christalbotheindl's reviews
603 reviews

Baddawi by Leila Abdelrazaq

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challenging emotional informative fast-paced

5.0

This graphic novel was heartbreaking. It's one thing to know the history of the oppression of the Palestinian people; it's quite another to walk through one boy's life under the violent occupation. 
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Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Nonmonogamy by Jessica Fern

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challenging emotional informative reflective slow-paced

4.5

This book was suggested to me as someone practicing consensual nonmonogamy again after 17 years of monogamy, and it was really incredible to read such a concise explanation of attachment styles and how my childhood trauma impacted it. While it's in the title, I was expecting that to be more about attachment and trauma in relationships and less a breakdown of how our childhoods determine how we see the world and ourselves in it. It was incredibly illuminating. 

I also appreciated the suggestions for reflection that help you determine why you are practicing consensual nonmonogamy, what you need from each partner vs what they provide and can provide, what each partner needs from you vs what you provide and can provide. I found it illuminating to read the chapters and reflect on the questions. It also informed me of what I wasn't getting in my attached relationship when my relationship was monogamous and how ridiculous it was of me to feel resentment towards my partner for not providing it — so I believe it will strengthen my already existing marriage as well, by helping me understand the nature of that relationship and what we share in it.
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Say More About That…And Other Ways to Speak Up, Push Back, and Advocate for Yourself and Others by Amber Cabral, Amber Cabral

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hopeful fast-paced

4.0

This book was probably intended for folks earlier in their equity journey, so it was a bit basic. I was hoping to get more in-depth ways to disrupt harm as it happens after being retaliated at my workplace for basic advocacy. I will say that Amber's examples of what to say made me realize that I had been indoctrinated in DEI corporate speak and had been treating folks with kid's gloves. Some of the responses seemed more confrontational than I would ever do, but upon reflection were also more honest and disruptive. I would say this is a good book for beginners, but maybe pass if you're a DEI specialist yourself looking to sharpen your skills.
Work Won't Love You Back: How Devotion to Our Jobs Keeps Us Exploited, Exhausted, and Alone by Sarah Jaffe

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challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

I really appreciated how it went through the jobs where people typically believe you don't need proper compensation or worker's rights or dignity because you should love it. It helped me understand the truth about my job when Sarah got to nonprofit work — because I could picture the process for the other types of work. 
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Amelia Nagoski, Emily Nagoski

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informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.0

Year of the Tiger: An Activist's Life by Alice Wong

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hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

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The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

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adventurous dark fast-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

4.0

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The Lost Coast by A.R. Capetta

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adventurous fast-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? Yes

5.0

We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal

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adventurous dark 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? Yes

4.0

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We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

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

3.0

I really liked the plot and main storyline of the book but found the writing and concerns of the characters to be incredibly repetitive. I feel like the book could have been half the length if you took out the characters naming the same internal struggles over and over again.

Also, it seemed like the main character fell in love or lust at some point with every single man in the book, no matter his relation to her. I don't know if that's how cisgender heterosexual allosexuals do or if that is incredibly unrealistic and was included for salacious content. I found it unnecessary and embarrassing for her.
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