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thoughtsfromtheafro's reviews
490 reviews
Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
A lot of feelings to relate to in this, as well as the rollercoaster that is desirability, weight loss and weight gain, and a sense of exceptionalism.
Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness by Da’Shaun Harrison
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
A great companion read to Heavy by Kiese Laymon. A lot of history, lived experiences, and sociopolitical structure in this book.
Finding Charity's Folk: Enslaved and Free Black Women in Maryland by Jessica Millward
informative
medium-paced
5.0
An amazing read, very well done. The weaving of research, interpersonal experiences with genealogists and community members is solid. A one of a kind book in how it adds context to women in the sociopolitically unique state of Maryland.
Reading While Black by Esau McCaulley
informative
medium-paced
3.25
It didn’t keep my attention much, so it was hard to push through. It read like a dissertation turned into an audiobook. I appreciated the way he pocked out stories and teased them out, and encourages applying the context of the teaching (not just the chapter/verse in isolation so to speak) to current events and political/civic engagement.
White Supremacy Is All Around: Notes from a Black Disabled Woman in a White World by Akilah Cadet
4.0
Decent book by a great woman. It was interesting to learn of her interpersonal experiences.
It is just definitely written for white women.
It is just definitely written for white women.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
5.0
Always a five star read. For the nostalgia, I re-read around the time I went to see the new version of the movie. I plan to re-read again in another few years.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Infidelity, and Grief
Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.75
I felt so seen, and validated. But it also can bring up so many feelings (resolved and unresolved) about the neglect.
Could be a good partner read to do with a parent (depending on the relationship), and is helpful for pieces to discuss in therapy.
Could be a good partner read to do with a parent (depending on the relationship), and is helpful for pieces to discuss in therapy.
Addiction to Love: Overcoming Obsession and Dependency in Relationships by Susan Peabody
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.5
Written with heterosexual couples in mind, and took a smidge of a religious bend near the end that I didn’t anticipate, but it was short-lived.
Her references to books and reflection questions are appropriate and helpful. She doesn’t really use the word incompatible, but the framing is with it in mind.
Her references to books and reflection questions are appropriate and helpful. She doesn’t really use the word incompatible, but the framing is with it in mind.
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Alcohol