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queereviews's reviews
51 reviews
Consumed: The Need for Collective Change: Colonialism, Climate Change & Consumerism by Aja Barber
4.0
Aja Barber dives into the interconnected topics of fashion, colonialism, climate change, consumerism (and even unpaid internships!)
I think this book is great for people who are new to the topic and are keen to learn more. I do hope she writes more books covering every single topic in more detail!
If I ever hear someone saying “we give them jobs”, “fashion brands are trying”, “oh look they made a video with a couple of queer people” I will just throw them this book at their faces!!
I think this book is great for people who are new to the topic and are keen to learn more. I do hope she writes more books covering every single topic in more detail!
If I ever hear someone saying “we give them jobs”, “fashion brands are trying”, “oh look they made a video with a couple of queer people” I will just throw them this book at their faces!!
Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
5.0
"Love can't cure a mental illness. There are lots of ways to help him, you can just be there. To listen. To talk. To cheer him up if he's having a bad day. And on the bad days you can ask what to could do to make things easier. Stand by his side, even when things are hard. But also knowing that sometimes people need more support than just one person can give. That's love darling"
I don’t even know where to start with this review.
The whole series was on my “to-read” shelf for a couple of years - completely forgot about them - and did not read them until the show came out (goes without saying I LOVED the show on Netflix). This was my first time reading a graphic novel and I simply CANNOT GET OVER IT. I am a big fan of queer fiction and I don’t think I had ever read/watched anything like this.
As we know, (unfortunately) queer lives are underrepresented in the main means of mass communication. When they do appear, they are often depicted as superficial, shallow & full of stereotypes (not to mention most times these books/shows transmit a fucked-up underlying message: queer people do not get to experience joy, love happiness or healthy relationships- i.e., there is never a happy ending). These books are everything BUT that.
Alice Osman excels at writing about complex (queer) realities in an uncomplicated positive way. She does so in a way that does not undermine the struggles the LGBTQ+ community go through but always balances them with hope and optimism. These books make the reader go through the full spectrum of emotions. It breaks your heart into pieces but makes it wholesome again. It makes you cry but heals you too. It is honest, real & raw.
Although the plot seems simple (teenage romance), the 4 books (and especially the last one) touch upon many serious issues that give room for thought. Among others:
- There is not just the coming out (and it is never a one-time thing). What are the scars that the experiences you have gone through leave you? How do you rebuild yourself? How do the teenage years and the transition to adulthood differ from cis straight people?
- Love cannot cure mental illnesses (as many books and tv shows make you think). Help and support come from different sources.
- Nick and Charlie are the epitome of a healthy relationship - much needed in media representation for young people, straight or not.
In short, a must-read for LGBTQ+ people, allies, friends and family. I'm sure I will go back to them as they are such a comfort read. If books gave hugs, these ones would give you a HUGE one.
PS. cannot wait for volume 5 and @Alice can you be my friend? Thnks x
TW: eating disorders, self-harm, bullying, homophobia/biphobia/transphobia, anorexia.
I don’t even know where to start with this review.
The whole series was on my “to-read” shelf for a couple of years - completely forgot about them - and did not read them until the show came out (goes without saying I LOVED the show on Netflix). This was my first time reading a graphic novel and I simply CANNOT GET OVER IT. I am a big fan of queer fiction and I don’t think I had ever read/watched anything like this.
As we know, (unfortunately) queer lives are underrepresented in the main means of mass communication. When they do appear, they are often depicted as superficial, shallow & full of stereotypes (not to mention most times these books/shows transmit a fucked-up underlying message: queer people do not get to experience joy, love happiness or healthy relationships- i.e., there is never a happy ending). These books are everything BUT that.
Alice Osman excels at writing about complex (queer) realities in an uncomplicated positive way. She does so in a way that does not undermine the struggles the LGBTQ+ community go through but always balances them with hope and optimism. These books make the reader go through the full spectrum of emotions. It breaks your heart into pieces but makes it wholesome again. It makes you cry but heals you too. It is honest, real & raw.
Although the plot seems simple (teenage romance), the 4 books (and especially the last one) touch upon many serious issues that give room for thought. Among others:
- There is not just the coming out (and it is never a one-time thing). What are the scars that the experiences you have gone through leave you? How do you rebuild yourself? How do the teenage years and the transition to adulthood differ from cis straight people?
- Love cannot cure mental illnesses (as many books and tv shows make you think). Help and support come from different sources.
- Nick and Charlie are the epitome of a healthy relationship - much needed in media representation for young people, straight or not.
In short, a must-read for LGBTQ+ people, allies, friends and family. I'm sure I will go back to them as they are such a comfort read. If books gave hugs, these ones would give you a HUGE one.
PS. cannot wait for volume 5 and @Alice can you be my friend? Thnks x
TW: eating disorders, self-harm, bullying, homophobia/biphobia/transphobia, anorexia.
The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living: A Guide to ACT by Russ Harris
4.0
I really liked this book and I would recommend it to everyone interested in mental health or on how to live a values-driven life. Contrary to other self-books written by business people (where their arguments are literally opinions and are not backed up in anyway whatsoever) this book - through acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) - teaches you how to stop aiming for happiness. Instead, it encourages us to embrace our (negative) feelings and thoughts.