jmelauren's reviews
120 reviews

I think naming technology has the ability to date a book. I think saying something as simple as chatting online or messaging can be simple and direct and even easier for people unfamiliar with the social media platform. There were a few different ones mentioned here, but I only know what one is, and even that has a different name now.

The communication through looks thing is a bit much. Sure it's happened to me so I get what he's saying. But he's talking about having full on discussion with people through eye contact. It's pretty hard to buy.

Daniel mentions that his disability is the last thing people want to talk about. I am here as a disabled person telling you that this is far from true. Why I am using a wheelchair is something complete strangers feel is their right to know.

The whole part about him understanding how his existence makes people uncomfortable made me feel very uncomfortable. Like people with disabilities should just hide away so able bodied people can feel better or something.

Very weird that he's answering questions he assumes we'll ask. It's very info dumpy and a bizarre weird style.

I found this style rather annoying. It was like a bunch of little anecdotes rather than just following a story.

The way that the police officer completely dismissed him and didn't even try to communicate was very disturbing and then didn't even take what he said seriously was shocking. He was an eyewitness! 

Weird that when there's mud and boot prints stomped all over inside the house they don't even consider that it came from someone who shouldn't be inside the house! 

After reading some reviews I learned that ASL was actually in the book and I kinda wished I read it instead of listening to it.

I can not say for sure as I am not deaf, but there was great representation here! Actually speaking the way ASL is communicated. For example, simply saying "school, now" instead of "okay I'm ready for school now". It's very interesting. 

After reading some reviews about how harmful this representation is, I can only change my mind about my rating. 

I did have some issues with this while listening, but not being autistic myself I didn't know how problematic it really was. So go read those reviews.

The things I found to be truly wild and not okay were:
..She talks about sterilizing her son and keeping power of attorney of his medical issues so that she can do this at a later date.
..he's a 14 year old boy and she doesn't educate him about sex.
..she's thrilled that he's made a friend even though the new friend and the boy himself both admit that he does whatever she tells him to.
..she questions whether she would want a test before birth that screened for autism, and if that test come back positive then what? She wouldn't have the baby?

This was a great read. So much good and real representation. I loved how throughout the book the MC would talk about not having enough spoons to deal with something, I've never seen that in a book before. 

I also liked how it dealt with Luis and how no one cared about what an awful person he was because they already knew, he bragged about it. That part of the story also felt very real.


✍️ selective mutiam
✍️ autism
✍️ lgbtq+
✍️ rape
✍️ revenge

Awful audiobook narration and a very annoying kid.

Single mom
Secret kid
Second chance
Small town
Dual POV
Disability rep 
Holiday

I Will Lead My People by Janet Edwards
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I really like the idea that the people who are strongest after the apocalypse are the ones who constantly at work at being strong in the world before.

All The World In Seafoan Green by Lauren Ring
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Rhizome, By Starlight by Fran Wilde
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