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skudiklier's Reviews (647)
informative
medium-paced
I thought Aubrey Gordon's first book was phenomenal and haven't stopped recommending it, but I'm probably going to have to switch to recommending this one to most folks instead--it just so clearly breaks down all of the things people say about anti-fat bias. I get into arguments and often don't know what to say or how to back up what I'm saying, and this book is the best resource for that. I only wish I had a physical copy so it would be easier to reference things, rather than the audiobook. For people who really do want to learn more, or at least take the time to understand this "side" of things, I'll definitely be trying to get them to read this book. It's so easy to get sidetracked in points that aren't really about the real issue here, and I love the way Gordon addresses those efficiently while still staying on-topic and bringing things back to the central issue at hand. I could not recommend this book enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Medical trauma
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Racism
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I read this much more quickly and easily than I thought I would; I read Are You My Mother? a few years ago, and though I liked it a lot, I think it was denser, or slower, for me at least. Maybe I'll reread it now that I have the context of this book too.
I don't really have a lot to say about this book, except that I liked it and would recommend it.
I don't really have a lot to say about this book, except that I liked it and would recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, Suicide, Death of parent
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual content
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't really know what to say when reviewing a classic--what can I say that hasn't already been said? I knew pretty much nothing about this book going in (not even the ending, which everyone else seemed to know), and I found it entertaining. My biggest problem was not liking most of the characters and thus not feeling super sympathetic towards some of their decisions. But I was invested in them regardless, and was invested in the story overall, and I'm glad I'm read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
This chapbook was absolutely stunning. I wasn't planning on taking notes while reading it, but then only a couple poems in I was just bursting with how much I loved certain lines/poems, and I just had to write it down somewhere. My notes weren't very eloquent (one of them was just "i have CHILLS this is so good and trans and good") but the point is I loved this book. I would read anything Downs writes. Also it's impossible to pick a favorite but I have to shout out Genesis 3:23 as an incredible poem.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism, Transphobia, Violence, Murder
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Blood, Lesbophobia
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I just read this in one sitting; it was beautiful, and powerful, and I would definitely recommend it.
The poems in this collection are about so many things, but more than anything they're about parenthood--and all the fears and joys that come along with it.
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.
The poems in this collection are about so many things, but more than anything they're about parenthood--and all the fears and joys that come along with it.
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Racism, Sexism, Medical content, Grief, Pregnancy, War
Moderate: Child death, Hate crime, Slavery, Violence, Police brutality, Mass/school shootings, Murder
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Blood, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
CW for climate change, natural disaster/flood/hurricane
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this! There was more mystery/tension than I was expecting, and the climax was a bit scarier than I was ready for, but if anything that just raised the stakes for the book overall. It was really good and I was fully rooting for their relationship.
Minor spoilers ahead: I felt really bad for Luke, and also the end had me forgetting that they couldn't really get married 🥲🥲🥲
I definitely want to read more by this author! Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Minor spoilers ahead:
I definitely want to read more by this author! Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Outing, Abandonment, Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Child death
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
This chapbook is packed FULL of incredible poetry. I don't know how Diane manages to do it time and time again, but wow this chapbook made my jaw drop. I don't know what I would do if I weren't friends with her, because I love getting to scream at her all of my favorite lines and ask questions about the poems.
Also I fully forgot that she has an after of me in there :') I loved seeing my name pop up suddenly.
Anyway I would definitely recommend this!! It's so good! Diane is a genius and a beautiful writer!
Also I fully forgot that she has an after of me in there :') I loved seeing my name pop up suddenly.
Anyway I would definitely recommend this!! It's so good! Diane is a genius and a beautiful writer!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
So, at first I liked this book a lot. I found the essays funny, relatable, and very honest. I like their variety, I like the ones that are basically list poems, etc.
But I liked it less and less the longer it went on. A lot of the humor felt repetitive--like, I can only read so much about making fun of the all the men she's been with before I get tired of it. By the end I was pretty uninterested and just waiting for it to be over.
I did read the first edition, and she re-ordered the essays for the later editions. Maybe the new order would have kept my interest more. But idk, I just felt like some of the essays were doing/saying the same things as previous ones, and it wasn't funny enough for that to be worth it.
Also there were some things that have not aged well--lots of fatphobia and internalized fatphobia, as well as internalized sexism. Also some things about the environment that I don't feel like she would say ten years later--at least, I hope not.
