thebacklistreader's reviews
15 reviews

The 2000s Made Me Gay: Essays on Pop Culture by Grace Perry

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funny reflective medium-paced

4.0

Grace Perry's The 2000s Made Me Gay is a collection of short essays about the pop culture that shaped Perry as a queer millenial. Navigating identity through pop culture that is largely cis-gendered and heteronormative has an impact, and Perry does so with humour and a certain self-awareness that while somewhat depricating (in the best way possible), is enviable. Open and honest, 2000s Made Me Gay is open and honest in a way that feels like a celebration of not only the pop culture media that would be by modern standards 'problematic' but queer identity as well.
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The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

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emotional sad medium-paced

3.5

Reading this nearly a decade after it first came out was interesting. Ten years ago? 5 star read, made me sob and look at the world differently. Now, I give it a 3.5 -- definitely one of the reason's I'm pro reading a book at different stages in your life. Still a fundamnetally good book, but it is interesting the way your perspective changes when you re-read after years (I probably haven't re-read since 2015 or 2016) -- who you identify with, what makes you roll your eyes, what makes you laugh, little quips you remember underlining the first time round annoy you now. I also understand why John Green once said this was a book he could only write after becoming a parent, which adds just an additional level of heartbreak.
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Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

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reflective
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Breaking Free: How I Escaped My Father-Warren Jeffs-Polygamy, and the FLDS Cult by Rachel Jeffs

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emotional

4.5

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Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

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

3.5

After a bit of a slow start, I'm glad I stuck this out. It made me laugh, a lot. Especially Luc's mum (audiobook recommended for the full experience). Side characters are well developed, and the character growth both on Luc and Oliver's part is worth sticking out.
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