hennasfern's reviews
259 reviews

I'm Looking for Serious Love! by Shoko Rakuta

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Uncanny: The Origins of Fear by Junji Ito

dark informative medium-paced

4.0

It was interesting to read about how Junji Ito's stories evolve and where the ideas came from.

We Carry Their Bones: The Search for Justice at the Dozier School for Boys by Erin Kimmerle

challenging informative slow-paced

2.5

I wanted more from this book. I found myself wishing there was more about the actual fight to get access to the grave sight and more about the process of finding the graves. Instead this book focuses on the people which I think is the point but I didn't feel any sort of way for the families mentioned. If the book was supposed to be about the families I wish there had been more about finding the family members, building trust with them and helping them find their boys. 

Castle Swimmer, Volume 1 by Wendy Martin

adventurous lighthearted relaxing 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? Yes

4.0

Born Both: An Intersex Life by Hida Viloria

challenging informative inspiring slow-paced

3.0

Like many others I think this book is important but it wasn't entirely what I was hoping for. I enjoyed hearing about how different communities can work together to help each other achieve goals and outcomes that are important. I enjoyed seeing how activism can take on many varieties and show up in different ways. Even just the clothes we wear and the people we talk to can help us begin to advocate for these communities.
I did find that the drug use wasn't entirely necessary to get certain points across but unlike others I think the sexual content was vital to the memoir in order to showcase even more so that intersex people are normal.

The MANIAC by Benjamín Labatut

informative reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

This book isn't really a book I would normally read but it wasn't bad. Its a book that makes me want to know more but I also found myself confused and getting a headache from all the sciences and mathematics being discussed. I think someone who has previously learned about these people or understands the projects that they worked on would more thoroughly enjoy this book. 

Lunar Boy by Cin Wibowo, Jes Wibowo

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

This book was adorable and absolute perfection. The illustrations were pastel wonders and the characters were all perfect. I deeply enjoy reading queer books where family members are accepting and open to a wide array of genders and sexualities. Just an overall joy to read..... and like others I was definitely crying by the end. 

Navigating With You by Jeremy Whitley

adventurous emotional lighthearted relaxing 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

4.25

Eat the Rich by Sarah Gailey

dark reflective tense 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? N/A

3.25

The Fifth Wound by Aurora Mattia

challenging emotional 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

3.75

I'm not sure how to feel after finishing this book. I definitely didn't hate it but I was never sure if I enjoyed or was confused by the lyrical worrying style.
I think the narrator for the audiobook was a perfect choice though and most of the time the lyrical style made me feel at peace with what was happening in the story, much like I feel Aurora might feel at the end of it all.