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lidia7's reviews
451 reviews
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
We Were Seeds: an anthology benefitting Palestine by Saige England, Chloe Maria Winstanley, Emily Perkovich, Eman Alhaj Ali
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.75
I thought this anthology was well-balanced, highly accessible and with some very powerful poems. . I could really appreciate most of the poems which doesn't usually happen for me, especially in anthologies. There were maybe a handful of poems where I wasn't able to see the connection with Palestine but that could be on me.
The poets and their perspectives were diverse and inclusive which was a pleasant surprise but it shouldn't have been a surprise because with more research into Querencia Press I learned their values are humanistic.
"Querencia Press is an independent publisher, seeking to amplify overlooked voices. We want to create a safe space for writers and artists to share their stories. We are especially interested in work that may have been looked over in the past for shouting too loudly. We want you to shout. We want you to make us listen." from their about section.
I bought my own digital copy directly from querencia press (https://www.querenciapress.com/we-were-seeds) and read it. Later I saw I got an email with the ARC of this book because I asked for complimentary review copies of their titles directly from their website (digital versions sent first). On the link I provided you can choose digital or physical copies (QP is based in the US) and in the description of the book we're informed that "All sales will be donated to The Sameer Project & mutual aids on Gaza Funds". I'm not sure how it works if you buy from other places but I'd highly recommend buying directly from the publisher.
(i'll write in this review about a couple of specific poems in a couple of days)
The poets and their perspectives were diverse and inclusive which was a pleasant surprise but it shouldn't have been a surprise because with more research into Querencia Press I learned their values are humanistic.
"Querencia Press is an independent publisher, seeking to amplify overlooked voices. We want to create a safe space for writers and artists to share their stories. We are especially interested in work that may have been looked over in the past for shouting too loudly. We want you to shout. We want you to make us listen." from their about section.
I bought my own digital copy directly from querencia press (https://www.querenciapress.com/we-were-seeds) and read it. Later I saw I got an email with the ARC of this book because I asked for complimentary review copies of their titles directly from their website (digital versions sent first). On the link I provided you can choose digital or physical copies (QP is based in the US) and in the description of the book we're informed that "All sales will be donated to The Sameer Project & mutual aids on Gaza Funds". I'm not sure how it works if you buy from other places but I'd highly recommend buying directly from the publisher.
(i'll write in this review about a couple of specific poems in a couple of days)
Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
It was mostly lighthearted but the last 15 or so percent of the book were really tense and not lighthearted at all. A major event happens that changes everything including the book itself. Before that the story is fun, mostly easygoing while still exploring harder topics but with stakes that aren't as high as life or death. It felt really affirming to read parts of this book, the way the characters struggle with expectations, freedom, their wants and needs, life's purpose, sexuality. These are all topics that are handled really well and are inspiring but definitely feel very YA which is fine. The last part of the book wasn't necessarily unexpected because the story was slowly getting there; there were hints. Still it escalated in a way I wasn't expecting - it turned out to be way more dark and terrifying than I thought it would be once events were set in motion and it didn't feel like a YA book at all.
The book managed to elicit one squeal out of me and I think the chemistry between the romantic and friendship pairings was really good, especially the latter. I really liked Sidney's and Arthur's friendship. But other friendship developments were really good, too, like Arthur and Gwen, Gwen and Agnes.
Overall, I'm glad to have read this book and I would recommend it for people who are queer or want to understand queer perspectives better. I think this book works best for young adults or for "baby gays" no matter their age. It's also fine for people who enjoy political intrigue, low to no magic, Arthurian inspired fantasy (but not the best if that's the only thing that intrigues you because there's not a lot of that).
I believe this is my second book by the author (I also enjoyed Reputation) and I plan to read all of their fiction books. I'm still unsure if I'll read Infamous because after reading some reviews, I'm not convinced I'd enjoy it. I'll see how I feel about the rest of their books first.
The book managed to elicit one squeal out of me and I think the chemistry between the romantic and friendship pairings was really good, especially the latter. I really liked Sidney's and Arthur's friendship. But other friendship developments were really good, too, like Arthur and Gwen, Gwen and Agnes.
Overall, I'm glad to have read this book and I would recommend it for people who are queer or want to understand queer perspectives better. I think this book works best for young adults or for "baby gays" no matter their age. It's also fine for people who enjoy political intrigue, low to no magic, Arthurian inspired fantasy (but not the best if that's the only thing that intrigues you because there's not a lot of that).
I believe this is my second book by the author (I also enjoyed Reputation) and I plan to read all of their fiction books. I'm still unsure if I'll read Infamous because after reading some reviews, I'm not convinced I'd enjoy it. I'll see how I feel about the rest of their books first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Sexism, and Blood
Minor: Cursing, Vomit, and Stalking
No Exit by Taylor Adams
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
Read in one sitting. Not a perfect book but still good enough. It was engaging but definitely had some relatively minor flaws for me. A lot of twists (perhaps a couple too many) and a couple major ones which I did not anticipate!
There were some hard to read stuff in order to show the prejudice, biases, history and motivations of the characters (misogyny, ableism, racism, along with other things that would venture into spoiler territory but are listed among TWs for those who need that). The book was quite gorey, had some gross moments(like the scene of being stuck in the van or the romantic delusions of that one character) . I think this book's pacing could've been a bit better. It is fast but some parts really drag.
