I loved the way this book folded big meaty issues like racism, code-switching, corrupt government, how absolute power corrupts absolutely, generationaI loved the way this book folded big meaty issues like racism, code-switching, corrupt government, how absolute power corrupts absolutely, generational trauma and more, into an urban fantasy of an underclass of witches in Washington, DC. Got a bit long and overstuffed towards the end, which loses it a star, but I really liked this debut....more
very good writing, but a thin, high-concept premise. Would make a good play - most of the book takes place in a flat, with some scenes in a restaurantvery good writing, but a thin, high-concept premise. Would make a good play - most of the book takes place in a flat, with some scenes in a restaurant and a few outside.
What really puzzles me is the blurb saying it was a "hilarious dark comedy" and even some of the reviews here saying it was LOL funny. Look, I like DARK. I have a shelf called "darkdarkdark." But this book was so sad, about loneliness and neediness and being poor. Was there some comic relief? Maybe, but that does not a comedy make....more
I really liked the complex characters for a middle grade book, especially the changing friendships, and the flawed Mom. Maybe a little pat in places, I really liked the complex characters for a middle grade book, especially the changing friendships, and the flawed Mom. Maybe a little pat in places, but OK for the age group. ...more
Sometimes I love KDC and sometimes I think she's overstuffed and wacky. Unfortunately, this was kind of the latter.Sometimes I love KDC and sometimes I think she's overstuffed and wacky. Unfortunately, this was kind of the latter....more
The two timelines and the look at cosplay really worked for me. Look, it's a bit implausible, but isn't that what romances are all about?The two timelines and the look at cosplay really worked for me. Look, it's a bit implausible, but isn't that what romances are all about?...more
4.5 stars but rounded up til 5. Maybe it was a 5 all along.
I loved this creative, gentle, sweet and moving book. The story is so beautifully plotted,4.5 stars but rounded up til 5. Maybe it was a 5 all along.
I loved this creative, gentle, sweet and moving book. The story is so beautifully plotted, taking you places you don't predict but in a way that seems earned and authentic. I still can't believe I didn't cry....more
A very powerful book that reads like Succession meets I May Destroy You. Lots of discussion and thoughts about what women need to do to succeed, who HA very powerful book that reads like Succession meets I May Destroy You. Lots of discussion and thoughts about what women need to do to succeed, who HR is really there to protect, and rawly accurate depictions of the aftermath of sexual assault. I loved it. ...more
I'm surprised at the middling/bad reviews this book got, because I thought it was a great literary mystery for teens that would still appeal to teens I'm surprised at the middling/bad reviews this book got, because I thought it was a great literary mystery for teens that would still appeal to teens a decade+ out. (Except for no one had phones.)...more
I'm not sure that this hung together like I wanted it to. It seemed more like some collections of thoughts, some that worked more than others. I'm not sure that this hung together like I wanted it to. It seemed more like some collections of thoughts, some that worked more than others. ...more
Because there have been so many refugee stories for middle grade lately, I think I thought that was what I was getting here. But instead, it's a movinBecause there have been so many refugee stories for middle grade lately, I think I thought that was what I was getting here. But instead, it's a moving story of your parents as people, trauma carried in the body, and getting to know yourself and them without the context of each other.
I can't imagine going in a makeshift boat to escape my home country while 8 months pregnant. The bravery of some people is really miraculous. ...more
What a weekend to read this book about bodies, bodily autonomy and bodily freedom.
On Saturday, the C4aya Raihc1k interview was published, in which thWhat a weekend to read this book about bodies, bodily autonomy and bodily freedom.
On Saturday, the C4aya Raihc1k interview was published, in which the internet troll could not articulate why trans people don't have bodily autonomy.
On Sunday, Aaron Bushnell self-immolated at the Israeli embassy while screaming Free Palestine. Who could even fathom anything that was more of a depiction of bodily freedom than giving up your body for a cause.
I also learned about artists I was unfamiliar with. (Ana Mendieta I spent a lot of time investigating!) But even more fun, in a chapter partially about Angela Carter, it mentions in interview in The Face magazine that I remember reading. I wish I still had those '80s Face magazines. (It was this one
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