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loiscc's Reviews (313)
Queenie is a novel with which I experienced a strong affinity towards as her experiences are highly relatable for many females within the black community. Her adult life is marred by extreme anxiety, abandonment issues and intense childhood trauma, hence why she makes a series of bad decisions that lead her down a destructive path. I love reading this novel and would strongly recommend it for the insight it gives into the struggles that many women with the black community face, in terms of microaggressions and the cultural upbringing.
I only had issues with the comedic aspect of the novel which I wasn't completely on board with but otherwise an insightful easy to read novel with a powerful message about race and the covert nature of racism within various social and professional circles.
**trigger warnings for sexual abuse and violence*
I only had issues with the comedic aspect of the novel which I wasn't completely on board with but otherwise an insightful easy to read novel with a powerful message about race and the covert nature of racism within various social and professional circles.
**trigger warnings for sexual abuse and violence*
An extremely sobering exposé that explores the effects of structural racism in Britain. An absolute must-read! Full review on my blog.
A much-needed all-encompassing look into the disheartening lives of the transgender community. Not only does this book present sobering analysis but it dispels many myths about the community, many of which have roots in toxic transphobic sentiment and offers a refreshing perspective that when read with humility and an open mind is sure to grant the reader a better understanding of gender and sexuality.
We Should All Be Feminists is an extended tedtalk that looks at the authors experiences of the gender oppression that has become deeply entrenched in social and cultural norms. It makes hard-hitting points about gender inequality and the detrimental effects of these learner behaviours about gender on both man and women alike. My only criticism is that this book was far too short! I understand that was the intention and to its credit, this bitesized read makes it more accessible and possibly more profound, but there was definitely scope for greater analysis, for example, intersectional feminism, albeit the book ever so slightly touches on this as well as the limiting nature of our cultural views on gender as a whole. This book is a super quick read that can be easily completed in an afternoon.
Before The Coffee Gets Cold is a uniquely imaginative story about a time travel café in Tokyo, Japan. In particular it focuses on human relationships and loss. Some sections of the story felt laboured and pedestrian to read but altogether it was a deeply cognizant and engaging book about finding closure and the realisation that one has to come to terms with their present situation and make the best of it. Of course I loved all the cultural references but also how it delicately combines a sense of foreboding with the uplifting emotion of hope.
Pet is a uniquely extraordinary novella set in a futuristic dystopia, a place called Lucille, where insidious monsters once roamed free, wielding oppression in the form of inequality and injustice. Now many years on, Jam, an unassuming and non-talkative transgender girl lives a peaceful, happy life together with her loving parents and her best friend Redemption. But as she will learn from an unlikely and surreal encounter, all isn't exactly as it seems, which will cause her to question her reality and everything she once believed about her beloved Lucille.
Pet was imaginatively compelling and abounding in surrealist symbolism that draw clear parallels to the darker side of Western society today. Despite its futuristic setting, it paints a truer picture of the society we live in, with its representation of the diversity in sexuality and relationships that mirror the lives of many today.
I was only underwhelmed by the ending which seemed to have only cursory detail and a general glossing over, but otherwise a strong read that will hopefully form the backbone of mainstream young adult fiction in the years to come.
Pet was imaginatively compelling and abounding in surrealist symbolism that draw clear parallels to the darker side of Western society today. Despite its futuristic setting, it paints a truer picture of the society we live in, with its representation of the diversity in sexuality and relationships that mirror the lives of many today.
I was only underwhelmed by the ending which seemed to have only cursory detail and a general glossing over, but otherwise a strong read that will hopefully form the backbone of mainstream young adult fiction in the years to come.
Crucial, thoughtful and inciting. The Hate U Give is young adult fiction but speaks to everyone and implores you to not just hear but truly listen.
Starr Carter is a 16-year-old black girl from Garden Heights, a rough neighbourhood in the projects. Despite her young years, she has seen her fair share of racial inequality and injustice, starting with the shooting of her childhood friend, Natasha and more recently, the murder of her best friend, Khalil.
The racially charged shooting of yet another one of her friends by a white police officer will force Starr to confront with her most powerful weapon of all in the face of oppression; her voice.
This book is the perfect articulation of racial stereotyping, internalised racism and pandering to white standards. It doesn't shy away from discussing the onslaught of protests and resistance and more importantly, the larger issue still at hand, conducive to black anger and thug life.
Starr Carter is a 16-year-old black girl from Garden Heights, a rough neighbourhood in the projects. Despite her young years, she has seen her fair share of racial inequality and injustice, starting with the shooting of her childhood friend, Natasha and more recently, the murder of her best friend, Khalil.
The racially charged shooting of yet another one of her friends by a white police officer will force Starr to confront with her most powerful weapon of all in the face of oppression; her voice.
This book is the perfect articulation of racial stereotyping, internalised racism and pandering to white standards. It doesn't shy away from discussing the onslaught of protests and resistance and more importantly, the larger issue still at hand, conducive to black anger and thug life.
Lullaby is a tragic psychological thriller about a typical French family who decide to hire a nanny to look after their young daughter and son so that Mariam can pursue her dream career in law, which she was forced to put on hold to be a stay-at-home mum. When Mariam and Paul first meet Louise, she seems like a perfect fit, something akin to a singing English governess who travels by air with an umbrella, she's that prim and meticulous. But underneath that veneer, there lies a timebomb-like mental instability that threatens to implode in the most heartbreaking of ways.
Though I felt like this was an altogether average book, it handles the premise and the characterisation well. There was definitely a sense of feeling on edge and the uneasiness of pathetic fallacy. It portrays Louise's darker side in a believable and empathetic light and even discusses the intricacies of race perception and how we are inclined to judge people inadvertently based on this.
Though I felt like this was an altogether average book, it handles the premise and the characterisation well. There was definitely a sense of feeling on edge and the uneasiness of pathetic fallacy. It portrays Louise's darker side in a believable and empathetic light and even discusses the intricacies of race perception and how we are inclined to judge people inadvertently based on this.
Lead From The Outside is a Self-help memoir based on the successes and failures of American politician Stacey Abrams and explores how marginalised groups can become effective leaders and effect real change.
This book was a compelling burst of motivation. It has a powerful niche with the potential to inspire many who face the daily struggle of intersectional bias.
This book was a compelling burst of motivation. It has a powerful niche with the potential to inspire many who face the daily struggle of intersectional bias.