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laurel00's reviews
319 reviews
Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools by Monique W. Morris
informative
4.0
For a topic that is so expansive and stems from so many historical, sociological, cultural, and legal frameworks affecting the lives of young Black girls, Morris did a fantastic job of addressing the overall issue in a concrete and specific way.
I loved that the book wasn't limited to theory and statistics, but included real, authentic testimony, tangible examples, and realistic solutions and pathways for everyone involved in the education and raising of young Black girls in America.
It was incredibly heartbreaking at times, but definitely eye-opening. Even if you don't feel necessarily impacted by or responsible for the criminalization of Black girls in educational circles, I think it remains a fascinating book to read with an incredible amount of information that I believe is important for people to know as part of a society, collective, and community who should care about Black girls and women a lot more than we currently do. A system that unfairly punishes our youth is everyone's responsibility and everyone should, at the very least, be aware of the way that the system impacts young Black girls and of the multiple obstacles they face in almost every aspect of their lives.
I loved that the book wasn't limited to theory and statistics, but included real, authentic testimony, tangible examples, and realistic solutions and pathways for everyone involved in the education and raising of young Black girls in America.
It was incredibly heartbreaking at times, but definitely eye-opening. Even if you don't feel necessarily impacted by or responsible for the criminalization of Black girls in educational circles, I think it remains a fascinating book to read with an incredible amount of information that I believe is important for people to know as part of a society, collective, and community who should care about Black girls and women a lot more than we currently do. A system that unfairly punishes our youth is everyone's responsibility and everyone should, at the very least, be aware of the way that the system impacts young Black girls and of the multiple obstacles they face in almost every aspect of their lives.
All I See Is Violence by Angie Elita Newell
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
This is more of a matter of me having a hard time with historical fiction than an actual testament to the quality of this book. Historical fiction is a hard genre for me to get into, and as much as I wanted to become fully immersed in the story, I never truly got to that point. That being said, the chapters and scenes that did work for me worked really well, and I think that if you are someone who’s interested in the genre, you would appreciate this work and all it has to offer.
I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me by Jamison Shea
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Will come back to this, I absolutely adored the first few chapters, but I entered a huge inexplicable reading slump and need to start over.
The Feast Makers by August Clarke
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.
Will be coming back to this, I just entered a huge reading slump and need to start over.
Masculinities: Boi Bulldagger Butch Masc MOC Soft Butch Stud Tomboy Transmasc by Avery Cassell
Did not finish book. Stopped at 79%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 79%.
I was genuinely loving it and then I just… stopped. Nothing wrong with the book itself, I just never got to finishing it.
Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
As much as I love seeing all the characters on a quest together, I think I'm partial to the stories that center around one kid's journey through their door. I find them a lot more emotional and I think McGuire has a particular talent for exploring childhood in a beautifully nostalgic and bittersweet way. Although there were some great moments here, this book maybe didn't hit quite as hard as some of the previous one—especially #8, Lost in the Moment and Found, which I believe is one of my favourites.
I'm glad that I was able to see Antsy again so soon, considering how much I adore her as a character, but since it was a lot more plot-based than character-based, I felt like I was maybe missing a little something.
That being said, I still love these children will all my heart, and I can't wait to keep following them down all their heartbreaking stories and adventures.
Thank you so much to Tordotcom. I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I'm glad that I was able to see Antsy again so soon, considering how much I adore her as a character, but since it was a lot more plot-based than character-based, I felt like I was maybe missing a little something.
That being said, I still love these children will all my heart, and I can't wait to keep following them down all their heartbreaking stories and adventures.
Thank you so much to Tordotcom. I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
"I know that things aren't perfect and there are still hardships, but don't forget to enjoy these years. Live. Live them for the people who didn't get to enjoy being a teenager. For the people who never lived past being a teenager."
I had to suspend my disbelief on a couple of plot points, and there were some passages that felt clunkier than I would've liked. But overall, it was a deeply cathartic read, probably because of how much I relate to Felix and his relationship with his queer identity. And I think that, in general, Callender did a great job of balancing high school drama & romance, as well as more serious topics of transphobia and class disparity.
I had to suspend my disbelief on a couple of plot points, and there were some passages that felt clunkier than I would've liked. But overall, it was a deeply cathartic read, probably because of how much I relate to Felix and his relationship with his queer identity. And I think that, in general, Callender did a great job of balancing high school drama & romance, as well as more serious topics of transphobia and class disparity.