coits's reviews
486 reviews

The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz

This book was funny and sweet! My most favorite element were the mechanics of the world it was in--a food kingdom with the creature comforts of today. Any nerdy young person in your life would love this, most especially if they're LGBTQIA+ or are wanting a more progressive, hilarious take on the Disney princess movies they may have grown up with. 

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus

I regard this book as a YA masterpiece. It is one of the most wholehearted things I have ever read. The story is steeped in a beautifully developed understanding of Black spirituality, and the God in it reaches for you as you read it. I would recommend reaching back.

Dear Mothman by Robin Gow

Noah has my heart. An honest, wholehearted, novel in verse about a young boy's grief, discovery of transness, first loves, and Mothman. This book felt like a hug.

In the Woods by Tana French

I am officially a Tana French stan. Sentence by sentence, this thriller is a FORCE. Like, Tana, you kicked my ass. I had so many theories floating around in my head the whole time, and the progression of my trust in the narrator shook me UP. If you are a lover of literary fiction and want to try a thriller, you need to try this book.

Artie and the Wolf Moon by Olivia Stephens

WOW, this was a beautiful read. I deeply enjoyed every panel of Artie and the Wolf Moon. The art in this book was striking, and I was especially floored by the photography illustrations, the night scenes, and the way the faces of each character were drawn. Artie's coming of age is populated with gorgeous plurality and specificity, deeply QUEER (<3), and anchored in the conviction of love. The time jumps in this work gave me such satisfaction as a reader who really cares about the way authors show they trust their audience. I loved the balance of showing with telling here, and I could tell every moment was held and considered so intentionally by Stephens and the folks who helped bring this book to life. Definitely need to purchase this for my shelf!

Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor

I really adore Barbara Brown Taylor's theology. Her voice is HUGE benefit to the production of this audiobook, and it was a very easy, comforting listen. I will be thinking of the ideas she put forth in this book for a while, even if there were a few moments that felt dated or over-explained. I think it will bring calm to people who left their church but still long to engage with the texts they left behind.

All the Fighting Parts by Hannah V. Sawyerr

A really important novel in verse for a YA audience dealing with grief, sexual assault, friendship, father-daughter relationships, and first love. Amina is a wonderful character for young readers, and I think the strong point of the book, for me, was the way her relationship with her father was written. It's definitely going to stick with me for a while. Reading this book was often a stressful experience, and I would encourage anyone who picks up the book to read content warnings and reviews thoroughly. Reading this book, also, was often a hopeful experience, and it was written with clear direction and heart.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault

Rock Me on the Water: 1974—The Year Los Angeles Transformed Movies, Music, Television and Politics by Ronald Brownstein

This was solid, entry-level survey of the culture impact Los Angeles had in 1974. I LOVED the organization of the book--12 chapters, each representing a month in 1974. Brownstein did a nice job detailing the moment we would end on at the beginning of the chapter then rewinding the clock to show us how we got there. However, informationally, the book seemed to run out of things to talk about somewhere around "October." I wished it ended on the strong note it started on, and I think the benefit of a physical copy experience may have been seeing the sources/any sort of bibliographic content for further research. Great if you want a general survey of a specific place in time, or if you are interested in pop culture history.

Lush Lives by J. Vanessa Lyon

Lush Lives is a romance for wayward creatives, academics, & lovers of ephemera. There was so much vibrant matter/space in this story, and that may have been my favorite part of it. In addition to all the good story stuff surrounding the romance, the romance itself felt very true to life. Though Glory and Parkie together make a lovely pair, though, what I enjoyed more was their character development as individuals. Each of their internal worlds were so deftly written, and learning about how they each moved through the world was a tender experience. My least favorite part was the dialogue, which did not feel true to life and, in fact, felt a little stiff. It was a small annoyance in an otherwise good story, though, and did little to deter me from finishing the book and being happy I read it. Tropey, brainy, sexy--this was a beautiful read.

Holding the Note: Writing on Music by David Remnick

I really enjoyed this collection of profiles. The standouts to me were the profiles on Mavis Staples, Bruce Springsteen, and Phil Schaap. The audiobook was very well done, and I would recommend it if you’re unable to find a physical copy.  Remnick’s writing has a wryness about it that I find exceptionally human, and he has a talent for reminding you that he’s a journalist (and a good one) in his stylistic choices. Recommended for anyone who may be interested in various essays on some music greats that are written with affection, humor, and precision.