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stephbeaudoin20's reviews
905 reviews
Be a Revolution: How Everyday People Are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World—and How You Can, Too by Ijeoma Oluo
5.0
Be a Revolution by Ijeoma Oluo
Get this book and read it now! Everything that Ijeoma Oluo writes is spectacular. Everything!
If you want to know how to begin movement work.
If you want to be inspired by movement workers.
If you want to read their stories, read the good, and the hard things.
If you want to read how Ijeoma Oluo takes all of these wonderful interviews and packages them up, and then gives you concrete steps.
Read this book!
Buy it if you can. Library or borrow from someone if you can't.
Be a Revolution!
Get this book and read it now! Everything that Ijeoma Oluo writes is spectacular. Everything!
If you want to know how to begin movement work.
If you want to be inspired by movement workers.
If you want to read their stories, read the good, and the hard things.
If you want to read how Ijeoma Oluo takes all of these wonderful interviews and packages them up, and then gives you concrete steps.
Read this book!
Buy it if you can. Library or borrow from someone if you can't.
Be a Revolution!
Marriage & Masti by Nisha Sharma
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Marriage & Masti by Nisha Sharma
This is the third book in the If Shakespeare Was an Auntie series. You can read it as a standalone, but it is infinitely better as the third book.
It's finally Veera’s turn! We get to know what she was up to this whole time. There are so many emotions in here! I loved Veera's boundaries with her father. She stuck to them, she went to therapy, she put herself first. Swoon! How Veera felt left out when her two best friends coupled up was so vivid. I felt it in my heart. And the love she feels in the community of married women, double swoon.
I love how Nisha Sharma show us very clearly that Asians and Desis are not a monolith. I love that she shows us all types of relationships, AND that everyone likes different things in bed.
Adding to The Diverse Baseline Challenge November prompt of Literary Fiction. It's skating the line here, but it is a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, so I'm going for it.
This is the third book in the If Shakespeare Was an Auntie series. You can read it as a standalone, but it is infinitely better as the third book.
It's finally Veera’s turn! We get to know what she was up to this whole time. There are so many emotions in here! I loved Veera's boundaries with her father. She stuck to them, she went to therapy, she put herself first. Swoon! How Veera felt left out when her two best friends coupled up was so vivid. I felt it in my heart. And the love she feels in the community of married women, double swoon.
I love how Nisha Sharma show us very clearly that Asians and Desis are not a monolith. I love that she shows us all types of relationships, AND that everyone likes different things in bed.
Adding to The Diverse Baseline Challenge November prompt of Literary Fiction. It's skating the line here, but it is a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, so I'm going for it.
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
This is the first book in the series Between Earth and Sky, and it does not end in a cliffhanger.
I loved this story! It is absolutely Indigenous and from Turtle Island / Abya Yala / Pindorama. An Epic Fantasy from this side of the world. From an Indigenous Perspective. Swoon! I enjoyed the mythology of this fantasy world, and I loved the Crows and Teeks.
Adding to The Diverse Baseline Challenge November prompt of Surrealism, Fabulism, or Magical Realism
This is the first book in the series Between Earth and Sky, and it does not end in a cliffhanger.
I loved this story! It is absolutely Indigenous and from Turtle Island / Abya Yala / Pindorama. An Epic Fantasy from this side of the world. From an Indigenous Perspective. Swoon! I enjoyed the mythology of this fantasy world, and I loved the Crows and Teeks.
Adding to The Diverse Baseline Challenge November prompt of Surrealism, Fabulism, or Magical Realism
Treasure by Rebekah Weatherspoon
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I have completely enjoyed every Rebekah Weatherspoon book that I've read. Treasure had so many sweet elements. Two young women finding emotional intimacy and physical integrity with each other. Finding what they need. Added to the #ReadDisabled2024 prompt of Disabled LGBTQIA2S+ Main Character
Say You'll Be Mine by Naina Kumar
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Absolutely spectacular debut! I adored this story!
Not Bad for a Girl by Anastasia Ryan
5.0
Serious and important commentary about the patriarchy and bias against women in tech aside, this book is HILARIOUS! I was absolutely laughing out loud so many times. I'm adding Anastasia Ryan to my must read list!
Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story by Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, Alexis C. Bunten
5.0
Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story by Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, and Alexis Bunten, Illustrated by Garry Meeches Sr.
I've had this book on my to read list since it came out. This year all the littles in my life are getting it as a winter holiday present (early of course). I seek out stories written and illustrated by Own Voices. All four creators of this book are Indigenous. There is a pronunciation guide for the Wôpanâak words used throughout. I took a picture with my phone and then checked the photo when I was reading a word. Language matters.
I really enjoyed the story and the illustrations. I liked that the story is not morose, but it also doesn't gloss over the terrible history of colonization. It doesn't gloss over how many people call that Thursday in November The Day of Mourning.
This was one of my favorite lines in the book.
“But the newcomers could not hear the seeds. Their ears did not know the voices of the land.”
My favorite illustration was when Weeâchumun sent dreams to the First Peoples. I love how Weeâchumun’s seeds drift through the illustration like fireflies, like thoughts, like dreams.
Adding to The Diverse Baseline Challenge August Prompt of a Retelling by a BIPOC author.
I've had this book on my to read list since it came out. This year all the littles in my life are getting it as a winter holiday present (early of course). I seek out stories written and illustrated by Own Voices. All four creators of this book are Indigenous. There is a pronunciation guide for the Wôpanâak words used throughout. I took a picture with my phone and then checked the photo when I was reading a word. Language matters.
I really enjoyed the story and the illustrations. I liked that the story is not morose, but it also doesn't gloss over the terrible history of colonization. It doesn't gloss over how many people call that Thursday in November The Day of Mourning.
This was one of my favorite lines in the book.
