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alexenjoysthings's Reviews (383)
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly was one of my most anticipated reads for 2022 and it did not disappoint. The characters were fully fleshed and so real, the romantic tension made my stomach clench, and the spicy scenes were very hot (don’t let the cutesy cover fool you!). I love seeing a nonbinary character in a more main-stream romance, and London was written with such care and love. I felt seen. Plus, the cooking show aspect added drama I really enjoyed! This book became an instant favorite.
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
I definitely preferred this one to the previous one. It’s possible that I connected more strongly to this one, but it felt overall more hard-hitting and deeper, plus the lines were more like Amanda Lovelace’s usual impactful poetry.
This book is just inspiration porn and doesn't reflect real disabled lives. Please read own voices books instead.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Dalia Kinsey opens this book by talking about how white, heteronormative, and cisnormative most wellness books are and how the aim of the book was to be there for the people who don't fit in those narrow crevices. This book absolutely accomplished that. It was full of helpful tips and information showing not just how to be well but why we are unwell and how focusing on our wellness is an act of rebellion.
A quote that encapsulates the message and writing style of this book is "Our goal is not immortality through kale smoothies and carrot juice. We are here to live full, joyful, authentic lives. Any practice that we decide to take into our lives needs to be in alignment with that purpose. Instead of living under the delusion that we can achieve immortality through 'good behavior,' it is far more empowering to focus on treasuring the lives we have."
The only problems I found were that at times the writing seemed inaccessible, a bit too academic if someone wasn't familiar with this language. I also found the beginning to be a bit disorganized and repetitive, but it definitely improved in the second half.
Overall, this is a great read for people who want a wellness book that is culturally informed and understands how society impacts our health. I'm so excited for any future book Dalia Kinsey might release!
A quote that encapsulates the message and writing style of this book is "Our goal is not immortality through kale smoothies and carrot juice. We are here to live full, joyful, authentic lives. Any practice that we decide to take into our lives needs to be in alignment with that purpose. Instead of living under the delusion that we can achieve immortality through 'good behavior,' it is far more empowering to focus on treasuring the lives we have."
The only problems I found were that at times the writing seemed inaccessible, a bit too academic if someone wasn't familiar with this language. I also found the beginning to be a bit disorganized and repetitive, but it definitely improved in the second half.
Overall, this is a great read for people who want a wellness book that is culturally informed and understands how society impacts our health. I'm so excited for any future book Dalia Kinsey might release!
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Rachel Wiley is an artist with words. Her poetry was so unbelievably vivid; she created pictures with literary devices. Revenge Body explores a lot of different topics like fatness, race, family, abuse, and grief but the poems still flowed together well because Wiley has such a unique and strong voice. This is a wonderful poetry collection for every one who has been called an angry fat feminist and now holds that as a sign of power.
My favorite line from this collection was:
My favorite line from this collection was:
"My little girl heart with its stitched lace edges spent a fortune in waxy birthday wishes hoping to one day thrill my mother with my ability to magic myself steadily upright after one of her severings."
I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
I generally enjoy Amanda Lovelace’s poetry and I did like this one, but I think she’s done better. Her voice and storytelling are always consistently great but some of these poems felt flat and repetitive.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story captured toxic relationships, generational trauma, and identity in a stunning way. The characters felt so real and the writing painted vivid pictures. If this is on your TBR, make it a priority because it won’t disappoint.
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
It’s Instagram-style poetry with short phrases and a lot of line breaks, so if you don’t like that style, you won’t like this collection. If you do though, you’ll appreciate Upile’s beautiful language, strong voice, and creative arrangements. She has a way of cutting deep into the things most people hide and forcing them to confront it.
One of my favorite lines was:
One of my favorite lines was:
“I am sorry you watched your mother crawl out of her pride for a man who only half lover her.”
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
The artwork was beautiful and the book was funny and informative. I really enjoyed learning about each park and getting some of the insider tips. I recommend to anyone who appreciates nature and gets annoyed with frivolous complaints.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
I really enjoyed this collection. It includes a very diverse selection of writers writing about their relationships with their mothers, specifically what they don’t talk about. I think the selection and placements were very well balanced. There was a good mix between good mothers, bad mothers, and complicated mothers and how their children and other family members see their place as mothers.
I can’t pick a favorite story because I genuinely enjoyed all of them, but I can pick a favorite quote:
“There is a gaping hole perhaps for all of us, where our mother does not match up with ‘mother’ as we believe it’s meant to mean and all it’s meant to give us,” Pg 131, Lynn Steer Strong.