rickjones's Reviews (1.66k)

Accessing the Future is a wildly creative and clever anthology of stories by disabled authors. The stories vary in tone and theme, some are more playful, while others are tragic. While I enjoyed some stories more than others, I felt that each of the authors adeptly captured their experiences as disabled people within the narratives. I hope a second volume is on the horizon. 

An interesting collection of historical anecdotes that present the magic of books, for better or for worse. I found most of these chapters very engaging, which was a relief since I've never taken to learning history. However, since history is not my strong suit I do wish these chapters had been in chronological order. Some of the references and run on sentences were also difficult for me to understand, but overall this is a reader friendly book that explores many avenues of what books mean to people.

Sensory: Life on the Spectrum is a one-of-a-kind collection of comics from autistic creators. I deeply related to many of the experiences expressed by these creatives, but was still left wishing that it had been more diverse. Many of the creatives discuss the difficulties of social interaction and sensitivity to light and noise, but few or no contributors discussed mutism, motor dysfunction, and common comorbidities such as poor muscle tone, connective tissue disorders, and chronic pain. I would consider increased sensations of pain and allodynia the most disabling, misunderstood, and lonely experiences I've dealt with throughout my life as an autistic person, and I hope to one day see an additional volume or similar book that draws in more creatives living with the physically disabling traits of autism. 

Thornhedge is an atmospheric and eerie twist on a well-know fairytale. My heart ached for Toadling, and often halted in surprise and terror throughout the suspenseful parts of the novel. I adored Kingfisher's unique take on fairy lore, and her tale of love that transcends time and tragedy both. The novel feels much longer than it actually is, in a positive way, because it is so rich in characterization and worldbuilding. Kingfisher is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. 

Castro to Christopher is a crucial cultural and historical document that captures a fleeting time of gay liberation. These photographs are joyful, tragic, and often almost serene in their genuineness. I shudder to imagine how much cultural history and knowledge of the community these people shared would have been lost to time if not for Blair's work. 

How to Hold Animals is an adorable, useful guide on how to hold a variety of wild and domestic animals to protect both yourself and them. The instructions and visual guides are clear and concise, appropriate for both adults and older children to use. Though many of the insects and other wild animals are not native to North America where I live, this is still an indispensable guide for animal lovers and amateur nature observers.