TW: Abuse, dictatorship, death, suicide and suicide ideation, starvation and famine, near drowning

Eloquently written and rich in detail, Andrew has let us see a raw and deep glimpses into his life and the trauma he and his family faced in Mao's China. It was an honour to read his memories.

TW: continuous use of the R slur, as well as "simple" as a degrogitory nickname, internalised ableism, use of the outdated and racist label for indigonous Inuit people, suicide ideation.

NOTE: this review comes from an autustic/ADHD person

This was such a mixed bag. Some stories I'd be beside myself with laughter and others (mostly the dog stories) were boring or felt cruel.

The continuous use of the R slur really made me feel icky and gross. Despite loving some stories (my favourite is definitely the one about being lost in the woods) I just feel let down.

2.5
TW: death, aphobia, misgendering, misogyny, mentions of rape, abusive/toxic relationship

I really liked aspects of this book, and having ace/trans rep was so great, I just grew very frustrated with Kamai's romance with a certain character. I had no reason to ever get an impression on why she had ever liked him, let alone fallen in love with him. It was just a gross situation especially as more of the mystery was solved.

TW: racism, racist slurs, abuse (physical (and rape mentioned) ), police brutality, death, modern slavery

I devoured this book in a day. It is a tragic and powerfully strong fiction based on reality, and sheds light on abusive and racist juvenile institution that still exist today.

TW: blood, death, addiction

If you liked Twilight but thought "this would be better without the unhealthy romance and make it lesbians" then by golly THIS is your book!

TW: depression, anxiety, agoraphobia

This was a really sweet graphic novel, and I felt it expressed everyday life with depression and anxiety well. A great message on how keeping on trying will lead to encounters that change your life.

TW: racism, homophobia, physical abuse, murder, drugs, imprisonment, whitewashed cover

Possibly not everyone's cup of tea, but I loved it. Told by the chorus narrator of the house mothers, intertwined with the pov of one of their children, it speaks of family, trauma, protest and love.

TW: blood, death, capitalism, lotsa sexytimes

This book is SO queer friendly! A really neat concept, though it had one moment I wanted to bang my head against the wall and scream at Kay and - - -, bit overall, amazing read. Super hilarious.

TW: misgendering, transphobia, blood, death

I can't get over at just how mind bending ly amazing the timeline of this book just raised this series ten fold. Everything matched up and worked out in THE MOST satisfying way. So queer, so awesome.