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crackedspines_'s reviews
153 reviews
Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
This review is going to be very unstructured since this book is nonfiction and heavily based around the author’s life experiences.
This book was really really good. I’ve heard so many people talk about it, and I’m so glad I finally got the chance to read it! Alok Vaid-Menon put to words so many experiences I’ve had but never knew how to describe. They did such a great job of explaining what it’s like to be non-binary/genderqueer and/or gender non-conforming. Vaid-Menon’s writing is beautiful and emotive.
This book is great for both trans, non-binary, and genderqueer people as well as cis people. I think a lot of non-cis people will find much of the book relatable and familiar, as I did, while cis people will learn a lot from it. The author uses a lot of helpful metaphors to help demonstrate concepts and experiences. Even if you consider yourself an ally/well versed in trans issues, you’ll learn something. I’m non-binary and consider myself pretty aware, and I still learned quite a bit!
Beyond the Gender Binary is certainly an educational book, but it’s also a celebration of gender diversity and non-conformity, and it was an absolute delight to read.
This book was really really good. I’ve heard so many people talk about it, and I’m so glad I finally got the chance to read it! Alok Vaid-Menon put to words so many experiences I’ve had but never knew how to describe. They did such a great job of explaining what it’s like to be non-binary/genderqueer and/or gender non-conforming. Vaid-Menon’s writing is beautiful and emotive.
This book is great for both trans, non-binary, and genderqueer people as well as cis people. I think a lot of non-cis people will find much of the book relatable and familiar, as I did, while cis people will learn a lot from it. The author uses a lot of helpful metaphors to help demonstrate concepts and experiences. Even if you consider yourself an ally/well versed in trans issues, you’ll learn something. I’m non-binary and consider myself pretty aware, and I still learned quite a bit!
Beyond the Gender Binary is certainly an educational book, but it’s also a celebration of gender diversity and non-conformity, and it was an absolute delight to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia
She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
OVERALL: I was really excited for this book but it was a disappointment. Between the harmful rep, Harry Potter references, toxic relationship, and general bad writing, I didn't much enjoy this book.
PLOT: The plot was very weirdly paced, specifically the romance and Scottie's arc of healing from Tally. Both of these plot threads started out veeeery slow, and in the last 10-20% of the book suddenly were resolved with little to no buildup or exploration.
SETTING: Grandma Earl was a really cool setting! I liked it a lot. It was really unique and interesting, and I also enjoyed the contrast between Grandma Earl and Candlehawk.
THEME: I was really hoping for and expecting a nice, thoughtful exploration of toxic relationships and healing from them, but instead I got whiplash from how quickly Scottie went from loving Tally to being completely over her. I didn't see any growth or learning on Scottie's part; instead, I only knew how she was feeling and stuff because the author told me.
CHARACTERS: I really liked Honey-Belle. She was so sweet and authentic, and I love that she was an "innocent" character who was allowed to stay innocent and happy as opposed to being "introduced to the real world." I also liked Irene a lot - she was also very authentic, and she was determined and strong and honest. However, I really didn't like Scottie. Throughout the first ~80% of the book, she was selfish and very rude to Irene, and she made a lot of really stupid choices. Throughout the book, she didn't really have a proper growth arc; instead, the author basically just told the reader that Scottie had learned and was better now. Additionally, the rep was really bad. The Indian rep was SO harmful. It played into many stereotypes - e.g. very strict doctor/lawyer parents, Indian parents highly valuing grades and not supporting "frivolous" activities like art or cheerleading for a career, etc. - and it was also inaccurate. There are several instances in the book where Irene blushed. Indian people rarely blush, especially someone as darkskinned as Irene is based on the cover. It was also a really weird choice for the author to make Irene and her entire family devout Catholics. Obviously some Indians are Catholic/Christian, but the majority of Indians are Hindu or Muslim, and Irene mentions that her family is from Kerala, where less than 19% of the population is Catholic. It felt like the author just wanted to pick something easy that didn't require research. Also, I do not want to overstep, but the Black rep seemed pretty harmful to me based on what I have heard many Black bookstagrammers talk about. Danielle seemed to exactly fit into the harmful "supportive Black character" stereotype.
