alexenjoysthings's Reviews (386)

What's Up, Beanie?: Acutely Relatable Comics

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

This is an absolutely adorable slice of life comic collection. It's written as a conversation from the author to a younger version of herself reflecting through her life and is split into 3 sections: Baby, Teenager, and Adult. I hadn't seen much of this artist's work before, but now I absolutely want to see more. It's cute, relatable, funny, and, at times, a little emotional. I absolutely recommend.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Gudetama: Mindfulness for the Lazy

Wook-Jin Clark

5.0

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

This comic doesn't offer revolutionary advice, but teaches mindfulness in a succinct, easy-to-consume, and utterly adorable way.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts

Rebecca Hall

5.0

dark informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

This is a difficult book to read, but very worth it. It sheds light on an aspect of history that is often washed over or downright hidden in the American education system, while also showing both the microaggressions and trauma that come from being a Black slavery historian. It is a powerful story and one that should be required reading. I'm not the biggest fan of this kind of art style, but it works well for the seriousness of this book.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warnings

So You Want To Build a Library

Lindsay Leslie

5.0

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

This is such an adorable book to get kids excited for the library and to have them train their imaginative muscles.

Living with Mochi

Gené Gemma

5.0

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

This is such an adorable comic collection. The art is adorable and I love Mochi's characterization. I recommend to any pet parent.

Bingo Love Volume 1: Jackpot Edition

Paulina Ganucheau, Gail Simone, Marguerite Bennett, Sara Alfageeh, Shawn Pryor, Beverly Johnson, Ariela Kristantina, Tee Franklin, Jenn St-Onge

3.0

lighthearted 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: Complicated

It was cute, but very fast paced in a way that made it seem rushed and disjointed.

Content Warnings

ABC of Gender Identity

Devika Dalal

5.0

informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

This is a really cute book for people that want to raise queer informed children. The parents guide in the back is perfect and very helpful as to how to approach the topic with one's children I love the mix of common and uncommon identities in a way that lends no judgement.

Honey Girl

Morgan Rogers

5.0

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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: Yes

Honey Girl is a millennial coming-of-age book for adults with a romantic underbelly. It features a black lesbian main character who just finished her PhD in astronomy and is trying to figure life out; part of this figuring out also includes figuring out where the girl she drunkenly met in Vegas fits into her life plan. This was such a wonderfully emotional read with a cast of characters that felt so real, flawed, and loveable. The queer found families are so beautiful and the familial relationships are so honest and raw. The writing is poetic and stunning. I would recommend this book to every person that feels lost in the never ending expanse of the universe.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warnings

Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women

Maya Angelou

5.0

challenging dark hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

Content Warnings

The Vanishing Half

Brit Bennett

3.5

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-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

I really disliked the way the trans character was written. I also found issues with pacing and the time jumps were confusing and the ending was unsatisfying, but my overall issue is that the author really didn't handle the queer characters with care at all. It had some really good parts and is good for reflection on colorism and the idea of passing.

Content Warnings

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