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leviofmichigan's reviews
299 reviews
Ace: What Asexuality Reveals about Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex by Angela Chen
medium-paced
5.0
A fantastic introduction to a subject too seldom discussed in LGBTQ circles and the general population. Paves the way for so much more to be written about ace, aro, and demi experiences.
Bi: The Hidden Culture, History, and Science of Bisexuality by Julia Shaw
fast-paced
4.0
A quick rundown on the state of bisexuality, but nothing more. Left me encouraged. :)
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers
- 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? No
5.0
From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death by Caitlin Doughty
5.0
Everything Doughty writes is worth reading.
So You Want to Be an Interpreter?: An Introduction to Sign Language Interpreting by Janice H. Humphrey, Bob J. Alcorn
fast-paced
2.0
Definitely learned some things from this book, but it’s SO dated and the illustrations are embarrassing. Please, professors, find better books. Write new ones!
There’s also the big trap these older books fall into of further stigmatizing disabilities by suggesting Deaf people are not disabled. If a disabled person achieves more than what you expected of them, don’t applaud, call them inspiring, and declare that they are not disabled since they can become a doctor, run fast, or play an instrument well. Stop expecting so little of disabled people. It means not able to walk, see, hear, focus as well as others, navigate social situations as smoothly as others, etc. It doesn’t mean “unable to function in society,” as a friend once suggested. At Deaf events, it is the hearing participants who must try to keep up with the ASL. In spaces where autistic ways of seeing the world are more normalized, it is allistics who feel out of place.
I went on a version of this rant in a class forum, to a mostly positive response, but was drowned out by neoliberals proclaiming they finally see that Deaf people really aren’t disabled. The truth is, the ideas most people seem to have of disability, it’s a wonder they think anyone is disabled.
There’s also the big trap these older books fall into of further stigmatizing disabilities by suggesting Deaf people are not disabled. If a disabled person achieves more than what you expected of them, don’t applaud, call them inspiring, and declare that they are not disabled since they can become a doctor, run fast, or play an instrument well. Stop expecting so little of disabled people. It means not able to walk, see, hear, focus as well as others, navigate social situations as smoothly as others, etc. It doesn’t mean “unable to function in society,” as a friend once suggested. At Deaf events, it is the hearing participants who must try to keep up with the ASL. In spaces where autistic ways of seeing the world are more normalized, it is allistics who feel out of place.
I went on a version of this rant in a class forum, to a mostly positive response, but was drowned out by neoliberals proclaiming they finally see that Deaf people really aren’t disabled. The truth is, the ideas most people seem to have of disability, it’s a wonder they think anyone is disabled.
The Secret to Superhuman Strength by Alison Bechdel
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Absolutely worth reading. If you often wonder about your place in the universe, this one’s for you.
Southernmost by Silas House
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
What a weird little book. I’m glad I read it, but like, what is it supposed to mean? Also I’m tired of the gay characters being the ones who have to go find G-d in the Episcopal church to prove to everyone that She still loves them. How about a good old fashioned humanitarian atheist gay?
What We Wish Were True: Reflections on Nurturing Life and Facing Death by Tallu Quinn
medium-paced
3.0
Meaningful, in places, I feel the author had a very genuine perspective on all the unknowns that come with death, but the essays jumped around a bit. Little flow.
Faith After Doubt: Why Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What to Do about It by Brian D. McLaren
3.0
This was one of those books that makes you learn a new language of special terms before you can get into it. My favorite part was at the end when he talked about Rachel Held Evans.