badger's reviews
107 reviews

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

How to be Both by Ali Smith

challenging hopeful reflective 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

4.25

Art_textiles by Jennifer Harris

informative

3.5

Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

dark emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka

challenging dark funny reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Little Eyes by Samanta Schweblin

dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Rouge by Mona Awad

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

rating on day i finished, so rating may change, but i LOVED rouge. it’s seemed really divisive so i was hesitant, as i liked 13 ways and bunny but found them forgettable and struggled with the pacing of all’s well so dnf. i didn’t have any moments of doubting or getting bored of rouge - such a strong narrative voice and vibrant settings and characters. i think awad breathed so much life and intrigue into the cult at the heart of the story but also to wider ideas of beauty, race, nationality, and family. as with bunny, the horror and unearthly elements of the novel balanced perfectly with the parts more rooted in reality. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Gore, and Racism

Real Queer America: LGBT Stories from Red States by Samantha Allen

emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

borrowed this audiobook from my library on an absolute whim, and even despite the topic i did not expect to be quite as touched and inspired as i was. samantha allen’s writing is addictive and mesmerising, and my experience of the book was enriched further by her great narration. there were no dips in the pace of this book - it masterfully wove together the two narrative strings; samantha’s own life, transition, and touching love story with her wife, and her journey through red states across the US, meeting with a range of diverse queer people across some of the most socially conservative parts of the country. 

whilst almost seven years out of date now from time of writing, this book - written during trump’s first presidential term  - feels more relevant and urgent than ever as we approach his second.

an absolute go-to recommendation now to anyone interested in queer stories and american politics - or just great storytelling.

Half-Arse Human: How to live better without burning out by Leena Norms

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

5.0

Hotel World by Ali Smith

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75