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atreegrowsinbooks's reviews
238 reviews
Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
What a strange dystopian thriller by Erdrich. Very different than the other books I’ve read by her.
There were so many twists that I didn’t see coming and I was pleasantly surprised that I wasn’t able to guess everything that was happening. The character work and storytelling is so successful, and it’s clear that Erdrich can truly write anything.
While I really enjoyed the writing, the content of this story was unsettling. Especially when women’s rights have been further taken away. In some aspects, the story isn’t that far off from what could happen.
I haven’t read A Handmaid’s Tale, but I’ve seen the show and this book is definitely similar to that. This is an indigenous version that I’d recommend to anyone looking for a dystopian thriller with links to the real world as we know it.
Fun fact, I picked this book up because the first page starts on my birthday
There were so many twists that I didn’t see coming and I was pleasantly surprised that I wasn’t able to guess everything that was happening. The character work and storytelling is so successful, and it’s clear that Erdrich can truly write anything.
While I really enjoyed the writing, the content of this story was unsettling. Especially when women’s rights have been further taken away. In some aspects, the story isn’t that far off from what could happen.
I haven’t read A Handmaid’s Tale, but I’ve seen the show and this book is definitely similar to that. This is an indigenous version that I’d recommend to anyone looking for a dystopian thriller with links to the real world as we know it.
Fun fact, I picked this book up because the first page starts on my birthday
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, and Confinement
Moderate: Murder, Kidnapping, and Miscarriage
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Abortion
Simone by Viet Thanh Nguyen, Minnie Phan
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
I experienced such a strange visceral experience while reading this book. Once I started reading, I couldn’t help but cry throughout the entire read.
In this short kids book, we follow Simone and her Má in California as they have to evacuate their home during a wildfire. We learn about Má’s experience dealing with flooding where she lived in Viet Nam as she tries to comfort Simone.
As a young teenager, I had to experience evacuation of my own house due to a wildfire in San Diego, CA. Reading this book gave me flashbacks to my own experiences. The unknown, traveling with pets, going to shelters, all of those memories came back to me. I think I needed to read this book.
I would wholeheartedly recommend to any age. It’s helpful to have reflection on how to deal with trauma and using our own creativity to help us move forward.
Wonderful words by Viet Thanh Nguyen and incredible illustrations by Minnie Phan!!
In this short kids book, we follow Simone and her Má in California as they have to evacuate their home during a wildfire. We learn about Má’s experience dealing with flooding where she lived in Viet Nam as she tries to comfort Simone.
As a young teenager, I had to experience evacuation of my own house due to a wildfire in San Diego, CA. Reading this book gave me flashbacks to my own experiences. The unknown, traveling with pets, going to shelters, all of those memories came back to me. I think I needed to read this book.
I would wholeheartedly recommend to any age. It’s helpful to have reflection on how to deal with trauma and using our own creativity to help us move forward.
Wonderful words by Viet Thanh Nguyen and incredible illustrations by Minnie Phan!!
Oceanic by Aimee Nezhukumatathil
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Loved this collection of poems! Some I vibed with more than others but still very much enjoyed. One of my favorite poems is “Naming the Heartbeats”. I enjoyed that most of these poems were nature related and had a depth to them, whether that was related to oceans or not. Excited to read more from this author.
Even the Least of These by Anita Skeen
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Thanks to NetGalley and Michigan State University Press for this ARC.
I have been hesitant to read works that specifically mention COVID from 2020. That year was so different than subsiquent COVID years. There was so much unknown that we known now, and I haven't wanted to delve into that. With that said, I enjoyed this short collection of poems.
Many of these poems felt like a window into something small, a thought, an animal, a walk. I was reminded of that time and the things I did. During isolation I spend a lot of time outside, going on walks to stay away from other people. Life felt different and these poems gave me that same feeling.
I also really enjoyed the prints that accompanied many of the poems. I was grateful that the poems were kept light for the most part. In a time when the world was flipped upside-down, these poems help to show the small things of significance.
I have been hesitant to read works that specifically mention COVID from 2020. That year was so different than subsiquent COVID years. There was so much unknown that we known now, and I haven't wanted to delve into that. With that said, I enjoyed this short collection of poems.
Many of these poems felt like a window into something small, a thought, an animal, a walk. I was reminded of that time and the things I did. During isolation I spend a lot of time outside, going on walks to stay away from other people. Life felt different and these poems gave me that same feeling.
I also really enjoyed the prints that accompanied many of the poems. I was grateful that the poems were kept light for the most part. In a time when the world was flipped upside-down, these poems help to show the small things of significance.
