casieb's Reviews (235)

The Vegetarian

Han Kang

2.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I'm not sure I'm smart enough to truly appreciate this book. I couldn't connect or really understand what was happening. Don't let my 2 stars deter you. I just couldn't figure out or connect. clearly with its awards it's an excellent book.

Bright Lights, Big Christmas

Mary Kay Andrews

2.0

Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and the Pursuit of Freedom

Derecka Purnell

5.0

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

This is so incredibly thought provoking. I am new to abolition but the books I've read have changed how I think of everything. When recommending abolition books I've read I always say you should read Michelle Alexander's book the New Jim Crow first because I don't believe you, or rather white people like myself, can truly be open to progressive change unless you understand how completely and corruptly the prison industrial complex is failing all of American society. This book is The New Jim Crow and abolition in one. I will always recommend The New Jim Crow but this book is incredible. Everyone should read this book. And when it comes to abolition there are so many incredible recommendations but I think this should be everyone's starting point!

Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People about Race

Reni Eddo-Lodge

5.0

challenging emotional informative reflective fast-paced

The Fire Next Time

James Baldwin

5.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them

Jason Stanley

3.5

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

This book was very informative and worth reading. His choice to never mention the genocide being committed by zionists in Isreal was incredibly disappointing. He mentioned Isreal and Palestine in passing so this definitely seemed intentional. The information in this book is important and worth reading. Referencing Isreals current and on going fascist atrocities would have helped connect everything and educated many who have no doubt be subjected to genocidal propaganda. One of his main points on fascism. I didn't rate this book higher because of this very important hole in the conversation. But this book is still important and worth reading.