Anyway I'm giving this four stars because I did like it for a while, and I'm trying not to let my "meh" feelings at the end change my whole thoughts on the book. I don't think I'd recommend it, but maybe I'd try reading some of her later books.
Update: I changed this to 3.25 stars. I was trying to not let the parts I didn't like affect my rating too much, but the more time passes the less I think I'd recommend this. I did like a couple essays and I didn't hate this book or anything, but I no longer think I'd try reading some of her later books even. Just not for me.
But I liked it less and less the longer it went on. A lot of the humor felt repetitive--like, I can only read so much about making fun of the all the men she's been with before I get tired of it. By the end I was pretty uninterested and just waiting for it to be over.
I did read the first edition, and she re-ordered the essays for the later editions. Maybe the new order would have kept my interest more. But idk, I just felt like some of the essays were doing/saying the same things as previous ones, and it wasn't funny enough for that to be worth it.
Also there were some things that have not aged well--lots of fatphobia and internalized fatphobia, as well as internalized sexism. Also some things about the environment that I don't feel like she would say ten years later--at least, I hope not.
Anyway I'm giving this four stars because I did like it for a while, and I'm trying not to let my "meh" feelings at the end change my whole thoughts on the book. I don't think I'd recommend it, but maybe I'd try reading some of her later books.
Update: I changed this to 3.25 stars. I was trying to not let the parts I didn't like affect my rating too much, but the more time passes the less I think I'd recommend this. I did like a couple essays and I didn't hate this book or anything, but I no longer think I'd try reading some of her later books even. Just not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Fatphobia, Sexism, Excrement, Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Drug use, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Drug abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Sexual harassment
graphic: parentification, diet culture, internalized fatphobia, internalized sexism
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm giving this 4.5 stars because it was a good romance, and I was invested, and overall I enjoyed it. I had some small things I didn't like though.
Some of the pacing is weird; like their first kiss is pretty anticlimactic, and some scenes felt super drawn out while others felt brushed over, in ways that took away from the story in my opinion.
Also there was just so much repetitive stuff about their trauma and anxiety--now, please don't get me wrong, I am super down for those parts of the story. And mostly it was well-done I think, but some of it felt forced/on the nose in a way where it's like, okay I get it, this is the major conflict here, but having it brought up multiple times in every scene is a little much.
Small things I liked though: the Portland stuff, and how they clearly made sure to keep their lives separate in a healthy way. Also I would read a sequel about Ty and Emma, ngl.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Some of the pacing is weird; like their first kiss is pretty anticlimactic, and some scenes felt super drawn out while others felt brushed over, in ways that took away from the story in my opinion.
Also there was just so much repetitive stuff about their trauma and anxiety--now, please don't get me wrong, I am super down for those parts of the story. And mostly it was well-done I think, but some of it felt forced/on the nose in a way where it's like, okay I get it, this is the major conflict here, but having it brought up multiple times in every scene is a little much.
Small things I liked though: the Portland stuff, and how they clearly made sure to keep their lives separate in a healthy way. Also I would read a sequel about Ty and Emma, ngl.
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Death of parent
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Ptsd, plane crash
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
First off, I want to say that I really liked this book. I would definitely recommend it. I think it gets across a lot of the challenges and high stakes of climate change in a nuanced way. I like the mix of personal stories and bigger-picture processes.
At first, I was worried it would be too dark--not that it was unrealistic, but it was bringing back all my climate anxiety/despair, and I thought it might all be very hard to read. But by the end (or even by halfway through, really), I flipped to wondering if the book is too optimistic. Even given all the challenges, all the "too little too late"-- even given that a decent amount of the change was caused by terrorism! I still feel like some things worked out too well and too easily. But maybe I should just be more hopeful, I don't know. I'll definitely be thinking about this book a lot, and recommending it to anyone who brings up anything even remotely related.
At first, I was worried it would be too dark--not that it was unrealistic, but it was bringing back all my climate anxiety/despair, and I thought it might all be very hard to read. But by the end (or even by halfway through, really), I flipped to wondering if the book is too optimistic. Even given all the challenges, all the "too little too late"--
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Slavery, Kidnapping
Moderate: Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Colonisation, Classism
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Drug use, Fatphobia, Racism, Sexism, Death of parent, Alcohol, War