I thought Taylor Adams was a woman but some of the writing choices made a lot more sense to me once I found out that the writer is a man - nothing bad really! Just things you might find more often in books written by men. I think the writer did a good job with this book and I would recommend it to people who like reading action and plot heavy stories dealing with survival and to those that aren't easily triggered because this book has some really dark, messed up scenes? (mostly short and some of the stuff is insinuated only). There were some borderline too convenient things happening but still, it wasn't too much to take me out of the story completely.
Oh and I kind of want to reread the book again, especially the first part, because some of the stuff will read out differently now that I know what happens later. (Also adding this a bit later: I've been thinking about this book's characters a lot even a day after and so that bumped up my star rating from 3.5 to 3.75. If I keep thinking about this book for longer I'll update it to 4 stars.)
Major spoilers from here! Only read this if you read the book!
I think Ashley was my favorite character to read about because he simultaneously feels like the kind of guy you might meet/know but also so unbelievably out there as in a mix of red flags gathered from serial killers so more like a idealtype than a person. Both he and Lars did awful things and Ashley was basically a textbook mix of narcissistic and antisocial traits but the reasons why the brothers might be the way they are are explored and I thought that was really interesting. I like thinking about stuff like that, generational trauma, nature vs nurture, how far gone does a person have to be before you can give up on them, but also the responsibility we hold ... For example, Ashley was just a kid then but then again he chose his uncle over the woman in the cellar... How different his life and his development could've been if he'd chosen differently. Just how Jay's and Darby's (everybody who's involved actually) could've been as well if Darby chose to ignore everything. Ed's fear is basically about this.
Darby was a somewhat relatable character and easy to root for. (So was Ed 😔). I would've approached Ed and not Ashley for help and was kind of annoyed at her at that point of the story but obviously the story would've gone differently if she'd chosen Ed to trust... I'm not impressed with the ending, I don't mind that much that Darby survived but I think the epilogue was really not enough for me with the way it was written. I don't think the writer pulled it off because it pretty much sounded like Darby was dead but then she wasn't... I also think some stuff could've been explained more like how did Sandi meet Ashley and Lars. Darby's family life could've been more developed since she's our main character and I feel like I know more about Ashley and even Lars than I know about Darby.
I haven't written anything about Jay... She was a very smart kid, really handled herself well which I'm not sure how realistic that part is but I don't care. I liked her character and her relationship with Darby. I thought the short dialogue about the housekeeper was cool.
There were some hard to read stuff in order to show the prejudice, biases, history and motivations of the characters (misogyny, ableism, racism, along with other things that would venture into spoiler territory but are listed among TWs for those who need that). The book was quite gorey, had some gross moments
I thought Taylor Adams was a woman but some of the writing choices made a lot more sense to me once I found out that the writer is a man - nothing bad really! Just things you might find more often in books written by men. I think the writer did a good job with this book and I would recommend it to people who like reading action and plot heavy stories dealing with survival and to those that aren't easily triggered because this book has some really dark, messed up scenes? (mostly short and some of the stuff is insinuated only). There were some borderline too convenient things happening but still, it wasn't too much to take me out of the story completely.
Oh and I kind of want to reread the book again, especially the first part, because some of the stuff will read out differently now that I know what happens later. (Also adding this a bit later: I've been thinking about this book's characters a lot even a day after and so that bumped up my star rating from 3.5 to 3.75. If I keep thinking about this book for longer I'll update it to 4 stars.)
Major spoilers from here! Only read this if you read the book!
Darby was a somewhat relatable character and easy to root for. (So was Ed 😔). I would've approached Ed and not Ashley for help and was kind of annoyed at her at that point of the story but obviously the story would've gone differently if she'd chosen Ed to trust... I'm not impressed with the ending, I don't mind that much that Darby survived but I think the epilogue was really not enough for me with the way it was written. I don't think the writer pulled it off because it pretty much sounded like Darby was dead but then she wasn't... I also think some stuff could've been explained more like how did Sandi meet Ashley and Lars. Darby's family life could've been more developed since she's our main character and I feel like I know more about Ashley and even Lars than I know about Darby.
I haven't written anything about Jay... She was a very smart kid, really handled herself well which I'm not sure how realistic that part is but I don't care. I liked her character and her relationship with Darby. I thought the short dialogue about the housekeeper was cool.
We Are the Ocean: Selected Works by Epeli Hau'ofa
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
The book is mostly nonfiction (essays and speeches which were great and informative.) After that first half of the book I took a long break from the book when there's some fiction. I did enjoy the short story The Glorious Pacific Way, the absurdism of bureaucracy and the critique of both colonialism and autocolonialism. The other fiction are the two excerpts from a novel Kisses in the Nederends which I skipped because it's not something I care to read (about 15% of the book). The interview about Kisses in the Nederends is worth a read. There's a bit more nonfiction, mostly about the monarchy and then the book ends with a short narrative poem which is explained.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation and Classism
Moderate: Chronic illness
You Are Eating an Orange. You Are Naked. by Sheung-King
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Abandonment
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Minor: Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Vomit, Murder, and Sexual harassment
The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-mi Hwang
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Infertility, and Xenophobia
Minor: Child death, Eating disorder, Suicide, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0