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megansoetaert's reviews
403 reviews
Rough Sleepers: Dr. Jim O'Connell's Urgent Mission to Bring Healing to Homeless People by Tracy Kidder
emotional
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Tracy Kidder does such a great job at making the factual and informative personal. The care he takes with his subjects is so clear and makes his books very impactful.
Rough Sleepers tells the story of Dr. Jim O’Connell’s professional career with the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program. Dr. Jim and the healthcare workers in the program have dedicated decades to ensuring everyone in Boston has access to healthcare, even when no other parties in the city, state, or country were trying to make the situation for unhoused people better. The stories in this book humanize homelessness and (hopefully) inspire critical thinking and compassion.
Rough Sleepers tells the story of Dr. Jim O’Connell’s professional career with the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program. Dr. Jim and the healthcare workers in the program have dedicated decades to ensuring everyone in Boston has access to healthcare, even when no other parties in the city, state, or country were trying to make the situation for unhoused people better. The stories in this book humanize homelessness and (hopefully) inspire critical thinking and compassion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content, Mental illness, and Drug abuse
Spellbound: A Graphic Memoir by Bishakh Som
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
A funny and authentic graphic memoir reflecting on finding yourself, career/purpose, gender identity, being Bengali, and family. Som tells her story through a character- Anjali, a cis woman- who is relatable and truthful and has the best sidekick, Ampersand the cat <3 I loved seeing Bishakh’s story through Anjali—it was a way for her to tell her story while affirming her womanhood throughout her entire life.
Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
This was an easy fantasy read! i wish we had gotten more of Isla. I didn’t care for the romance (with anyone lol). the plot had potential, but it just didn’t capture me. also i (somewhat) guessed the reveal at the end way early & that always pisses me off, but that’s a me problem lmao 😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
adventurous
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Becky Chambers is so good at world building & character building!! love all the ladies they are so slay 🫶🏼 the only thing i didn’t like was how choppy some of the action was—things just cut out and then in the next scene, everything was solved??
The Palace of Eros by Caro De Robertis
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I expected to like this book, but I loved it so, so much! De Robertis’ writing is flowing and emotional. I felt intimately connected to the characters, Psyche in particular, and loved reading their reflections and emotions.
The Palace of Eros is one of the best retellings of Greek mythology I’ve read. De Robertis created a story that expands what women in ancient Greece could be, what forms love can take, and how gender is expansive and wonderful. I can’t wait for this book to be out in the world 🫶🏼
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Palace of Eros is one of the best retellings of Greek mythology I’ve read. De Robertis created a story that expands what women in ancient Greece could be, what forms love can take, and how gender is expansive and wonderful. I can’t wait for this book to be out in the world 🫶🏼
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexism, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
This didn’t live up to expectations for me. I like the idea of a book being a study of a community, and how community will save you, but I don’t feel like this was executed in a way that holds your attention. There was not enough and too much happening at the same time. I think Dodo’s story is all I was really invested in, but ended up feeling rushed anyway.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, and Racism
Moderate: Rape
The Map of Salt and Stars by Zeyn Joukhadar
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Triple Sec by TJ Alexander
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.75
This was a fun read!! I will say, I enjoyed Mel's own story more than her relationships. I liked seeing her growth! also, please let me try her drinks :( I also liked the queer & poly rep, and the prioritization of healthy communication & boundaries.
I felt like the pacing and focus fluctuated for me, it wasn't consistent in keeping me engaged. I also felt like Bebe became an afterthought once Mel and Kade's relationship got started. I just wanted more, you know?? Also, very weird to not name Kade's autism. I thought we were building up to Kade sharing that, but nope, never happened.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
I felt like the pacing and focus fluctuated for me, it wasn't consistent in keeping me engaged. I also felt like Bebe became an afterthought once Mel and Kade's relationship got started. I just wanted more, you know?? Also, very weird to not name Kade's autism. I thought we were building up to Kade sharing that, but nope, never happened.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content