carolineolesky's reviews
71 reviews

The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers

challenging dark reflective medium-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

5.0

I was hooked on this book, it was so hard to put down, which is excellent for an 800 page book. The stories here are beautiful and important and heartbreaking.

Before Us Like a Land of Dreams by Karin Anderson

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dark reflective

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I would give this a five but I feel like I still had questions unanswered at the end. Interestingly I picked this up in a pride month book display at my local library. Mentions of queerness are brief but interesting.

I think if you liked Beloved by Toni Morrison you would enjoy this book. Similarly toes the line of reality and unreality.

The Black Revolution on Campus by Martha Biondi

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challenging informative slow-paced

4.0

Lots of good information but a bit hard to read.

The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes

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emotional fast-paced

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

4.5

I liked this a lot more than I expected! I can’t remember the last time I read YA. The dialogue and internal monologue could be cheesy at times but the issues discussed were real and the way they were handled was real. I would have really enjoyed reading this in middle or high school, but I also really enjoyed reading it as an adult!

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This book was entertaining enough to keep me reading, but was very surface level in its discussion of complex issues. Race, class, and gender were central to the story and yet never discussed in any truly meaningful way.

Rough Sleepers: Dr. Jim O'Connell's Urgent Mission to Bring Healing to Homeless People by Tracy Kidder

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challenging dark emotional informative

5.0

The Mayor of Castro Street: The Life and Times of Harvey Milk by Randy Shilts

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5.0

The Babysitter: My Summers with a Serial Killer by Jennifer Jordan, Liza Rodman

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dark medium-paced

4.0

Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond