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lisacanteven's reviews
528 reviews
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
As no surprise, this is a tough read. It’s emotional and raw. Octavia Butler never misses.
An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was unexpectedly wonderful. I had no idea what I was going into. I didn’t even know the genre, but I was so happy when it ended up being sci-fi that takes place on a ship hurdling towards the heavens. The writing was beautiful and haunting. If you have been enjoying the tv show, Silo, you will love this book.
Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really wanted to love this, but in the end it just didn't work for me. I don't care for short, almost choppy writing where the paragraphs are only 2-3 lines long. This is similar writing to Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé's writing. It works for some people, and I wish it worked for me because it makes the story fly. However, I just can't get into the book this way.
I also don't like enemies to lovers a lot and this was enemies to lovers to the extreme. It reminded me of Zodiac Academy in the way that it felt like a bully romance. I will say that the writing in this book is leagues better than ZA. If you want vibes from ZA but better development and writing, this is a good book for you.
I also don't like enemies to lovers a lot and this was enemies to lovers to the extreme. It reminded me of Zodiac Academy in the way that it felt like a bully romance. I will say that the writing in this book is leagues better than ZA. If you want vibes from ZA but better development and writing, this is a good book for you.
A Million Kites: testimonies and poems from the children of Gaza 2023-2024 by Leila Boukarim, Asaf Luzon
5.0
I cried my eyes out. We should pass this book around so everyone gets a chance to read the words from these children in Gaza.
I'll Get Back to You by Becca Grischow
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
I’m sure this is a great book, but the fact that it is college students coming back to their hometown for thanksgiving- I just can’t do that.
Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity in This Crisis (And the Next) by Dean Spade
4.0
Really informative for a beginner activist. Makes a great tool in the tool box. There was one part where it started to get a little preachy about eating well and exercise?? Felt a little ableism come in from the privilege.
Miss Major Speaks: The Life and Times of a Black Trans Revolutionary by Miss Major Griffin-Gracy
5.0
I am so grateful for this record of Miss Major's life. She is an amazing woman and has lived the fullest life. This book and Miss Major's activism are gloriously intersectional. It's such an important read if you need a look into the experiences of a Black trans woman.
In the book, Miss Major is talking about Trans Day of Visibility and she says, "It's our allies who need to be more visible. You can't miss us." Asa partner of a trans person I agree that cisgender allies need to be more visible with their unwavering support of trans people everywhere.
In the book, Miss Major is talking about Trans Day of Visibility and she says, "It's our allies who need to be more visible. You can't miss us." Asa partner of a trans person I agree that cisgender allies need to be more visible with their unwavering support of trans people everywhere.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Transphobia, Violence, Police brutality, and Sexual harassment
A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera
fast-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? Yes
4.0
The audiobook made this experience so much better. I still enjoyed the book, but the audio did make me enjoy it more. The narrator is so good and a new favorite for me.
Fat Girl Magic by Kat Savage
3.5
At times this felt very surface level. As a fat woman, I have felt all these things. But I never felt that “aha, this is something I feel but never thought about before” moment.
There were also times where I really felt like it was written more from a midsize pov. There are a lot of things large fat people feel and experience that midsize people are too privileged to experience. I just never felt like, “yes, a truly fat person wrote this.”
Also all these terrible poems about how men have treated her and not more than a single poem about how she was treated by another woman, romantically. I wish there had been more of an insight into how different being with a woman is from being with a fatphobic man.
There were also times where I really felt like it was written more from a midsize pov. There are a lot of things large fat people feel and experience that midsize people are too privileged to experience. I just never felt like, “yes, a truly fat person wrote this.”
Also all these terrible poems about how men have treated her and not more than a single poem about how she was treated by another woman, romantically. I wish there had been more of an insight into how different being with a woman is from being with a fatphobic man.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia