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brittanykroeckel's reviews
41 reviews
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
I’m not sure if it was the narrator of the audiobook, the fact I was reading it before bed, or if the book felt somewhat dry to me, but I have been dragging on with this book for like over a month now and I don’t feel motivated to pick it up. I highly doubt it has anything to do with the content as I tend to reach for these topics on the shelf, but I just can’t seem to get through it. Maybe I’ll pick it up again in the future.
Stories from the Tenants Downstairs by Sidik Fofana
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
I’ll start off with why I didn’t give a 5– the format for me was hard to follow. I often need structure in my reading cause I tend to lose track and get distracted. So it was a slight challenge and new for me but it doesn’t take away from the book.
This was a great book and I’m glad I finally got it off my tbr!!! I liked how each of the stories was connected to a previous character in one way or another. It felt like a domino effect but not too forced either. I think this is a great book club read as it made me reflect on the challenges they were facing and how these are reflected in the lives of others different from myself. Although each was a short story, I easily felt emotions for these characters and reactions to their individual things going on. I’d recommend this to anyone!!
This was a great book and I’m glad I finally got it off my tbr!!! I liked how each of the stories was connected to a previous character in one way or another. It felt like a domino effect but not too forced either. I think this is a great book club read as it made me reflect on the challenges they were facing and how these are reflected in the lives of others different from myself. Although each was a short story, I easily felt emotions for these characters and reactions to their individual things going on. I’d recommend this to anyone!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Classism
Moderate: Child death and Racial slurs
Officer Clemmons: A Memoir by François Clemmons
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
A beautiful life story with many ebbs and flows. I never watch Mister Rodger’s Neighborhood as a kid but was always interested in knowing more about it. Clemmons give ample insight into the experience through his eyes. I did -.25 stars because I would have liked to know more about the show but I also acknowledge this was a memoir and not solely about that.
Although I also was not quite familiar with Clemmons and his life — wow, there are so many layers to his life.It hurt to hear that he was never able to fully live out and proud and I would have liked to know more about his experiences with coming out and anything relating to his identity, especially as a black man. So many areas of great sorrow yet he showed resilience and perseverance that got him to where he is today. With that the ending felt slightly quick and rushed.
Although I also was not quite familiar with Clemmons and his life — wow, there are so many layers to his life.
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook by Bruce D. Perry
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Wow. What a book — each chapter brings forth its own unique perspective to trauma and the ways it can manifest. Perry leaves this not for the faint of heart but also curates these stories in a respectful manner. As a future counselor, although many of these cases will be rare or nonexistent occurrences in my work, it’s still important to know this view of trauma and be trauma-informed in practice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Violence, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Murder and Self harm
Just Stay Away by Tony Wirt
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I read this book after selecting it from my Amazon First Reads list. I did very much enjoy parts of the book, like the ending chapters and when we are first introduced to Levi, but other aspects just didn’t do it for me.
First, I am not a fan of Craig. I know I won’t like every character I will come across, but he annoyed me in some moments where I briefly thought of placing it in my DNF shelf. Some parts of him were annoying and frustrating, but I guess it makes him a more realistic man (haha!)
Another part that I agree with other readers about is both the abruptness of the tail end and the unsteady pace throughout. The very last couple pages felt like an odd attempt of one last twist but left me feeling confused and unsatisfied. Maybe this leaves room for a sequel but still. Also, some parts I’d skip a few pages ahead because it felt like things were dragging on too much.
Overall, not too bad, just not a fave.
First, I am not a fan of Craig. I know I won’t like every character I will come across, but he annoyed me in some moments where I briefly thought of placing it in my DNF shelf. Some parts of him were annoying and frustrating, but I guess it makes him a more realistic man (haha!)
Another part that I agree with other readers about is both the abruptness of the tail end and the unsteady pace throughout. The very last couple pages felt like an odd attempt of one last twist but left me feeling confused and unsatisfied. Maybe this leaves room for a sequel but still. Also, some parts I’d skip a few pages ahead because it felt like things were dragging on too much.
Overall, not too bad, just not a fave.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Cursing
Minor: Alcohol
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Great book that is easy to read and follow. I loved how personable the first-person telling was and the realness of April May. The near end had a slightly unexpected turn but then had a predictable outcome. Not an average story which I appreciate and had me even thinking about what this scenario would look like in real life. Didn’t give it 5 stars because character interactions felt childish and bland.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
Overall, I believe this was a great story with much reflection and wisdom to take from it. However, I gave this the rating I did because I struggled slightly to get through the book. I felt a little dry for my taste and some moments felt too expected. Nonetheless, I do think each character brought their own unique importance to the plot, which I appreciate. I agree that it’s probably not a story for everyone but I think people should at least try to read it at some point!
"Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?": A Psychologist Explains the Development of Racial Identity by Beverly Daniel Tatum
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
This book is excellent. I am reading this for my Counseling Children and Adolescents course at TCNJ. At first I wasn’t sure what to expect and wondered how long this book would only discuss the Black-White dichotomy. However, Dr. Tatum does go beyond this and provides more than an adequate amount of research to help readers gain a baseline understanding of obstacles and struggles of various marginalized groups. I am satisfied having read this book but it also has started internal conversations that desire to read similar literature.
There are two reasons why I gave 4.75 instead of a full 5. First, there were a couple spots here and there that were hard to get through and the chapters were long.
Second, there is slight ableist language on two pages, both being “fall on deaf ears.” I actually reached out to Dr. Tatum regarding this and she responded right away. While she acknowledged the regret of using this, she will not be able to change it unless she writes a new edition and she would keep it on her radar. I appreciate Dr. Tatum in her response and her insight that’s been passed to me by reading this book. I’d recommend for anyone.
There are two reasons why I gave 4.75 instead of a full 5. First, there were a couple spots here and there that were hard to get through and the chapters were long.
Second, there is slight ableist language on two pages, both being “fall on deaf ears.” I actually reached out to Dr. Tatum regarding this and she responded right away. While she acknowledged the regret of using this, she will not be able to change it unless she writes a new edition and she would keep it on her radar. I appreciate Dr. Tatum in her response and her insight that’s been passed to me by reading this book. I’d recommend for anyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Death, and Hate crime
Moderate: Bullying and Hate crime
Minor: Ableism
No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg
2.0
I have slight conflicting feelings about this book. I love this book because it reminds us of how powerful and passionate our children can be. Would you go to the UN and speak about such pressing matters at fifteen or sixteen? It is remarkable. She gets her point across and does not sugar coast anything.
However, a lot of the information she provides is redundant. I understand there’s only so much she can say in her position and that she’s trying to get the same point across at different events, but reading the same lines and phrases it over and over was tiring.
Lastly, I saw another reviewer mention that she does not concretely explain what they need to do in order to achieve what she’s pushing for. I would counter argue with the following questions:
Is she, a child, suppose to have it all figured out for these countries and big corporations? They should know what to do in the scope of their industry/what they oversee. Why does she have to be the one to explain what next steps are, so to hold their hands as if they are infants learning to walk? It is their job to take the action and enact it. They [politicians, CEOs, leaders] can do something for once and do what is needed in their scope with the information she has given them.
All in all, major respect to her, especially since she writes each of these speeches solo. A powerful young-adult pushing for real change, and actually acting to do something about it.
However, a lot of the information she provides is redundant. I understand there’s only so much she can say in her position and that she’s trying to get the same point across at different events, but reading the same lines and phrases it over and over was tiring.
Lastly, I saw another reviewer mention that she does not concretely explain what they need to do in order to achieve what she’s pushing for. I would counter argue with the following questions:
Is she, a child, suppose to have it all figured out for these countries and big corporations? They should know what to do in the scope of their industry/what they oversee. Why does she have to be the one to explain what next steps are, so to hold their hands as if they are infants learning to walk? It is their job to take the action and enact it. They [politicians, CEOs, leaders] can do something for once and do what is needed in their scope with the information she has given them.
All in all, major respect to her, especially since she writes each of these speeches solo. A powerful young-adult pushing for real change, and actually acting to do something about it.
1984 by George Orwell
4.0
Gonna be honest, I struggled to get through this book. Parts of it were dull and I got bored quite easily. However, in the final third of the book I couldn’t seem to keep the book down. The characters were alright — Julia seems like an unimportant character, but I could just be biased cause I don’t like her.
It’s uneasy to think about how we might actually be starting to see the ideas present in this book unraveling in our eyes in today’s society — censorship, unconditional patriotism, suppression of “radicalism,” the rise of monopolies in all quarters of life.
This novel no doubt gets us thinking. What is true and what is not? How do we know this for sure? Do we at all? What is reality? A deeply reflective read nonetheless.
It’s uneasy to think about how we might actually be starting to see the ideas present in this book unraveling in our eyes in today’s society — censorship, unconditional patriotism, suppression of “radicalism,” the rise of monopolies in all quarters of life.
This novel no doubt gets us thinking. What is true and what is not? How do we know this for sure? Do we at all? What is reality? A deeply reflective read nonetheless.