You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
I kept having to remind myself that FOR TODAY I AM A BOY isn't a memoir.
It felt so real. The details. The pain. The loss. The sheer amount of time it took the MC to pull themselves out of the patriarchal, heteronormative gunk they grew up in. Their brief anger at the younger generation for knowing much, much sooner. The father's gross cruelty, especially, felt like a nightmare version of reality, but a reality nonetheless. Kim Fu had this family down pat: everybody was so recognizable, like I could spot them out of a crowd. I wanted to hug and cheer them on so bad.
The tragedy of the MC's predicament got to me sometimes, where I had to put the book down and cry a bit. Their longing to be a woman was heart-wrenching, especially when they focused on some of worst aspects of being a woman: the constant evaluation and objectification, aka the male gaze. If the MC thought beauty and being sexually wanted was the best a part of being a woman, there's so much joy for them to learn. Woman don't need men's approval to be themselves. They can be so much more.
A very beautiful, almost elegiac book. If you're looking for a read during a rainy autumn, FOR TODAY I AM A BOY is it.
It felt so real. The details. The pain. The loss. The sheer amount of time it took the MC to pull themselves out of the patriarchal, heteronormative gunk they grew up in. Their brief anger at the younger generation for knowing much, much sooner. The father's gross cruelty, especially, felt like a nightmare version of reality, but a reality nonetheless. Kim Fu had this family down pat: everybody was so recognizable, like I could spot them out of a crowd. I wanted to hug and cheer them on so bad.
The tragedy of the MC's predicament got to me sometimes, where I had to put the book down and cry a bit. Their longing to be a woman was heart-wrenching, especially when they focused on some of worst aspects of being a woman: the constant evaluation and objectification, aka the male gaze. If the MC thought beauty and being sexually wanted was the best a part of being a woman, there's so much joy for them to learn. Woman don't need men's approval to be themselves. They can be so much more.
A very beautiful, almost elegiac book. If you're looking for a read during a rainy autumn, FOR TODAY I AM A BOY is it.
I'm not sure there's more I can say about this book. Friends have recommended it to me for a long time, and they were 100% right that I would like it. The prose is as elegant, delicate, and mysterious as a smooth dark chocolate. I could taste the words as I read them, and I enjoyed every sentence like it was a last meal. A refreshing beauty of a book, that I immediately lent to friends.
I'm a huge fan of Amy Tan's work, especially her audiobooks, and THE JOY LUCK CLUB did not disappoint. The metaphor, the deceptively simple language, the exploration of familial love and culture: all the things I adore were there. All cranked up with the fresh eagerness of a first novel. Yes, I did cry, and yes, I was filled with a deep longing to hug my mother.
The structure was challenging at times, but I muddled through with the help of Tan's little reminders of which family experienced what. It would be interesting to re-read the book following one family's story at a time. As a person coming from Irish-Italian heritage, I found the window-peek into Chinese culture fascinating, but I'm dimly aware of the problematic portrayals. I'm Googling around to educate myself, but for now, I'm hugging this book and calling my mom.
The structure was challenging at times, but I muddled through with the help of Tan's little reminders of which family experienced what. It would be interesting to re-read the book following one family's story at a time. As a person coming from Irish-Italian heritage, I found the window-peek into Chinese culture fascinating, but I'm dimly aware of the problematic portrayals. I'm Googling around to educate myself, but for now, I'm hugging this book and calling my mom.
This book just made me so giggly happy. You know, like when you're happy and you can't stop giggling about it.
For once, the characters acted like the adults they are, where "oh, you like me? We should date," happened instead of a frustrating will they, won't they situation. For once, characters recognized they had emotional issues and sought professional, familial, and friendly help. For once, everyone did the right thing and was happy AND I WAS SO HAPPY, OMG.
Ahhhhh, AS YOU BREATHE AGAIN is such a breath of fresh air in a genre fraught with dramatic emotional silliness. One of the reasons it took me so long to read (besides that it was on my Kindle) was it became my happy place and I wanted to savor it. The love scenes were frequent and excellent and awkward to read at work. For those who read AS YOU TURN AWAY, there's plenty of Jonah/Quinn adorbs. I excitedly look forward to the third Walker Boy book, and not just because I have a sneaking suspicion it will be hella gay *side-eyes Darren & Ethan* *prays to the Catholic God that they will make out*
For once, the characters acted like the adults they are, where "oh, you like me? We should date," happened instead of a frustrating will they, won't they situation. For once, characters recognized they had emotional issues and sought professional, familial, and friendly help. For once, everyone did the right thing and was happy AND I WAS SO HAPPY, OMG.
