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bashsbooks's reviews
241 reviews
Gender/Fucking by Florence Ashley
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Gender/Fucking is an incredible collection of essays. Ashley writes about sex, sexuality, gender, and the connections we make and break through them with a freshness that I've rarely seen. Their writing is full and vivid without being overwrought or cliché. And it isn't just their structural/word choices that are fantastic - their imagination flows into everything they write, sparking a flame within the reader that transports you into their world, which eases understanding for the difficult and fraught scenarios and questions that continuiously force their readers to grapple with.
My favorite essays were: "The Cutting Table", "Vaginomancy", (must-reads regarding vulva-acquring bottom surgery), "Libidinal Vertigo", (fuck psychoanalysis!) and "Daydreams of an Apocalypse" (palliative activism is SUCH an important concept).
Could not recommend this book more. Will be reading more of Ashley's work in fhe future.
My favorite essays were: "The Cutting Table", "Vaginomancy", (must-reads regarding vulva-acquring bottom surgery), "Libidinal Vertigo", (fuck psychoanalysis!) and "Daydreams of an Apocalypse" (palliative activism is SUCH an important concept).
Could not recommend this book more. Will be reading more of Ashley's work in fhe future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, and Medical content
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Racism, Self harm, and Excrement
The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I don't know what I was expecting from The Foxhole Court, but it was not that - and I generally mean this in a positive way. It's way grittier than I anticipated, and also much more absurd. A fake lacrosse-like sport? A mafia father? The yakuza?? (I know this is in the summary but I suppose I expected to come off more... fanfictiony, for lack of a better word.)
And yet, for all its outlandishness, it does a damn good job making you take it seriously. The members of the Foxhole court are all fascinating fuck-ups. I am intrigued by Andrew's drugged, messed-up ass in particular. I'm cutious to see where it will go, when will they find Neil out, etcetera.
And yet, for all its outlandishness, it does a damn good job making you take it seriously. The members of the Foxhole court are all fascinating fuck-ups. I am intrigued by Andrew's drugged, messed-up ass in particular. I'm cutious to see where it will go, when will they find Neil out, etcetera.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Drug use, Physical abuse, Violence, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Stalking, and Murder
Minor: Vomit and Classism
-Ableist (r slur) and homophobic slur (f slur) usage
-Lots of forced drug use
The Green Witch: Your Complete Guide to the Natural Magic of Herbs, Flowers, Essential Oils, and More by Arin Murphy-Hiscock
informative
medium-paced
3.5
The Green Witch strikes me as a fairly run-of-the-mill nondenominational witchcraft book. I most enjoyed its suggested activities and charms - the idea of crafting your own items (like the broom craft) resonates with me. The idea of vague natural forces, especially the elements? Not as much, but credit where it is due, Hiscock-Murphy emphasizes that you can take it or leave it.
One glaring issue with this book is that Hiscock-Murphy, in her attempt to make everyone feels welcome, say something to the effect of - there is no moral code to green witchcraft, for a green witch works in tandem with the environment. This, I assume, is to distance it from more specific spiritual practices, but the idea that simply being a green witch means you won't end up in moral conflict with nature is frankly laughable.
One glaring issue with this book is that Hiscock-Murphy, in her attempt to make everyone feels welcome, say something to the effect of - there is no moral code to green witchcraft, for a green witch works in tandem with the environment. This, I assume, is to distance it from more specific spiritual practices, but the idea that simply being a green witch means you won't end up in moral conflict with nature is frankly laughable.
The Scapegracers by August Clarke
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
The Scapegracers is so electrifying and original. Its narrative voice - that of the protagonist, Sideways - is unusual, and it took me a second to get into it, but once I got into the rhythm, it was insanely vivid and brain-sparking. I love the messy teenaged witchery, the unexpected clique, the unbridled queerness. The underlying conflict with the witchfinders was a great metaphor for the conflict between Christianity and queers. And, of course, I ADORE Mr. Scratch. What a silly and fascinating creature.
I had some mixed feelings about the way genderqueer characters were presented in this book - there wasn't anything against them because of their genders, but the nature of the clique is to be intensely against people outside of them, and that manifested in some strange ways. (It's not a vibe to read a trans man call a popular girl a 'breeder' in your pro-queer witch novel.) But I've heard that more gender expansion happens later on, so I'm thinking that'll balance out over the series as a whole.
I had some mixed feelings about the way genderqueer characters were presented in this book - there wasn't anything against them because of their genders, but the nature of the clique is to be intensely against people outside of them, and that manifested in some strange ways. (It's not a vibe to read a trans man call a popular girl a 'breeder' in your pro-queer witch novel.) But I've heard that more gender expansion happens later on, so I'm thinking that'll balance out over the series as a whole.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Stalking and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Drug abuse, Misogyny, and Vomit
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I wish there was an accessible audiobook version of this, I feel like I would've absorbed so much more.
Wide Sargasso Sea is both very dense and very dry. I love a little reimagining, though, and Rhys' personal experience in Antoinette's sociocultural setting really shines through. I appreciated the exploration of and space for the different racial groups present, as well as the subtle magical realism that shimmers over everything.
Oh, and, of course, Mr. Rochester is such an asshole.
Wide Sargasso Sea is both very dense and very dry. I love a little reimagining, though, and Rhys' personal experience in Antoinette's sociocultural setting really shines through. I appreciated the exploration of and space for the different racial groups present, as well as the subtle magical realism that shimmers over everything.