“But the newcomers could not hear the seeds. Their ears did not know the voices of the land.”
My favorite illustration was when Weeâchumun sent dreams to the First Peoples. I love how Weeâchumun’s seeds drift through the illustration like fireflies, like thoughts, like dreams.
Adding to The Diverse Baseline Challenge August Prompt of a Retelling by a BIPOC author.
A Thousand Beginnings and Endings by Elsie Chapman, Ellen Oh
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A Thousand Beginnings and Endings, Edited by Ellen Oh and Elise Chapman
With stories from: Renée Ahdieh, Sona Charaipotra, Preeti Chhibber, Roshani Chokshi, Aliette de Bodard, Melissa de la Cruz, Julie Kagawa, Rahul Kanakia, Lori M. Lee, E. C. Myers, Cindy Pon, Aisha Saeed, Shveta Thakrar, and Alyssa Wong
I really enjoyed this anthology. Each author has a fairy tale or a legend from their culture and they put their own spin on it. Then we hear from the author about the culture/origin/location of the story, its traditional telling, and why they chose to write the story the way they did.
I really loved the story Eyes like Candlelight by Julie Kagawa. Japanese Kitsune are magical!
One of my favorite highlights was from Daughter of the Sun by Shveta Thakrar, which was my favorite story. I loved the imagery in this story.
“She learned all manner of things this way, such as how to be loyal for the greater good, that the sky changed color because its attendants continually traded out the different silk saris it wore, and, best of all, how to sing.”
I started reading this to preview it as a potential gift for a 6th grade lady. I found one site that recommended the book for grade 8 and up. There are scenes that allude to sex, so I think you need to know your audience and their knowledge/comfort level. Sometimes these things go over kids heads, sometimes kids already know more than we do.
Adding to The Diverse Baseline Challenge August Prompt of an Anthology by BIPOC authors.
With stories from: Renée Ahdieh, Sona Charaipotra, Preeti Chhibber, Roshani Chokshi, Aliette de Bodard, Melissa de la Cruz, Julie Kagawa, Rahul Kanakia, Lori M. Lee, E. C. Myers, Cindy Pon, Aisha Saeed, Shveta Thakrar, and Alyssa Wong
I really enjoyed this anthology. Each author has a fairy tale or a legend from their culture and they put their own spin on it. Then we hear from the author about the culture/origin/location of the story, its traditional telling, and why they chose to write the story the way they did.
I really loved the story Eyes like Candlelight by Julie Kagawa. Japanese Kitsune are magical!
One of my favorite highlights was from Daughter of the Sun by Shveta Thakrar, which was my favorite story. I loved the imagery in this story.
“She learned all manner of things this way, such as how to be loyal for the greater good, that the sky changed color because its attendants continually traded out the different silk saris it wore, and, best of all, how to sing.”
I started reading this to preview it as a potential gift for a 6th grade lady. I found one site that recommended the book for grade 8 and up. There are scenes that allude to sex, so I think you need to know your audience and their knowledge/comfort level. Sometimes these things go over kids heads, sometimes kids already know more than we do.
Adding to The Diverse Baseline Challenge August Prompt of an Anthology by BIPOC authors.
More to Love by Georgina Kiersten
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
More to Love by Georgina Kierstan
I really enjoyed Emmy and Jamir’s love story.
Things I'm here for:
Black Excellence - Jamir runs a business, Gena is a lawyer, Cedric works in the family restaurant
Korean characters that have depth - Emmy is a tall huge human, his sister is a lesbian and he is bisexual and their parents love them wholeheartedly
My favorite trope: Instalove!!!!!
So many types of LGBTQIA+ representation: bisexual, lesbian, aromantic (but not asexual!)
Emmy has never had a relationship with a man, but he's always known he is bisexual
Following your heart in life, love, and work
Excellent steam!
Adding to The Diverse Baseline Challenge October prompt of a book by a trans BIPOC author.
I really enjoyed Emmy and Jamir’s love story.
Things I'm here for:
Black Excellence - Jamir runs a business, Gena is a lawyer, Cedric works in the family restaurant
Korean characters that have depth - Emmy is a tall huge human, his sister is a lesbian and he is bisexual and their parents love them wholeheartedly
My favorite trope: Instalove!!!!!
So many types of LGBTQIA+ representation: bisexual, lesbian, aromantic (but not asexual!)
Emmy has never had a relationship with a man, but he's always known he is bisexual
Following your heart in life, love, and work
Excellent steam!
Adding to The Diverse Baseline Challenge October prompt of a book by a trans BIPOC author.
The Match by Sarah Adams
5.0
The Match by Sarah Adams
I love Sarah Adams's writing. She is HILARIOUS. Her characters are real, and they always make me laugh.
This story was fun, it hurt, it was loving, it was also very sad in parts. The representation for Epilepsy and Service Dogs was excellent. We need more Romances about Chronically Fabulous people!
I'm tagging this one for #ReadDisabled2024 as the second book for the prompt More than One Disabled Character. Even though Sam is the daughter, and could be considered a side character, she is the catalyst. I could have also tagged it Chronically Ill main character, or a visibly disabled character on the cover. If you're looking to fill up your challenge prompts.
I love Sarah Adams's writing. She is HILARIOUS. Her characters are real, and they always make me laugh.
This story was fun, it hurt, it was loving, it was also very sad in parts. The representation for Epilepsy and Service Dogs was excellent. We need more Romances about Chronically Fabulous people!
I'm tagging this one for #ReadDisabled2024 as the second book for the prompt More than One Disabled Character. Even though Sam is the daughter, and could be considered a side character, she is the catalyst. I could have also tagged it Chronically Ill main character, or a visibly disabled character on the cover. If you're looking to fill up your challenge prompts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Toxic relationship, and Medical content