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mitzee's reviews
354 reviews
The Deep by Rivers Solomon
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Reading the afterward was helpful for me to better understand why this story is as short as it is and why it feels a bit like a fragment. It still does not feel like a full book but I get it now.
The story itself: I had a hard time following some of it because it was hard to piece together the lore/mythos. Not everything is fully explained and I guess the fact that it’s not meant to be a full book on its own but a retelling and reinterpretation of a heard story might be why.
The story is about humans who have become something like mermaids. The idea came from the fact that pregnant women who were being trafficked by the slave trade, were thrown into the sea. It’s possible that they gave birth in the oceans and it’s possible that after generations those babies began to physically adapt.
There are aspects of this species that exist but were not fully explained, they had a hive mind in some ways - shared memories, and referring to oneself as “we” not “I”. They had historians who kept the history, but I don’t understand how that could be differentiated given everyone has the same memories. They seem to be collectively hurt or injured if one of them leaves the school (I’ll call it a school, like fish). They apparently have not lost their ability to breathe above water, it’s just harder for them to do it. Their fins don’t turn into legs above land. They don’t have male vs female bodies, but they have gender and it’s self determined (men, women, both, neither)
There doesn’t seem to be a lot of content about what life is like for them below the surface. The parts of the book I mostly remember is when Yetu, the primary character, decides to go to the surface, on land, and meets a fisherwoman named Ouri. They seem to have a connection, unsure if it’s romantic but I will assume it’s a sapphic relationship.
At then end of the book the wyjenru (spelling is based on what I heard) end up attacking the land dwellers (or Two Legs as they are called in the book) but Ouri survives and Yetu finally finds her. She turns Ouri into something new: a human that can breathe water but never grows fins.
The story itself: I had a hard time following some of it because it was hard to piece together the lore/mythos. Not everything is fully explained and I guess the fact that it’s not meant to be a full book on its own but a retelling and reinterpretation of a heard story might be why.
There are aspects of this species that exist but were not fully explained, they had a hive mind in some ways - shared memories, and referring to oneself as “we” not “I”. They had historians who kept the history, but I don’t understand how that could be differentiated given everyone has the same memories. They seem to be collectively hurt or injured if one of them leaves the school (I’ll call it a school, like fish). They apparently have not lost their ability to breathe above water, it’s just harder for them to do it. Their fins don’t turn into legs above land. They don’t have male vs female bodies, but they have gender and it’s self determined (men, women, both, neither)
There doesn’t seem to be a lot of content about what life is like for them below the surface. The parts of the book I mostly remember is when Yetu, the primary character, decides to go to the surface, on land, and meets a fisherwoman named Ouri. They seem to have a connection, unsure if it’s romantic but I will assume it’s a sapphic relationship.
At then end of the book the wyjenru (spelling is based on what I heard) end up attacking the land dwellers (or Two Legs as they are called in the book) but Ouri survives and Yetu finally finds her. She turns Ouri into something new: a human that can breathe water but never grows fins.
On Palestine by Ilan Pappé, Noam Chomsky
I found what he said about universities to be so profound, as if at one point in time universities were a place to learn and share ideas - not just to get a degree so you could get a well paying job.
What he’s saying about sustaining the BDS movement is really true also. It takes continuous messaging and sometimes, patience which is hard to come by when you see people suffering every day.
informative
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Very informative and in easy to understand language. Given this is my first book on the subject of Palestine and the ongoing siege on Gaza, I felt I learned a lot. There’s so little I know, as a citizen of the U.S. about what has happened in this region and most of it has been shaped by what’s been reported within the country.
It’s good to hear from someone outside of the US (Pappe) however I must do need to read more about it and from different perspectives.
One quote really stood out to me, and not specifically on the topic of Palestine:
It’s good to hear from someone outside of the US (Pappe) however I must do need to read more about it and from different perspectives.
One quote really stood out to me, and not specifically on the topic of Palestine:
As a teacher, wouldn’t it be more useful teaching in Israel than abroad? Could you be the teacher you are in the UK in Israel?
Ilan Pappé:
I don’t think I want to be a teacher in a university anyway. Universities are not the best place to teach people about the realities of life or can change their point of view. Universities are sites for careers now, not for knowledge and education.
I’m teaching in Israel as well, in my own way, through my articles, through the tiny amount of public speaking I am allowed to do. I would like to continue this. I feel like what I am doing in Britain is working on the pressure from the outside, less than education. You cannot sustain a BDS (boycott, divest, sanction) campaign without explaining to people why it is necessary. To give them the tools and the background the understand it, to legitimize it.
I found what he said about universities to be so profound, as if at one point in time universities were a place to learn and share ideas - not just to get a degree so you could get a well paying job.
What he’s saying about sustaining the BDS movement is really true also. It takes continuous messaging and sometimes, patience which is hard to come by when you see people suffering every day.
We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
While short/brief I enjoyed this memoir for its heart and emotion. Thinking about my own journey some of the things Habib wrote really moved me, like “leave young people better than you found them” - and this is in reflection of relationships/dating.
I also found their realization that they were using relationships with cis men as a mask to continue to avoid being real with oneself to be profound but also a sneaky way of exploring one’s identity.
Would recommend this book as a little intro into the world of queer Muslim stories because it’s so short and sweet. I’m sure there’s so many more perspectives to explore.
I also found their realization that they were using relationships with cis men as a mask to continue to avoid being real with oneself to be profound but also a sneaky way of exploring one’s identity.
Would recommend this book as a little intro into the world of queer Muslim stories because it’s so short and sweet. I’m sure there’s so many more perspectives to explore.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Violence
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual assault
Wildblood by Lauren Blackwood
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Likes: jungle setting, blood magic, female protagonist, mild love story
Dislikes: some aspects of the story felt very half-hearted. While the story was fine, some of the plot lines didn’t feel fully fleshed out. Wish the author has spent more time taking about Wildblood powers to give an understanding of what’s possible, who has them and who doesn’t, etc. Personally I was more interested in the magic aspect than the interaction with the antagonist.
Summary for my own reference:
There are songs sung in the audiobook and I had to skip past all of that. It just had some irksome effects on me at 1.75x speed.
The story is about Victoria who is a wildblood and she works for a jungle tour company from what I gather - it’s not explicitly said. But when a group of tourists hire them to go on a tour of the deep jungle, this is a problem, for some reason. It isn’t very clearly explained why tour guides and wildbloods need to be paired but I assume it’s for safety - but then they still don’t go into dangerous areas like the deep jungle, so what’s the safety for? Maybe against other people? It’s not clear in the story.
She seems to be an ensalved person working for this tour company. At the end of the book it’s clear that the point of the story is she is fighting for her freedom but the payoff isn’t there because it was never made clear what she has to suffer to get there. It’s slowly revealed over the course of the book that she was raped by her boss/enslaver - the person who runs the tour company - while her ex boyfriend turned enemy, Dean, (also an abused and enslaved wildblood) stood by and watched. That in itself is a good enough reason to celebrate at the end when The Boss gets his face smashed (like, to death) in by Dean, and Dean is hanging onto life by a thread. I guess put in those words it seems like the freedom should be enough but it would have been helpful to hear more about what life was like prior to going on the jungle tour - since most of the book they are out in the jungle and there are other threats more pressing than lack of freedom.
Dislikes: some aspects of the story felt very half-hearted. While the story was fine, some of the plot lines didn’t feel fully fleshed out. Wish the author has spent more time taking about Wildblood powers to give an understanding of what’s possible, who has them and who doesn’t, etc. Personally I was more interested in the magic aspect than the interaction with the antagonist.
Summary for my own reference:
There are songs sung in the audiobook and I had to skip past all of that. It just had some irksome effects on me at 1.75x speed.
The story is about Victoria who is a wildblood and she works for a jungle tour company from what I gather - it’s not explicitly said. But when a group of tourists hire them to go on a tour of the deep jungle, this is a problem, for some reason. It isn’t very clearly explained why tour guides and wildbloods need to be paired but I assume it’s for safety - but then they still don’t go into dangerous areas like the deep jungle, so what’s the safety for? Maybe against other people? It’s not clear in the story.
She seems to be an ensalved person working for this tour company. At the end of the book it’s clear that the point of the story is she is fighting for her freedom but the payoff isn’t there because it was never made clear what she has to suffer to get there. It’s slowly revealed over the course of the book that she was raped by her boss/enslaver - the person who runs the tour company - while her ex boyfriend turned enemy, Dean, (also an abused and enslaved wildblood) stood by and watched. That in itself is a good enough reason to celebrate at the end when The Boss gets his face smashed (like, to death) in by Dean, and Dean is hanging onto life by a thread. I guess put in those words it seems like the freedom should be enough but it would have been helpful to hear more about what life was like prior to going on the jungle tour - since most of the book they are out in the jungle and there are other threats more pressing than lack of freedom.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death
Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A fun, simple, puzzle game. It feels like a bit of a murder mystery but not; there’s no murder, there is a mystery to be solved. Someone dies and the main character is driven to figure out why this person left her his billions of dollars instead of the family (daughters and grandsons) he left behind.
