eralbesu's reviews
427 reviews

Your Utopia: Stories by Bora Chung

adventurous medium-paced

3.25

Nothing really seems to be sticking with me right now. I enjoyed some of the stories, not all. But I wasn’t blown away or particularly locked in. 

August Blue by Deborah Levy

medium-paced

3.5

Another book that fell victim to me pushing through a book slump. I struggled to stay engaged with this one. 

An Autobiography of Skin by Lakiesha Carr

emotional reflective medium-paced

3.75

I enjoyed the first story the most. There was something pleasant about witnessing a day in the life of a Black woman finding enjoyment in the ways she knew how. I also really enjoyed the depiction of the community and the small ways they showed up for each other. 

The second story was difficult to read but moving. 

The last story ran entirely too long and I was not motivated to finish it. It meandered and I eventually forgot what I was enjoying about it to begin with. 

Soft Core by Brittany Newell

adventurous emotional reflective slow-paced

3.5

The setting did a lot of heavy lifting for me. I frequently found myself bored with the meandering. An unreliable narrator is floundering and sinking  deeper into her delusions. I expected a bit more but overall the writing was very nice. I just didn’t know what to do with our main character. 

Tomb Sweeping by Alexandra Chang

funny lighthearted medium-paced

3.75

This collection was fine enough. I must admit I was distracted while reading so that could be influencing my rating. I enjoyed Klara, Cure for Life, and A Visit. 

Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes Du Mez

informative reflective

5.0

Wow. As a Black Christian woman, who grew up in the white church and whose faith informs how I move through this world, I’m so happy I read this book. I knew I wasn’t crazy. Not to quote Kendrick, but they really not like us. 

This book was very affirming. Many pastors were referenced in this book that I was familiar with by name, but omg, these white evangelicals are really a trip. This book confirmed much of what I already knew but it really laid it out and frankly, these white evangelicals are a problem. 

Recognizing the Stranger: On Palestine and Narrative by Isabella Hammad

informative reflective fast-paced

4.5

This gave me a lot to think about. Very quick and effective essay. 

Debt: The First 5,000 Years by David Graeber

informative slow-paced

4.0

Informative but an absolute slog to get through at times. 

An Honest Woman: A Memoir of Love and Sex Work by Charlotte Shane

reflective fast-paced

3.75

I enjoyed the first half of the memoir more than the second half. It was an interesting reflection, but I was not blown away. 

Marcovaldo by Italo Calvino

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

3.75

Marcovaldo is disillusioned with city life. Marcovaldo is also very Amelia Bedelia coded. This was funny and lighthearted but some stories struggled to hold my attention.