PLOT: The plot was very weirdly paced, specifically the romance and Scottie's arc of healing from Tally. Both of these plot threads started out veeeery slow, and in the last 10-20% of the book suddenly were resolved with little to no buildup or exploration.
SETTING: Grandma Earl was a really cool setting! I liked it a lot. It was really unique and interesting, and I also enjoyed the contrast between Grandma Earl and Candlehawk.
THEME: I was really hoping for and expecting a nice, thoughtful exploration of toxic relationships and healing from them, but instead I got whiplash from how quickly Scottie went from loving Tally to being completely over her. I didn't see any growth or learning on Scottie's part; instead, I only knew how she was feeling and stuff because the author told me.
CHARACTERS: I really liked Honey-Belle. She was so sweet and authentic, and I love that she was an "innocent" character who was allowed to stay innocent and happy as opposed to being "introduced to the real world." I also liked Irene a lot - she was also very authentic, and she was determined and strong and honest. However, I really didn't like Scottie. Throughout the first ~80% of the book, she was selfish and very rude to Irene, and she made a lot of really stupid choices. Throughout the book, she didn't really have a proper growth arc; instead, the author basically just told the reader that Scottie had learned and was better now. Additionally, the rep was really bad. The Indian rep was SO harmful. It played into many stereotypes - e.g. very strict doctor/lawyer parents, Indian parents highly valuing grades and not supporting "frivolous" activities like art or cheerleading for a career, etc. - and it was also inaccurate. There are several instances in the book where Irene blushed. Indian people rarely blush, especially someone as darkskinned as Irene is based on the cover. It was also a really weird choice for the author to make Irene and her entire family devout Catholics. Obviously some Indians are Catholic/Christian, but the majority of Indians are Hindu or Muslim, and Irene mentions that her family is from Kerala, where less than 19% of the population is Catholic. It felt like the author just wanted to pick something easy that didn't require research. Also, I do not want to overstep, but the Black rep seemed pretty harmful to me based on what I have heard many Black bookstagrammers talk about. Danielle seemed to exactly fit into the harmful "supportive Black character" stereotype.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug use, Car accident
Minor: Biphobia, Infidelity, Vomit, Grief
Several Harry Potter references, underage alcohol use
What Big Teeth by Rose Szabo
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
CWs for this review: rape (in PLOT)
OVERALL: I very much did not enjoy this book. Throughout the first half, I only had minor issues, but from there it went steadily downhill. I love the concept and wish I’d been able to enjoy it more.
PLOT: The main/overall plot was really good, and I liked it. But the middle was reeeally slow. Also, the entire Arthur subplot was very disturbing and made me really uncomfortable. The way the Zarrins treated him was shitty (it was addressed at the end, but it still bothered me), and also the fact that practically the entire Zarrin family was either romantically or sexually involved with him was weird. It’s also unclear whether some of those relations were consensual. For example, towards the end of the book when Arthur explains everything that happened to him, he makes it sound as though he had no choice in being with Persephone just because she wanted it. And when Persephone recounts those same events, she doesn’t seem to have gotten his consent, and she was also physically violent towards him. I think the homophobia towards Rhys was never properly addressed. And lastly, this is more of a personal preference, but I thought it was ridiculous how much of the plot relied on Eleanor being really oblivious. Most of the events of the book never would’ve happened if Eleanor just stopped consciously ignoring all of the signs in front of her.
STRUCTURE: No major issues with structure, but the long monologues at the end just didn’t work for me. It was hard to stay interested/invested.
THEME: There was an underlying conflation of violence with romance in this book, which is obviously not good. What really solidified that for me was Persephone telling the story of the time she first went after Arthur to “know what Miklos sees in him”.