Ahhhhh, AS YOU BREATHE AGAIN is such a breath of fresh air in a genre fraught with dramatic emotional silliness. One of the reasons it took me so long to read (besides that it was on my Kindle) was it became my happy place and I wanted to savor it. The love scenes were frequent and excellent and awkward to read at work. For those who read AS YOU TURN AWAY, there's plenty of Jonah/Quinn adorbs. I excitedly look forward to the third Walker Boy book, and not just because I have a sneaking suspicion it will be hella gay *side-eyes Darren & Ethan* *prays to the Catholic God that they will make out*
One of my first thought while reading was "So THIS is where all the BuckyNat fanfiction originates." Here is where. X mark this spot. Ta-dah. Natasha is Queen and Bucky knows it and I know it and we are in agreement about this fact. We love her forever and would totally consider giving up careers to be safe together if only we were not addicted to action and our careers. "She always amazes me."
My second thought was how interesting it was to get things from Bucky's perspective. He's a great storyteller, and very subtly different from Steve. It reminds of the Myers-Brigg distinction of Judging versus Perceiving. Steve Rogers judges people against his moral code while Bucky tries to perceive situations as they are, to get at a "truth" of everyone's reasoning and how it brought them to their decisions. Bucky used to be like Steve more, but then the Red Room happened.
My third thought was that this story is still very high testosterone thriller, but Bucky can tell how testosterone-y he is being, at least.
My fourth thought god damn it, Bucky, you have the emotional intelligence of a bOX of rOCKS, GET IT TOGETHER, DUDE. Let! Yourself! Be! Happy! Stop deciding dumb things! Stop trying to punch my other son Matt! Invest! In more! Knives!
My final thought is Sebastian Stan totally read this to prepare for his Winter Solider and Civil War roles and he made it 10 times better by having facial expressions to communicate emotions.
The end. *bows*
My second thought was how interesting it was to get things from Bucky's perspective. He's a great storyteller, and very subtly different from Steve. It reminds of the Myers-Brigg distinction of Judging versus Perceiving. Steve Rogers judges people against his moral code while Bucky tries to perceive situations as they are, to get at a "truth" of everyone's reasoning and how it brought them to their decisions. Bucky used to be like Steve more, but then the Red Room happened.
My third thought was that this story is still very high testosterone thriller, but Bucky can tell how testosterone-y he is being, at least.
My fourth thought god damn it, Bucky, you have the emotional intelligence of a bOX of rOCKS, GET IT TOGETHER, DUDE. Let! Yourself! Be! Happy! Stop deciding dumb things! Stop trying to punch my other son Matt! Invest! In more! Knives!
My final thought is Sebastian Stan totally read this to prepare for his Winter Solider and Civil War roles and he made it 10 times better by having facial expressions to communicate emotions.
The end. *bows*
Oh, Isabel Allende... you may be a new fav. I'm relatively new to Allende's work, but each book I pick up is a revelation. I love THE JAPANESE LOVER's discussions of race, class, and age through the lens of character, I love the plot, and I love the bizarrely fantastic writing style. How in all that is holy is Allende telling so much and the story is so good? Just like in THE ISLAND BENEATH THE SEA, there's little in the way of dialogue or scenes, but I broke down in tears all the same. How? What witchcraft is Allende performing because I want to do it too.
As expected from the title, the racial diversity is A+ in the book. This is a beautiful, touching read for anyone and everyone.
As expected from the title, the racial diversity is A+ in the book. This is a beautiful, touching read for anyone and everyone.
This was the first book in a series of four that I read for my MFA's craft essay on horses in literature and I have no regrets. Hilarious, accurate, and with trailer full of horses and heart. If anyone's looking for a little solace, women friendship power, and rollicking horsey ridiculousness, I can't recommend HORSEPLAY enough.
This is the third book I read for my MFA's craft essay on horses in literature, and I can't believe middle school me missed out on reading this because GODDAMN IS IT AMAZING.
