karenika

Review: Gender Is Really Strange

Gender Is Really Strange by Teddy G. Goetz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gender Is Really Strange is a simple, high level and accessible introduction to how sex and gender differ and it also covers the history of different cultures and history of how we saw gender over the history. It also defines some of the categories including trans, intersex, non-binary, agender and several others (there was a mistake in this book conflating gender fluid and gender flux which are not the same thing but this book says they are.)

The book also talks about white supremacy and its impact on the gender definition and norms. There are several other related topics around science, physical activities, etc. It’s comprehensive and interesting and absolutely a great introduction in an easily consumable format.

With gratitude to netgalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Review: Beverly Bonnefinche Is Dead

Beverly Bonnefinche Is Dead by Kristen Seeley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the story of how Beverly’s story starts changing when Henry comes into her life. At its heart it’s a simple story but it’s full of pain, sadness and loss. It is also about love, resilience and how one person and their dedication to you and their believing in you can change the trajectory and story of your life. It’s a beautiful story that’s full of heart.

It’s also very tough to read with a lot of trigger warnings. Please read them before you pickup this book. I am glad I read it.

with gratitude to Rising Action Publishing Co and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Review: The Last Ranger

The Last Ranger by Peter Heller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Peter Heller’s books. I haven’t read a book by him that I didn’t love and The Last Ranger was no exception. His characters are always wonderful, memorable people. And I especially loved every single one in this story.

His settings are vivid, lush and transformative. Yellowstone is a wonderful place to set a novel and even though I knew about the story around reintroducing wolves into the park, I loved loved loved reading about it.

My favorite character was the wolf specialist and she will stay with me a long, long time. These literary novels with a bit of a mystery and incredible character and setting are his specialty and why I keep looking forward to a new Heller book every single time.

with gratitude to netgalley and Knopf for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Review: The Marriage Act

The Marriage Act by John Marrs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Meh even though I was super excited to read it and the premise seemed interesting, I could never get into this book. I do like how Marrs links to his other other books inside his stories and his books are fast paced, but at this point they sort of feel gimmick-y to me.

View all my reviews

Review: The Passengers

The Passengers by John Marrs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars.

Fast paced mystery with some interesting twists. A bit more lecture-y than I would have liked and likely a tiny bit too long. but it was good to read when i am stuck.

View all my reviews

Review: Homebodies

Homebodies by Tembe Denton-Hurst
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Really really enjoyed this story about a woman who moves back home after being laid off and is trying to come back home to herself. Several interesting themes are covered in this story but at the root of it is how we find our way back.

View all my reviews

Review: Demon Copperhead

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an excellent story that was too long. Maybe Kingsolver and I are just never meant to be. But It was too long.

View all my reviews

Review: Symphony of Secrets

Symphony of Secrets by Brendan Slocumb
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved Slocumb’s previous novel and I loved this one too. I love the juxtaposition of music, racism, mystery and historical fiction all at once. He’s such an excellent writer.

View all my reviews

Review: Yellowface

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars.

not sure i can write anything about this one that hasn’t already been said. I have several writer friends so I knew many of the stories. So many of the tropes are all in here. Cancel culture, own voices, twitter, and more.

View all my reviews

Review: I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home

I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home by Lorrie Moore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was so excited to get my hands on a Lorrie Moore book. There’s no one who writes as beautifully as Moore can and this book is no exception. The story for this one is hard to explain and if you like a clean, simple story, this book is likely not for you. This involves a teacher who loves conspiracy theories, a cross country trip, a clown, some ghost, hospice death, and so much more that doesn’t seem like they could come together to hold a story. But underneath it all, it’s about grief and humanity and love. And Lorrie Moore never disappoints with her writing.

with gratitude to netgalley and Knopf for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

View all my reviews