CHARACTERS: I liked the queer rep, but I didn’t like the way it was handled. Idk if that makes sense. For the most part it was pretty casual rep, but Eleanor also reacted pretty poorly to finding out that certain characters were queer. And it seemed as if the author/characters were avoiding saying the words “gay” or “queer.” Specifically, when Eleanor sees Arthur dancing with her father, she thinks “Maybe Rhys meant something to him, something I didn’t. Something I could never mean. Maybe Father had, too, once. Arthur was...I didn’t know what Arthur was.” Now obviously Arthur being attracted to men doesn’t mean he’s GAY, but the phrasing makes it seem like Eleanor is specifically avoiding saying gay <i> or </i> queer <i> or </i> bi, etc.
OVERALL: I very much did not enjoy this book. Throughout the first half, I only had minor issues, but from there it went steadily downhill. I love the concept and wish I’d been able to enjoy it more.
PLOT: The main/overall plot was really good, and I liked it. But the middle was reeeally slow. Also, the entire Arthur subplot was very disturbing and made me really uncomfortable. The way the Zarrins treated him was shitty (it was addressed at the end, but it still bothered me), and also the fact that practically the entire Zarrin family was either romantically or sexually involved with him was weird. It’s also unclear whether some of those relations were consensual.
STRUCTURE: No major issues with structure, but the long monologues at the end just didn’t work for me. It was hard to stay interested/invested.
THEME: There was an underlying conflation of violence with romance in this book, which is obviously not good.
CHARACTERS: I liked the queer rep, but I didn’t like the way it was handled. Idk if that makes sense. For the most part it was pretty casual rep, but Eleanor also reacted pretty poorly to finding out that certain characters were queer. And it seemed as if the author/characters were avoiding saying the words “gay” or “queer.” Specifically,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Blood, Grief
Minor: Body horror, Gore
Children of the Corn by Stephen King
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I read this for school. It was okay, very creepy for sure, but honestly I think the writing was lazy and sloppy. The good idea was there but the executionw as short. I expected much more from Stephen King given how popular he is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Murder
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Car accident
My Last Summer with Cass by Mark Crilley
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
ARC Review
Thanks @netgalley and @littlebrownyoungreaders for the eARC!
OVERALL: My Last Summer With Cass is a really cute graphic novel about friendship and art. It’s a quick, easy read, but tackles some important discussions and made me think about some things. I think this book is targeted towards the younger end of YA but I really enjoyed it!
PLOT: Overall I loved the plot. I liked seeing Cass and Megan’s friendship evolve. The only thing I didn’t like was the pacing; it felt a bit too fast. I would’ve preferred the book to be a bit longer and the pacing slowed down a bit.
ART: The art style was really pretty, and the style combined with the soft colors was really soothing!
THEME: I’m an artist so reading a book about artists was really fun. Throughout the book, both Megan and Cass’s art styles changed as they grew older, and Megan especially struggled to find her artistic voice. There is also some discussion of peer pressure in this book, which I liked a lot. For a while I thought it wouldn’t be addressed, but it was, and the specific situation in the book made me think a lot about what really counts as peer pressure and when peer pressure is okay. The line between positive and negative peer pressure is pretty blurry and this book walked right on it.
CHARACTERS: Both main characters (Megan and Cass) were really interesting characters with a lot of depth. They were both very dynamic as well. I liked the side characters a lot too, and actually wish we’d gotten to see more of them. I understand why that wasn’t possible because of the POV of the book, but it would’ve been nice to incorporate them a bit more somehow!
Thanks @netgalley and @littlebrownyoungreaders for the eARC!
OVERALL: My Last Summer With Cass is a really cute graphic novel about friendship and art. It’s a quick, easy read, but tackles some important discussions and made me think about some things. I think this book is targeted towards the younger end of YA but I really enjoyed it!
