bookreviewswithkb's reviews
652 reviews

The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

this is a novel about the construction of the Panama canal, offering an intimate examination of the impact this construction had on people in a myriad of ways, as well as the local community as a whole. it’s an exploration of greed, of trying to own of trying to make more and take more no matter the costs. of the lengths we will go to in order to protect ourselves, even when all we’re doing is hurting ourselves

The Next New Syrian Girl by Ream Shukairy

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

this is such a beautiful story of love and loss, of two Muslim girls and their two different experiences of what it means to be Syrian, of both trying to meet and break the expectations placed upon them, of identity and belonging 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt

Profit and Punishment: How America Criminalizes the Poor in the Name of Justice by Tony Messenger

informative medium-paced

4.0

this is an exploration of the modern day debtor’s prisons throughout the u.s. with a particular focus on rural areas throughout missouri, as well as st. louis. when Mike Brown was murdered by Darren Wilson, a piece of the puzzle of the consistent racism by the criminal justice system that was exposed was the use of fines and fees to imprison citizens. this exploitation criminalizes poverty and makes it impossible for people to live their lives without the threat of or actual jail time all because they cannot pay the fees associated with their “crime.” a really necessary read 

The Blue Between Sky and Water by Susan Abulhawa

emotional

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

free Palestine 🇵🇸

Abulhawa takes us on a journey exploring the Nakba - the expulsion and displacement of Palestinians from their homeland starting in 1947 and continuing to this present day - through 4 generations of women as they face the cruelties of israel’s attacks. even though this book is historical fiction and is focused on events that happened some time ago, it felt like i was reading present day accounts of what is currently happening in Palestine. it has not stopped and we have to continue speaking up and taking actions where ever and however we can 

River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer

3.0

i wanted to love this book but ultimately it was just okay for me. the style of writing is “this happened, then this, then this” which isn’t my favorite unfortunately. and it also lacked character development which left me feeling disconnected from then. but more important than my personal opinion of the writing style, is the content. so much respect for Shearer to write this story, to explore a mother’s search for the children ripped away from her by the white man, the enslaver

Rivermouth: A Chronicle of Language, Faith, and Migration by Alejandra Oliva

emotional informative reflective

3.5

this is about bearing witness, about seeing the humanity of people as they navigate the asylum process, about the importance of being seen especially when everyone looks away. about translation mixed with advocacy and the complicated nature that can exist between them

it didn’t quite hit the way i expected but i do think it was worth reading and some parts of it were really exceptional

Signs, Music by Raymond Antrobus

emotional reflective

4.0

a lovely, tender meditation on fatherhood, the felt sense of wanting to love your child in the best of ways coupled with the anxiety of never being sure you know how to. on the uncertainties of life, but also the certainties. on the smallest moments that make up a life 

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich

emotional hopeful informative inspiring tense fast-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? No

4.5

Louise Erdrich can just tell a damn story 👏🏼

it started off slow, but as i continued reading, i started to feel like Erdrich just dropped us into the midst of the ongoing lives of the characters, which made it take a bit of time for me to learn who everyone was, but i deeply appreciated that approach. there are dual storylines happening, and i imagine that’s intentional because of the nature of having to constantly fight for your existence as a Native person to these lands - there doesn’t get to be just one main focus

this book is so important, an exposing of the fight against the termination of Native American tribes by the us government in 1953. Erdrich’s grandfather, presented as the fictional Thomas in this novel, organized resistance and appeared before the Senate committee to oppose the bill that was being considered. it gave me a sense of hope. there is power in using our collective voices. we don’t have to sit back and watch 

Daughters of Smoke and Fire by Ava Homa

challenging emotional informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

this book offers some perspective into the Kurdish experience of living in a world that has tried to exile Kurdistan and Kurdish people out of existence. it is at times absolutely horrifying, exposing deep wounds of sorrow and excruciating pain, and also mesmerizing with characters who are trying to make sense of the oppression they are experiencing. i was able to develop a strong sense of feeling while reading this book, the narrative invokes so much pain, devastation, and ultimately love 

it’s worth noting and so impressive that the author wrote this book in english, her 3rd language 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement

Heart Berries: A Memoir by Terese Marie Mailhot

dark emotional tense fast-paced

4.5

this is a really beautiful meditation on trauma and healing, betrayal and manipulation, Native identity, mental illness, mothering and being mothered, the push and pull of emotionally abusive relationships 

it is so fearless and honest and brutal