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bookishbisexual's reviews
161 reviews
The Trials Of Radclyffe Hall by Diana Souhami
5.0
A fantastic biography of a….kinda terrible person. I do love The Well of Lonliness but oh boy John was a difficult person. I really enjoyed this author and will read more of her work.
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
This one is going to stay with me for a long time. If you can stomach it (read the trigger warnings carefully), I would highly recommend it.
When I first started reading this book, I really didn’t think that the author could convince me that such a large scale of the population would accept and gleefully participate in cannibalism.
But when I really think about our current consumption, like really think about it, it’s not that far fetched. So much of our clothing is made in sweatshops, iPhones use child labour, we have legalized slavery through the prison system, and we are so separated from our food that many of us have never set foot near a slaughterhouse or factory.
We don’t really think about where these things come from because the second we do it’s really daunting and horrible. It is much easier (and kind of necessary to get on with your life ) to push it to the back of your mind and continue using your iPhone, which I am currently typing on…
When I first started reading this book, I really didn’t think that the author could convince me that such a large scale of the population would accept and gleefully participate in cannibalism.
But when I really think about our current consumption, like really think about it, it’s not that far fetched. So much of our clothing is made in sweatshops, iPhones use child labour, we have legalized slavery through the prison system, and we are so separated from our food that many of us have never set foot near a slaughterhouse or factory.
We don’t really think about where these things come from because the second we do it’s really daunting and horrible. It is much easier (and kind of necessary to get on with your life ) to push it to the back of your mind and continue using your iPhone, which I am currently typing on…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Cannibalism, Murder, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
A beautiful story about motherhood, the choice to be one or not to be one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Abortion
Cursed Bread by Sophie Mackintosh
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Another Country by James Baldwin
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Down the Drain by Julia Fox
5.0
Riveting, exciting and inspiring. Julie Fox the woman that you are!!
The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall
challenging
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A classic for a reason. If you are lgbtq+ this is a must read. Yes our history is sad but it can also be filled with joy.
Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk by Kathleen Hanna
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
5.0
One of the best memoirs I’ve ever read. Honest, brutal, funny and insightful. I listened to the audiobook and immediately bought a physical copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence
The Book Censor's Library by Bothayna Al-Essa
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
An engaging and fast paced story about a professional Book Censor who falls deeper and deeper into the illegal activity of reading, and gets involved with the underground society of rebels fighting to preserve books. The writing is absolutely beautiful. The translation is very well done; there are no strange gaps or issues with sentence structure. One of my favourite books of 2024 hands down.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death