Oh, and, of course, Mr. Rochester is such an asshole.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Slavery, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol
Minor: Child death, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Death of parent
My Squirrel Days by Ellie Kemper
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
Started My Squirrel Days for a lighter read in the face of some rough personal and political events. It was funny, and it required very little thought. This is the greatest recommendation for it and my biggest critique against it. Kemper is a comedian, and an extremely funny one - but don't expect her to take anything seriously at any point.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia and Misogyny
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Such a sexy and engaging vampire novel. I love the bisexual drama of it all, and the eroticism of the blood drinking in particular is done so well. Epistolary novels are usually hit or miss for me, but this one was a hit - I think the fact that Constanta was speaking to Dracula the entire time was really in this novel's favor. I do think that marketing it as a Dracula reimagining is a little misleading as it doesn't engage much with the actual text of Dracula. If it didn't mention the Harkers in passing, it would easily be any other vampire story (and in this version of events, they survive the Harkers anyway? I was confused as to why we surpassed the point in time where they would've been). That said, I do love that one of the "brides" was a man. I also greatly enjoyed Gibson's take on vampirism as a slow-grade draining of humanity over a long period of time rather than an instant transformation. That was super cool, and I'd love to see that in more vampire media.
"Encore of Roses" was included in the version that I read; I thought it was a sweet epilogue to their story, and I love that Constanta, Magdalena, and Alexi remained important to each other while living out their own lives.
"Encore of Roses" was included in the version that I read; I thought it was a sweet epilogue to their story, and I love that Constanta, Magdalena, and Alexi remained important to each other while living out their own lives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, and Classism
My Child Is Trans, Now What?: A Joy-Centered Approach to Support by Benjamin Greene
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.75
One of the best trans-related resource books I've read. I like the grace with which Greene handles imperfect allies, and I appreciate the way he emphasizes that he is suggesting guidelines and redirects the reader to communicate with the trans people in their lives as experts on their own experiences.
Like any resource book, it makes some definitive statements here and there that make me roll my eyes - but I can tell that Greene was very thoughtful in the writing of this book, so, thankfully, those are few and far between.
Like any resource book, it makes some definitive statements here and there that make me roll my eyes - but I can tell that Greene was very thoughtful in the writing of this book, so, thankfully, those are few and far between.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
Vengeful by V.E. Schwab
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
If you have seen and enjoyed NBC's Hannibal, Vengeful is for you!
I knew that Schwab was a fan (as they posted something about rewatching Hannibal as she's writing the third Villains book), but the influence was much more direct in this one than Vicious - especially in the Eli and Stell storyline, which has a lot in common with Will and Hannibal's stints in high-security prisons, helping to catch other killers. And of course, the climatic scene harkens to the defeat of the Red Dragon.
Do not think that this book is just Hannibal with a superhero veneer, though. There are a lot of subplots woven together, and most of them are unique. For example, I love June and her entire character. I love poor Sydney's struggles. I'm intrigued by the shady-orgness of EON. I'm curious as to how the next book will go, given how we left off with plot twists at the end of this one - and I hope Schwab doesn't take too much longer to give it to us!
I knew that Schwab was a fan (as they posted something about rewatching Hannibal as she's writing the third Villains book), but the influence was much more direct in this one than Vicious - especially in the Eli and Stell storyline, which has a lot in common with Will and Hannibal's stints in high-security prisons, helping to catch other killers. And of course, the climatic scene harkens to the defeat of the Red Dragon.
Do not think that this book is just Hannibal with a superhero veneer, though. There are a lot of subplots woven together, and most of them are unique. For example, I love June and her entire character. I love poor Sydney's struggles. I'm intrigued by the shady-orgness of EON. I'm curious as to how the next book will go, given how we left off with plot twists at the end of this one - and I hope Schwab doesn't take too much longer to give it to us!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual violence, and Vomit
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Continued my Brontë read-through with The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, and I have to say, Anne Brontë really stepped up her authorial game with this one - it's leagues better than Agnes Gray. I've decided that the quality of Brontë novels are proportional to how scandalous the book was considered at the time of publication. This, of course, means that Wuthering Heights still tops the charts, but The Tenant of Wildfell Hall edges out Jane Eyre, with the main character literally running away from her husband yet being seen in a sympathetic light the whole time. Also, I appreciated Helen's "brazen coldness," and I need more of these mid-1800s ladies to lock in on that front.
I'm not entirely sure why this is an epistolary novel, because it didn't really have to be. I liked Helen's diary as a narrative device, but I wasn't keen on GIlbert Markham and his letters - though I understand she had to end up married to a "good" man, I wasn't particularly fond of any of the male characters. That's at least half the point, I know, but I'm from the 21st century so I feel like we could've gone harder.
Also, I was not keen on this narrator. She didn't do anything particularly wrong (in fact, she did a good job distinguishing between the characters in her narration of dialogue), but my brain didn't jive with her voice. If there was another unabridged version free on Spotify, I'd have listened to that one instead, but alas.
I'm not entirely sure why this is an epistolary novel, because it didn't really have to be. I liked Helen's diary as a narrative device, but I wasn't keen on GIlbert Markham and his letters - though I understand she had to end up married to a "good" man, I wasn't particularly fond of any of the male characters. That's at least half the point, I know, but I'm from the 21st century so I feel like we could've gone harder.
Also, I was not keen on this narrator. She didn't do anything particularly wrong (in fact, she did a good job distinguishing between the characters in her narration of dialogue), but my brain didn't jive with her voice. If there was another unabridged version free on Spotify, I'd have listened to that one instead, but alas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Medical content, Death of parent, and Classism