jenny_librarian's reviews
930 reviews
Dungeon Critters, by Sara Goetter, Natalie Riess
adventurous
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
What a delightful read! I absolutely loved the D&D vibe, and this book reminded me a lot of the Humblewood (wooden creatures D&D 5e-based RPG) campaign I’m having with friends at the moment. It had the same kind of silliness coupled with underlying mystery and the occasional heart-to-heart that never really go according to plan. It’s also deeply queer, a must in any good roleplaying games!
I definitely recommend to fan of roleplaying games of all ages!
I definitely recommend to fan of roleplaying games of all ages!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Violence
Minor: Death
Odd Girl Out: My Extraordinary Autistic Life, by Laura James
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
I’m sure it did Laura James a lot of good to write this book. Good for her.
It was a strong contrast to my last autistic read (Unmasking Autism) in terms of classism, sexism and even a bit of ableism. James has this notion of autism where she says it’s a disability that she doesn’t work in spite of, but the underlying vibe of most of her book feels like she treats it like an illness she’s trying to fight. And I get that she’s on a journey, but so much of the book felt like she was battling her autism instead of embracing it.
I think it didn’t help that we are on wildly different paths. She’s gen X, adopted, married, a mother of 4. I’m a millenial who grew up with her single mother, single with cats for children. We couldn’t be more different and some parts of her story bored me to death for that reason. I didn’t care about her children or empty-nest syndrome or whatever. I didn’t care about how her husband didn’t understand her and even raised some orange-reddish flag at times.
I also question her choice of professionals, nearly all of which are neurotypical. She says at one point that autistic voices should be heard more, but she only mentions in passing most autistic people she knows or talk to.
And yet, I found stuff to relate to. Little sentences here and there that solidify this diagnosis in my head, when I managed to untangle what were autistic traits in comparison to her being adopted, an ex-addict or just herself. Some of it was easier than other.
Laura James’ life is one of many autistic experiences. There are as many more as there are autistic people, and it would be a disservice to the community to consider this one above others. It’s a white, middle class, British woman’s perspective that bring a little more to the compendium of autistic writing, but not enough in my opinion to be worth what other, more recent work have.
It was a strong contrast to my last autistic read (Unmasking Autism) in terms of classism, sexism and even a bit of ableism. James has this notion of autism where she says it’s a disability that she doesn’t work in spite of, but the underlying vibe of most of her book feels like she treats it like an illness she’s trying to fight. And I get that she’s on a journey, but so much of the book felt like she was battling her autism instead of embracing it.
I think it didn’t help that we are on wildly different paths. She’s gen X, adopted, married, a mother of 4. I’m a millenial who grew up with her single mother, single with cats for children. We couldn’t be more different and some parts of her story bored me to death for that reason. I didn’t care about her children or empty-nest syndrome or whatever. I didn’t care about how her husband didn’t understand her and even raised some orange-reddish flag at times.
I also question her choice of professionals, nearly all of which are neurotypical. She says at one point that autistic voices should be heard more, but she only mentions in passing most autistic people she knows or talk to.
And yet, I found stuff to relate to. Little sentences here and there that solidify this diagnosis in my head, when I managed to untangle what were autistic traits in comparison to her being adopted, an ex-addict or just herself. Some of it was easier than other.
Laura James’ life is one of many autistic experiences. There are as many more as there are autistic people, and it would be a disservice to the community to consider this one above others. It’s a white, middle class, British woman’s perspective that bring a little more to the compendium of autistic writing, but not enough in my opinion to be worth what other, more recent work have.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Sexism, Classism, and Transphobia
Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity, by Devon Price
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
A very interesting book about being autistic and learning to unmask and accept yourself.
Seeking an autism diagnosis as an adult is extremely difficult. Most people who don’t realize they are autistic before adulthood have low support needs, and have been masking all their life. It makes it incredibly hard then to figure out which parts of you are the mask and which are your true self. Despite the numerous green sticky notes I used when relating to autistic traits mentioned, I gaslighted myself throughout the whole thing, figuring that since I didn’t have it “that bad”, I must be appropriating an identity that wasn’t mine.
This book was illuminating on some points, but should definitely be used as part of a larger research if you think you are on the spectrum. It did include BIPOC and queer perspectives as well as those from people with other disabilities, something that not enough books and research do.
Seeking an autism diagnosis as an adult is extremely difficult. Most people who don’t realize they are autistic before adulthood have low support needs, and have been masking all their life. It makes it incredibly hard then to figure out which parts of you are the mask and which are your true self. Despite the numerous green sticky notes I used when relating to autistic traits mentioned, I gaslighted myself throughout the whole thing, figuring that since I didn’t have it “that bad”, I must be appropriating an identity that wasn’t mine.
This book was illuminating on some points, but should definitely be used as part of a larger research if you think you are on the spectrum. It did include BIPOC and queer perspectives as well as those from people with other disabilities, something that not enough books and research do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Child abuse, Ableism, Forced institutionalization, Addiction, Eating disorder, Medical content, Gaslighting, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Genocide, Homophobia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Chronic illness, Dysphoria, Transphobia, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Classism, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Racism, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Infertility, Suicide, and Slavery
Descent, voyages dans les ténèbres: Le maléfice de Frichebourg, by Robbie MacNiven
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I read this in French and, while the translation was a bit patchy in places, I was ready to give this 5 stars…
… until I got to the “bury your gays” trope in the last third of the book. I was so happy to get some diversity with a sapphic couple, and then the author just decided to go there and kill one of them to further the other’s story. That is always a crappy thing to do, but it’s especially bad when it’s a queer couple in a book that has zero other queer characters.
