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clacksee's reviews
1116 reviews
Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women's Anger by Soraya Chemaly
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
I’m physically perceived as a woman, yet simultaneously as ‘other’. I was mostly raised to believe that gender stereotypes were stupid and irrelevant, yet partly socialised to believe they were vitally important (but probably didn’t apply to me). I exist outside of gender. To me, it’s an alien concept.
Only as an adult have I discovered that most people are socialised into gender. How do women not overthrow the system? Why do women not burn it all down? Why aren’t women angry all the time?
This book was infuriating in all the right ways. Fascinating.
I was grateful that the author made an effort to include trans and nonbinary people.
Only as an adult have I discovered that most people are socialised into gender. How do women not overthrow the system? Why do women not burn it all down? Why aren’t women angry all the time?
This book was infuriating in all the right ways. Fascinating.
I was grateful that the author made an effort to include trans and nonbinary people.
Blizzard by H. W. Buzz Bernard
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
A unique but plausible selling. Impossible circumstances. Cardboard characters.
All in all, a quick, light read.
All in all, a quick, light read.
But What Can I Do?: Why Politics Has Gone So Wrong, and How You Can Help Fix It by Alastair Campbell
challenging
informative
inspiring
4.75
Alistair Campbell is right about a lot of things. He’s deadly wrong about a few, but let’s set those things aside for the moment.
The best review I can write for this book is to share two quotes from it.
1. Everything is impossible until you make it happen (which in turn is a quote of someone else – but it’s kinda the point of the book).
2. If change can be for the worse, it can also be for the better.
The best review I can write for this book is to share two quotes from it.
1. Everything is impossible until you make it happen (which in turn is a quote of someone else – but it’s kinda the point of the book).
2. If change can be for the worse, it can also be for the better.
The Concordia Deception by J.J. Green
adventurous
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
An interesting take on off-world colonisation, with a mix of generations of people born and raised on the ship (gens) and people from Earth who’ve been been in cryonic sleep for 200 years (woken). The gens are workers without much education, whereas the woken are STEM specialists. And therein lies the central conflict.
Suffers a bit from plot holes and inconsistencies but, overall, a very readable story.
Suffers a bit from plot holes and inconsistencies but, overall, a very readable story.
Lucas by MJ James
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I love the inclusiveness and acceptance in this book. Absolutely delightful to see.
This story felt like it wasn’t as fully developed as it should have been. It really would have benefited from another round of developmental work. It also needed to be a bit longer to more fully flesh out the world building and character craft.
Still, I’ll continue reading the series.
This story felt like it wasn’t as fully developed as it should have been. It really would have benefited from another round of developmental work. It also needed to be a bit longer to more fully flesh out the world building and character craft.
Still, I’ll continue reading the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Violence, and Gaslighting
Diversify by June Sarpong
challenging
hopeful
informative
4.0
When everyone is equal, we all benefit. The only way we’re ever going to improve life on Earth is by working together.
This book is broken down into sections, each of which focuses on a different way in which some people see othered. The author dogs in to each one and talk about how we can improve everyone’s lives by working together and being inclusive.
I’m so glad this book exists.
But…
A non-disabled cis-het woman was not the right person be writing the sections on disability or queerness. For example, while advocating for making the world more inclusive of disabled people, she repeatedly uses dated and/or offensive terminology.
Top marks for the ideas and the intent. But the execution (in some sections) needs improvement.
This book is broken down into sections, each of which focuses on a different way in which some people see othered. The author dogs in to each one and talk about how we can improve everyone’s lives by working together and being inclusive.
I’m so glad this book exists.
But…
A non-disabled cis-het woman was not the right person be writing the sections on disability or queerness. For example, while advocating for making the world more inclusive of disabled people, she repeatedly uses dated and/or offensive terminology.
Top marks for the ideas and the intent. But the execution (in some sections) needs improvement.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Too Much and Never Enough by Mary L. Trump
dark
informative
sad
fast-paced
4.75
This book gives insight into why the Trump family – and Donald in particular – are the way they are. I don’t think it’s vital that people read this, but it is interesting.
What a horrible family. And now they’re going to destroy the world.
And I get it – we’ve had similar characters in my own family (but without money). Escaping their influence is hard to do. They make it hard to do.
One thing I found confusing: the names. There’s a Friederich, a Fred, a Freddy, and a Fritz. There’s Mary Sr, Maryanne, and Mary Jr. and of course Donald and his son Donald. Ivana and Ivanka. I mean, I get it. Those are their names; nothing the author can do about that. But it still makes for confusing reading.
What a horrible family. And now they’re going to destroy the world.
And I get it – we’ve had similar characters in my own family (but without money). Escaping their influence is hard to do. They make it hard to do.
One thing I found confusing: the names. There’s a Friederich, a Fred, a Freddy, and a Fritz. There’s Mary Sr, Maryanne, and Mary Jr. and of course Donald and his son Donald. Ivana and Ivanka. I mean, I get it. Those are their names; nothing the author can do about that. But it still makes for confusing reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Classism
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
‘Plot, plot, and plot! What is plot?’
Becky Chambers, probably
Such a fun, cosy, uplifting, feel good story. No plot to speak of, but adorable characters galore.
Patricia Rodriguez’s voice grates on me a bit, but that’s very much a personal taste issue.
Becky Chambers, probably
Such a fun, cosy, uplifting, feel good story. No plot to speak of, but adorable characters galore.
Patricia Rodriguez’s voice grates on me a bit, but that’s very much a personal taste issue.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Xenophobia, Grief, and Religious bigotry
The Drowning Hour by S.K. Tremayne
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
PTSD is keeping Hannah trapped on a small island. The only thing on the island is the hotel where she lives and works … and business isn’t going well.
I was quite enjoying this one, though the ending felt very rushed and out of place. The solution seemed to come from left field and then suddenly everything was wrapped up with a neat little bow.
But at least the dog lives.
I was quite enjoying this one, though the ending felt very rushed and out of place. The solution seemed to come from left field and then suddenly everything was wrapped up with a neat little bow.
But at least the dog lives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Vomit, and Death of parent
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
Journey Home by May Barros
adventurous
I feel like I read the outline to a novel rather than having actually read a finished short story.