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fleabagb's reviews
52 reviews
Animal Farm by George Orwell
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.75
This was just wow. I put it off for a few years because of the 'classic' label I was worried it wouldn't hold up well with time or it wouldn't be as comprehensively readable. But wow! I was so pleasantly surprised that it was and it did. I had to make myself take this book in spurts because of how much it is. It holds a scary amount of truth that pretty much all still is relevant today if not more so. I'll tell ya, I was not expecting to cry over a darn horse, but alas, here I am. There are no proper words to describe the experience this book is unless you've read it yourself. The first time read, the putting it all together, figuring it out - it's next level. I was wanting to yell, scream, cry, fight and everything else in between. This book also reminded me just how crucial community can be to our survival, I never quite thought about it like that before I read this. If I could read it again for the first time right now all over again I would; that's an experience everyone should have at least once in their lifetime.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Alcohol, Grief, and Genocide
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Such a wonderful book for children about diversity and how it can positively impact us rather than make us bitter and hateful. I honestly think a fair few of adults could stand to benefit from this book themselves. I mean, how are we supposed to teach children acceptance, empathy, understanding and compassion if the adults being the role model themselves don't have it or don't understand it. This was such a refreshing book to be honest, it talks about the real stuff without making it too heavy for the intended audience (children). It's definitely one I'll have to add to my list to buy for my own collection and support because my god where were books like these when I was a kid? We need more!
Sky Pioneer (Direct Mail Edition): A Photobiography of Amelia Earhart by Corinne Szabo
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
This is how you do a photobiography, this right here. I had to read this book for my Children's Literature class and just wow. I'm blown away by how respectful and informative this was about Amelia in general, not just pertaining to her and her aeronautics career. I wish more nonfiction books like this were advertised toward adults because holy moly would I be able to get so much more nonfiction reading done. I felt like this kept be engaged yet so ready to find out what happened next to Amelia and the legacy she worked so very hard to build. I wish I could give this more stars without losing some peace of mind because this is pure gold. I live maybe 40 miles from Atchison, so I grew up learning about Amelia, going to the Amelia Earhart festival and such. I especially liked the foreword to this book because they said that "this is how a story should be told" and I couldn't agree more. I felt so much respect and understanding while reading this just wow. I need more. I am definitely going to get on reading Amelia's books she wrote herself. As for biographies, this is my favorite one about her so far. The pictures would aide children with disabilities greatly in learning and comprehending the information better than without the pictures to use to visualize the situations. I will definitely be trying to buy this one to put on my shelf because holy fuck yes this is a good coffee table book but it will also educate you while you read and look through it. So it's the best of both worlds.
I Am Amelia Earhart by Brad Meltzer
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
3.25
I think this was a really nice rendition of Amelia's story, respectful and informative. Being from not even 40 miles from Atchison, Ks I grew up knowing and learning about her and all of her wondrous works and achievements. The Amelia Earhart festival is still up and running today, like clockwork, stronger than ever. She proved just how much women were capable of and how fervently men insisted upon the opposite. I really enjoyed this little blip into her story. I think the kiddos would appreciate it too.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
I hate to say this because this book was on my list for so long and I truly was enjoying myself so very much until I hit this part with a chapter from the perspective of Amy she had described two fat people in such a horrific way I annotated it how disappointed I was and that I truly thought that was the end of the road with me and this book. After sitting on it for a few days I have decided to DNF this book because of the verbiage used to depict characters of a bigger size. I was heartbroken reading this. It was downright fatphobic, harmful and absolutely unnecessary as these character were literally just filler, so it felt like an even bigger hit when Gillian chose to hit on that topic in a scene where it added nothing but a bad taste in my mouth. I guess it just goes to show just how casual fatphobia is and has become in our social environment. And I can't speak for you, but for me, for myself, my own sense of self and pride - I absolutely cannot forgive someone for writing characters that let's be honest, look like me, in such a wrenching way. Not to mention the characters she chose to shame had no big impact role in the story other than this hatred-spewing spiral she went on about "how dare a fat mushroom tummied person utilize the same resources as she does, how dare they be sitting down and fat, who knows if they're disabled but to hell with them!" Shame on you Gillian, shame on you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Fatphobia, Cancer, Classism, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual content, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Dementia, Murder, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Sexual assault
Childism: Confronting Prejudice Against Children by Elisabeth Young-Bruehl
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.75
I did DNF this book just because it is so much information in so little. I did an inter-library loan to read this book and ended up coming up on my due date back after a few renewals. So I made sure to take a picture of the cover and put the book in my Amazon list to get later so I can properly read it, analyze it, I might even annotate it if I'm feeling fancy. Overall though I really did enjoy this book and all it has to offer. I think the expression "hitting the nail on the head" isn't even close to as accurate and eye-opening this writing was. Will most definitely be coming back.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Sexual content, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Rape, and Sexual harassment
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
3.0
Have read before, will probably come back to at some point. Needed to read to Ch 6 or 8 for a Children's Literature assignment. I loved reading it when I was a kid, so my opinion of it is good. I just have so many reading assignments with this class right now and I have a couple books already in my reading rotation. So for now it will be a DNF.
Measuring Up by Lily Lamotte
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
3.0
This was such a fun read I did for school. It will definitely have to be one I get for on my shelves. All the recipes looked so yummy with the illustrations. The story and the plot were really nicely rounded too, i really enjoyed this read. The characters were really relatable too which is so nice to have. The art was just spot on!