mariannemersereau's reviews
505 reviews

The World After Gaza by Pankaj Mishra

sad fast-paced

4.0

The World after Gaza is an informative read about the history of Gaza and the stupidity and tragedy of war and human violence. It is difficult material but worth the time and effort to read as it puts current events into historical context. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Colonisation, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, Deportation

Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Gregory Boyle

dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

The author of this book was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024. Reading the book gives a sense of how well-deserved this award was. It is an inspiring story about a deeply compassionate man who has made significant contributions to the betterment of society. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism

Something about Living by Lena Khalaf Tuffaha

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.0

"Something about Living" is a powerful collection of poems illuminating the experience of Palestinians in their ancestral homeland and in America. 

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

5.0

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

5.0

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

5.0

Stellaluna by Janell Cannon

5.0

The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

5.0

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback

5.0

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

5.0