crip_raptor's reviews
85 reviews

challenging emotional funny hopeful 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? No

5.0

A collection of short stories that amount to a wonderful coming-of-age book. I loved how Clair ages up her writing as Irene grows. Her prose in a child’s voice stuck out to me, Irene describing things as the adults around her do in an endearing and observant way. I was especially and unexpectedly moved by the Puddin storyline, and Wanda’s diary entry about/to her brother.

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

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective slow-paced

5.0

I really enjoyed this collection of essays! I read Disability Visibility a few years ago and it really impacted me. Year of the Tiger gave me more insight into Alice Wong‘s life. I listened to the audio book and am curious why some of the recorded conversations weren’t played in their original state. Would have loved to hear the speakers’ voices and it would have made the audiobook as eclectic of a reading experience as the physical book, which has a mix of photographs, worksheets, recipes, etc. between the essays.

Old Enough by Haley Jakobson

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funny reflective medium-paced

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

2.75

I just finished rewatching Sex Life of College Girls and I think this was an entertaining read to go along with that vibe. The humor wasn’t really my thing and it relied on stereotypes a bit too much for me, but was still relatable at parts and I enjoyed it.

Bonita by Kathleen Duey

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adventurous emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

So nostalgic!

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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? Yes

4.0

wasn’t expecting a book about death and martyrdom to end so optimistically but i’m here for it

Another Appalachia: Coming Up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place by Neema Avashia

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emotional funny informative reflective medium-paced

3.75

I enjoyed learning about Avashia’s experiences and related to some of her experiences as an Indian who grew up in very white southern NH. My favorite essay was “Nine Forms of a Goddess” where Avashia assigns each of the incarnations of the goddess Durga to the aunties in her community that raised her.
I felt like some of the essays needed to dig a little deeper. The essay about her Neighbor struggling with addiction seemed self-centered but eventually arrived to a conclusion about a lack of community resources rather than personal failure of character that I would have liked to seen explored more. I also found the essay about her Instagram influencer cousin to be a little bitter which is valid but would have liked to author to reflect on those feelings more.
Also caught me off guard having the non-Black POC audiobook narrator say the N-word.

Worry by Alexandra Tanner

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dark emotional funny tense medium-paced