Everything else was great and I loved it, but I am extremely disappointed in this plot twist. Authors should know better by now.
… until I got to the “bury your gays” trope in the last third of the book. I was so happy to get some diversity with a sapphic couple, and then the author just decided to go there and kill one of them to further the other’s story. That is always a crappy thing to do, but it’s especially bad when it’s a queer couple in a book that has zero other queer characters.
Everything else was great and I loved it, but I am extremely disappointed in this plot twist. Authors should know better by now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Animal death, Grief, Gore, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Racism
Camouflage: The Hidden Lives of Autistic Women, by Sarah Bargiela
informative
fast-paced
4.0
A little short on explanation, and it kinda jumped from one subject to another really quickly, but there were a bunch of moment I went “yup, that’s me” and I think that’s enough to say it was a helpful read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Gaslighting and Ableism
The Mark of Athena, by Rick Riordan
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Rereading this was a pleasure. I always love the PJO/HoO characters and this time was no different. I don’t have the emotional connection others have to the Tartarus scene, but it’s still a pretty good moment nonetheless.
The only issue with this was I listened to the audiobook and the narrator wasn’t that great. Hearing the English version of the gods’ names was already confusing at times (as I’ve learned them in French) and he pronounced Gaia “Gee-ah”, which just felt plain wrong. His accents also bordered on offensive at times.
So loved the book, but the narration was subpar. I’ll check if someone else narrates The House of Hades, otherwise I’ll read my paper copy.
The only issue with this was I listened to the audiobook and the narrator wasn’t that great. Hearing the English version of the gods’ names was already confusing at times (as I’ve learned them in French) and he pronounced Gaia “Gee-ah”, which just felt plain wrong. His accents also bordered on offensive at times.
So loved the book, but the narration was subpar. I’ll check if someone else narrates The House of Hades, otherwise I’ll read my paper copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: War
Minor: Slavery and Racism
Just Roll with It, by Veronica Agarwal, Lee Durfey-Lavoie
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book is absolutely adorable, and the rep is amazing! It’s one of those gems we need – and are slowly getting – more of in children literature.
I loved the characters (Laurel in particular 😅). They were funny and touching and they all deeply cared for the MC.
The rep, as I said, is on point. I was a bit worried that they would “cure” Maggie’s OCD by giving her friends, but the subject is well developed. The creators’ note at the end helped put things in perspective too.
And of course the RPG inclusion is what made me pick up the book in the first place. It reminded me why I love RPG (and D&D in particular) so much.
A must read!!!
I loved the characters (Laurel in particular 😅). They were funny and touching and they all deeply cared for the MC.
The rep, as I said, is on point. I was a bit worried that they would “cure” Maggie’s OCD by giving her friends, but the subject is well developed. The creators’ note at the end helped put things in perspective too.
And of course the RPG inclusion is what made me pick up the book in the first place. It reminded me why I love RPG (and D&D in particular) so much.
A must read!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit and Bullying
Cryptid Club, by Sarah Andersen
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Not my favourite of Sarah Andersen’s books, but still pretty good. It’s her classic touch with all the sarcasm and second-level jokes she’s known for.
L'horloge, by Iris M.
informative
reflective
3.5
Je ne suis pas du genre à lire la collection Tabou, mais en voyant le sujet de celui-là (et comme je suis dans mon propre cheminement neurodivergent) j’ai décidé de l’essayer.
C’est définitivement l’exemple d’une seule personne qui ne représente pas la majorité.
Pour une grande partie du livre, Camille rejette complètement son diagnostic, alors que la plupart des personnes autistes que je fréquente de près ou de loin sont soulagées lorsqu’elles reçoivent leur diagnostic.
Son expérience avec la thérapie comportementale diffère aussi de ce que j’ai vu et entendu. Beaucoup de personnes autistes rejettent ce type de thérapie, qui vise à les faire rentrer dans le moule plutôt que de tenter d’accommoder le monde à leurs besoins. Tant mieux pour elle, mais ce n’est pas – à mon avis – représentatif de la réalité.
J’aurais aussi aimé que les sentiments de l’attirance soient abordés. Camille pense que c’est son autisme qui fait qu’elle ne ressent rien pour Marc, mais c’est fort possible (et documenté) qu’elle soit en fait aromantique/asexuelle. Les personnes neuro typiques sont souvent queer, et c’est une occasion raté ici d’en parler.
Pas mauvais et certains passages mont frappés particulièrement, mais l’écriture est correcte et c’est trop niché en terme de représentation de l’autisme pour moi.
C’est définitivement l’exemple d’une seule personne qui ne représente pas la majorité.
Pour une grande partie du livre, Camille rejette complètement son diagnostic, alors que la plupart des personnes autistes que je fréquente de près ou de loin sont soulagées lorsqu’elles reçoivent leur diagnostic.
Son expérience avec la thérapie comportementale diffère aussi de ce que j’ai vu et entendu. Beaucoup de personnes autistes rejettent ce type de thérapie, qui vise à les faire rentrer dans le moule plutôt que de tenter d’accommoder le monde à leurs besoins. Tant mieux pour elle, mais ce n’est pas – à mon avis – représentatif de la réalité.
J’aurais aussi aimé que les sentiments de l’attirance soient abordés. Camille pense que c’est son autisme qui fait qu’elle ne ressent rien pour Marc, mais c’est fort possible (et documenté) qu’elle soit en fait aromantique/asexuelle. Les personnes neuro typiques sont souvent queer, et c’est une occasion raté ici d’en parler.
Pas mauvais et certains passages mont frappés particulièrement, mais l’écriture est correcte et c’est trop niché en terme de représentation de l’autisme pour moi.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Sexual assault