writingmidnight96's reviews
47 reviews

Readings for Sociology by Garth Massey
Did not finish book. Stopped at 17%.

So, this book is quite literally not designed to be read cover to cover.  Its 51 chapters are largely excerpts or summations of larger text that a sociology can pick from to fit an introduction to sociology class. I read probably 15 chapters between 4 of the 6 sections  in such a class back in 2014, and for that purpose, I would give the book a 4/5 stars. But in rereading my college texts to decide if I still want to keep them, this is one that will be permanently leaving my shelves. It’s just not engaging to read front to back with each chapter ranging so widely in subject matter and most of the writers are very academic so the test itself isn’t the most engaging for a casual reader. I’d recommend looking up the chapter list and instead finding the merger text or books that most interest you rather than trying to read this book outside of class. 

That said, I very much appreciated only having to buy one book in my intro to sociology class and the lengths of the chapters mean that they do do an excellent job of their actual function: to be read as brief introductions and conversation starters around broad sociological concepts like ethics and intercultural relations. I would recommend this book as a sociology primer so don’t knock it if it’s been assigned reading in class. 

Record of Ragnarok, Vol. 6 by Shinya Umemura, Shinya Umemura, Azychika, Takumi Fukui

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

3.75

This series continues to be exactly as the label advertises. Big stupid fun. The character interactions of the audience are great and the backstories are off the wall and the drawings are great. That’s it. The end. 

Hellblazer, Vol. 1: Original Sins by Jamie Delano

dark medium-paced

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

4.0

I'm familiar with Constantine, but predominantly from his appearances in the DC Animated movie. I've always really liked him when I've seen him so I figured I'd try the comics. The art style is very much of the style of the 1980s (From what I've read), but with that little bit of visceral detail that is more common in horror comics in this vein. It's also a wordier panel than I'm used to from comics, and I'm not sure if that's the nature of this story or something from the time that's showing through. It works really well for the story Hellraiser is telling, but also makes for a slower read than most comics, so keep that in mind if you're trying to get through the whole thing in one sitting. 

The Promised Neverland, Vol. 6 by Posuka Demizu, Kaiu Shirai

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

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

5.0

Great continuation of the story. The introduction of some additional characters allows for some much-needed exposition that is very natural in the world, and gives us as readers a lot of context as to what has been going on.

Record of Ragnarok 5 by Shinya Umemura, Takumi Fukui

adventurous fast-paced

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

3.5

I'm still having some trouble with the pacing issue I noted in my review of the last book, but Hercules might be my favorite character. There's just something about this version of him as a goofy brother type to Goll who wants to fight an honorable fight (Till he realizes who he's paired against).  The series as a whole is particularly irreverent with it's interpretations of traditional myths and legendary heroes, which is a big part of the charm of the series. It's not taking itself too seriously as a mythological retelling and focusing on the selling point of the big damn bombastic fight scenes. 

Record of Ragnarok, Vol. 4 by Shinya Umemura, Takumi Fukui

adventurous fast-paced

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

3.5

I like the Record of Ragnarock, but the series has a major pacing problem that starts to become super apparent right around books 3-6. Wile each individual chapter is fun, the manner in which the fights are broken up across Manga Volumes leaves the story feeling disjointed. I would much rather see either a more tightly paced story that contains a fight to the number of pages in each volume, or see the manga volumes published at larger page counts so that each volume comprises one fight and the immediate aftermath (+the inevitable hype for the story that comes next). As they are now, fights sort of awkwardly straddle 2 volumes and it feels a bit disjointed getting dropped into a fight that builds builds builds and then having this extra chapter sort of tacked on the back because the story just has to keep going. 

Transforming: Updated and Expanded Edition with Study Guide: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians by Austen Hartke

hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

I read this as a study in my small group at church. I would recommend it for anyone looking to learn about the experience of Trans Christians, or who is looking to become a better ally. I think it would also be a very positive read for gender expansive persons who are struggling with or trying to find a way back to an affirming experience with their faith as well, though I am not part of the community and couldn't say for sure. Austen does a wonderful job of highlighting the struggles of the trans community and providing answers to some of the questions I think many Christians struggle with when engaging with the question of gender and the bible. They way he writes is very accessible, so while I found my Small-Group discussions very helpful in articulating my thoughts after finishing each chapter, I think this book would also make a fantastic guide for anyone wanting to engage with the material on their own. The expanded version is worth the few extra dollars based on the feedback from those in our group who were reading out of the original version. Don't skip the Conclusion and Afterward. They do a really good job of rounding out some of the discussion points revisited throughout the book. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Transphobia and Religious bigotry

The Author discusses his own experiences being Trans in the church community and talks about the experiences of other gender expansive persons. He is not graphic in his retellings of the negative experiences that were faced, but non-affirming experiences and the resulting emotional turmoil or trauma are discussed in some level of detail throughout the book.

The Promised Neverland, Vol. 5 by Posuka Demizu, Kaiu Shirai

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

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

4.5

I’m really loving the series. 

Record of Ragnarok, Vol. 3 by Shinya Umemura, Takumi Fukui

adventurous dark

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

4.0

Look, I'm reading this series because I just really want to see one of the future champions and refuse to go in without context and only read his section. That said, this series is exactly what it is advertised as: such big stupid fun with well-illustrated fight scenes. I did not know much about the legendary human side champion for this book going in, but I like the character study done of him and am looking forward to the next book. 

Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 2 by Kamome Shirahama

adventurous dark lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

I'm really enjoying this series so far. The Magic system is very fun and we can see the stakes building slowly. We were left on a cliffhanger so I'm very much looking forward to what comes next.