samusc's reviews
193 reviews

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

Between Wind and Water by Shawna Barnett

adventurous challenging emotional 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

4.5

In this installment of the Legends of Vioria Series, Captain Liana Foley faces many challenges, including poison, shifting loyalties, and creatures of myth. Liana and her crew are asked to journey to the edge of the map, in search of something her ancestor may have left behind. Meanwhile, Ameen's abilities and temper continue to grow more volatile, and Rhian is wondering who she can trust to aid in being reunited with Liana once again. What will Liana find at the edge of the world? What will become of Ameen and Liana's relationship?

Once again, Shawna Barnett delivers a strong character driven fantasy filled with sapphic yearning, political intrigue, and emotional dialogue. I enjoyed catching up with Lucky, Ivan, and Nellie, as their journeys feel just as important as Captain Foley's. I had to put down the book for brief pauses once or twice because the arguments between Liana and Ameen felt so real. The true highlight of this installment in the series however are the new characters, Jacintha and Nahveena. Pinpointing these powerful mystics' motivations was a treat, and I'm impressed by how empathy magic was handled. There were also some elements of horror woven in towards the end that were incredibly immersive. 

I can't wait for Book 3 as Shawna Barnett has become an auto buy author!

The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe

dark emotional hopeful reflective 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

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted slow-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

The Battle Drum by Saara El-Arifi

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

I was incredibly excited for this book as The Final Strife was my favorite read of 2022, and this absolutely delivered!
Saara El-Arifi took a bunch of risks with this title, and executed them flawlessly:

• Anoor and Sylah are apart for the entire book, and yet their love for one another still drives their decisions. 
   
•  
  Sylah is knocked out from a severe injury for a decent amount of the book, providing opportunity for strong character moments from Jond and the mysterious old man Niha. 
   
•  
  Anoor 's paranoia increases as she accuses nearly everyone in her inner circle of murder, which has heavy consequences. By the end of the book, she's made some truly awful decisions. While emotionally hard to read about, it makes sense given everything she's been through. She's a young traumatized women who's entire worldview has been rocked; she's ripe for manipulation.
• Locations and cultures of people new to our main characters were revealed masterfully. By the end of the first book in the series, Sylah didn't have much to go off of beyond a map showing land beyond the sea and Loot's yellow blood. In comparison, by the end of this title, both the reader and characters of a much larger understanding of the world. This includes one of my favorite aspects of worldbuilding, also seen in the Roots of Chaos series, when groups of people have different explanations for similar religious phenomena, largely due to migration.
• A big theme in The Battle Drum is sacrifice. Unfortunately, we lost many characters on this journey in brutally detailed ways. However, these heartbreaking moments are presented alongside hopeful ones, as is necessary in any fantasy (in my opinion). It's a joy to read about Hassa and Kwame's growing relationship, as well as Jond's adoption of a sand kitten. 

This installment in the Ending Fire Trilogy is a perfect example of what a second book in a fantasy trilogy can be, akin to The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri.
Once I got to the last third of this book last night, I had to finish it, there was just so much happening! It then took me over an hour to fall asleep because my mind was buzzing with everything these characters had gone through and predictions for the third book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Torture, Blood, and Death of parent

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.

I will definitely be coming back to this one! I'm pausing because it's 10 days overdue at the library.