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arijwl's reviews
213 reviews
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu
4.0
The screenplay format was an inspired choice! It was hard for me to get into the book at first, and I found some sections repetitive but enjoyed it overall. I honestly liked the trial scene as well.
Pixels of You by Yuko Ota, Ananth Hirsh
3.0
This book was cool, but it was far too short and didn’t have enough depth to leave a strong impression on me.
Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola
5.0
This book is everything, y’all. I listened to the audiobook, and ohhh my lord it did not disappoint. Ty Weruche Opia!
Honey and Spice is just so incredibly funny and full of heart. I’m such a sucker for fake dating, and Bolu Babalola delivered!! The book was romantic and the portrayal of friendships were wonderful. Let it be known though—Kiki and Malachi were *dripping* with chemistry, haha.
I feel like this book would’ve really benefited from a hundred more pages or so, but I’m not pressed. I enjoyed it too much for that! Can’t wait to re-read it.
Honey and Spice is just so incredibly funny and full of heart. I’m such a sucker for fake dating, and Bolu Babalola delivered!! The book was romantic and the portrayal of friendships were wonderful. Let it be known though—Kiki and Malachi were *dripping* with chemistry, haha.
I feel like this book would’ve really benefited from a hundred more pages or so, but I’m not pressed. I enjoyed it too much for that! Can’t wait to re-read it.
Don't Call Us Dead: Poems by Danez Smith
5.0
Danez Smith’s poetry has a hold on me.
“but here, not earth not heaven, we can’t recall our white shirts turned ruby gowns. here, there’s no language for officer or law, no color to call white. if snow fell, it’d fall black. please, don’t call us dead, call us alive someplace better. we say our own names when we pray. we go out for sweets & come back.”
“but here, not earth not heaven, we can’t recall our white shirts turned ruby gowns. here, there’s no language for officer or law, no color to call white. if snow fell, it’d fall black. please, don’t call us dead, call us alive someplace better. we say our own names when we pray. we go out for sweets & come back.”
Homie: Poems by Danez Smith
4.5
Danez Smith where have you been all my life? Almost every single poem resonated with me more deeply than I could fathom. A master of the craft and my new favorite poet.
From their “them” interview:
"I want to be shamelessly Black, gay, unapologetically neurodivergent, you know? If there is one tool people can cull from my poems, it’s that shame is one of the best unburdenings you can do."
From their “them” interview:
"I want to be shamelessly Black, gay, unapologetically neurodivergent, you know? If there is one tool people can cull from my poems, it’s that shame is one of the best unburdenings you can do."
The Hobbit: or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien
4.75
LOVE this book! It’s wild…I’ve seen the trilogy over 10 times but couldn’t get into the book as a child, so I never revisited it. I’m so glad I did though!
There’s something so comforting about Bilbo’s adventure and his growth. Timeless themes of bravery and friendship that just hit the spot and the world building goes crazy. I get so excited about it all. If I ever have children, I’m reading this to them lol. (My only complaint is that it’s a bit longer than it needs to be.)
Also, I listened to the audiobook which was a great choice bc ANDY SERKIS DID HIS THING!!! The Hobbit audiobook single-handedly created my love for audiobooks. No one does it like Andy! (Somebody cue up Misty Mountains.)
There’s something so comforting about Bilbo’s adventure and his growth. Timeless themes of bravery and friendship that just hit the spot and the world building goes crazy. I get so excited about it all. If I ever have children, I’m reading this to them lol. (My only complaint is that it’s a bit longer than it needs to be.)
Also, I listened to the audiobook which was a great choice bc ANDY SERKIS DID HIS THING!!! The Hobbit audiobook single-handedly created my love for audiobooks. No one does it like Andy! (Somebody cue up Misty Mountains.)
If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin
5.0
While I haven’t read all of his books yet, this is my favorite from James Baldwin. I listened to the audiobook and thought Bahni Turpin did a wonderful job encapsulating Baldwin’s tale of heartbreak, love, art, and hope.
I’m writing this review 7 months after I read it so it’s not as fresh on my mind, but I’ll just affirm this— it resonated with me deeply and Baldwin never disappoints.
I’m writing this review 7 months after I read it so it’s not as fresh on my mind, but I’ll just affirm this— it resonated with me deeply and Baldwin never disappoints.
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
5.0
I love this book so much! Every single characters is sooo lovable, it’s wild. The plot was pretty intriguing, and I really latched onto the side characters for dear life. Just…the found family of it all, you know? Makes me shed a tear.
This is one of my favorite sapphic books for sure!
Only complaint is that Jane didn’t get nearly enough moments to shine despite being a whole main character. You also really have to suspend belief with the PDA and some other elements, but I didn’t mind all *that* much haha. Overall, really enjoyed this book and will read it again! Ty to Loza for giving me your copy after it got all beat up from its tote bag and backpack adventures.
This is one of my favorite sapphic books for sure!
Only complaint is that Jane didn’t get nearly enough moments to shine despite being a whole main character. You also really have to suspend belief with the PDA and some other elements, but I didn’t mind all *that* much haha. Overall, really enjoyed this book and will read it again! Ty to Loza for giving me your copy after it got all beat up from its tote bag and backpack adventures.