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emmawhitt's reviews
12 reviews
Queer: A Graphic History by Meg-John Barker
informative
3.5
"Queer - A Graphic Histrory" is a slightly misleading title for this graphic novel. I was assigned to read this novel for my Queer Ficitons class at university, expecting it to be a graphic novel illustrating queer history, with it instead having illustrated depictions of different types of queer theory.
However, for the purpose of studying Queer Literature, I feel as if this graphic novel did its job in making an easily digestable archive of multiple different types of queer theory.
However, for the purpose of studying Queer Literature, I feel as if this graphic novel did its job in making an easily digestable archive of multiple different types of queer theory.
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
emotional
reflective
sad
4.5
When I heard that one of the core readings for one of my first year university modules would be a graphic novel, it was safe to say I was thoroughly excited.
Alison Bechdel illustrates her own life in Fun Home, utilising the format of graphic novels to tell the story of her family life and her childhood. The book is a hard pill to swallow, to say the very least, with a large part of the narrative following the relationship between Alison and her father, from her birth up until his death.
Despite the tragedy of the narrative, however, the graphic novel finds itself being weirdly comforting to read. Our lives are defined by grief and tragedies, but it is comforting to know that we can all find solace in our memories, and find fondness even in darker moments.
Alison Bechdel illustrates her own life in Fun Home, utilising the format of graphic novels to tell the story of her family life and her childhood. The book is a hard pill to swallow, to say the very least, with a large part of the narrative following the relationship between Alison and her father, from her birth up until his death.
Despite the tragedy of the narrative, however, the graphic novel finds itself being weirdly comforting to read. Our lives are defined by grief and tragedies, but it is comforting to know that we can all find solace in our memories, and find fondness even in darker moments.
Open Me Carefully: Emily Dickinson's Intimate Letters to Susan Huntington Dickinson by Emily Dickinson
I have yet to find a rendition of Emily Dickinson's poetry that felt more raw and authentic than this one. After reading up on the censorship that has run rampant throughout the publication of Emily Dickinson's poetry, I began my search into finding a copy of her work that felt faithful to its original author. And I must say, this book has become one of my proudest literary possesions.
Emily Dickinson, and her potent love for her muse Susan Huntington-Dickinson, are both alive between the lines of these pages - a feeling many publications of her poetry fail to emulate. The book includes important contexual annotations to her work, giving the author a deeper insight into Dickinson's life, giving them an idea of what inspired her poetry.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
"Oh Susie, forgive me Darling, for every word I say — my heart is full of you, none other than you in my thoughts, yet when I seek to say to you something not for the world, words fail me. If you were here — and Oh that you were, my Susie, we need not talk at all, our eyes would whisper for us, and your hand fast in mine, we would not ask for language..."
I have yet to find a rendition of Emily Dickinson's poetry that felt more raw and authentic than this one. After reading up on the censorship that has run rampant throughout the publication of Emily Dickinson's poetry, I began my search into finding a copy of her work that felt faithful to its original author. And I must say, this book has become one of my proudest literary possesions.
Emily Dickinson, and her potent love for her muse Susan Huntington-Dickinson, are both alive between the lines of these pages - a feeling many publications of her poetry fail to emulate. The book includes important contexual annotations to her work, giving the author a deeper insight into Dickinson's life, giving them an idea of what inspired her poetry.
Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir (Manga) 2 by Koma Warita, ZAG
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
- 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? No
4.5
After reading the first installment in the Miraculous Manga series, I was excited to pick up the next release.
Following on from where the last manga finished off, the story of Ladybug and Cat Noir continues, with even more silly superhero hijinks and beautiful illustration.
This manga actually deviates slightly from the original television series, but nothing that makes it feel too far removed from the original show. The change is small enough that if you blinked you would surely miss it, but I'm excited to see any potential changes the manga series has to offer!
Following on from where the last manga finished off, the story of Ladybug and Cat Noir continues, with even more silly superhero hijinks and beautiful illustration.
This manga actually deviates slightly from the original television series, but nothing that makes it feel too far removed from the original show. The change is small enough that if you blinked you would surely miss it, but I'm excited to see any potential changes the manga series has to offer!
Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir (Manga) 1 by Koma Warita, ZAG
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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? No
4.25
While I don't usually read manga myself, my love for the Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir animated series made me gravitate to reading this one.
The manga follows the same storyline to that of the television series, following along the lives of Marinette Dupain-Cheng a French-Chinese schoolgirl who lives a double life with her secret superhero identity as Ladybug, and Adrien Agreste, Marinette's new classmate and crush who happens to be her superhero partner, Cat Noir, although she does not knows this due to his own hidden identity.
The main hook of the series is still very prevelanty there - that being that Marinette has a crush on Adrien, but Adrien has a crush on Ladybug as Cat Noir. Obviously, we as the reader know that these are the same people, but the fact that they do not know each other's secret identities keeps their feelings as, at least to them, unrequited.
The illustrations are beautiful and give new life to the Miraculous Ladybug franchise, for those who have watched the show before or not.
The manga follows the same storyline to that of the television series, following along the lives of Marinette Dupain-Cheng a French-Chinese schoolgirl who lives a double life with her secret superhero identity as Ladybug, and Adrien Agreste, Marinette's new classmate and crush who happens to be her superhero partner, Cat Noir, although she does not knows this due to his own hidden identity.
