poenaestante's reviews
491 reviews

Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion

challenging emotional funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

I decided to finally read some Didion, since people love her so much. I really enjoyed her subject matter and ability to get into the nooks and crannies of a situation. A lot of her reminiscing on northern California felt pleasantly familiar as did her points about being a Californian in NYC. I do feel like this writing undoubtedly felt fresher in its day, but I still got a lot out of it!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, Violence

Witchlight by Jessi Zabarsky

adventurous 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

3.5

I'm not totally sure what this book was about but it was queer and the art was pretty

All Fours by Miranda July

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

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

5.0

So good. Amazingly fantastic.  I could barely put it down 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity

Coming Back by Jessi Zabarsky

adventurous emotional lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Super quick read with not a lot of text. Some of the details were hard to follow but you get the general idea.

A Hero of Our Time by Mikhail Lermontov

funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.5

This book should be called Tales of A 19th Century Russian F*ckboi. It's nearly as relevant today as then. It may be just because I'm currently watching Our Flag Means Death,  but I could totally see Taika Waititi adapting this. This sort of thing also brings to mind Yorgos Lanthimos.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism

Apocalypse Taco by Nathan Hale

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

This book was fun but not great.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Emotional abuse

This Boy We Made: A Memoir of Motherhood, Genetics, and Facing the Unknown by Taylor Harris

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5

This book initially drew me in with the little boy's medical mystery and I sorta glossed over the mom's issues. However, eventually the mom endeared herself to me. I did find it annoying how moony she was over her husband, but I'll forgive it.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Medical content

The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

Nelson's writing is razor sharp and touching. I've never read a book like this before. Just terrific!

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Content Warnings

Minor: Medical content, Death of parent

Maame by Jessica George

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

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

4.5

This book tore me to pieces. It was like looking at a younger version of myself. So much in common.  Really a beautiful (if occasionally trite) read.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Sexual assault

Minor: Death of parent

Misfits: A Personal Manifesto by Michaela Coel

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

3.5

I love this woman so much but the book felt like...rehash? Not great.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Classism