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TW: eating disorders, internalised fatphobia, bullying, mentions of sex
A beautiful look into Eleanor Crewes' life and how complicated 'coming out' can be. It's sometimes not a thing we 'just know' but a series of messy experiences that can help us bloom into ourselves.
A beautiful look into Eleanor Crewes' life and how complicated 'coming out' can be. It's sometimes not a thing we 'just know' but a series of messy experiences that can help us bloom into ourselves.
TW: fatphobia, death of a parent, infidelity, underage drinking, mentions of (but no) sex
I haven't genuinely lol'd while reading a book in quite a while, and this one certainly had me doing so many times. I'm not even a fan of romcoms and I certainly loved this!
I haven't genuinely lol'd while reading a book in quite a while, and this one certainly had me doing so many times. I'm not even a fan of romcoms and I certainly loved this!
Trigger Warnings: This book discusses incredibly heavy and important topics. These include: Racism, racist slurs (including the n-word (used by Black characters though)), murder, Colorism, teenage pregnancies, physical abuse by married partners, shaming of girls and women who find themselves pregnant or in abusive relationships, and abuse at the hands of a caregiver, bullying, and rampant unchecked and uncalled out fatphobia.
NOTE: This review comes form a white person.
This book is not a sheltering read, and tha's what great about it. It deals with many complex topics. One I appreciated was exploring the mindset of Black folk who were hesitant against ‘rocking the boat’. It was not a matter or not caring or ignorance, many knew they could die for the simplest step out of line. Rose even asks her grandfather at one point why he doesn’t fight, which he explains by saying “I have a family to provide for. Getting shot down at the courthouse (for registering to vote) won’t put food on the table.” And Rose realises that even if he wanted to fight, he was stuck between risking a vote or feeding his already suffering family. Some people were under the mindset of “It’s been worse in the past, so just be grateful”, and that’s something still haunts many today.
My one and only, but biggest gripe is the rampant fatphobia. Women are regularly described and shamed by their size, (never a man), including the main character amusing herself with the thought of if her grandmother was lynched the tree would never hold her weight. It was a topic regularly brought up, used to shame, never called out, and constant throughout.
NOTE: This review comes form a white person.
This book is not a sheltering read, and tha's what great about it. It deals with many complex topics. One I appreciated was exploring the mindset of Black folk who were hesitant against ‘rocking the boat’. It was not a matter or not caring or ignorance, many knew they could die for the simplest step out of line. Rose even asks her grandfather at one point why he doesn’t fight, which he explains by saying “I have a family to provide for. Getting shot down at the courthouse (for registering to vote) won’t put food on the table.” And Rose realises that even if he wanted to fight, he was stuck between risking a vote or feeding his already suffering family. Some people were under the mindset of “It’s been worse in the past, so just be grateful”, and that’s something still haunts many today.
My one and only, but biggest gripe is the rampant fatphobia. Women are regularly described and shamed by their size, (never a man), including the main character amusing herself with the thought of if her grandmother was lynched the tree would never hold her weight. It was a topic regularly brought up, used to shame, never called out, and constant throughout.
TW: racism, colorism, trauma, physical and emotional abuse, sexual assaults, fatphobia, ableism, gaslighting.
(Note: this review comes from the point of view of a white person)
This is the first anthology I've read that I loved every. single. entry. Sometimes words are inadequate to describe the journey certain books take you on. This hit me hard, but most importantly gave a voice to so many powerful Black people that deserve all our attention and offered so much needed hope, healing and love.
(Note: this review comes from the point of view of a white person)
This is the first anthology I've read that I loved every. single. entry. Sometimes words are inadequate to describe the journey certain books take you on. This hit me hard, but most importantly gave a voice to so many powerful Black people that deserve all our attention and offered so much needed hope, healing and love.
TW: (SPOILERS)
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Death in the past, shooting, bullying
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this amazing middle-grade read! Maya is such a brilliant protagonist, and the side characters are so wonderful. Powerful messages intertwined with relatable experiences and positive representation tie this book up to be my favourite middle grade I've read this year.
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Death in the past, shooting, bullying
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this amazing middle-grade read! Maya is such a brilliant protagonist, and the side characters are so wonderful. Powerful messages intertwined with relatable experiences and positive representation tie this book up to be my favourite middle grade I've read this year.
TW: mentions of rape, abuse, blood, fetishishing of woman's uncovered hair
TW: *SPOILERS*
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TW: rape, gang rape, graphic depictions of the event, extreme periods and cramps, bleeding, suicide, suicide ideation, victom blaming, xenophobia, racism, pregnancy from rape, religion, Christianity,
The last part of this book hits like an absolute truck, and it's not easy. As someone with religious trauma I found the faith epitaphs difficult and painful. The final message seemed very pro-god, and I had a difficult time with that as a person with religious trauma and victom of gaslighting. Overall though, I enjoyed the book.
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TW: rape, gang rape, graphic depictions of the event, extreme periods and cramps, bleeding, suicide, suicide ideation, victom blaming, xenophobia, racism, pregnancy from rape, religion, Christianity,
The last part of this book hits like an absolute truck, and it's not easy. As someone with religious trauma I found the faith epitaphs difficult and painful. The final message seemed very pro-god, and I had a difficult time with that as a person with religious trauma and victom of gaslighting. Overall though, I enjoyed the book.
TW: bullying, anti-semitism (called out), kidnapping
A creepy middle grade read from the creator of Welcome to Night Vale. It doesn't quite compare and was rather generic in morals and conclusion, but overall a fine book.
A creepy middle grade read from the creator of Welcome to Night Vale. It doesn't quite compare and was rather generic in morals and conclusion, but overall a fine book.
TW: anxiety, internalised ableism, death
Kiki is a young girl who's anxiety is slowly dominating her life, and is tightly threaded through this book. The twist at the end was unexpected and well done, and I hope we get a sequel soon!
Kiki is a young girl who's anxiety is slowly dominating her life, and is tightly threaded through this book. The twist at the end was unexpected and well done, and I hope we get a sequel soon!