skudiklier's Reviews (647)

letters to the void and other creatures

5.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

Alexa Cherniak is such an incredible poet; this book has poems about everything from aching romantic love to feminist rage to fierce and confident self-love, and every one of them is powerful. I'm so glad I finally read Lex's debut collection, and I can't wait for her next one.

Content Warnings

Without You, There Is No Us: My Time with the Sons of North Korea's Elite

Suki Kim

5.0

emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

As someone who knows very little about North Korea, this book was fascinating. I found it incredibly compelling in many ways, and I'm grateful for Kim's bravery in writing and sharing it. I found this book heartbreaking, but also surprisingly enjoyable. I wish I could find out more about how the students' lives have gone on in the time since Kim was with them, but I'm sure she wishes that were possible far more than I do. I would definitely recommend this book as a rare and unique look into the lives of upper class young men in North Korea.

Content Warnings

The Undocumented Americans

Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

5.0

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

This book is heartbreaking, amazing, raw, important, and at times darkly funny. I knew I would be glad I read this book, but there's something about Karla Cornejo Villavicencio's voice that makes me want to listen to everything she says. Some of the things described in this book made me incredibly angry and incredibly sad, and all of it felt so so real. I think anyone who considers themselves American should read this book.

Content Warnings

Myriad

Shivani Manohar

5.0

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Shivani Manohar's debut poetry collection will absolutely blow you away. She turns the English language into an artform, with a mix of gorgeous wonder and heartbreaking rawness in each poem. The emotions contained in this book run the gamut from despair to adoration, and are guaranteed to make your heart ache after every page. In Myriad, we get to see Shivani Manohar's best work, thoughtfully displayed in the way most likely to pull at your heartstrings and leave you already wondering how soon she'll grace us with her words again.

Content Warnings

American Gods

Neil Gaiman

3.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

This book was really weird, and though I liked it, I'm not sure I would recommend it. I also don't think I would have liked it as much if I hadn't been listening to the audiobook; I may have given up if I were reading a physical copy.

For most of this book, I couldn't really tell you what it was about, or what the main plot was. Not that that's always a bad thing, but still.

Content Warnings

Perfect on Paper

Sophie Gonzales

5.0

emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book was absolutely lovely! I read it all in one day while laying in bed sick, and it was a great read for that. I read the synopsis months ago, and kind of forgot it by the time my library hold became available, so it was refreshing to not know which relationship to root for. Also, to have a scene with a bunch of queer people telling a bi woman she's queer even if she's dating a straight guy--god, it feels so good to be seen.

Content Warnings

The Red Deal: Indigenous Action to Save Our Earth

The Red Nation

5.0

challenging informative slow-paced

This is an incredibly important and necessary book. I'm really glad I read it, and I hope many many others do too. It clearly lays out what is necessary to save our world from capitalism, imperialism, and colonization. We need to listen to Indigenous people, before it's too late.

A Supplementally Useful Publication

Hank Green

4.75

fast-paced

When I first read this I didn't even think of it as a book enough to look for it on TSG, but wow it's already here! With reviews!

Uh I remember really liking this but not much more specifics. If I reread it at any point I'll update this review. It's a pretty quick read and if you liked AART and ABFE I'd recommend it :)

Also though it had a bunch of typos lmao I blame Hank

My Twenty Second Winter

Alicja Agnieszka Naskret

5.0

emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

This book takes you on a beautiful and heart-wrenching journey of loss, abuse, love, and grief. Alicja's poetry is gorgeous and raw

Content Warnings

And I Became God

Darrie Jaye

5.0

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

I love darrie's art and poetry! This zine is powerful and amazing and I love it

Content Warnings

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