mh_doma's reviews
127 reviews

A Safe Girl to Love by Casey Plett

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

Such a stunning collection of short stories. Brutally honest with a compelling writing style that remained engaging throughout the entire collection. I enjoyed each short story even though there were some that were memorable for me. A few short stories that especially stood out to me include “How to Stay Friends,” “Not Bleak,” and “Winning.” While I found the specifics of some mental health and sexual themes to be somewhat repetitive, each short story was crafted thoughtfully and this collection definitely stands out as among the most impactful collections I have read.

Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey

emotional hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

An important manifesto for the work culture that we live in today steeped with racist and colonial roots. I read this manifesto at a crucial transitionary point in my life and was centered and touched by it. I loved when Hersey provided personal anecdotes and historical information to support her points. I found the repetition necessary especially with regard of the concept of “deprogramming” that Hersey talks about. Reading the words in this manifesto is a different process from applying them, and that is something I will be thinking about and grappling with for a long time after finishing this manifesto.

Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

3.5

This book absolutely had me turning the pages and wanting to know what happened next. I took issues with aspects of the plot and some the representation but found other parts to be brilliant. Will definitely be reading more from this author in the future!

The Breakaways by Cathy G. Johnson

adventurous hopeful fast-paced

2.5

Grabbed this graphic novel from a free little library on my way home and read it on the train ride. The art style is really engaging, and there was a solid foundation in terms of characters and potential themes to explore with a few subplots that I found especially meaningful. The direction of the graphic novel was unclear to me for most of it though. I only became invested in the last quarter or so and by then it was over too soon as the resolutions came too fast and felt somewhat unearned. This would have been a great longer graphic novel that focused in on a few specific characters or a longer graphic novel series that explored all the characters and subplots more in-depth.

The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.

Unfortunately, I’m just not as invested as I was hoping to be and find it hard for this book to keep my attention.

The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

5.0

Wow, I can’t believe Ostertag made this graphic novel just for me! This graphic novel is my favorite work from her by far and became an instant favorite. Seeing a butch lesbian with low self-esteem and vulnerability issues and addressing that properly meant so much to me actually. I loved the choice of colors in this graphic novel and found the art style especially smooth and eye-catching. The storytelling and pacing were compelling, and I loved the relationship between Mags and Nessa. A romance between a butch lesbian who doesn’t know how to ask for help and a bisexual trans girl who thinks everything of her? And they are childhood best friends reconnecting after years spent apart? I’m so here. Not to mention the exploration of familial/generational hurts, trauma and how it changes people, the importance of accepting that we deserve to be happy even when we think we don’t, and so much more that this graphic novel did a great job of addressing. Don’t even get me started on all the unhealthy relationships that Mags and Nessa had to unravel with the people in their lives. I hope Ostertag continues making graphic novels with slightly more mature tones like this one because I think this is her best work yet!

Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement by Ashley Shew

informative fast-paced

4.0

An excellent introduction into the relationship between technology and ableism that was accessible and thorough. All of the chapters were thoughtfully written with information and takeaways that I found thought provoking. I wanted to know more about how mental illnesses interacted with technoableism and some other topics that were mentioned but that curiosity did not meaningfully detract from my overall enjoyment of this book. Definitely a great resource for anyone who wants to know more about technoableism and disability justice and for educators who want to discuss these topics with their students.

Sundial by Catriona Ward
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.

Meandering and shocking to be shocking. Casual, frequent, and gratuitous violence. Will be skipping this one.

As Good as Dead by Holly Jackson

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

5.0

What a gripping last installment of such phenomenal series! Easily my favorite YA thriller/mystery series. I am so amazed by how interconnected the narrative is throughout and how well written the characters are. Jackson really knows how to write a page-turner that is difficult to put down. This series is among my favorite reads from this year so far (and of all time!). Would highly recommend.

Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 9 by Kamome Shirahama

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

4.0

Mesmerizing world-building and complicated conflicts stand out in this volume. I adore the characters as always and appreciate with how much care sensitive themes were handled. I was absolutely blown away by the art especially on certain pages in the final chapters. I am still figuring out how I feel about the disabled representation and do feel as though the pacing was slow in some sections of this volume. Regardless, I really enjoyed this installment.