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447 reviews by:
librarymouse
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I just spent the past 6 weeks reading this, in detail, for an independent study. I'd love to leave a more detailed review at a later date, and possibly some favorite lines with citations, but for now I will leave you with:
Read it, had an existential crisis, bon appetit
Read it, had an existential crisis, bon appetit
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Incest, Misogyny, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Blood
dark
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
This book is a thoughtful and informative exploration of the pitfalls of the American child welfare system, focusing on the extreme result of placing six children unjustly removed from their loving homes in the care of Jennifer and Sarah Hart. Asgarian explores the extreme and ingrained racism in the child welfare system, exploring the impact of it on the families of the children murdered by the Harts, their dedicated efforts to get them back and living with relatives, the judicial system that purposefully squandered their efforts, and the loopholes that allowed the Harts to adopt six children while being investigated for abuse and assault allegations.
In the epilogue of this book, Asgarian addresses her own tumultuous childhood, noting that because of her family's race and economic status, she never had to fear being removed from the support system made up of friends and relatives while she was in an abusive nuclear family. The generational impact of the removal of black children from loving, if imperfect homes, is still echoing through the families and the children who survive the startling volley of abuse hurled at them in institutions, foster homes, and group homes. Asgarian shines a light on this impact, probing readers to be aware of this world and its machinations.
In the epilogue of this book, Asgarian addresses her own tumultuous childhood, noting that because of her family's race and economic status, she never had to fear being removed from the support system made up of friends and relatives while she was in an abusive nuclear family. The generational impact of the removal of black children from loving, if imperfect homes, is still echoing through the families and the children who survive the startling volley of abuse hurled at them in institutions, foster homes, and group homes. Asgarian shines a light on this impact, probing readers to be aware of this world and its machinations.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Police brutality, Lesbophobia
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm kind of mad that I'm really like CS Lewis's fiction. I read just enough of mere Christianity to know how fundamentally Lewis and I differ on our perception of the place of Christianity and religion in policing the rights of others, but I really do like this series and I agree with a lot of his critical readings of Paradise Lost. Food for thought I guess 🙃.
Initially Edmund is a terrible person and sibling, though he does get better throughout the book, Peter and Susan aren't given as much characterization as I would have liked, and I'm frustrated with how Lucy was treated by her siblings and then relegated to the sidelines during the battle. With that out of the way, I really enjoyed the Beavers, especially in how they care for the children but also bring some explanation into the story. Lewis's narration style is also very fun! I like that he will occasionally mention the previous chapter by calling it the previous chapter, and I understand why everybody liked them so much as children. The series really does just feel like childhood.
The religious parallels are definitely very prominent, and I don't think enough consideration is given to the impact having lived full lives as rulers of Narnia only to return back to a childhood during world war II would have on Lucy, Edmud, Susan, and Peter. I look forward to seeing what happens next.
Initially Edmund is a terrible person and sibling, though he does get better throughout the book, Peter and Susan aren't given as much characterization as I would have liked, and I'm frustrated with how Lucy was treated by her siblings and then relegated to the sidelines during the battle. With that out of the way, I really enjoyed the Beavers, especially in how they care for the children but also bring some explanation into the story. Lewis's narration style is also very fun! I like that he will occasionally mention the previous chapter by calling it the previous chapter, and I understand why everybody liked them so much as children. The series really does just feel like childhood.
The religious parallels are definitely very prominent, and I don't think enough consideration is given to the impact having lived full lives as rulers of Narnia only to return back to a childhood during world war II would have on Lucy, Edmud, Susan, and Peter. I look forward to seeing what happens next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Grief
Moderate: War
adventurous
emotional
funny
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I love this book so much! It was such a fast and addictive read, and each and every character is so very easy to love!
The way in which the author navigates difficult social issues, and integrates addressing them into the story itself is gorgeous. She fits the necessity of self-representation and seeing oneself in one's mentors/seeing someone who looks like you thriving in a life you'd like to live when you grow up into the narrative in a way in which it is recognizable, but also slots neatly into the narrative like the rest of the lessons taught to the characters. The evolution of Mika and Jamie's relationship, the history of Ian and Ken's and the nuance given to all of the characters in the book make them all so round and lovable! Knowing this to be fantasy, and having read one too many fantasy novels with a prevalent male gaze, I was really pleasantly surprised with how the characters' traumas were explored, addressed, and healed. I should have known better than to expect the worst, but I was so pleasantly surprised that Mika's traumatic experience at University was not a sexual assault. I also really appreciated how the characters spoke to one another. Miscommunication tropes are some of my least favorite, but the way in which Mandanna explores what in Mika's past could cause her to misunderstand her being deserving of love and the idea that she is loved added so much depth to the story.
