alyssabookrecs's reviews
955 reviews

They Called Me a Lioness: A Palestinian Girl's Fight for Freedom by Dena Takruri, Ahed Tamimi

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective

4.25

Really enthralling book about Palestinian Ahed Tamimi's experiences incarcerated at 16-years-old in an Israeli prison for daring to hit an IDF soldier who refused to get off her land. Tamimi's experiences behind bars as a minor is really haunting, as well as the continual systemic targeting and oppression of her West Bank village and community. I leave this review with her words: “What would you do if you grew up seeing your home repeatedly raided? Your parents arrested? Your mother shot? Your uncle killed? Try, for just a moment, to imagine that this was your life. How would you want the world to react?”

Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 2 by Gege Akutami

4.0

Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 1 by Gege Akutami

adventurous challenging dark funny

4.0

Kabuki, Vol. 1: Circle of Blood by David W. Mack

challenging dark slow-paced

3.25

George and Tao by Claude Dubois, Claude Dubois

Straight to jail for making me think Tao might not make it

Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nascosta

funny medium-paced

3.5

Listen… this isn’t bad at all. In fact, it was quite enjoyable and had a surprising amount of depth. Even for those not into monster romance, I’d still recommend for the romance girlies 😋

The Punishment of Gaza by Gideon Levy

slow-paced

2.0

This would have been a stronger book if Levy’s republished op-eds were shown in conjunction with another firsthand account (preferably by a Palestinian) or more historical background. Still, Levy is a great writer, and I did find myself quite engaged with what I was reading.

The Baker and the Bard by Fern Haught

lighthearted

3.0

Whimsical, cute, cozy, cottage core!

Pixels of You by Yuko Ota, Ananth Hirsh

reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

This was really cute and meaningful and I love the color palette throughout. I’d read another book about these two for sure.

Linghun by Ai Jiang

dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

Lovely concept lacking in full execution. This would have been a great short story or full-length novel, but as a novella it doesn’t fully hit the mark. Jiang is a beautiful writer, though, and I’m excited to read more of her work in the future.