cupitonians's reviews
682 reviews

(analog) Cruising: a manual by Leo Herrera

funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

I am so in awe that we live in a day and age where such a powerhouse of a manual exists! What an homage to queer culture and our queer elders. To quote LH, "The power of analog cruising is its timelessness. There was no way to replicate this online. The dopamine of swiping and the Pavlovian bells of our phones had been replaced by anticipation and pheromones. Here was only the unforgiving, thrilling present. We couldn't take photos, but we could be visions. So many died creating, protecting and enjoying these kinds of spaces, through wars and plagues and financial ruin. Prince Charming may not always show, but when we cruise face to face, we honor heaven."

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

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dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

5 Feb 2025
I listened to the audiobook this time and the experience was so much richer and nuanced than I first experienced it! I'm a massive AE fan so I love everything they write - but this one is a masterpiece of a debut novel and holds a very special place in my heart.

6 Feb 2021
This was so difficult to read (subject matter), and I wanted to put it away in the beginning. And yet, without me realising it, I was drawn so deeply into the story. I couldn't look away. What an amazing way to tell your life's journey, through the eyes of the spirits that occupies your body. I also really love the reclaiming of the ogbanje as a fully fleshed reality, rather than a curse or passing mention. But perhaps the most relatable and moving part of the book was how gender and fluidity was tackled. I understood instinctually and deeply that feeling of not feeling right in your body on either side of the binary! Just brilliant.

The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Mother Country by Etaf Rum

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Evenings and Weekends by Oisín McKenna

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emotional hopeful reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

Behind You Is the Sea by Susan Muaddi Darraj

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challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

3.75 rounded up. A collection of interconnected short stories of Palestinian refugees/immigrants. Just about as heartbreaking and heartwarming as you would expect it. This is a quick well-written read, but I didn't like that one of the main characters is a cop.

Lumberjanes, Vol. 6: Sink or Swim by ND Stevenson, Kat Leyh, Shannon Watters

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adventurous funny fast-paced