This book purposefully avoids toxic patriarchal tropes common to high fantasy from the first few pages and continues to impress. Not only is the main protag Talia a woman, but also her mentors include two lesbians and a bi woman. Talia explores her own sexuality in a safe environment, is not shamed for finding sex unimportant, and does not shame others for liking sex. All the men she interacts with during her training are sensitive and caring to the emotions and triggers of those around them and within themselves. You read that right: male characters are allowed to be emotional and have empathy AND a healthy emotional state is seen as a strength. The characters are a variety of ages and body types! There's implied racial diversity even though they don't have the same concepts of race/ethnicity as we do! Kindness is valued! There's magic! There's sort of horse-like gods wandering around! I couldn't predict the plot! Their society is possibly a matriarchy(?)! I will be reading the next book!
I did think it was kinda weird a 13 y/o was babysitting/parenting instead of the actual parent but oohhhh welllll, the book had to have one flaw, didn't it? Overall, I had a lovely time reading and am excited to explore Valdemar even more.
This book purposefully avoids toxic patriarchal tropes common to high fantasy from the first few pages and continues to impress. Not only is the main protag Talia a woman, but also her mentors include two lesbians and a bi woman. Talia explores her own sexuality in a safe environment, is not shamed for finding sex unimportant, and does not shame others for liking sex. All the men she interacts with during her training are sensitive and caring to the emotions and triggers of those around them and within themselves. You read that right: male characters are allowed to be emotional and have empathy AND a healthy emotional state is seen as a strength. The characters are a variety of ages and body types! There's implied racial diversity even though they don't have the same concepts of race/ethnicity as we do! Kindness is valued! There's magic! There's sort of horse-like gods wandering around! I couldn't predict the plot! Their society is possibly a matriarchy(?)! I will be reading the next book!
I did think it was kinda weird a 13 y/o was babysitting/parenting instead of the actual parent but oohhhh welllll, the book had to have one flaw, didn't it? Overall, I had a lovely time reading and am excited to explore Valdemar even more.
This book is a compilation of my favorite things, and October is the perfect time to read it. Breezy, our intrepid heroine, is a biracial bisexual woman, and the impact of her identities are constant in the narrative. She's just the right mix of logos and pathos to survive her harrowing journey, though I wish she was a little faster on the magical world uptake. I loved her, cheered for her, and occassionally forgot she was fictional. Her instincts, intellect, curiosity, and bravery harrow us for quite the gorey tale, but she never seemed older than she was or out of character. She seemed like a teen she was. Last, I deeply enjoyed Breezy's sense of respect and empathy. The murders--and there are A LOT of murders in this book--aren't just there for shock value. Breezy claims the killers, but she respects the victims and their stories. She mourns them and tries to give them any sort of dignity she can.
Besides Wallace's excellent work on Breezy's character, the poetry of the prose and themes were absolutely lovely. The supernatural members of the story's cast aren't just scary monsters there for the heck of it. Wallace effortlessly teases out the thematic and existential questions that monsters conjure up. Why did humans dream up ghouls, the undead, nightmares, vampires etc? What fear do humans crystallize and give form by creating monsters, and what is it like to be that form, that crystal? Is being a monster a freeing act, letting you not have to ascribe to "human" ethics and morals? If being a monster is freeing, what if you have too much freedom, too little consequences? How does that affect your well-being and relationships with others? What limits do you set yourself?
SHALLOW GRAVES is a fascinating, beautiful read. I highly, highly recommend it for anyone with a strong enough stomach. There is, understandably, a lot of death and blood. Stay spooky, friends.
Besides Wallace's excellent work on Breezy's character, the poetry of the prose and themes were absolutely lovely. The supernatural members of the story's cast aren't just scary monsters there for the heck of it. Wallace effortlessly teases out the thematic and existential questions that monsters conjure up. Why did humans dream up ghouls, the undead, nightmares, vampires etc? What fear do humans crystallize and give form by creating monsters, and what is it like to be that form, that crystal? Is being a monster a freeing act, letting you not have to ascribe to "human" ethics and morals? If being a monster is freeing, what if you have too much freedom, too little consequences? How does that affect your well-being and relationships with others? What limits do you set yourself?
SHALLOW GRAVES is a fascinating, beautiful read. I highly, highly recommend it for anyone with a strong enough stomach. There is, understandably, a lot of death and blood. Stay spooky, friends.