There’s a love triangle between Avery and two of the brothers, Jameson and Grayson. Its history repeating itself with a death of a girl named Emily in their past. This part of the story felt pointless? Like it was introduced to add to the drama but I guess it was being used as a red herring. A choice by the author but ultimately a dead end and in the end it felt like an inconsequential loose end. Overall I enjoyed the journey, it’s fun to fantasize about inheriting a lot of money. I also enjoyed the puzzles and mystery aspect.
There’s a love triangle between Avery and two of the brothers, Jameson and Grayson. Its history repeating itself with a death of a girl named Emily in their past. This part of the story felt pointless? Like it was introduced to add to the drama but I guess it was being used as a red herring. A choice by the author but ultimately a dead end and in the end it felt like an inconsequential loose end. Overall I enjoyed the journey, it’s fun to fantasize about inheriting a lot of money. I also enjoyed the puzzles and mystery aspect.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse
Minor: Gun violence
Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
informative
medium-paced
4.0
I think I need to listen to this again while taking notes. A lot of this is a recounting of personal experiences - which is really helpful as someone who is not of the disabled community and wants to educate themselves. It would be a good reread/listen to take notes and think about what actions an ally should take to make accommodations and create a more accessible environment for others.
Also side note, I was almost halfway through the book before I realized she was not saying “cutie bipoc” but QD bipoc, as in Queer Disabled. Hahaha. Cutie bipoc is cute tho.
Also side note, I was almost halfway through the book before I realized she was not saying “cutie bipoc” but QD bipoc, as in Queer Disabled. Hahaha. Cutie bipoc is cute tho.
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.75
A fun, femme first (but not queer) story that feels somewhere between sci-fi and fantasy (maybe more off-Terra fantasy).
Tress is a basic girl who lives on an island and falls in love with the Duke’s son, who tells her he is some low level servant. Something happens to rock her world and she sets off on a journey and gets an opportunity to show off her intelligence, empathy, cleverness, and vulnerability.
notes for me (major spoilers here):
Things I really enjoyed: Disabled, deaf representation. Tress’ ability to see her own faults and evaluate her ideas from an objective POV. The spore seas were fun. I would want to hear more about this. Similar to the powers, and magic from Sanderson’s Mistborn series, it felt very creative and new. Really enjoyed this one and the audiobook includes a note from the author who reads it himself who sounds so much younger than what I thought based on the Stormlight Archive series
Tress is a basic girl who lives on an island and falls in love with the Duke’s son, who tells her he is some low level servant. Something happens to rock her world and she sets off on a journey and gets an opportunity to show off her intelligence, empathy, cleverness, and vulnerability.
notes for me (major spoilers here):
Things I really enjoyed: Disabled, deaf representation. Tress’ ability to see her own faults and evaluate her ideas from an objective POV. The spore seas were fun. I would want to hear more about this. Similar to the powers, and magic from Sanderson’s Mistborn series, it felt very creative and new. Really enjoyed this one and the audiobook includes a note from the author who reads it himself who sounds so much younger than what I thought based on the Stormlight Archive series
Just Kids by Patti Smith
emotional
informative
slow-paced
3.5
I only gave it 3.5. In the end it was something I was able to finish but not necessarily something I found that interesting. I think this book would be better for someone who is a fan of Patti Smith or Robert Maplethorpe and/or a fan of the art, writing, music that came out of the creatives who lived in the Chelsea Hotel in the 70s.
I was drawn to it because someone else had recommended it and I have heard about Patti Smith and have seen Maplethorpes work but I didn’t really know too much about them. I don’t think I learned from this book why they were important. I did learn about Maplethorpe’s struggle with internalized homophobia and about how it didn’t take much to get by in the 70s in NYC.
I was drawn to it because someone else had recommended it and I have heard about Patti Smith and have seen Maplethorpes work but I didn’t really know too much about them. I don’t think I learned from this book why they were important. I did learn about Maplethorpe’s struggle with internalized homophobia and about how it didn’t take much to get by in the 70s in NYC.
River Woman, River Demon by Jennifer Givhan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
At the time I borrowed I wasn’t ready for the level of detail for the crime investigation. Maybe come back to this later.
The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels
Did not finish book. Stopped at 44%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 44%.
Left this book for a break. Need to have the time and headspace for the content which is obviously not going to be written with modern phrasing.