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allymute's reviews
299 reviews
Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Besides, Who Would Believe a Prisoner?: Indiana Women's Carceral Institutions, 1848-1920 by The Indiana The Indiana Women's Prison History Project
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
"Who Would Believe a Prisoner?" is an incise record and analysis of the first women's carceral facilities in Indiana, and how the violence of those institutions affect current women in facilities. The book is broken into three parts: Indiana's first prisons/reformatories, control over women's sexuality, and House of the Good Shepherd. The incarcerated scholars have unearthed critical pieces of Indiana history.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Medical trauma
Thirst by Marina Yuszczuk
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thirst exquisitely builds its environment - Buenos Aires in the novel's two timelines is so rich and realized. Much of the novel's emotional conflict lies in women's morally questionable obstinance in a world that requires their obedience. The mingling of violence and sex is hubristic, fun, and nasty. I wish there were more of those scenes!
My main qualm with the structure of this novel is that the women meeting feels rushed. A little more time with them together would've been more satisfying. This is still an exciting, sexy, and sad novel.
My main qualm with the structure of this novel is that the women meeting feels rushed. A little more time with them together would've been more satisfying. This is still an exciting, sexy, and sad novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide attempt
Gay Girl Prayers by Emily Austin
challenging
emotional
funny
fast-paced
3.75
Some of these poems were quite intimate and marvelous, but the collection as a whole has a scattered tone.
Poūkahangatus by Tayi Tibble
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
A lovely collection on Māori womanhood plays with the horrors and power of the feminine divine in mythology. I am looking forward to engaging with more of Tibble's work.
Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
3.5
Irby's fifth book is a delight and maintains her gross humor. These essays don't connect to one another as much as in the other books, but I still has a good time listening to the audiobook.
D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
A sexy and fun romance that builds itself up through dialogue. It was a breezy read!
Perfume & Pain by Anna Dorn
adventurous
challenging
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Perfume and Pain centers Astrid Dahl, an LA based lesbian writer who is recovering from her mild cancellation. As various women weave in and out of her life, Astrid is grating and thought provoking, a walking contradiction. When I thought the story would fizzle out, Anna Dorn keeps the reader entertained. Like the 20th Century lesbian pulp it pays homage to, Perfume and Pain is both repulsive and delicious.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for the ebook ARC.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for the ebook ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Emotional abuse, and Drug abuse
Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-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? Yes
3.25
Rita Mae Brown's seminal 1973 novel is delightful and subversive. I get why Molly Bolt is canonical - she is a strong-willed and dynamic character. Unfortunately, I wanted more substance, and the novel's structure was all over the place. When the story hits its stride, it is too close to the end. I still think it's worth reading, but I was left wanting more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship