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butch's reviews
110 reviews
Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Well the homophobia, racism, and random bit of discussed incest and brief adult/minor relationship definitely was a challenge at times to get through. There were moments that I found meaningful and enjoyed. Needless to say I feel very complicated about the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Incest and Adult/minor relationship
We Do This 'til We Free Us: Abolitionist Organizing and Transforming Justice by Mariame Kaba
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
superb collection of Kaba's writings and interviews from within the past 8 years. she's incredibly sharp and direct with her words and they challenged me in ways that i needed. i was particularly drawn to the chapter called "Moving Past Punishment," which includes a 2019 interview she did. here she discusses de-centering individual feeling and emotions from abolition frameworks and practices as well as the understanding that accountability is not punishment. "We shouldn't codify our personal feelings of vengeance to apply to the entire world" was a sentence that really made me sit and reflect.
Magnified by Minnie Bruce Pratt
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
a breathtaking collection of poems. minnie and leslie’s love is so tender to witness and the grief is so devastating.
dayliGht by Roya Marsh
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
highly highly recommend listening to the audio book version. Roya is an absolute top tier poet and performer.
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe
challenging
dark
informative
sad
fast-paced
4.5
this book does an absolutely incredible job uncovering a lot of inner details about the Sackler family. it was honestly difficult to stomach how awful these people are and the willful delusion they maintain. an excellent case for why a privatized healthcare is a death sentence.
Mariette in Ecstasy by Ron Hansen
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Altered After by Tara Hart, Conrad Ventur
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
this exhibition book was really beautifully intimate and i appreciate the care that went into it
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
id say the book lived up to the hype. the interweaving of narrative was well done and engaging. i can safely say that my understanding of trauma has shifted significantly. some aspects gritted me politically, but that didn't take away from the work the book was doing
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Self harm, Rape, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Gun violence, Drug abuse, Drug use, Domestic abuse, and Adult/minor relationship