sariandtherevolution's reviews
138 reviews

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

TW: The novel contains descriptions of child r*pe, CSA and bullying.

The book raised very important questions about (internalized) white supremacy. The ending is heartbreaking but necessary. A beautiful story, a much needed wake-up call on what we understand and judge as beautiful vs. ugly. 

Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih

dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Book trigger warnings: murder, suicide, sexual assault, physical violence.
The incredibly poetic story of how colonialism manipulates the colonized's life, history, and traditions,... by othering them. As a result of uncertainty and pain, they find themself lost between what they want and what others tell them they should want and aspire to according to colonizer standards. Frustration and anxiety will push you to your limits, do things you never believed you could, and be violent. 

I suggest watching this video once you've finished reading it:
https://youtu.be/QB52ltMl3H8

Against Borders: The Case for Abolition by Gracie Mae Bradley, Luke de Noronha

informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

A brilliant intersectional introduction to border abolition! I highly recommend it.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

TW: This book depicts rape, sexual assault, physical and psychological abuse.

I’m in awe of Alice Walker’s writing and her abilities to get you gripped even when her books contain graphic descriptions of abuse. A well balanced novel on the sufferings and traumatic experiences of a Black (queer) woman in the early 1900s as well as her sweet healing journey towards liberation, (self) love and happiness. I devoured the book and it left me with a warm and full heart. I’m so happy I finally got to reading it!

Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement by Angela Y. Davis

informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

Simply brilliant! Could NOT put it down! Please read it is all I want to say.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

emotional hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

Hard to get into at first but I’m delighted to have finished it. Whom would you meet if you could travel in time? Whether you’d want to time travel or decide against it, this book shows you the importance of seizing the moment, the present. 

Gender Theory in Troubled Times by Rachel Alsop, Kathleen Lennon

informative reflective fast-paced

3.5

I read this book for a course called “Theorizing Gender and Intersectionality” alongside other articles. It is a great introductory academic reading for the minor “Gender and diversity” I’m pursuing. I have a lot of issues with the paradoxically oversimplification and overcomplexification of trans and gnc identities in the chapter “Making sense of our (gendered) selves”. I am against the forceful attempt to understand peoples’ identities because it somehow aims to rationalize them (which is ethnocentric and lacks relativism). On the other hand, I found the chapter on Intersectionality particularly enlightening because it underlines different perspectives on the concept or rather the term.  

The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yōko Ogawa

emotional lighthearted reflective sad 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

I treasured every page of this book and will continue to do so. The story of the Professor is quite sad but it is quickly transformed into a beautiful and sweet one. The precious bond the housekeeper, her son Root and the Professor share teaches you to cherish what we usually take for granted.

Interviews with Radical Palestinian Women by Shoal Collective

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

Very relevant! An awesome intersectional introduction to Palestine's struggle for freedom and the empowering radical Palestinian women that fight for it.

Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman

emotional funny inspiring relaxing 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

TW: This very sweet volume deals with eating disorders and mental health.