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alysereadsbooks's reviews
364 reviews
Disability Pride: Dispatches from a Post-ADA World by Ben Mattlin
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Great disability primer! Some topics are heavy and challenging but a great resource to those new to the disability space.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Mental illness, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Racism and Forced institutionalization
The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book was just okay for me. I know it’s supposed to be a lighthearted rom com but I felt like all of the characters lacked depth. Also, it was trope city and I don’t love the miscommunication trope. It was still nice to read around the holidays.
A Merry Little Meet Cute by Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
3.0
Listened to the audiobook. It was cute, surprisingly smutty for a christmas book. Definitely felt like one of those fanfictions where the author writes herself as the main character getting noticed by the celebrity. In general, liked the fat positive vibes and the nonjudgmental approach to sex work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Fatphobia
Ripe by Sarah Rose Etter
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Devastating view of modern life and the dystopia of the modern world. While I liked the metaphor of the black hole and depression, it felt a little heavy-handed at times. It was still an insightful and quick read and a gutting examination of work culture.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Abortion
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship
How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing by KC Davis
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
4.0
I listened to the audiobook and it did not disappoint! I really appreciated KC Davis’ empathetic and realistic approach to cleaning, specifically the ways she talks about accommodations for neurodivergent and disabled communities. I already use her closing duties strategies and I am looking forward to implementing her other strategies as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness and Mental illness
Minor: Addiction
Search History by Amy Taylor
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was an interesting take on the dystopian dating scene and the role that social media and our digital footprints play in our relationships. Overall, I really enjoyed it! Fast read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Death
My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Love Julia Wehlan’s narration, and the overall academic experience and setting, plus the exploration of father/daughter relationships. Last third of the book felt completely different from the beginning and surprised me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Death, Car accident, and Death of parent
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Listened to the audiobook of this - and the narrator did an amazing job of capturing the unhinged behavior of the main character. I found its themes to be similar to Disorientation. It sparks an interesting discussion about voices of AAPI and POC, specifically in the literary realm.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Cultural appropriation, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Gaslighting, and Colonisation
Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion by Jia Tolentino
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Absolutely loved this one and plan to reread it. I don’t normally read nonfiction, but it was compelling and insightful- I especially loved the essay on internet culture.
Without Children: The Long History of Not Being a Mother by Peggy O'Donnell Heffington
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Miscarriage, Medical content, Grief, and Medical trauma