jaylinsoto's reviews
303 reviews

Forest of Noise: Poems by Mosab Abu Toha

challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced

4.0

Earlier this year, I read “Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear: Poems from Gaza” and was extremely moved by it. With that in mind, I was thrilled and grateful to have been given the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Forest of Noise by Mosab Abu Toha, his upcoming poetry collection, so thank you to Knopf and NetGalley!

Reviewing and rating a collection like this is challenging. It is a living, breathing narrative, unfolding in real time, reflecting current horrors. Both of Mosab’s books are unlike anything I've ever read. Mosab’s words are harrowing, deeply personal, and moving. I am in awe of this author and the vulnerability expressed on every page!

Antenora by Dori Lumpkin

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dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Thank you Amanda Manns, Creature Publishing, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this spellbinding and heart wrenching book, Antenora by Dori Lumpkin.

This book deeply resonated with me. The writing is gorgeous, and I was completely hooked by the storyline. "Antenora" tells the story of Nora, a girl misunderstood and ostracized by her Southern Pentecostal community. While Nora commits disturbing crimes, the true villains are shown to be the hypocritical religious leaders and the dark side of fundamentalist ideology.

The snake symbolism, intertwined with themes of religion was particularly intriguing. The story evokes a "Carrie" vibe but within a Christian context, making it both horrifying and tragic. The exploration of sexuality adds a layer of sadness, highlighting the destructive impact of repressive beliefs. This book masterfully combines gorgeous writing, complex characters, and thought-provoking symbolism, making it a compelling and unforgettable read!! Highly recommend!!

Mama: A Queer Black Woman's Story of a Family Lost and Found by Nikkya Hargrove

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

Thank you to Algonquin Books via NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Mama by Nikkya Hargrove! I was captivated by this book from the start. The book’s exploration of motherhood, spirituality, and resilience was really refreshing and impactful. Nikkya’s queer journey and her experiences in a mixed-race, queer relationship resonated deeply with me and the portrayal of her wife and the handling of their cultural differences were beautifully done. I was especially touched by the depiction of Dinushka and the couple's determination to make their relationship work despite numerous challenges. I admired Nikkya's vulnerability in sharing her financial struggles and her difficulty in setting boundaries with her son's birth father. I also thought the larger discussion on Child Protective Services, the brokenness of that system, the challenges of finding affordable childcare, and the stigma associated with government assistance was particularly impactful. This story is one of resilience and unconditional love. This memoir is fantastic and will stay with me for a long time. I'm honored to have had the opportunity to read it. Thank you again!

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was truly a masterpiece. It was hilarious (Helen is a GEM), heartbreaking, upsetting, and so so so enjoyable to read. I loved reading about Helen from Gilbert’s point of view and I loved seeing him SO DOWN BAD for my girl!! She deserves alllllll of that! I also love how scandalous this entire story felt especially knowing the time frame it was written in. Anne Bronte was iconic for this. The last thing l’ll say is that I oftentimes get down on myself when beginning to read classics because I don’t feel smart enough for it but once I was able to get over that (which was really quickly as I was immediately drawn into the story by the 3rd page) it was a wonderful reading experience. So if you’re someone who’s nervous about picking up classics, you don’t have to be nervous, this is an incredibleeeee book. I could literally talk about this book forever because I loved it THAT much! What do I read next?? Who am I now that I have read the tenant of wildfell hall??? What do I do with myself now?! What could I possibly read next that will come to the same level!??!

It Came from the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror by Joe Vallese

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informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

I picked up this book as someone who doesn’t watch a lot of horror (but has a few deep seated memories of certain horror films from my childhood). Having said that, I haven’t seen most of the films discussed in this book. Nevertheless, that didn’t take away from the discussions, analysis, and impact these stories had for me in each of these short essays. I loved how the movies chosen for each story was perfectly woven into the lives and themes of each persons story. I’ve never thought that deeply about horror movies or how horror intersects with queerness so I found a lot of these essays enlightening! I enjoyed this collection and I’m excited to watch some of these classic horror films!

Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova

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emotional funny mysterious reflective 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

I already know this book is going to be one that I think about often. I found myself feeling seen in a lot of small ways (the use of “mami”, M eating picadillo, etc) and I found the different portrayals of love, acceptance, and grief to be very thought provoking. This is also the first book I’ve read where each of the characters queerness were less of a plot point and more just a part of who they were. I loved that. It felt so impactful for the queerness to be unimportant/inconsequential in the whole theme of the book. I tabbed the hell out of this book and I think everyone should definitely read it! I’m excited for more books from this author!

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