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clacksee's reviews
1116 reviews
I'm Tired of Racism: True Stories of Existing While Black by Sharon Hurley Hall
challenging
informative
inspiring
5.0
I’ve spent so much of life sheltered from racism. I’m trying to learn more and to do better. I’m trying to be an antiracist.
Some of the aggressions (micro and macro) Black peoples face are the same ones employed against disabled people or against women and gender-minority people. And so people who live at the intersections of those identities are facing multiple sources of oppression.
Anyways, yes. Racism is exhausting. But it’s vital that we keep listening to these stories. Turning a blind eye isn’t the answer. Nothing will change unless we all work together.
Some of the aggressions (micro and macro) Black peoples face are the same ones employed against disabled people or against women and gender-minority people. And so people who live at the intersections of those identities are facing multiple sources of oppression.
Anyways, yes. Racism is exhausting. But it’s vital that we keep listening to these stories. Turning a blind eye isn’t the answer. Nothing will change unless we all work together.
This Girl's a Killer by Emma C. Wells
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I read a lot of books centred around women who k!ll. I've noticed a trend within the genre. Most of ones published in the UK are light, fluffy, and cosy(ish), whereas the ones coming from the US are grittier and more action focused. There are exceptions, but for the most part that's how things go. This book is American.
It's like the author sat down and thought 'What if Dexter, but feminist?' I only read the first in the Dexter series, but this book was very reminiscent of that. In the same sort of vein as Emily Kimelman's Sydney Rye series.
On the whole, it wasn't quite what I was expecting … but I find myself hoping there will be more in the series.
It's like the author sat down and thought 'What if Dexter, but feminist?' I only read the first in the Dexter series, but this book was very reminiscent of that. In the same sort of vein as Emily Kimelman's Sydney Rye series.
On the whole, it wasn't quite what I was expecting … but I find myself hoping there will be more in the series.
Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
adventurous
funny
tense
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
4.75
Murderbot’s response to and interactions with Miki are everything.
Let This Radicalize You: Organizing and the Revolution of Reciprocal Care by Kelly Hayes, Mariame Kaba
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
5.0
We would all (with the exception of a tiny handful of the world’s wealthiest men) benefit from the overthrow of cis-het patriarchy. And we’d all benefit from the abolition of White supremely too.
This book leaves me feeling hope that we as individuals can make a difference, especially when we work with others towards our shared aims.
This book leaves me feeling hope that we as individuals can make a difference, especially when we work with others towards our shared aims.
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Warm, affirming, uplifting cosy(ish) fantasy in a similar vein as Legends & Lattes (Travis Baldree), the Weary Dragon Inn series (S Usher Evans), or Cursed Cocktails (SL Rowland).
Followers of my reviews will know how I feel about romance (not interested), but I do enjoy an established couple … and this one gives us that.
I can’t wait to read more.
Followers of my reviews will know how I feel about romance (not interested), but I do enjoy an established couple … and this one gives us that.
I can’t wait to read more.
Robots, Robots Everywhere! by Adeena Mignogna
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Ruby’s still stuck on Location Zero, the robot planet, where things aren’t quite normal.
Men Explain Things to Me: And Other Essays by Rebecca Solnit
challenging
informative
reflective
5.0
I expected a book of fun/infuriating tales of men explaining things to women who all knew more about the topic than they ever would.
What I got was a book about why this phenomenon exists. One of the things that really stuck with me relates to marriage equality. The reason so many people oppose it – the reason they say it threatens so-called traditional marriage – is because the kind of marriage they’re trying to preserve aren’t equal. They see marriage as a hierarchy, so if two people of the same gender get married, how will they know which one’s the boss? And what if it gives straight women the idea that they’re entitled to be equals in marriage?
I’d be very curious to hear what the author has to say about recent happenings.
What I got was a book about why this phenomenon exists. One of the things that really stuck with me relates to marriage equality. The reason so many people oppose it – the reason they say it threatens so-called traditional marriage – is because the kind of marriage they’re trying to preserve aren’t equal. They see marriage as a hierarchy, so if two people of the same gender get married, how will they know which one’s the boss? And what if it gives straight women the idea that they’re entitled to be equals in marriage?
I’d be very curious to hear what the author has to say about recent happenings.
Be the Sea by Clara Ward
challenging
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
A gentle, affirming story. Found family and acceptance. Queer and neurodivergent. All the very best things a story can have. I want to live in this story world and be part of Wend’s friend group.
The one drawback for me was that this felt like it wanted to be two books. And it’s not just that it’s loooooooooong (though it is), it’s that midway through the story, everything changes: setting, characters, pace, plot. I think it would have worked better as a duology.
I read the audiobook, which was performed by Sam Stark, who was perfect. Wend is nonbinary and it felt really important that the narrator share that identity.
The one drawback for me was that this felt like it wanted to be two books. And it’s not just that it’s loooooooooong (though it is), it’s that midway through the story, everything changes: setting, characters, pace, plot. I think it would have worked better as a duology.
I read the audiobook, which was performed by Sam Stark, who was perfect. Wend is nonbinary and it felt really important that the narrator share that identity.
Feminism is for Everybody by bell hooks
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.75
After my disappointment earlier in the week (TERFy, exclusionary vibes in We Should All Be Feminists), this one was – in many ways – refreshing.
The author defines feminism as ‘anti-sexism’. Now that’s the sort of movement I’m 100% behind. And generally, I found the ideas presented in this book were ones I agreed with.
But some of the language used was frustrating. For example, the phrase ‘feminism is for everybody’ is used throughout the book – usually followed by ‘both females and males’. Additionally, the author repeatedly refers to lesbianism as a choice. In fact, the three sexualities discussed are: heterosexuality, lesbianism, and lesbianism-by-choice.
Although some of the language is exclusionary, it doesn’t *feel* intentional. On the whole, this book challenged me and made a positive impression.
In the end, I’m left with the feeling that the hook’s idea of feminism really is for everybody. It truly feels inclusive – even if the wording sometimes isn’t.
The author defines feminism as ‘anti-sexism’. Now that’s the sort of movement I’m 100% behind. And generally, I found the ideas presented in this book were ones I agreed with.
But some of the language used was frustrating. For example, the phrase ‘feminism is for everybody’ is used throughout the book – usually followed by ‘both females and males’. Additionally, the author repeatedly refers to lesbianism as a choice. In fact, the three sexualities discussed are: heterosexuality, lesbianism, and lesbianism-by-choice.
Although some of the language is exclusionary, it doesn’t *feel* intentional. On the whole, this book challenged me and made a positive impression.
In the end, I’m left with the feeling that the hook’s idea of feminism really is for everybody. It truly feels inclusive – even if the wording sometimes isn’t.
Campaigns and Curses by S. Usher Evans
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
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
In need of a comfort read, I turned to my favourite cosy fantasy series. Campaigns & Curses is the eighth book in the Weary Dragon Inn series by S. Usher Evans.
The audiobook is read by Deborah Balm, who is proof of nominative determinacy. I would happily listen to her read an accounting textbook.
The audiobook is read by Deborah Balm, who is proof of nominative determinacy. I would happily listen to her read an accounting textbook.