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readingrobin's reviews
2322 reviews
The Rise of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is the book so many Avatar fans were waiting for, an action-packed, surprisingly dark and emotional origin for the fan favorite Avatar, Kyoshi. Given the glimpses that were seen of her in the show, fans knew that she wasn't afraid to take drastic measures when it came to protecting the peace and safety of others. Here, readers get to see how Kyoshi cultivated her Avatar style, going from a child on the streets, the servant in a lush household, and learning more than a few lessons from a band of criminals.
I was absolutely surprised at how dark Yee was willing to go in this novel. Lots of sociopolitical conflict, scheming and posturing galore, and a few losses that I did not really see coming. We've seen heavier topics explored in the Avatar universe, but here you really feel how dire situations get at times.
That last stinger with Lek I literally said aloud "Wait, no!"
Kyoshi's inner and outer conflicts I thought were very well balanced: her upbringing and family life, her sudden revelation of being the Avatar, trying to figure out the "right decisions" while also on the run from a mentor that would only want to use her for his own gain.
I was absolutely surprised at how dark Yee was willing to go in this novel. Lots of sociopolitical conflict, scheming and posturing galore, and a few losses that I did not really see coming. We've seen heavier topics explored in the Avatar universe, but here you really feel how dire situations get at times.
Kyoshi's inner and outer conflicts I thought were very well balanced: her upbringing and family life, her sudden revelation of being the Avatar, trying to figure out the "right decisions" while also on the run from a mentor that would only want to use her for his own gain.
The Thirty Names of Night by Zeyn Joukhadar
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Really had to DNF a book club book but I really can't keep my focus on this one. I don't know if it's because there are other things I want to read at the time or I can't fully immerse myself here. The writing style is lovely and I like the intersectionality of an immigrant and trans story though.
The High Desert: Black. Punk. Nowhere. by James Spooner
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Probably one of the most immersive autobiographies that I've read, mainly due to this being a graphic novel and its stunning soundtrack to James' coming of age in the California desert. I've been drawn to the punk scene for years: its culture, aesthetic, music, commitment to activism, ideologies, etc. Spooner goes into great detail on the scene, that it's more than just a style, more than the music, it's action, it's beliefs, it's a safe haven for those on the fringes of society. It's not always glamorous, but it's honest.
It's really a roller coaster of a story as young James navigates new friendships, new crushes, and his first steps into punk society while also dealing with the hate and bigotry that lives in a small, desolate area. I started to get genuinely nervous every time the skinheads would make an appearance just because you never know when something would devolve into violence and hate crimes. But the story has a natural rhythm to it so that it never feels like a tonal whiplash.
I also love how James reflected on his youth, how he believed one way as a teen but made a note to mention his perceptions and attitudes changed as he got older and how he grew more into self acceptance. It gives an idea of what came after the events of the graphic novel and how his journey progressed.
It's really a roller coaster of a story as young James navigates new friendships, new crushes, and his first steps into punk society while also dealing with the hate and bigotry that lives in a small, desolate area. I started to get genuinely nervous every time the skinheads would make an appearance just because you never know when something would devolve into violence and hate crimes. But the story has a natural rhythm to it so that it never feels like a tonal whiplash.
I also love how James reflected on his youth, how he believed one way as a teen but made a note to mention his perceptions and attitudes changed as he got older and how he grew more into self acceptance. It gives an idea of what came after the events of the graphic novel and how his journey progressed.
Camilla by Madeleine L'Engle
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book provides a snapshot into fifteen year old Camilla's first love and realization of just how human other people can be. I remember being around that age and also starting to see the flaws in the adults around me, the hypocrisy, the pettiness, the messiness that comes when you realize your parents aren't infallible beings. It's a hard time, especially for Camilla when she's experiencing her first love at the same time.
Frank is your typical seventeen year old boy that thinks he has society all figured out and aims to be above it all when really he's on the same level as everyone else. Still, it's hard to blame Camilla for getting so swept up in him and the exciting, reflective existence he represents.
The book, while you definitely feel that 50s publication date, still captures these moments of adolescence so perfectly. The parents did irk me multiple times what with the lack of communication with their daughter, but that just mirrors the reality of it.
It's a book where all the characters are flawed in their own ways, much like real life. Everyone has issues, everyone has their challenges and Camilla as she grows up is starting to finally see the small cracks that make up everyone's life.
David was weird though. I understand that Camilla did not exactly realize what was going on and saw him as another trusted adult, but calling her "untouched" and "pure" while kissing her unsettled me in a big way. At least going away to boarding school will at least help with that situation.
Frank is your typical seventeen year old boy that thinks he has society all figured out and aims to be above it all when really he's on the same level as everyone else. Still, it's hard to blame Camilla for getting so swept up in him and the exciting, reflective existence he represents.
The book, while you definitely feel that 50s publication date, still captures these moments of adolescence so perfectly. The parents did irk me multiple times what with the lack of communication with their daughter, but that just mirrors the reality of it.
It's a book where all the characters are flawed in their own ways, much like real life. Everyone has issues, everyone has their challenges and Camilla as she grows up is starting to finally see the small cracks that make up everyone's life.
Saint Young Men, Omnibus 1 by Hikaru Nakamura
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I've been looking forward to reading this manga for ages ever since seeing that clip from the anime of Jesus in the sauna with the yakuza member (which is also wonderfully depicted in this volume.) The religious references and in jokes have real deep cuts, both Christianity and Buddhism, so I was glad for the explanations that followed each chapter so I could get the context.
I love the domestic humor and the buddy relationship between Jesus and Buddha. Always a fan of down to earth stories about otherworldly/monumental figures. It gives them an aspect of levity and it shows a true comfort when we can laugh about what is usually taken so seriously.