PLOT: Overall I loved the plot. I liked seeing Cass and Megan’s friendship evolve. The only thing I didn’t like was the pacing; it felt a bit too fast. I would’ve preferred the book to be a bit longer and the pacing slowed down a bit.
ART: The art style was really pretty, and the style combined with the soft colors was really soothing!
THEME: I’m an artist so reading a book about artists was really fun. Throughout the book, both Megan and Cass’s art styles changed as they grew older, and Megan especially struggled to find her artistic voice. There is also some discussion of peer pressure in this book, which I liked a lot. For a while I thought it wouldn’t be addressed, but it was, and the specific situation in the book made me think a lot about what really counts as peer pressure and when peer pressure is okay. The line between positive and negative peer pressure is pretty blurry and this book walked right on it.
CHARACTERS: Both main characters (Megan and Cass) were really interesting characters with a lot of depth. They were both very dynamic as well. I liked the side characters a lot too, and actually wish we’d gotten to see more of them. I understand why that wasn’t possible because of the POV of the book, but it would’ve been nice to incorporate them a bit more somehow!
Content Warnings
underage alcohol use, mild peer pressure
The Project by Courtney Summers
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
OVERALL: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s everything I was hoping it would be. Courtney Summers has a unique way of writing where she gives you a bunch of details and you think you understand it all, but then suddenly towards the end everything clicks together in a completely new way.
PLOT: There were so many twists and turns in this book. Every time I thought I was at the height of the action the pace would pick up more. And it all climaxed in this horrifying, breathtaking moment when everything fell into its place.
STRUCTURE: The non-linear timeline was really effective for this book. The way different details were revealed from the different POVs was really interesting! Summers basically had two timelines going at once and yet it never got confusing.
THEME: Obviously this book explores a lot of themes about cults, but it also explores family and authenticity and truth and legacy and trauma and identity...Summers wove it all together beautifully.
CHARACTERS: This book contains my most hated character and yet he is also a really good character. Lev is one of those characters who you absolutely despise as a person but are intrigued by as a character. And I really liked the character development present in Bea and Lo. Both girls are complex and layered and not “likable”/palatable and I love them so much.
PLOT: There were so many twists and turns in this book. Every time I thought I was at the height of the action the pace would pick up more. And it all climaxed in this horrifying, breathtaking moment when everything fell into its place.
STRUCTURE: The non-linear timeline was really effective for this book. The way different details were revealed from the different POVs was really interesting! Summers basically had two timelines going at once and yet it never got confusing.
THEME: Obviously this book explores a lot of themes about cults, but it also explores family and authenticity and truth and legacy and trauma and identity...Summers wove it all together beautifully.
CHARACTERS: This book contains my most hated character and yet he is also a really good character. Lev is one of those characters who you absolutely despise as a person but are intrigued by as a character. And I really liked the character development present in Bea and Lo. Both girls are complex and layered and not “likable”/palatable and I love them so much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent
Moderate: Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicide
Minor: Blood
cult; miscarriage is implied but doesn't happen<\spoiler>
The Times I Knew I Was Gay by Eleanor Crewes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
I’m not going to review this book, because it’s a memoir, but I’ll talk a bit about my thoughts in an unstructured way so if that’s your thing, read on!
The Times I Knew I Was Gay is a graphic memoir of the author’s experience and journey to realizing she’s a lesbian. It’s an easy read despite not always being a happy story, and I am so grateful that Eleanor Crewes chose to share it with all of us. It’s honest and authentic and so relatable as a queer experience. The illustration style is very simple and I like that - it allows the focus to be on the words and what the images depict/convey rather than any details of the illustrations themselves. Crewes has a strong and personal narrative voice and I truly hope she publishes another book! If you haven’t picked this one up yet, this is your sign to DO IT! I think it’s an important and enjoyable read regardless of whatever or not you are queer.