I might need to come back to edit this review later. I don't know that I can currently explain all the feelings I'm having about this book, other than to say that I waited two days to read the last chapter, after reading the rest of the book in one day because I was bereft at the thought of leaving this world and these people behind.
I might need to come back to edit this review later. I don't know that I can currently explain all the feelings I'm having about this book, other than to say that I waited two days to read the last chapter, after reading the rest of the book in one day because I was bereft at the thought of leaving this world and these people behind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Alcohol
Minor: Domestic abuse
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I really enjoyed this book! Berwald's mix of personal memoir with informative marine biology, and the very human per pective on ecological interests creates for a fun and engaging read. It just took me quite a lot longer than expected to get through. The lack of note on the colonial impact of Israeli occupation/oppression of the Palestinian people and the violence committed for control of the land on the Mediterranean sea, the sea of galilee, and the dead sea was frustrating. It's definitely playing a part.
I really enjoyed how she closed the book with a call to action for citizen scientists to fight for global warming legislation to be reformed and upheld.
I really enjoyed how she closed the book with a call to action for citizen scientists to fight for global warming legislation to be reformed and upheld.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'm mad at how much I like this book! It's a genuinely very enjoyable read! Reading this in association with Paradise Lost created a reading experience full of fun easter eggs.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Misogyny, Grief, Alcohol
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
This was an engaging, information-dense, fast, and fascinating read. The author cares about the individuals behind the intriguing medical cases that she studies, and the way she shares their stories, their treatments, and in some cases deaths shows that care and respect along with the scientific interest. This book gives me hope for the future of scientific research and advancement on cognitive decline in whatever form it takes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Medical content, Dementia, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Religious bigotry, Pregnancy
Animal cruelty tagged for descriptions of animals being used in lab testing
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
What a strange and unsettling book. To be able to continue to care for someone, especially platonically, while knowing the atrocities they've committed against innumerable individuals; the echo of which is so deep and widespread, is unfathomable to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol
Moderate: Antisemitism, Pregnancy
dark
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
The conversations documented between Ricardo Melogno and Carlos Busqued are engaging and enlightening. Melogno's case is an complex and unfortunate one, highlighting rampant issues in the Argentinian criminal justice and mental health systems. Melogno's perspectives on religion prompt further consideration. Looking past someone's crimes to see them as they are is hard to do, and I am somewhat unsettled by the amount I related to Melogno. His is a complicated story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Blood, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Dementia, Alcohol, War
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
About a third of the way through this book, having googled David Starr Jordan, I was ready to finish this, as a hate reader if need be. Jordan was, without question, a horrible man. The atrocities he inflicted upon the world with his promotion of eugenics outweigh any good he may have done as a scientist by multiple orders of magnitude. Seeing Lulu Miller's hero worship of the man was off-putting, the more I learned of him. However, I ended up really enjoying this book as I read on, as Miller explores her own life alongside Jordan's, she brings along the reader. We learn of the atrocities he's committedin the same order she did while conducting the research for this book. It's still hard to have the hero worship of the young Jordan, with his love of stars and rescy jokes, when faced with the knowledge of his role in the American Eugenics movement.
Jordan's hands-on malicious acts, like his touring endorsement of eugenics and the possible murder by poison of his benefactor are completely bonkers. I am constantly amazed that people Revere him, while simultaneously understanding, as I, too have been in awe of the young man he once was.
This book breaks down every facet of Jordan, from his political, religious, and social beliefs; to his family life, addressing each idiosyncrasy with data driven research.
Jordan's hands-on malicious acts, like his touring endorsement of eugenics and the possible murder by poison of his benefactor are completely bonkers. I am constantly amazed that people Revere him, while simultaneously understanding, as I, too have been in awe of the young man he once was.
This book breaks down every facet of Jordan, from his political, religious, and social beliefs; to his family life, addressing each idiosyncrasy with data driven research.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Genocide, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol