. I like Nnedi Okorafor's storytelling and I think I'd like her full novels more.

Girls Can Kiss Now: Essays

Jill Gutowitz

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

This book was hilarious, heart-breaking, thought-provoking, and anger-inducing. I'm obsessed. Every queer girl interested in pop culture needs to read this immediately.

What the Moon Gave Her

Christi Steyn

2.0

fast-paced

I should have read some of her poetry before reading this. I picked it up because of the pretty cover, the inside does not do the cover justice. These are the most basic, cliched poems with no rhythm or meaning. I like instagram poetry generally, but this was like reading a middle schooler’s assigned poetry that they did the night before. If you want an example of her style, I feel her poem “Goodbye” does a good job showcasing.

I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Something to Talk About

Meryl Wilsner

4.0

hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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: Complicated

Overall, very cute romance. The characters were very well developed and felt real. I think the author didn't completely get asthma or Judaism right, but that happens when you're writing something you don't experience.

You Don't Have to Be Everything: Poems for Girls Becoming Themselves

Diana Whitney

2.5

emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

This is a very mixed collection. There are some good poems, but a lot were meh or even bad. The artwork was stunning. My biggest problem is that it harolds itself as an lgbtq+ inclusive collection, but includes a bioessentialist poem by a terf (The Period Poem by Dominique Christina). Also, like other people have said, it's very annoying that some of the poems are sideways. Some of the poems don't seem to fit the book's feminist message; Growing Up by Melody Lee is very "not like other girls". Overall, I can't recommend this book.