The Times I Knew I Was Gay is a graphic memoir of the author’s experience and journey to realizing she’s a lesbian. It’s an easy read despite not always being a happy story, and I am so grateful that Eleanor Crewes chose to share it with all of us. It’s honest and authentic and so relatable as a queer experience. The illustration style is very simple and I like that - it allows the focus to be on the words and what the images depict/convey rather than any details of the illustrations themselves. Crewes has a strong and personal narrative voice and I truly hope she publishes another book! If you haven’t picked this one up yet, this is your sign to DO IT! I think it’s an important and enjoyable read regardless of whatever or not you are queer.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Sexual content
Homophobic slurs
The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
REVIEW
OVERALL: I enjoyed this book for sure. It deals with important and emotional topics while still staying lighthearted and easy to read. I was invested in the characters’ lives, and I am South Asian so I saw myself in a lot of the culture. But I definitely have mixed feelings about it.
PLOT: I had some issues with the plot. I do not think Flávia’s cultural appropriation was addressed properly. She doesn’t acknowledge she’s wrong until long after Nishat has gone back to being flirty with her, and that sends the message of “cultural appropriation is okay if the person is really cute!” Even once Flávia admits she was wrong, she keeps the money she made. Second, when Priti and Nishat had their big fight, Nishat takes almost all of the blame despite not having done anything wrong. It’s unfair of Priti to be mad at Nishat for not noticing that she and Ali were fighting; Nishat did notice but Priti brushed her off every time she tried to talk about it. Also, Priti says that Nishat hasn’t noticed she and Ali fighting and that their Nanu is sick because Nishat is obsessed with Flávia, but the real reason Nishat has been preoccupied is that she is dealing with intensely homophobic parents, racism from her best friend, Flávia and Chyna appropriating and profiting off her culture, and was publicly outed. Priti never really apologized for saying those things or for lying about who outed Nishat. Lastly, the ending didn’t do it for me. I think the book compromised realism and believability for the sake of having a happy ending.
SETTING: I think the author did a great job integrating the setting of an all-girls school; lesbians are often harassed when in all girls spaces, including changing rooms, and I’m glad Jaigirdar chose to talk about that.
THEME: I appreciate that this book tackled a lot of tough topics, but I think because of the things I mentioned in PLOT, it sends some not-so-great messages. It had a lot of potential though, and I will definitely be reading Jaigirdar's upcoming book in the hopes that that one is a bit better!
CHARACTERS: The only character I really liked was Nishat. I don't have anything against unlikable characters, but I do have many things against characters who are never held accountable for their actions, and that's how I felt about Priti, Flávia, and Jess. And I don;t think Chaewon was a great friend either. She didn't do anything that I'd say is clearly wrong, but I was just left with the impression that she was not a great friend.
OVERALL: I enjoyed this book for sure. It deals with important and emotional topics while still staying lighthearted and easy to read. I was invested in the characters’ lives, and I am South Asian so I saw myself in a lot of the culture. But I definitely have mixed feelings about it.
SETTING: I think the author did a great job integrating the setting of an all-girls school; lesbians are often harassed when in all girls spaces, including changing rooms, and I’m glad Jaigirdar chose to talk about that.
THEME: I appreciate that this book tackled a lot of tough topics, but I think because of the things I mentioned in PLOT, it sends some not-so-great messages. It had a lot of potential though, and I will definitely be reading Jaigirdar's upcoming book in the hopes that that one is a bit better!
CHARACTERS: The only character I really liked was Nishat. I don't have anything against unlikable characters, but I do have many things against characters who are never held accountable for their actions, and that's how I felt about Priti, Flávia, and Jess. And I don;t think Chaewon was a great friend either. She didn't do anything that I'd say is clearly wrong, but I was just left with the impression that she was not a great friend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Islamophobia
Several mentions of Harry Potter, a mention of Elliot Page by his deadname, cultural appropriation, outing of a closeted character<\spoiler>