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ambershelf's Reviews (1.3k)
How do we protect the children if we don't believe they're being hurt? This question lingers in my mind when reading PET, a dark YA set in fantasyland that follows two best friends and their quest to hunt monsters with the help of a fantastical creature. PET is a light world-building since it's categorized as a middle-grade story. Regardless, I adore the message of giving young readers the courage to confront injustice and the themes of exposing the hypocrisy of adults living in denial about monsters around us. PET is a short yet powerful read I recommend to readers of all ages, and my favorite Emezi so far.
3.5/5 gifted by the publisher
Written in the form of a diary, this story follows an unnamed MMC as he recounts his complex relationship with his muse. In traditional Russian novelists' all vibes no plot, overthinking with existential crisis, poetic prose that gets philosophical, DECEIT examines the truth behind human nature in a world where lies, love, and obsessions are intricately intertwined. While I can't say I enjoyed being in the mind of this *problematic* protagonist and unreliable narrator, I appreciate Felsen's honesty in portraying the deception one performs when they are in love.
Written in the form of a diary, this story follows an unnamed MMC as he recounts his complex relationship with his muse. In traditional Russian novelists' all vibes no plot, overthinking with existential crisis, poetic prose that gets philosophical, DECEIT examines the truth behind human nature in a world where lies, love, and obsessions are intricately intertwined. While I can't say I enjoyed being in the mind of this *problematic* protagonist and unreliable narrator, I appreciate Felsen's honesty in portraying the deception one performs when they are in love.
4.25/5
Gifted by the publisher
following three individuals in NYC and a newly liberated concentration camp, Corman paints a heart-wrenching picture of those haunted by love & loss during WW2. I love the focus on Jewish women set in the US, where they aren't portrayed as damsels in distress waiting for the West to save them. Instead, each woman lives a rich inner life as they face challenges of antisemitism, sexual harassment, survival, and so much more. Corman utilizes gorgeous and affecting visuals to portray a civilization's mass trauma and the impact reverberating through generations.
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initial thoughts
Gorgeous water color with absolutely harrowing and heartbreaking stories that follow 3 individuals during WW2. The story is nonlinear and the blend of reality/horror can be a bit disorienting to readers. But I think the author did a phenomenal job in demonstrating how grief and loss can consume someone
Gifted by the publisher
following three individuals in NYC and a newly liberated concentration camp, Corman paints a heart-wrenching picture of those haunted by love & loss during WW2. I love the focus on Jewish women set in the US, where they aren't portrayed as damsels in distress waiting for the West to save them. Instead, each woman lives a rich inner life as they face challenges of antisemitism, sexual harassment, survival, and so much more. Corman utilizes gorgeous and affecting visuals to portray a civilization's mass trauma and the impact reverberating through generations.
--
initial thoughts
Gorgeous water color with absolutely harrowing and heartbreaking stories that follow 3 individuals during WW2. The story is nonlinear and the blend of reality/horror can be a bit disorienting to readers. But I think the author did a phenomenal job in demonstrating how grief and loss can consume someone
4.25/5 gifted by the publisher
set in the Dutch countryside, an uptight woman forced to house her brother's girlfriend in their childhood home notices missing items over a summer. SAFEKEEP is a mysterious and atmospheric read with lots of tension. I adore Wouden's use of desire as the antidote to ignorance and prejudice—reflected brilliantly through the two FMC's complex relationships and feverish conversations. The dialogues sometimes feel stilted; while I'm unsure if it's meant to reflect the time period, I find it harder to connect with the characters. Nonetheless, I love Wouden's ingenuity in writing a different Jewish narrative that is not centered on death but on desire. I read an interview on pagesofjulia.com where she said, "I just want to be desired." This made me appreciate SAFEKEEP so much more.
set in the Dutch countryside, an uptight woman forced to house her brother's girlfriend in their childhood home notices missing items over a summer. SAFEKEEP is a mysterious and atmospheric read with lots of tension. I adore Wouden's use of desire as the antidote to ignorance and prejudice—reflected brilliantly through the two FMC's complex relationships and feverish conversations. The dialogues sometimes feel stilted; while I'm unsure if it's meant to reflect the time period, I find it harder to connect with the characters. Nonetheless, I love Wouden's ingenuity in writing a different Jewish narrative that is not centered on death but on desire. I read an interview on pagesofjulia.com where she said, "I just want to be desired." This made me appreciate SAFEKEEP so much more.
an intimate narrative that delves into the complex themes of transitioning to blindness due to a genetic disorder and the history & politics of disability movements. I love the breath Leland covers, from his own reframing of blindness as his sight deteriorates, intersectionality in the disability community where BIPOC and working-class individuals face increasingly more prejudice, to the ethics of family planning and treatment for his condition. I've never considered how exclusive treatments can feel for patients as someone working in drug development. I'm incredibly grateful to have read BLIND, which will forever change how I approach my work. There's also so much more to love about this phenomenal book; I highly recommend BLIND to everyone looking for informative yet personal nonfiction on disability justice.
through a tragic bus accident, Thrall follows a Palestinian family and the obstacles they must navigate to learn the fate of their child. I appreciate that DAY centers on a few characters interspersed with Palestinian history. As such, this book never feels dry or didactic, while it can be lighter in political contexts. The epilogue is especially powerful in examining the making of the accident from the standpoints of politics, infrastructure, bureaucracy, etc.
