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leviofmichigan's reviews
299 reviews
You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
I don’t know much about magical realism, but my belief is that when it’s good, you don’t even want an explanation for the magic, and when it’s bad, all you can think about is “what’s the explanation?” Well, this book was 10 hours of the latter, and, spoiler alert, you never end up finding out any kind of explanation. And for that reason, I’m glad I listened at 2x. Would not recommend.
Trusting the Gold: Uncovering Your Natural Goodness by Tara Brach
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
4.0
Brach’s stories are always inspiring. There were portions that made me feel she was espousing toxic positivity, but then she would explain what she meant more fully and I would realize, no, of course as a Buddhist teacher that’s not what she means. So, on the whole, very meaningful and a nice book to start the new year with.
Silence In the Age of Noise by Erling Kagge
3.0
The good parts reminded me of How To Do Nothing by Jenny Odell. The rest was a little boring.
The New Queer Conscience by Adam Eli
challenging
inspiring
4.0
Short, but genuinely packs a punch. It’s a guidebook for the way the queer community and allies should stand up and make change.
Heretic by Jeanna Kadlec
5.0
It’s hard to put down words about this at this moment. This is a very personal memoir about some very difficult times. I felt honored to read it. There were also somewhat odd portions that felt like they didn’t fit. But mostly, I liked this book, and I want to read it again.
The Wheel of Life: A Memoir of Living and Dying by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
A good introduction to Kübler-Ross
The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Not for me, but not a bad book either.
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
3.0
There’s a part where the kid suggests tying Sarah up in order to keep her with them, and I just feel like that’s a good example of how even young boys instinctually believe women don’t have rights. I know, I know, “it’s not that deep,” but the whole concept of advertising for a woman to come out to the prairie and marry a man she’s never met is weird to begin with.
A Very, Very Bad Thing by Jeffery Self
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I’m gonna say it. This is a very very bad book. It just feels pointless. It’s like a version of Dear Evan Hansen, if you think about it. Kid dies, other kid lies about what happened. So of course that leaves you, the reader, hating pretty much everyone in the story. The book is far too short to flesh out all the complexities of the plot, not that the author would be capable of doing so in a meaningful way, anyway. Others have said this, and I’ll say it again: we just need some more books about gay people doing normal things and having generally happy lives. I’m so tired of reading stories where somebody gay dies. I’m fed up with the fact that Netflix will spend millions making a dramatic retelling of horrific stories of Jeffrey Dahmer, and that’s what people watch. I want to watch and read about gay people, and gay POC especially, living somewhat normal lives. I’m tired of the trauma. And especially annoyed by this book, twisting the trauma of the plot into a lame excuse for the main character to be an asshole. Okay. I’m done.