Scan barcode
baguettekelly's reviews
225 reviews
Sisters in Hate: American Women on the Front Lines of White Nationalism by Seyward Darby
challenging
dark
informative
5.0
In the wake of the 2024 election, I, like many other mollycoddled urban white feminists, was deeply dispirited with how my demographic bloc had voted. As Darby reiterates throughout this book, white women are an easily-overlooked bastion of the alt-right, and I and many other leftist white women have done exactly that. The presence of white women in hate movements is something we cannot afford to ignore, and Sisters in Hate is an important document of their influence.
Thoroughly reported and engaging, with exactly the right levels of empathy (some) and sympathy (very little) for its subjects.
Thoroughly reported and engaging, with exactly the right levels of empathy (some) and sympathy (very little) for its subjects.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Antisemitism
Aesthetica by Allie Rowbottom
dark
reflective
3.5
It would be easy enough to write an “Instagram bad” book, but this one goes deeper, exploring what havoc the economy of image might wreak on our current influencers in the not so distant future. Some of its points are a bit obvious, but Anna’s overarching longing to return to a simpler version of herself is compelling. I ended up liking this more than I expected to at the start.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Sexual assault
Penance by Eliza Clark
dark
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
RIP Violet you would’ve loved Irina Sturges
Actually though, this book is an interesting companion to Boy Parts. I read a lot of fairly nasty fiction and found myself especially unnerved by Clark’s first novel, only for Penance to hold a mirror to my desire to be unnerved. It’s comes across somewhat introspective - an exploration of why the real author wants to write about the fictional author who wants to write about a horrific violent crime. Recommend to anyone interested in exploring the emotions bound up in consuming horror and true crime.
This book succeeds a little too much at reading like a nonfiction crime book, and the pacing suffers as a result.
Actually though, this book is an interesting companion to Boy Parts. I read a lot of fairly nasty fiction and found myself especially unnerved by Clark’s first novel, only for Penance to hold a mirror to my desire to be unnerved. It’s comes across somewhat introspective - an exploration of why the real author wants to write about the fictional author who wants to write about a horrific violent crime. Recommend to anyone interested in exploring the emotions bound up in consuming horror and true crime.
This book succeeds a little too much at reading like a nonfiction crime book, and the pacing suffers as a result.
Reader, Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World by Maryanne Wolf
challenging
informative
3.5
This is a thought-provoking book on the place of digital media in literacy, and for a reader who is not an educator (me), a helpful jumping off point for considering one’s own relationship with screens. I did go back to reading on my Kindle immediately upon finishing, but am a bit more mindful of binging TikToks and Substacks alike. To quote literary icon RuPaul, reading is indeed fundamental, and the critical thinking processes that come with it are what keeps democratic society afloat. It’s chilling to consider how much has unraveled, as this book predicts, as literacy continues to plummet.
It is (likely intentionally) dense and demanding, and after a while reiterates the same couple of points, but still felt like a worthwhile read.
It is (likely intentionally) dense and demanding, and after a while reiterates the same couple of points, but still felt like a worthwhile read.
Evenings and Weekends by Oisín McKenna
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
4.75
Absolute banger slice of life novel
This Wheel of Rocks: An Unexpected Spiritual Journey by Sister Marya Grathwohl
informative
inspiring
4.0
Sister Marya is a Catholic nun, but her words on spirituality and environmentalism reach far beyond the bounds of any one religion. She has such curiosity and respect for the planet and its people. The book can feel a bit disjointed at times, but it all comes together in the end to deliver a message I wish more Christian leaders were willing to hear.
This is a particularly great read for anyone lucky enough to know and love the American West.
This is a particularly great read for anyone lucky enough to know and love the American West.
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
hopeful
reflective
3.75
Andy is very annoying but his misadventures through heartbreak are weirdly compelling. I thought this book was going in a completely different direction for most of it, and I was pleasantly surprised to like the happy ending. It do be like that sometimes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck
emotional
hopeful
sad
5.0
I cried so bad
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Death of parent
Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? by Séamas O'Reilly
funny
reflective
4.25
It is rare that a book makes me laugh aloud, and this one had me stifling giggles on a silent airplane. Funny, sentimental, and sweet family memoir that is about tragedy but not ultimately tragic. This read was extra special to me as an American of Northern Irish descent. Other progeny of northerners may too find some answers about why their dads are the way they are in this book.
One's Company by Ashley Hutson
dark
reflective
4.5
This book cuts much deeper than its silly premise. Couldn’t put it down once Bonnie made it to the mountain place.
I have never seen a single episode of Three’s Company and I don’t think that adversely impacted my experience of the story. Who among us hasn’t maladaptive daydreamed ourselves into some kind of nostalgic fantasy world
I have never seen a single episode of Three’s Company and I don’t think that adversely impacted my experience of the story. Who among us hasn’t maladaptive daydreamed ourselves into some kind of nostalgic fantasy world
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual assault