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arijwl's reviews
213 reviews
Family Meal by Bryan Washington
5.0
Where to even begin with Family Meal? God, I adore this book. It's raw, uncomfortable, and caring in the best way. I'm a sucker for reconciliation, and the journey to that reconciliation was so grounded. Nothing about this book is insincere, and I really appreciate that.
It took me a bit to get into Bryan Washington's writing style (I do wish there was standard punctuation), but once I did I couldn't set this book down. I loved all the characters and their flaws. Their forgiveness...
Just lovely.
"Sometimes the best we can do is live for each other...It's enough. Even if it seems like it isn't. Ultimately, it takes all of these people to make one person's life okay. One person can't do it for you by themselves."
It took me a bit to get into Bryan Washington's writing style (I do wish there was standard punctuation), but once I did I couldn't set this book down. I loved all the characters and their flaws. Their forgiveness...
Just lovely.
"Sometimes the best we can do is live for each other...It's enough. Even if it seems like it isn't. Ultimately, it takes all of these people to make one person's life okay. One person can't do it for you by themselves."
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar
3.0
I wanted to love this book more than I did. There was so much hype, but it was just too abstract for me. It felt directionless at times and not solely due to the time skips.
I truly love flowery prose, but idk this book had me annoyed. I don’t feel like the progression of the main character’s feelings made much sense. I guess you could say I have mixed feelings though because I’ll admit it—
I loved the ending, the shockingly intricate decoding of messages, and the character descriptions. I am glad that I finished it but probably won’t re-read it or recommend it. I think it’d be a cool tv show. The concept is so cool and romantic, just needed better execution.
I truly love flowery prose, but idk this book had me annoyed. I don’t feel like the progression of the main character’s feelings made much sense. I guess you could say I have mixed feelings though because I’ll admit it—
I loved the ending, the shockingly intricate decoding of messages, and the character descriptions. I am glad that I finished it but probably won’t re-read it or recommend it. I think it’d be a cool tv show. The concept is so cool and romantic, just needed better execution.
Doctor Aphra by Sarah Kuhn
5.0
WOAH! Y'all this audiobook is fire. It's a full cast with sound effects and everything. Doctor Aphra, this ridiculous genius morally gray lesbian, has my entire heart. She's so messy for getting involved with Darth Vader *and* being a heartbreaker. Plot had me on my toes, and overall I just had a blast.
Love in Colour: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold by Bolu Babalola
5.0
Bolu Babalola, I love everything you write. I re-read most of these stories right after I finished them. Such an intriguing and satisfying collection of stories, and the audiobook was perfection.
The Stonewall Reader by The New York Public Library
5.0
This book is so impactful. A dynamic collection of iconic Queer figures that I feel eternally grateful for!
(I listened to the audiobook that had a full cast, and some of the narrators wrote their chapter so that was amazing.)
(I listened to the audiobook that had a full cast, and some of the narrators wrote their chapter so that was amazing.)
Finna: Poems by Nate Marshall
4.5
This was a gorgeous collection of poems that reminds me how much I love being Black.
“my hope is like my language is like my people: it’s Black
& it’s brown & it’s alive
& it’s laughing & it’s growing & it’s alive
& it’s learning & it’s alive & it’s fighting & it’s alive
& it’s finna
take on this wide world
with a whole slang for possibility.”
“my hope is like my language is like my people: it’s Black
& it’s brown & it’s alive
& it’s laughing & it’s growing & it’s alive
& it’s learning & it’s alive & it’s fighting & it’s alive
& it’s finna
take on this wide world
with a whole slang for possibility.”
Only and Forever by Chloe Liese
5.0
The only other book in this series I've read is Everything for You, but I got to know Viggo since he's pretty close to Oliver, so I was very excited to see this loveable homeless romantic have his moment. Chloe Liese did not disappoint; she does a great job with the whole sunshine x grumpy trope! It felt like more than that, though. There were so many elements in this book that just hit the spot for me, and I fell in love with both Tallulah and Viggo so quickly. Their romance felt tender and progressed very naturally even if it was overly cheesy at times.
Also have to note--Viggo's concerns around feeling like too much and letting down his family really resonated with me. Tallulah's fear of the unknown hit as well.
I haven't done it yet, but I will most definitely go back and read more (if not at all) books in this series.
Also have to note--Viggo's concerns around feeling like too much and letting down his family really resonated with me. Tallulah's fear of the unknown hit as well.
I haven't done it yet, but I will most definitely go back and read more (if not at all) books in this series.
Abolition. Feminism. Now. by Erica Meiners, Gina Dent, Beth E. Richie, Angela Y. Davis
4.5
As expected, this book is full of thought-provoking commentary on prison abolition and intersectional feminism/womanism. It's a great starting point for these topics, and I'll definitely revisit and recommend it.
Somebody Give This Heart a Pen by Sophia Thakur
5.0
This collection of poems is just beautiful. God, I love Black women...
Bliss Montage by Ling Ma
4.5
Adding this written review over six months after reading Bliss Montage, so it's not fresh on my mind, but I remember strongly enjoying all the short stories. The themes really resonated with me, and I appreciate how some of the stories feeling like straight up fever dreams. Peking Duck & Office Hours were probably my favorites!