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rafdee13's reviews
65 reviews
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The promise of this book was better then the result. The ending was good- but I'm not sure it was deserved. You spend hours upon hours with the Richardsons, the focus is on them, how THEY are changed by Mia and Pearl and the baby left on the step of the fire station- the problem is, I don't care about them. What do I care about how some rich suburban white people who casually talk about owning a house or going to Yale, learn that racism is bad or that poor people do things? What do I care if they need help getting an abortion or don't understand postpartum psychosis?
Mia and Pearl were more interesting but only because they weren't the fucking Richardson's. Mia herself didn't seem like much outside of a dispenser of motherly wisdom. Despite an entire section on each character meticulously telling their backstory- I feel like there wasn't much to her.
There's this line at the end that is especially irritating about how Izzie was only understood by two people in the world- Pearl and Mia. But her and Pearl don't interact! That's the point! The literally are with each other's moms instead of their own, when did they get time to actually talk to each other? Unless it's an inate connection through Mia's mothering?? If it was Lexi then I'd understand, but it's not.
Mia and Pearl were more interesting but only because they weren't the fucking Richardson's. Mia herself didn't seem like much outside of a dispenser of motherly wisdom. Despite an entire section on each character meticulously telling their backstory- I feel like there wasn't much to her.
Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
I want to preface this by saying that im glad this book exists. I think these essays have a lot to offer and that Piepzna Samarasinha is a very cool person.
That being said: this book feels very rough. It could've benefited from better editing, which I think was taken into consideration with "The Future is Diasabled" as it feels more complete, with better writing.
Some of my complaints are petty and closer to stylistic prefance, I'm aware of that. Some I'm a little more concerned about.
First: petty. I was listening, so when I heard "cutie bipoc" every sentence I was a little confused. Later I looked it up and saw it was actuall "QTBIPOC". As a "QTBIPOC" myself I suppose, I'm not entirely sure why this term is really used. (Latinx is also not a term I'm fond of, but that's a lot of discourse)
It also got very distracting to her "black and brown" every sentence as well. Trust me i am glad we ate talking about disability intersections with race as someone who is neurodiverse and brown, but you can say it once and construct your writing to not need to repeat the phrase every so often.
I often did not know what phrases or references meant in relation to disability justice or spaces. As I am listening at work or driving, I cannot stop to look them up. "The future is disabled" does a much better job explaining acronyms or phrases before continuing (WITH OUTLOUD CITATIONS!!). This might just be me not being the target audience though, as I am abled.
For more serious stuff: I don't like the propositioning of femmes as being the only people to do care work. I think they and women are definitely doing much of it, but a lot of the language of this book was extremely dismissive to care contributions transmascs or men of color have made to their communities.
Another thing it that is is very north American centric. Which yeah, that's where the author lives. But the disability experience of someone living in the first world is going to be difference then someone living in the third world.
That being said: this book feels very rough. It could've benefited from better editing, which I think was taken into consideration with "The Future is Diasabled" as it feels more complete, with better writing.
Some of my complaints are petty and closer to stylistic prefance, I'm aware of that. Some I'm a little more concerned about.
First: petty. I was listening, so when I heard "cutie bipoc" every sentence I was a little confused. Later I looked it up and saw it was actuall "QTBIPOC". As a "QTBIPOC" myself I suppose, I'm not entirely sure why this term is really used. (Latinx is also not a term I'm fond of, but that's a lot of discourse)
It also got very distracting to her "black and brown" every sentence as well. Trust me i am glad we ate talking about disability intersections with race as someone who is neurodiverse and brown, but you can say it once and construct your writing to not need to repeat the phrase every so often.
I often did not know what phrases or references meant in relation to disability justice or spaces. As I am listening at work or driving, I cannot stop to look them up. "The future is disabled" does a much better job explaining acronyms or phrases before continuing (WITH OUTLOUD CITATIONS!!). This might just be me not being the target audience though, as I am abled.
