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readsforlove's reviews
828 reviews
Buzzing (A Graphic Novel) by Samuel Sattin
4.5
This healed something deep within my soul. Wow. (To be clear, I don't have OCD, but I do have anxiety with depression and I think anyone who has struggled with mental illness will find themself in this book.)
The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation by Thích Nhất Hạnh
4.5
Good foundational text on mindfulness and meditation. Highly recommend if you want to be more thoughtful and intentional in your day to day but are new to meditative practices.
Earth to Alis by Lex Carlow
4.5
AHHHH this BOOK. Wow. Okay, first off, PLEASE CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS. This book has the potential to be /very/ triggering so please do know what you're getting yourself into.
I have so many thoughts that it's hard to know where to start. This book is so heavy and dark and /hard/ but it's also so filled with hope and life and light. It takes a really horrible and never-talked-about topic and it puts a brutal spotlight on it. It says, "This is what this looks like. This is how this feels. This is what it means to do this, and why it's not easy to simply stop." I have never seen that in literature before, and it's sorely needed. I've worked in public schools for several years, and for such a wildly common issue, it's discussed with alarming rarity. A huge thank you to Carlow for not hiding from that brutal truth and for baring this issue to the world in such an honest and accurate way. It never felt like Alis' mental illness was used for entertainment or plot, even though it did line up for plot beats. But it wasn't /used/, if that makes sense. It was shown in its full honesty, and that was so rewarding to read.
Also just ... all of Alis' relationships were so heartwarming. It took him so long to learn to let others love him--to realize that was even possible. And then once that started to become possible, watching him let them in, one by one, and slowly letting their love help him love himself ... it was just so real and beautiful.
This is the kind of book that sticks with you, and if you have the capacity to read it, it will change you for the better.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free review copy.
I have so many thoughts that it's hard to know where to start. This book is so heavy and dark and /hard/ but it's also so filled with hope and life and light. It takes a really horrible and never-talked-about topic and it puts a brutal spotlight on it. It says, "This is what this looks like. This is how this feels. This is what it means to do this, and why it's not easy to simply stop." I have never seen that in literature before, and it's sorely needed. I've worked in public schools for several years, and for such a wildly common issue, it's discussed with alarming rarity. A huge thank you to Carlow for not hiding from that brutal truth and for baring this issue to the world in such an honest and accurate way. It never felt like Alis' mental illness was used for entertainment or plot, even though it did line up for plot beats. But it wasn't /used/, if that makes sense. It was shown in its full honesty, and that was so rewarding to read.
Also just ... all of Alis' relationships were so heartwarming. It took him so long to learn to let others love him--to realize that was even possible. And then once that started to become possible, watching him let them in, one by one, and slowly letting their love help him love himself ... it was just so real and beautiful.
This is the kind of book that sticks with you, and if you have the capacity to read it, it will change you for the better.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free review copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Blood, Medical content, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
The Skin and Its Girl by Sarah Cypher
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
I definitely thought this was nonfiction! I'm not sure why I had that impression. I might return to this at some point, but literary fic just isn't my genre.
A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix by C.B. Lee
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.
Just wasn't for me. (I dislike relationships that start with lying.)
Just Another Story: A Graphic Migration Account by Ernesto Saade
4.0
This took me a while to get through but AH. It was really, really good. I had a bit of trouble following at first, given the fact that this story is not autobiographical, but is drawn from an interview the author did of someone's lived experience.
There is so much that people don't talk about when it comes to immigration and the process of getting a visa. This book brought into light so much suffering and hardships that people face--all in the name of reaching for a better life with more opportunities. It was heartbreaking and enlightening and one of those books that you leave feeling changed. Everyone should read this book because everyone (especially Americans) needs to be more enlightened on what the process of trying to immigrate outside the law looks like.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free review copy!
There is so much that people don't talk about when it comes to immigration and the process of getting a visa. This book brought into light so much suffering and hardships that people face--all in the name of reaching for a better life with more opportunities. It was heartbreaking and enlightening and one of those books that you leave feeling changed. Everyone should read this book because everyone (especially Americans) needs to be more enlightened on what the process of trying to immigrate outside the law looks like.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free review copy!
Graveyard Shakes by Laura Terry
3.0
Love that this centered sisters learning to love each other better. The spooky aspects were fun too, but the plot just moved a little too fast for me, making everything feel a little too easy/forced. I wish we had sat with heavier moments (especially that One in particular) and we don't get much reactions to any of what happens. It's just action after action after action. Which a middle schooler might enjoy! But creates a story I won't remember reading a day later.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Murder
Moderate: Bullying