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lynseyreads_'s reviews
412 reviews
Ace: What Asexuality Reveals about Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex by Angela Chen
4.0
I like my nonfiction “down to earth.” Not only does Ace fit that description, it also strives to be intersectional, and ultimately does what the subtitle says it’s going to: “What a sexuality reveals about desire, society, and the meaning of sex.” Sex, intimacy, romance, are often normed as synonyms, but this book allows space to question those connections as well as the value of platonic intimacy. Chen somewhat subtlety shifts any perceived “issues” of asexuality to our hyper-sexualized society, pointing out hetero and ableist ideologies that are barriers to asexual representation and identity.
You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi
3.0
Audiobook was easy to consume quickly, but there’s a relationship in here that just made me feel icky. I also don’t think the characters really show who they are besides what traumas they’ve experienced.
Dyscalculia: A Love Story of Epic Miscalculation by Camonghne Felix
3.0
I listened to the audiobook, and judging by a few reviews, the physical book is a different experience.
Dyscalculia is lyrical and has a lot of texture. I appreciated its honesty, but it felt very “now I have my diagnosis and it was a straight line to healing after that,” which felt very oversimplified. Maybe that *is* her experience, but then I would’ve liked to see her reflect on that.
Dyscalculia is lyrical and has a lot of texture. I appreciated its honesty, but it felt very “now I have my diagnosis and it was a straight line to healing after that,” which felt very oversimplified. Maybe that *is* her experience, but then I would’ve liked to see her reflect on that.
Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck
4.0
I loved this strange little book— I cried! The structure is compelling, and the prose is very nice. It paints the same shades as a 2000’s indie movie, and I guess I’m into that. I had some different hopes for the ending and some thoughts on the pacing that make this a 4 star instead of 5, but overall: a very brave debut and a very unique book.
Once More with Feeling by Elissa Sussman
2.0
400+ pages and I don’t feel like I know the characters or why they are drawn to each other. They just stay flat and hard to root for. I also feel like the Broadway show they are creating… there are tons of steps left out of the middle? I would’ve liked more details on the production. The dual timeline was done smoothly, and there are a few cute scenes. A little spice that wasn’t the worst.
Not an awful book, just not great. The representation included didn’t feel too relevant except just to have it. Plus I don’t like that the best friend/side kick is a [gay] Black woman who absolutely deserves a better role than being in Katherine’s shadow.
Not an awful book, just not great. The representation included didn’t feel too relevant except just to have it. Plus I don’t like that the best friend/side kick is a [gay] Black woman who absolutely deserves a better role than being in Katherine’s shadow.