samusc's reviews
148 reviews

Icarus by K. Ancrum

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious 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

5.0

Valiant Ladies by Melissa Grey

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious fast-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

5.0

I'm obsessed! This was so good! The sapphic mystery adventure I wish I had at 17!

In the Shadow of the Ivory Tower: How Universities Are Plundering Our Cities by Davarian L. Baldwin
Did not finish book. Stopped at 42%.

This feels like an important book to read given my employment at a University in Philadelphia. I ran out of time on a library copy!

Warrior of the Wind by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-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

5.0

Board to Death by C.J. Connor

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

Full RTC at the end of the week!

In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune
Did not finish book. Stopped at 49%.

I don't really vibe with Klune's writing after his lack of accountability during the conversations regarding House in The Cerulean Sea. I picked this one up for a book club run by my one of my best friends and she couldn't finish it either 😅.

Brooms by Jasmine Walls

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring 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? N/A

5.0

Palestine Speaks: Narratives of Life Under Occupation by Cate Malek, Mateo Hoke

challenging emotional informative sad medium-paced

5.0

I placed a hold on this title as it was one of the few books concerning Palestine liberation that my local library system had access to. I've since brought it with me to local governing meetings which advocate for a ceasefire resolution. While it was published a decade ago, these transcribed oral history interviews are just as relevant now. Ranging from generational fishermen reduced to fishing in an area no larger than 3 square miles to founders of some of the most well-known solidarity organizations, these emotional conversations paint images of daily life in this oppression. 

The most challenging passage to me, was the conversation with Ebtihaj Be'erat. One of her sons, Abdal Aziz, had been killed by the Israeli military when he was shot in the leg and soldiers prevented medical staff and community members from reaching him for hours until he bled out. The loss of Abdal is shattering in it's needless cruelty, and with acknowledgement that he's the same age as my older brother Ben. Who knows how many dreams he could have achieved he were 36 today, instead of martyred at 21.

Alongside countless trauma, there are also moments of joy including recalled first meetings of spouses falling in love, miraculous childbirth, and teens passing their exams for acceptance into university. There was one particularly humorous tale of a group of academic men chasing cows across the hills, as they were unfamiliar with animal handling, but wanted to ensure the neighborhood had access to fresh milk.

There was one interview with a settler who worked as a security guard for the Eli settlement, that I could have done without. 

This title is very well structured in that each passage contains numerous citations for geographical or cultural context in the index. There's also an extensive timeline that I could see being helpful in an academic setting. I highly recommend Palestine Speaks: Narratives of Life Under Occupation for anyone looking to learn more about this occupation. Free Palestine today, tomorrow, and forever.

This was the first Voice of Witness book I've encountered, and I plan to read How We Go Home: Voices from Indigenous North America.

Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

5.0

I read this book in preparation of the Butches and Roses virtual author event tomorrow through Bluestockings.

In this phenomenal memoir, Lamya shares with a reader key moments throughout their life from ages 4 through her early 30's. Common themes addressed include personal interpretations of faith, homecoming, finding community, and recognizing one's own identity. 
Upon coming out to some folks in her 20's, she searches for community, and finds that white LGBTQ+ spaces are not inclusive, especially when she's the only Hijabi in the room. Recounting of bad dates reminded me of my own disaster dates and provided some humorous moments. Over time, her inquisitive disposition has led her to meaningful friendships with other Queer Muslim women, where they discuss and analyze verses of the Quran as they apply to their lives.
I love how connected she is with her faith and the concluding conversation on choosing battles is ringing particularly strongly.

Thick as Thieves by M.J. Kuhn

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-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

5.0