Thunder Song by Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Wanted to highlight every essay. Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe Writes with such skill, I know I’ll enjoy anything she writes. I’d like to read through this collection again so that I can take better notes. There is always more education that I can give myself on being the best ally to Indigenous folks and this book is a great resource. We are all living on this land, and I want to honor it to the best of my abilities.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Grief, and Colonisation
Moderate: Blood, Drug use, Sexual violence, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Addiction, Infertility, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Animal death
Chef's Choice by TJ Alexander
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
This was so cute! I loved the T4T romance 😍 JP and Luna were adorable. The fake dating meet cute was hilarious and I enjoyed the cooking that was mixed in with the storyline.
While I liked the beginning and ends of the book, the middle felt really slow. Initially I wasn’t as keen on JP and Luna’s relationship. It seemed like they kept fighting then apologizing and then their relationship advanced.
A few times JP was annoying as a character too. But he slowly got better. Obviously no character is perfect but these two seemed to become better people throughout the story. Would have liked to see more from JP’s grandmother since she’s hyped up a few times in the story. And less screen time from his trans hating family. But I understand that this is an accurate portrayal of family. Overall really cute. Would recommend to folks who want a T4T romance with cooking fun and some diverse enby characters
While I liked the beginning and ends of the book, the middle felt really slow. Initially I wasn’t as keen on JP and Luna’s relationship. It seemed like they kept fighting then apologizing and then their relationship advanced.
A few times JP was annoying as a character too. But he slowly got better. Obviously no character is perfect but these two seemed to become better people throughout the story. Would have liked to see more from JP’s grandmother since she’s hyped up a few times in the story. And less screen time from his trans hating family. But I understand that this is an accurate portrayal of family. Overall really cute. Would recommend to folks who want a T4T romance with cooking fun and some diverse enby characters
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Transphobia
Say You'll Be Mine by Naina Kumar
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.75
Oh my this was so sweet. What a cute fake dating romance filled with some fun main characters. I absolutely loved Meghna and Karthik. I think the way their fake dating came about was very funny and progressed in a believable way.
I couldn’t help but root for them. There were so many times when I was screaming at them to just tell each other what was going on instead of hiding their feelings.
Some of the peripheral characters were really annoying and I was happy when they weren’t in the story (Seth, I’m looking at you). That’s mainly why I didn’t rate this a 5.
Otherwise, the chemistry between the main characters was 🔥. My heart fluttered for these two so much. I enjoyed seeing non traditional dating elements mixed in with arranged dating elements, some Hindu words, and family members supporting each other in positive ways.
I couldn’t help but root for them. There were so many times when I was screaming at them to just tell each other what was going on instead of hiding their feelings.
Some of the peripheral characters were really annoying and I was happy when they weren’t in the story (Seth, I’m looking at you). That’s mainly why I didn’t rate this a 5.
Otherwise, the chemistry between the main characters was 🔥. My heart fluttered for these two so much. I enjoyed seeing non traditional dating elements mixed in with arranged dating elements, some Hindu words, and family members supporting each other in positive ways.
The Carrying: Poems by Ada Limón
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Another brilliant collection of poems by Ada Limón. She’s easily becoming my favorite poet. I particularly enjoy when she mentions birds and animals. But her mentions of grief have me in tears. I thought this collection was very strong, with more mentions of what the body can/can’t do and how that has impacted her life. Listening to this on audio was wonderful and made me tear up a lot. Will be waiting for a physical copy to annotate and copy down my favorite lines.
From "THE VULTURE & THE BODY":
""What if, instead of carrying
a child, I am supposed to carry grief?"
Some favorite poems are "Against Belonging", "Losing", and "Sparrow, What Did You Say?"
From "THE VULTURE & THE BODY":
""What if, instead of carrying
a child, I am supposed to carry grief?"
Some favorite poems are "Against Belonging", "Losing", and "Sparrow, What Did You Say?"
The Hurting Kind: Poems by Ada Limón
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
An absolutely wonderful collection of poems by Ada Limón. I cried so many times listening to this book. There were many poems about animals, birds in particular that I really enjoyed. I have never related more to anything than the following lines from the poem “The Hurting Kind”, in part 5:
“I have always been too sensitive, a weeper from a long line of weepers.
“I have always been too sensitive, a weeper from a long line of weepers.
I am the hurting kind. I keep searching for proof.”
I will 100% be purchasing this collection so I can read it forever.
I will 100% be purchasing this collection so I can read it forever.
A Fortune for Your Disaster: Poems by Hanif Abdurraqib
fast-paced
5.0
So so good. Can’t recommend Hanif enough. Loved being able to hear him speak his poems. Looking forward to finding a physical copy to annotate and read through again.