The main hook of the series is still very prevelanty there - that being that Marinette has a crush on Adrien, but Adrien has a crush on Ladybug as Cat Noir. Obviously, we as the reader know that these are the same people, but the fact that they do not know each other's secret identities keeps their feelings as, at least to them, unrequited.
The illustrations are beautiful and give new life to the Miraculous Ladybug franchise, for those who have watched the show before or not.
Love Letters: Vita and Virginia by Virginia Woolf, Vita Sackville-West
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
4.75
I read this book as a further reading task for a Virginia Woolf module at my university. While I don't typically reach for non-fiction books, there was something that drew me to Vita and Virginia's relationship throughout the semester. And I am glad I did.
This book, with an introduction written by Fun Home author Alison Bechdel, gives an intimate and chronological insight into the relationship of Virginia Woolf and her lover, Vita Sackville-West. It is rare that we get to see such a personal and private part of a writer's life, and it is a treasure to read. I'd say this is an essential read for anyone who is planning to start reading Woolf's novels, especially if they are planning to read Orlando, a novel that Woolf admits is inspired by Sackville-West. The intimacy of their exchanges between the letters adds layers to Woolf's novels that readers may have previously overlooked.
This book, with an introduction written by Fun Home author Alison Bechdel, gives an intimate and chronological insight into the relationship of Virginia Woolf and her lover, Vita Sackville-West. It is rare that we get to see such a personal and private part of a writer's life, and it is a treasure to read. I'd say this is an essential read for anyone who is planning to start reading Woolf's novels, especially if they are planning to read Orlando, a novel that Woolf admits is inspired by Sackville-West. The intimacy of their exchanges between the letters adds layers to Woolf's novels that readers may have previously overlooked.
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
I'll admit, I am not typically a fan of the 'falling in love in one day' type of novels. I find it very rare that an author is able to write and develop their characters in a likeable way, while also having them convincing fall in love in the span of 24 hours, however Adam Silvera has executed this task almost flawlessly.
The Deathcast, the system within the novel that tells an individual that theyre going to die on that day, gives an insightful reflection into what our lives would look like with a more certain understanding of death. The preplanning of funerals, the grief that others around you feel while you are still alive, all of it makes Mateo and Rufus's story all that more believable, yet all that more tragic.
I highly reccomend reading this one, and if you do, I suggest bringing a box of tissues along with you.
The Deathcast, the system within the novel that tells an individual that theyre going to die on that day, gives an insightful reflection into what our lives would look like with a more certain understanding of death. The preplanning of funerals, the grief that others around you feel while you are still alive, all of it makes Mateo and Rufus's story all that more believable, yet all that more tragic.
I highly reccomend reading this one, and if you do, I suggest bringing a box of tissues along with you.
She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.0
She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen was definetly a novel that took me by surprise. While I personally expected it to just be another tropey rom-com (not that there is anything wrong with that!), the main characters, Irene and Scottie, are two characters that I believe that many sapphic readers will find a sense of belonging with.
Scottie's storyline surrrounding her moving on from her toxic past relationship was something that felt very real and authentic. I think this book is a great first read for anyone looking to start reading sapphic romance!
Scottie's storyline surrrounding her moving on from her toxic past relationship was something that felt very real and authentic. I think this book is a great first read for anyone looking to start reading sapphic romance!
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo has to be one of my favourite pieces of modern literature to date. While the story starts by following Monique Grant, an aspiring journalist wanting to make a name for herself, the story mostly follows Evelyn Hugo, a retired Hollywood actress, as Monique interviews her for her biography.
Without spoiling too much for those who have not yet read the novel, despite the name of the novel, Evelyn's husbands themselves take the backseat to this story to a relationship that ended with me in tears by the end of reading it. The story is witty, charming, but for the most part, beautifully tragic, and is something I will always recommend to those looking to get into the romance genre.
Without spoiling too much for those who have not yet read the novel, despite the name of the novel, Evelyn's husbands themselves take the backseat to this story to a relationship that ended with me in tears by the end of reading it. The story is witty, charming, but for the most part, beautifully tragic, and is something I will always recommend to those looking to get into the romance genre.
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
After reading Red, White and Royal Blue, I was excited to jump into this book. I have always loved sapphic romances and MQuiston's writing style combined with a fantasy time-travelling plotline was something that I could not pass up on.
I will admit, this novel took a bit longer to hook me in than Red, White and Royal Blue. The pacing felt a little slower, and it took a minute before the story really got rolling. But once it did, I was more than happy to keep on reading for hours on end. August quickly became a favourite of mine, and I think a lot of readers will really resonate with her character. The side characters to the story were also a lot of fun to follow along with, and I really enjoyed the friendships that August made with them along the way.
I have not yet read the bonus chapter, but I am excited to read it when I get the chance!
I will admit, this novel took a bit longer to hook me in than Red, White and Royal Blue. The pacing felt a little slower, and it took a minute before the story really got rolling. But once it did, I was more than happy to keep on reading for hours on end. August quickly became a favourite of mine, and I think a lot of readers will really resonate with her character. The side characters to the story were also a lot of fun to follow along with, and I really enjoyed the friendships that August made with them along the way.
I have not yet read the bonus chapter, but I am excited to read it when I get the chance!