3.75/5
Gifted by the publisher
Ever since childhood, her influencer stepmother has chronicled and monetized Anuri's life. While she finally finds some semblance of independence and freedom, Anuri must do more to stop the same from happening to her younger half-sister.
MYSELF presents a provocative exploration of momfluencers exploiting their kids, delving into the ethics behind this troubling phenomenon. What are the lines between making money to give a child a "better" life vs. using the child as the primary source of income to the point they lose their childhood? Along the same lines, MYSELF also tackles our own dependence on social media and how we, as viewers, might be contributing to the continued exploitation of child influencers. These themes are timely and engaging, making the premise of the story quite compelling.
One of the most striking aspects of MYSELF is the portrayal of a white stepmother who monetizes her adoption of a Black child under the guise of kindness. This theme exposes the insidious white savior complex, which was both fascinating and enraging to read. Nwabineli brilliantly examines how the internet amplifies racial dynamics in a family of mixed heritage, and often, only white individuals benefit from social media monetization.
The themes of grief, particularly how men and fathers can become completely paralyzed by it, and consequently neglect childcare responsibilities, are also touched upon. This exploration of grief and its impacts on family dynamics adds depth to the narrative, though it could have been developed further.
While the topics are stimulating, I wish MYSELF had delved deeper, particularly into Anuri's emotional turmoil and how her days as a child influencer affected her relationship with Dad. Too many secondary storylines also muddle the central message and detract from the emotional depth that MYSELF could have achieved.
Despite this, I can see MYSELF being a great book club choice or beach read. It offers a mix of light and thought-provoking topics that keep readers engaged without becoming overwhelming or too emotionally draining. While it may not fully satisfy those seeking profound emotional depth, MYSELF provides an accessible read that will undoubtedly spark exciting conversations.
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notes
I really like the premise of momfluencers exploiting their kids and the discussion of the ethics behind this phenomenon. Another fascinating aspect is our own dependence on social media and whether we’re contributing to the continued exploitation of child “influencers”
The execution of the book left much to be desired. There are too many secondary storylines that muddled the central message and detract from the emotional depth this book could’ve had.
I think this book is one that will generate a lot of discussions in book clubs and perfect as a beach read / for readers who want some interesting social commentaries that don’t go too deep or emotionally draining.
Gifted by the publisher
Ever since childhood, her influencer stepmother has chronicled and monetized Anuri's life. While she finally finds some semblance of independence and freedom, Anuri must do more to stop the same from happening to her younger half-sister.
MYSELF presents a provocative exploration of momfluencers exploiting their kids, delving into the ethics behind this troubling phenomenon. What are the lines between making money to give a child a "better" life vs. using the child as the primary source of income to the point they lose their childhood? Along the same lines, MYSELF also tackles our own dependence on social media and how we, as viewers, might be contributing to the continued exploitation of child influencers. These themes are timely and engaging, making the premise of the story quite compelling.
One of the most striking aspects of MYSELF is the portrayal of a white stepmother who monetizes her adoption of a Black child under the guise of kindness. This theme exposes the insidious white savior complex, which was both fascinating and enraging to read. Nwabineli brilliantly examines how the internet amplifies racial dynamics in a family of mixed heritage, and often, only white individuals benefit from social media monetization.
The themes of grief, particularly how men and fathers can become completely paralyzed by it, and consequently neglect childcare responsibilities, are also touched upon. This exploration of grief and its impacts on family dynamics adds depth to the narrative, though it could have been developed further.
While the topics are stimulating, I wish MYSELF had delved deeper, particularly into Anuri's emotional turmoil and how her days as a child influencer affected her relationship with Dad. Too many secondary storylines also muddle the central message and detract from the emotional depth that MYSELF could have achieved.
Despite this, I can see MYSELF being a great book club choice or beach read. It offers a mix of light and thought-provoking topics that keep readers engaged without becoming overwhelming or too emotionally draining. While it may not fully satisfy those seeking profound emotional depth, MYSELF provides an accessible read that will undoubtedly spark exciting conversations.
--
notes
I really like the premise of momfluencers exploiting their kids and the discussion of the ethics behind this phenomenon. Another fascinating aspect is our own dependence on social media and whether we’re contributing to the continued exploitation of child “influencers”
The execution of the book left much to be desired. There are too many secondary storylines that muddled the central message and detract from the emotional depth this book could’ve had.
I think this book is one that will generate a lot of discussions in book clubs and perfect as a beach read / for readers who want some interesting social commentaries that don’t go too deep or emotionally draining.
-A cute YA romcom
-I love the incorporation of dragon dance and Valentine’s Day
-the father-daughter relationship is heartwarming. And I especially love a nosy grandma moment
-I thought the FMC was in her 30s in the beginning because of her hairstyle though
-I love the incorporation of dragon dance and Valentine’s Day
-the father-daughter relationship is heartwarming. And I especially love a nosy grandma moment
-I thought the FMC was in her 30s in the beginning because of her hairstyle though