maggie_ackbooks's reviews
155 reviews

challenging dark emotional funny reflective 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? No

5.0

Speaking as a queer person from a conservative small town who has struggled with mental health and ideation, this book found me at the right time. I cried, I laughed, I paused in reflection. I loved this book and recognize it is not for everyone. Due to its content I would struggle recommending to another person without knowing their history and experience with those triggering topics. And yet, this book has found me at the right time and I loved it.

Content Warnings

Gay Girl Prayers by Emily Austin

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emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

5.0

If a book could ever possibly remedy my religious trauma, it is this. I cannot thank Austin enough for writing this book.

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

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challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Knight Owl by Christopher Denise

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Super cute! Loved the art and the story.

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum

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hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I do not annotate books, and yet I found myself underlining the many philosophical thoughts and conclusions of the characters. Maybe it's because I find myself, a new bookseller, finding healing at my own crossroad of life that I give this book five stars. Bo-Reum beautifully captured the healing power of not only literature, but also slowing down and taking steps to not measure yourself against the yard stick of society.

Mothman Quarterback Ghost In My Tight End: A Trans Buckaroo Tale by Chuck Tingle

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funny reflective fast-paced

3.0

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan

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emotional reflective medium-paced