jaylinsoto's reviews
319 reviews

Men Have Called Her Crazy by Anna Marie Tendler

dark emotional sad medium-paced

3.5

I have mixed feelings about this memoir. There were certain parts that were poignant and impactful and other parts where I wanted to literally bang my head against any hard surface. The main problem I had with this memoir was the contradiction in Anna’s perspective. She repeatedly expressed her hatred for men, centering them as the root of all her problems, yet her memoir largely revolved around them. She chronicled most of her life through the lens of her relationships with men. I think it’s important to critique misogyny, the patriarchy, and societal structures without resorting to blanket statements like “men are the cause of all my problems.” This just felt over simplistic, disingenuous, and overall left me feeling like this book lacked the depth and introspection I expect from a memoir.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts

Foster by Claire Keegan

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon

adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

4.5

Stoner by John Williams

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

mysterious tense medium-paced

3.25

Minor Detail by Adania Shibli

dark emotional informative sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I found this book challenging to read (content wise) but really rewarding. I learned a lot & I loved how the narrator finds connection in history and strives to tell the story of a woman forgotten about and glanced over. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, War

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

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

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

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!??!