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catstead's reviews
50 reviews
Gone to See the River Man by Kristopher Triana
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Absolutely tore through this book in two sittings. Was not expecting it to have a cosmic horror twist but it definitely made the story and ending so much more fascinating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest and Sexual assault
Crossroads by Laurel Hightower
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Crossroads left me with my mouth dropped wide open. It’s a surreal and intense read which is absolutely brilliant
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Beauty Redefined: How to Feel Authentically Beautiful in Today's World by Seline Shenoy
3.0
“You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful” – Amy Bloom
Beauty Redefined by Seline Shenoy delivers an easy to read and understand piece on the complexities of beauty standards, expectations and ideals that have changed throughout the ages. Shenoy presents a well thought out and empowering book that shows the importance of self-worth and acceptance. Something that I know a lot of women (both young and old) really need.
“My objective in writing this book was to give you the right perspective and tools to enable you to derive a sense of worthiness from qualities and deeds beyond the superficial”
Shenoy painfully recounts her experiences with her own body image and how she internally struggled to be the woman that she thought she should be (in accordance with modern beauty standards). It was really warming to read the experiences of another woman and know that I was not alone in the struggle to meet society’s definition of beauty! I was that kid who had glasses at a young age, then graduated onto braces and a face covered in acne.
What I really enjoyed about this book was the historical and educational journey that Shoney took me on throughout different cultures and different eras and what was considered beautiful there and then in that time and place. Did you know that during the Renaissance Era that women used poisonous eye drops to make their eyes sparkle? Not much has changed moving into the modern era, poisonous eye drops have been replaced with surgical needles and injections to make our lips plumper or our breasts larger (not that I have any issues with that whatsoever!).
Seriously, I could go on forever writing about every part of this book that I loved and connected to on a very personal level. This book really tickled my sociological bone (I have a bachelor of Social Science!) and I managed to sit and read it over a whole day. I recommend this to all women, all ages, all shapes EVERYONE (not just cisgender women) as this is a revolution where ALL women are changing the beauty standards of our society and dismantling the socially constructed ideals behind beauty.
Beauty Redefined by Seline Shenoy delivers an easy to read and understand piece on the complexities of beauty standards, expectations and ideals that have changed throughout the ages. Shenoy presents a well thought out and empowering book that shows the importance of self-worth and acceptance. Something that I know a lot of women (both young and old) really need.
“My objective in writing this book was to give you the right perspective and tools to enable you to derive a sense of worthiness from qualities and deeds beyond the superficial”
Shenoy painfully recounts her experiences with her own body image and how she internally struggled to be the woman that she thought she should be (in accordance with modern beauty standards). It was really warming to read the experiences of another woman and know that I was not alone in the struggle to meet society’s definition of beauty! I was that kid who had glasses at a young age, then graduated onto braces and a face covered in acne.
What I really enjoyed about this book was the historical and educational journey that Shoney took me on throughout different cultures and different eras and what was considered beautiful there and then in that time and place. Did you know that during the Renaissance Era that women used poisonous eye drops to make their eyes sparkle? Not much has changed moving into the modern era, poisonous eye drops have been replaced with surgical needles and injections to make our lips plumper or our breasts larger (not that I have any issues with that whatsoever!).
Seriously, I could go on forever writing about every part of this book that I loved and connected to on a very personal level. This book really tickled my sociological bone (I have a bachelor of Social Science!) and I managed to sit and read it over a whole day. I recommend this to all women, all ages, all shapes EVERYONE (not just cisgender women) as this is a revolution where ALL women are changing the beauty standards of our society and dismantling the socially constructed ideals behind beauty.
You by Caroline Kepnes
4.0
This book HOOKED me in! At first it made me uncomfortable until I started to really get stuck into it. I found myself feeling empathetic towards the antagonist. I could not put this book down
Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer
The relationship between Annie and Lexie is so beautiful, however so heartbreaking at the same time. This really showed the harrowing ordeals that family go through to protect those that they love and how addiction inflicts pain and suffering on those who love the person suffering. That is so much more than the victim and the addict, it goes beyond that and seeps into the lives of those who are trying to help.
I loved this story, I felt happiness while reflecting on my own relationship with my sister. The bond between sisters is special and so hard to break. I felt that I too would go to all lengths to look after my sister and completely understand how Lexie feels when it comes to protecting Annie.
I loved this story, I felt happiness while reflecting on my own relationship with my sister. The bond between sisters is special and so hard to break. I felt that I too would go to all lengths to look after my sister and completely understand how Lexie feels when it comes to protecting Annie.