ginny23's Reviews (259)

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

Parable of the Sower

Octavia E. Butler

4.0
adventurous dark mysterious sad medium-paced
There There by Tommy Orange

There There

Tommy Orange

5.0
adventurous dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced
On the Savage Side by Tiffany McDaniel

On the Savage Side

Tiffany McDaniel

4.5
challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon

Heavy: An American Memoir

Kiese Laymon

5.0
emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
This is a masterful memoir. It’s also kind of like a love letter to his mother in a way. Kiese  lays out all sorts of raw and brutal realities about his life experiences. He is so vulnerable and walks us through many significant ups and downs. This books shines light on racism, misogyny, generational trauma and addictions of multiple kinds and so much more. It is such a beautiful description of a real and complicated life. It shows how we can love fiercely and make terrible mistakes at the same time. This work of art is so good on so many levels. I am ashamed I missed so much when I read the physical copy the first time. I suggest listening to this on audio if you are able. I will read anything Kiese writes. As heavy and intense as this story is he is pure joy as his name suggests. His way with words is just next level brilliant.
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations about Race by Beverly Daniel Tatum

Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations about Race

Beverly Daniel Tatum

4.25
informative reflective medium-paced
What My Mother and I Don't Talk About: Fifteen Writers Break the Silence by Michele Filgate

What My Mother and I Don't Talk About: Fifteen Writers Break the Silence

Michele Filgate

2.5
Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall

Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot

Mikki Kendall

4.0
informative slow-paced
While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence by Meg Kissinger

While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence

Meg Kissinger

4.75
dark emotional informative sad medium-paced
Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West by Blaine Harden

Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West

Blaine Harden

3.0
slow-paced
Stale. I think the narration ruined it for me.
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

I Who Have Never Known Men

Jacqueline Harpman

4.5
adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
While the prose is simple and nothing to write about the story was fantastic. I tore through this in 24 hours. I loved this little book.