For more serious stuff: I don't like the propositioning of femmes as being the only people to do care work. I think they and women are definitely doing much of it, but a lot of the language of this book was extremely dismissive to care contributions transmascs or men of color have made to their communities.
Another thing it that is is very north American centric. Which yeah, that's where the author lives. But the disability experience of someone living in the first world is going to be difference then someone living in the third world.
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
challenging
dark
funny
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
strings, tied together between her father and her and mother and her and the pieces of art in their lives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Suicide
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I listened to this audiobook a long time ago, but I remember the feelings it evocked in me. I was curled up in the backseat of a car, ripping down a rainforest road, listening to the best audiobook performance I've ever heard. That shit was so good.
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I'm not sure how I feel about this book.
On the one hand, Atwood clearly illustrates the terrible position of women in Greek society, while also marking the difference class makes in how that misogyny is experienced. Penelope has certain expectations and roles placed on her as a noble woman, while the enslaved girls and maids have absolutely no role. They are nothing. They are the background fodder of Greek society, keeping it running while endlessly suffering under it. The 12 maids may have been killed by Odysseus's order, but it was clear from the beginning that their fate was sealed form the beginning. The chorus was a fantastic way to rebuttal Penelope, and was very effective in the audiobook.
On the other hand, I'm not sure whether to take Penelope's searing resentment of Helen as a character flaw, maybe an analysis of the madonna/whore complex and the way women are pitted against each other when shoved into it. Or instead just what it is on the surface: genuine hatred of Helen, and women like her. The weird interludes talking about the modern world were jarring, especially when taking the first person pov into account. Honestly reminded me of some deviantart fanficiton I've read before. Just...why, sometimes.
On the one hand, Atwood clearly illustrates the terrible position of women in Greek society, while also marking the difference class makes in how that misogyny is experienced. Penelope has certain expectations and roles placed on her as a noble woman, while the enslaved girls and maids have absolutely no role. They are nothing. They are the background fodder of Greek society, keeping it running while endlessly suffering under it. The 12 maids may have been killed by Odysseus's order, but it was clear from the beginning that their fate was sealed form the beginning. The chorus was a fantastic way to rebuttal Penelope, and was very effective in the audiobook.
On the other hand, I'm not sure whether to take Penelope's searing resentment of Helen as a character flaw, maybe an analysis of the madonna/whore complex and the way women are pitted against each other when shoved into it. Or instead just what it is on the surface: genuine hatred of Helen, and women like her. The weird interludes talking about the modern world were jarring, especially when taking the first person pov into account. Honestly reminded me of some deviantart fanficiton I've read before. Just...why, sometimes.
The Bees by Laline Paull
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
An interesting and vibrant exploration of insect xenofiction, especially from such a social species as honey bees. The Bees does fall a bit short for characterization and progression.
I recommend it, but be prepared for some repetitive and confusing aspects. As well as graphic content familiar to animal fiction likeableism, sexism, body horror, pollution, religious bigotry, and descriptions of sexual acts, body parts, and fluids. Also cults? Hivemind, after all.
I recommend it, but be prepared for some repetitive and confusing aspects. As well as graphic content familiar to animal fiction like
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Blood, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Murder, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
It wasn't bad but everything felt just vague enough that I didn't get a clear picture of the magic system of characters.
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Domestic violence is difficult to write about coherently. Nevermind the complications of lesbian domestic violence In a system that perpetuates the invisibility of both. This book serves as a witness and a warning, and is beautifully written to boot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Gaslighting
Broken Halves of a Milky Sun: Poems by Aaiún Nin
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Slavery, Grief, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
The Unofficial Princess Bride Cookbook: Quips, QuotesConundrums for the Ultimate Fan 35th Anniversary Edition by Cassandra Reeder
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
The recipes are delicious and well crafted! Fun anecdotes, names, and little tidbits make each page fresh and a pleasure to read. My favorite recipie is the Italian wedding soup! The beef stew was a bit messed up on my part, but still delicious!