nixiethepixie's reviews
290 reviews

Losing Face by George Haddad

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Listened as an audiobook. A generous, reflective and tender book from the heart of Western Sydney. Really well-written and lived in characters, setting and feelings throughout. There’s always such joy in reading of a place you have encountered yourself. Insights and reflections from the lives of Joey and Elaine, we are witness to the lives of people just living their everyday, surviving. The first and second generation immigrant experience are tenderly intertwined throughout the book as we move through guilt and shame, the feeling needing to leave, the police and justice system, rape culture, toxic masculinity, gambling and what you owe your family. The voices and characters are strong, and the malaise and hope for a better future feels present.

Ride the Cyclone by Jacob Richmond, Brooke Maxwell

funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

A mysterious, allusive and curious read. My first Ozeki novel which I read bits and pieces of over two years! This book can feel quite dense in its intellect and logic, but equally poetic and trusting of you as a reader, a witness. It’s filled with generous and insightful reflections into time, memory, history, and possibility. My faves. Ozeki guides us along this curious metaphysical journey through the lens of Zen Buddhism, quantum mechanics and real global life events - it’s a fascinating meld of what’s real and what’s imagined, what has happened and what has been dreamed. Is the character of Ruth, Ruth the author, or Ruth imagined. Who knows! It’s curious and quietly disorientating, but the stories and characters keep us curious to find out just a bit more, even if you fear your intrusive eye will interrupt and change the very story itself. And also the richness of sitting between cultures and generations felt really poignant. Lots to continue ponder, as time and possibility loops in and upon itself, at least for the time being. In this time. In this now. 

Childhood, Youth, Dependency: The Copenhagen Trilogy by Tove Ditlevsen

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

So struck by this honest, brutal and generous offering. Truly a chronicle of a young life - Ditlevsen bears her truths, learnings, and life with such honesty it’s both beautiful and brutal to sit with. Reflective yet present, a fascinating way to move through time and memory, and how a life can shape a person. Dependency was particularly devastating, in ways that Childhood and Youth shadow towards. Ditlevsen offers such insight, yet no answers, you can’t help but feel the malaise and heaviness of her life, and the truth and necessity of writing, expression and connection. 

Glitch Feminism: A Manifesto by Legacy Russell

adventurous challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

Read the bulk of this at the beginning of 2022, and remember being really struck by it, particularly the ideas around expansiveness, the in-between and queerness. Strongest in its opening chapters, inciting and inspiring glitch and expanding beyond binaries and existing structures. Some of the language is communicated in a challenging academic way, and the latter chapters are perhaps less incisive in its action. But overall a generous offering to carry forth in our current day as existing within and alongside  the internet, as expansive bodies and creators of art.

Females by Andrea Long Chu

adventurous challenging funny reflective medium-paced

4.0

A cheeky and clever manifesto - in some ways, in conversation with Valerie Solanas’ work and sentiments. Long Chu’s thesis that everyone is female makes for an enjoyable and playful read - a meld of sociocultural critique, autobiography, playfully self-aware throughout. I enjoyed the reminders of both the expansiveness and limitation of gender/sexuality/language/politics and her reflections upon desire. More than anything, it felt like an invitation to engage further with her work, and mentioned texts, including Solanas’ play itself. 

The First Bad Man by Miranda July

challenging emotional funny reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

I love Miranda July. This book is genuinely odd, weird and yet has moments that surprise in their unexpected beauty and poignancy. July throws us into a strange situation with strange characters but reveals truths and funny observations with cheeky delight. Overall I read this in a haphazard way, so perhaps was never fully immersed in this world and characters. But regardless would delight in the odd, whimsical and wonderful of the mundane. 

Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement by Angela Y. Davis

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

Listened as an audiobook. Informative, inspiring and empowering - a powerful reminder of the intersections that exist across movements throughout time, place and history. Davis often refers to Palestine and Ferguson across her work and speeches. The reminders of both the similarities across movements, but also the very real connections is a reminder of the way systems and structures are set up for the powerful and disenfranchised. Davis’ belief in young people is palpable, and also acknowledging the histories of movements that have been and continue to inform where we go.

The Magic Border by Arlo Parks

emotional reflective slow-paced

3.5

Listened as an audiobook read by Arlo Parks. Gentle, tender, reflective. A lovely meditation of Arlo’s reflections and art at this point in time - at 23 years old - generous in its sharing, proudly queer and of this moment. 

None of the Above: Reflections on Life Beyond the Binary by Travis Alabanza

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

Listened as an audiobook read by the author. A generous and incisive present time memoir/reflection. Rich in its storytelling, but equally I wasn’t always sure of who moments were written for, but perhaps that’s a binary way of thinking! I particularly enjoyed the reminders of choice and gifts throughout.