The Trauma Cleaner is a biography of a person that is the true definition of a life fully lived.  Lots of trauma along the way, but a full life nonetheless.  Sandra is totally unreliable so I question the truth of much of this book, but I enjoyed many aspects.  Her work helping hoarders and cleaning crime scenes reminds is really interesting and informative.  That was my favorite parts.  I enjoyed the education of the evolution of trans medical practices, rights, and legislation in Australia also. I appreciate Sandra putting herself out there and telling her story.  I would have liked this better as an autobiography

The Marriage Pass is about a weak a- man that is down right wrong, disrespectful to wife and friends, and feels entitled to them feeling sorry for him.  Please, he needs to get his act together.  He deserved everything he got.  Girl crazy trouble people can see a mile away and he flock to it.  Men do that for a big butt and a smile. Well, there you go.  Book has cheating, betrayal, lust, obsession, suicide attempt and some sexiness.  Steam is low key and not overly explicit.  Not fade to black.  There is an interesting twist in the end that I did not see coming too.  I enjoyed this story.  Kick rocks Dorian. 

Pestilence is bloody, lots of wild kills, crass cussing, lots of nudity. Unique plot.  Give me more. 

Iyanu: Child of Wonder Volume 1 incorporates actual Yoruban language and translations which is very informative.  Also I think the character images were confusing at times to determine who is who so I concentrated on outfits.  However the characters are beautiful.  Lots of diversity in blackness and also hairstyles.  I enjoyed that. a lot. 

I hated Her. It dragged on, gave entirely too many details, and I didn’t like the redundancy of scenes (told from two different perspectives).  I felt the payoff was not worth reading the book for.  There was not much real action, just a few reveals that weren’t really interesting.  I didn’t really feel there was a friendship and the obsession angle was not hard core. It was a book about motherhood, like an essay that was realistic, I give it that (the only reason I am giving it 2 stars vs a 1).  Being a mother is a lot of work and strife.  However, I am just pissed I read this book.  I felt like not finishing about 100 pages in but kept reading because I promised a friend.  Ultimately I wound up taking lots of breaks and then skimming the last 60 pages because I was so annoyed.  There were too many blank pages between chapters.  Also I am in the USA, so the British words/phrases confused the heck out of me; there was a large amount.  I have read novels by non Americans before and had no issues, but this one topped the cake.  I don’t recommend an American to read this book at all, or anyone else for that matter.  But if you are glutton for punishment, go right ahead. 

Eden’s Everdark starts with a beautiful cover, and continues with a great middle grade story of grief, death, African ancestry, magic, freedom of spirits.  I loved how Eden was very much a child, but still headstrong, inquisitive and also respectful.  I like how she got to trace her history back to slavery and how the cultivation of the land gave them their magic.  The grief component was handled well without dwelling or minimizing it.  Book was full of lush imagery, without overdoing it.  This is a beautiful story for anyone, but I hope little black girls find it especially helpful in being proud of their history and wanting to find out where they come from.

The Pineys Book 1 is a wild ride of interesting characters that people would typically underestimate. I was laughing throughout the book. Some scenes and dialogue were utterly ridiculous, which added to the appeal of the book. I mean who beats their dead mom and tells them to give them some peace. I like how Lewis changed from the beginning of the book to the end, although it was a quick (too quick) change.  Don’t expect a fleshed out story, but there are background stories for some characters.  Just roll with the ridiculousness. It was a quick read which I enjoyed and it left off on a scandalous note if you care to continue the series. There are a few typos, but it doesn’t trip you up too muc

Confessions of a Video Vixen was awesome, wild, and honest.  I commend Karrine for speaking her truth because I know when this book originally came out people were not trying to have the dirty laundry exposed.  She spoke the roster. Loved it, even those I don’t know.  Book was a quick read and didn’t give all the business, but just enough. She reeled it in because she could have burned some folks. It is so sad that most of these people she mentions have gone on to huge stardom, yet she was scraping pennies.  I am glad she quit seeking validation from people that only seek to use her, and got her life together.  Good book, loved the tea. Some parts made me laugh out loud. How you gonna go from Ice T to Ja Rule! Ridiculous.

I decided to read Gender Queer because I keep hearing about it being challenged and banned, and I wanted to know why.  The book is a very informative memoir of one person's road to discovering their sexuality.  I can't say I understood, or agreed with all of it, especially as a heterosexual, but I respect the journey and trying to explain it.  It included many interesting and informative book references for anyone who wants to delve further into sexuality, biology and the human brain. I was impressed with Maia's depth of knowledge to explore the topic.  There was some nudity in the book, but I did feel came out of left field, but it is a graphic representation of a book, and I wouldn't have an issue if it was in words, so I got over myself.  Some parts are really graphic, but in truth, an honest depiction of many people's journey of human and sexual discovery.  That said, I think Maia had a very supportive family and friend base that the average person, I suspect does not have.  Also, I support this book being in local libraries (where I got it from-front and center supporting Pride month).  I understand the concern for school libraries with nudity and such; however, the references in this book alone have educational value.  Queer students and parents should check it out and start a discussion.  Hetero as well.  It is disrespectful to don't attempt to understand what you don't know, but continually throw shade at it.  Thank you for reading my review. 

I appreciate these soldiers being able to tell their stories.  I loved the variety: gender, sexuality, branches, ranks, service locations.  It definitely shows the different facets of serving your country, motivations, and mentality upon returning from war.  It was quick, informational, introspective, and not too detailed to put anyone off.  At least me.  I enjoyed it.