I love the domestic humor and the buddy relationship between Jesus and Buddha. Always a fan of down to earth stories about otherworldly/monumental figures. It gives them an aspect of levity and it shows a true comfort when we can laugh about what is usually taken so seriously.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
Another classic that I am glad to not have read in school so that I can read at my own pace and not scrape apart with a fine tooth comb. Naturally my brain already did that already, but at least it wasn't expected of me.
When you're entrenched in the literary world, this is one of the books you hear quite a bit about, especially when you're a youth librarian. While I don't think any of the kids near me will be waving a pig's head anytime soon, there has for a while been a trend of becoming desensitized to violence, mostly due to media and current events.
I had a range of emotions while reading this book: foreboding, disgust (positive), suspicion, fear, sadness, empathy. It really takes you on a journey on what appears to be a children's adventure until strained relationships and a battle for dominance take it to a dangerous level.
I am fully behind the reading of the kids showing the effects of growing up in an imperialist society that hinged on colonization and domination of people to gain power. To say that these kids are just submitting to base urges gives a very poor view of humanity rather than admitting a lot of these behaviors are learned. Jack Merridew, a privileged private school boy that had power over others is going to want to maintain that dominance because that is his normal, that is his reality that he has lived in. There's no regression, only now a violent urge to maintain what once was had and he enacts that by using tactics that the history of his country has proven to be useful.
My heart goes out to poor Simon. Lil dude just wanted to be by himself but also help out.
I think there were some areas I would have loved more clarification/exploration on, but overall I enjoyed it.
When you're entrenched in the literary world, this is one of the books you hear quite a bit about, especially when you're a youth librarian. While I don't think any of the kids near me will be waving a pig's head anytime soon, there has for a while been a trend of becoming desensitized to violence, mostly due to media and current events.
I had a range of emotions while reading this book: foreboding, disgust (positive), suspicion, fear, sadness, empathy. It really takes you on a journey on what appears to be a children's adventure until strained relationships and a battle for dominance take it to a dangerous level.
I am fully behind the reading of the kids showing the effects of growing up in an imperialist society that hinged on colonization and domination of people to gain power. To say that these kids are just submitting to base urges gives a very poor view of humanity rather than admitting a lot of these behaviors are learned. Jack Merridew, a privileged private school boy that had power over others is going to want to maintain that dominance because that is his normal, that is his reality that he has lived in. There's no regression, only now a violent urge to maintain what once was had and he enacts that by using tactics that the history of his country has proven to be useful.
My heart goes out to poor Simon. Lil dude just wanted to be by himself but also help out.
I think there were some areas I would have loved more clarification/exploration on, but overall I enjoyed it.
The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
This feels like a natural extension of Kimmerer's discussion of reciprocity and gift economies from her previous book Braiding Sweetgrass. She adds a bit more to the conversation, but some points feel more like a retread vs an expansion. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, as Braiding Sweetgrass may be a bit intimidating and this book does a great job of distilling Kimmerer's main points into more manageable bits.
As we face an uncertain, overwhelming, and just downright scary future, Kimmerer's offers some chances at hope, of working in and outside of systems to try to make society a bit better, more giving and less hoarding.
I listened to the audiobook and she is such an effective speaker that I would love to see her live at some point.
As we face an uncertain, overwhelming, and just downright scary future, Kimmerer's offers some chances at hope, of working in and outside of systems to try to make society a bit better, more giving and less hoarding.
I listened to the audiobook and she is such an effective speaker that I would love to see her live at some point.
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
An absolutely timeless tale of a Black family from the South Side of Chicago trying to make their dreams a reality. In each character, we see a struggle to reach new heights, whether for themselves or others. Hansberry did so much to give life to these people that feel so familiar: the dreamer daughter, the man of the house that yearns for success, and the mothers that just want to keep it all together.
Reading plays is never as good as seeing them live as they are meant to be, but Hansberry gives enough emotion and passion in their dialogue that comes to life so easily in the mind.
I will admit, Walter was getting on my nerves throughout the majority of the play as his goals were a little more selfish and his attitude was so condescending, but I could at least see where he was coming from. Not sure if his choice at the end is necessarily the right choice, but it feels natural for his character.
Reading plays is never as good as seeing them live as they are meant to be, but Hansberry gives enough emotion and passion in their dialogue that comes to life so easily in the mind.
I will admit, Walter was getting on my nerves throughout the majority of the play as his goals were a little more selfish and his attitude was so condescending, but I could at least see where he was coming from. Not sure if his choice at the end is necessarily the right choice, but it feels natural for his character.
The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
Though the second person perspective can be make this story a bit tricky to read, I thought the presentation, tone, and style of the book was quite unique. I loved the idea of the events of the story being told within the context of a play, that the whole thing is one big performance, one big dance, an action of tremendous importance in this world. The narration from side characters, and even just character that exist for that one simple bit of narration, make the world feel more full and just expand its scope.
I had to read this book pretty quickly for a book club, so I had to read large bits of it in a small amount of time, which lead me to have some issues with the pacing. It can drag for a while, but there was always a moment where things were able to pick back up again.
I had to read this book pretty quickly for a book club, so I had to read large bits of it in a small amount of time, which lead me to have some issues with the pacing. It can drag for a while, but there was always a moment where things were able to pick back up again.
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The first half is everything you could want in a classic children's fantasy, but the second half is where this book shines as its own story. Ende crafts a very philosophical approach to Bastian's hero's journey, giving a look into what happens when power and privilege warp and deteriorate one's capacity for empathy and kindness. It's a story with love at its center, whether from others or within ourselves.