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yvon's reviews
95 reviews
I Can't Believe I Slept With You! Vol. 1 by Miyako Miyahara
4.0
Loved this, the art, the plot, the characters (especially Landlady, she's so mysterious i need to know more about her). And it's not as sexual as i thought it'd be, they are mostly portrayed in domestic scenarios.
However, the whole contract thing is morally dubious at best. Landlady kinda knew Chiyo was straight. Even if Chiyo starts questioning her sexuality, i wish she wasnt labeled as straight from the beginning.
Overall, I'd still recommend
However, the whole contract thing is morally dubious at best. Landlady kinda knew Chiyo was straight. Even if Chiyo starts questioning her sexuality, i wish she wasnt labeled as straight from the beginning.
Overall, I'd still recommend
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
5.0
This book was way better than I expected.
So what is The Black Flamingo about?
1. Queer identity
We follow Michael's story, a gay and gender-nonconforming boy who will grow up finding comfort in drag. You can tell his story is written from lived queer experience, the struggles, the messiness, the joys accurately represented.
The other queer characters were each on their own journey, some going through internalized homophobia, some being unsure of labels and some fully embracing it.
Michael will encounter other gay/bi guys, a trans guy, a lesbian and other gender non-conforming people, all of them adding to his own self-acceptance and understanding of queer experiences outside of his own.
Beautiful, just beautiful.
2. Racism/mixed race identity
Since I'm a Balkan living in a 96% white country the concept of racism is a bit foreign to me, my only exposure being the internet/media, so all I can say is that Michael's experience as a mixed person was eye-opening to me.
I could relate to the cultural aspects though. Since he is half Greek-Cypriot and Jamaican living in the UK, it's hard for him to fit neatly into either the Hellenic society or the African-Caribbean at uni and he feels like he has to "make up" for not being fully one or the other (another reason why he'll find comfort within the drag society which allows him more freedom).
3. Family, friendships and relationships
Complex and realistic. His caring mom even if she doesn't get everything right. His close relationship with his grandpa and sister. His best friend facing difficulties of her own. His crushes some butterfly-provoking, some "can't believed I was into this douchebag".
3. Bits of patriarchy and religion coming into play
These aren't the focus of Michael's story but they only added to its intricacy.
When I saw the tag "poetry" I was worried it'd have fancy words and metaphors, but no, it was not only beautifully written but also easy to understand and visualize.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author and that only enhanced my experience.
Even if this book deals with some heavy topics, I didn't find it too heavy (the microaggressions being rather frustrating than triggering).
I found this story rather comforting and empowering, it made me smile so much, and I'd definitely recommend it!
So what is The Black Flamingo about?
1. Queer identity
We follow Michael's story, a gay and gender-nonconforming boy who will grow up finding comfort in drag. You can tell his story is written from lived queer experience, the struggles, the messiness, the joys accurately represented.
The other queer characters were each on their own journey, some going through internalized homophobia, some being unsure of labels and some fully embracing it.
Michael will encounter other gay/bi guys, a trans guy, a lesbian and other gender non-conforming people, all of them adding to his own self-acceptance and understanding of queer experiences outside of his own.
Beautiful, just beautiful.
2. Racism/mixed race identity
Since I'm a Balkan living in a 96% white country the concept of racism is a bit foreign to me, my only exposure being the internet/media, so all I can say is that Michael's experience as a mixed person was eye-opening to me.
I could relate to the cultural aspects though. Since he is half Greek-Cypriot and Jamaican living in the UK, it's hard for him to fit neatly into either the Hellenic society or the African-Caribbean at uni and he feels like he has to "make up" for not being fully one or the other (another reason why he'll find comfort within the drag society which allows him more freedom).
3. Family, friendships and relationships
Complex and realistic. His caring mom even if she doesn't get everything right. His close relationship with his grandpa and sister. His best friend facing difficulties of her own. His crushes some butterfly-provoking, some "can't believed I was into this douchebag".
3. Bits of patriarchy and religion coming into play
These aren't the focus of Michael's story but they only added to its intricacy.
When I saw the tag "poetry" I was worried it'd have fancy words and metaphors, but no, it was not only beautifully written but also easy to understand and visualize.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author and that only enhanced my experience.
Even if this book deals with some heavy topics, I didn't find it too heavy (the microaggressions being rather frustrating than triggering).
I found this story rather comforting and empowering, it made me smile so much, and I'd definitely recommend it!
Who I Was with Her by Nita Tyndall
4.0
This is type of book that shows its value by the end of it. I really couldn't connect to the characters at the beginning thinking it was too confusing with the dual timelines. But by the last third it made me realize i can actually relate to the mc's story which hits pretty hard. Very satisfying ending
Eu sînt Malala by Christina Lamb, Malala Yousafzai
5.0
Who would've thought that memoirs could be so entertaining
O buclă în timp by Madeleine L'Engle
3.0
I'd say this book is overall mid and cliche but the last chapter made me realize that the moral of the story can be interpreted in more than one way.
The good: Even though im not a fan of sci-fi it wasn't too hard to read and understand what was going on. Its a battle of good vs evil, but what exactly was the good and what was the evil? The hero, Meg, is a young girl full of flaws and big emotions. The bad guy, is the "brain" who just wants everyone to be the same, perfect, sticking to a format, assuming thats how equality can be achieved. But Meg wins bcz she realizes "hey im a human with a soul and i cant change that and that's ok". I really liked this message.
The bad: Can someone explain why poor Calvin got involved? Poor boy was just used to comfort Meg (even though he had issues of his own). Then the genius little boy Charles Wallace....another prop. And this might be just me but the bible verses made no sense.
Overall: not outstanding and very cliche, but the ending and the message of the story were good. Quick effortless read too
The good: Even though im not a fan of sci-fi it wasn't too hard to read and understand what was going on. Its a battle of good vs evil, but what exactly was the good and what was the evil? The hero, Meg, is a young girl full of flaws and big emotions. The bad guy, is the "brain" who just wants everyone to be the same, perfect, sticking to a format, assuming thats how equality can be achieved. But Meg wins bcz she realizes "hey im a human with a soul and i cant change that and that's ok". I really liked this message.
The bad: Can someone explain why poor Calvin got involved? Poor boy was just used to comfort Meg (even though he had issues of his own). Then the genius little boy Charles Wallace....another prop. And this might be just me but the bible verses made no sense.
Overall: not outstanding and very cliche, but the ending and the message of the story were good. Quick effortless read too
The Smart Girl's Guide to Polyamory: Everything You Need to Know about Open Relationships, Non-Monogamy, and Alternative Love by Dedeker Winston
4.0
I think this book is amazing in understanding the basics of non-monogamy. However, it was a little too focused on opening up an already existing relationship (what about people who are single and wish to join a polycule?)