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carleesi's reviews
746 reviews
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Did not finish book. Stopped at 39%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 39%.
The way the author uses physical descriptions to imply the value and inherent goodness of characters got too much for me. So much body shaming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Rape
The description of the rapist is so fatphobic. The links between fatness, monstrosity and disgust were incredibly blatant. As a survivor I felt sick listening to a rape, and as a fat woman I was forced into the understanding that actually my body was the kind that perpetrates sexual violence. It was a really horrendous experience.
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book offered a foray into parenthood unlike any other I’d read. It was sometimes funny, often emotional and included characters who were built with such amazing depth. I understood the impetus behind the actions of every character (even when I strongly disagreed with them).
A beautiful exploration of love, identity and family.
A beautiful exploration of love, identity and family.
Strong Female Character by Fern Brady
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
That was some of the worst fatphobia I’ve heard from a lefty in a very long time. Her story and her experiences were really fascinating as a fellow neurodivergent who wasn’t identified as a child, but I just couldn’t keep reading a book so rife with fatphobia.
Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language by Amanda Montell
3.5
A very fun jaunt in the world of feminist linguistics.
As someone with two degrees and 10 years experience in linguistics, it’s always going to be a challenge reading a pop culture linguistics book, but I did enjoy Amanda Montell’s take. I would have loved to read an even deeper linguistic analysis, with less of the rage bait sexist content but the social focus here was still very enjoyable.
I felt sometimes that it strayed into white feminism. Avoiding using the word “appropriation” to describe what non-black English speakers do to AAVE really diminished the impact of the discussion. In a similar vein, wh*re is used to discuss the reclamation of slurs without ever highlighting that it’s a word for sex workers to reclaim, not women as a gender. At times it was also very cis-centric despite the discussions of gender diversity. Those felt standalone rather than enmeshed into the book.
As someone with two degrees and 10 years experience in linguistics, it’s always going to be a challenge reading a pop culture linguistics book, but I did enjoy Amanda Montell’s take. I would have loved to read an even deeper linguistic analysis, with less of the rage bait sexist content but the social focus here was still very enjoyable.
I felt sometimes that it strayed into white feminism. Avoiding using the word “appropriation” to describe what non-black English speakers do to AAVE really diminished the impact of the discussion. In a similar vein, wh*re is used to discuss the reclamation of slurs without ever highlighting that it’s a word for sex workers to reclaim, not women as a gender. At times it was also very cis-centric despite the discussions of gender diversity. Those felt standalone rather than enmeshed into the book.
He/She/They: How We Talk About Gender and Why It Matters by Schuyler Bailar
5.0
I’ve followed Schuyler on Instagram for many years and learnt so much from him. This book added even more to that learning.
Schuyler is so open and gentle with his teaching, and part of his power is that he never ever makes it seem that that is how everyone must be. He is so beautifully inclusive, he really listens and learns and models that so well for us as readers.
I found it especially valuable to read him share critiques on aspects of mainstream perceptions of trans identities, such as the common idea of being born in the “wrong body”. Schuyler made it so abundantly clear why this saying could be harmful in a way that had me going “shit of course!” While still striking that balance of ensuring respect for anyone who does view this as their experience.
What an absolute legend. Amazing book. Amazing guy.
Schuyler is so open and gentle with his teaching, and part of his power is that he never ever makes it seem that that is how everyone must be. He is so beautifully inclusive, he really listens and learns and models that so well for us as readers.
I found it especially valuable to read him share critiques on aspects of mainstream perceptions of trans identities, such as the common idea of being born in the “wrong body”. Schuyler made it so abundantly clear why this saying could be harmful in a way that had me going “shit of course!” While still striking that balance of ensuring respect for anyone who does view this as their experience.
What an absolute legend. Amazing book. Amazing guy.
The Princess Protection Program by Alex London
3.75
Beautiful reimagining of a whole range of fairy tales with some great messages for young readers.
Kuracca: Us Mob Writing First Nation Voices by Samantha Faulkner
5.0
Beautiful poetry collection.
I especially loved Joyce Graham’s work, her poetry has a beautiful mix of playfulness and sincerity.
I especially loved Joyce Graham’s work, her poetry has a beautiful mix of playfulness and sincerity.
Colouring The Rainbow: Blak Queer and Trans Perspectives - Life Stories and Essays By First Nations People of Australia by Dino Hodge
4.0
A very thought provoking collection. I really enjoyed reading the writers’ stories and how they connected these with systems of oppression and their identity as a whole.
In particular I’ve taken away a lot of key learnings around intersectionality and yet another area of ongoing colonialism that impacts everyone, but especially First Nations people in Australia.
It was disappointing to read one of the authors disparaging identity markers that are very important to a different generation of queer kids. We can disagree without needing to condescend to other people’s understandings of identity.
In particular I’ve taken away a lot of key learnings around intersectionality and yet another area of ongoing colonialism that impacts everyone, but especially First Nations people in Australia.
It was disappointing to read one of the authors disparaging identity markers that are very important to a different generation of queer kids. We can disagree without needing to condescend to other people’s understandings of identity.