leftleaning's reviews
84 reviews

Time Is a Mother by Ocean Vuong

4.0

From the remarkable author 

@ocean vuong, his writing is always an impetus for deep reflection ! grappled personally with this book, where his late mom served as guide and muse, parallel to caring for my sick mom.At times I cried and laughed, and even once, 1just had to put the book down and hug my nanay. Thank you Ocean, again, for the profound poems.

Heartbeat of Struggle: The Revolutionary Life of Yuri Kochiyama by Diane C. Fujino

4.0

Having lived to 93 years old, Yuri's decades of activism is a true legacy. Her life was full of heart, and full of conviction, and full of solidarity. A Japanese American mama who got politicized in Harlem, supported Black self-determination, went to the Philippines to meet @bayan usa, Fujino captures all this + more of Yuri's lifel Get a copy & support asian anneritan book store @eastwindbooks. 

Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So

5.0

Weaving trauma from genocide, humble upbringing, youth recklessness, @fakemaddonfolle's stories of Khmer Stockton gays feels so deeply familiar, yet unpredictable! So's truths are embedded through fun and raunchy vignettes: One story of sexual tension w/a monk brought me back to Thailand life. thanks for recomm @recessionfisi, So'S passing is a tremendous loss.

1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows by Ai Weiwei

3.0

May was Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month; I read 100 Years, which was gifted by bestie @chaneyss. A memoir by Ai Weiwei who's art continues to challenge ths state and the status guo. When I lived in Jersey, @lamvang and I got to see his Circle of Animals/ Zodiac Heads at Princeton, Check them out, they are on tour at the @lacma. 

Helium by Rudy Francisco

3.75

I did a random book chain exchange and got this in the mail, I think from a friend from @thehapaplantita. Thankful for @rudyfrancisco's generous output into the world, Helium gave me such a high on love, becoming, and belonging If you havent seen Franciscos spoken word, please do so, its fire.

Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer by Maya Angelou

3.75

Celebrations are a collection of Maya's timely and timeless poems. I enjoy the grace presented in her words and the healing that comes after. Thank you to feminist friend @mari_ claire_p for the recommendation.

Rifqa by Mohammed El-Kurd

5.0

Copped from @bandungbooks, recommend by @palestinianyouthmovement: Mohammed El-Kurd's debut collection is named after his grandma, who is older than Israel itself. Capitulated in the news recently with struggles to #SaveSheikhJarah, their neighborhood in Juresalam, El-Kurd's poetry puts a premium on anger. And rightly so because the brutality of Israeli settle colonialism is barbaric! The words in this book add to the lexicon of liberation.

The Dead Emcee Scrolls: The Lost Teachings of Hip-Hop by Saul Williams

4.0

A find in the free pile at @bandungbooks, the great @saulwilliams poetry. An ode to hip hop, remembering its roots and the politics that shaped it & its ongoing cultural inventions  "Phillie blunts, Oakland Raider 

jackets,  'X' Caps, Spike's Joint, and a bunch of shit that became corny overnight.”

We Should Never Meet: Stories by Aimee Phan

3.75

Read aimeevhphan's novel of 8 stories linked from Operation Babylift, where thousands of orphans were evacuated out of Vietnam during the war. Has themes of unrest, humanitarianism, and the ripples of piecing life together.

JUMLA: A Nurse's Story by Dev Paudel, Ishan Gurung, Radha Paudel

2.0

Read my friend @raudel456's memoir as a nurse in the frontline of conflict torn Jumla, Nepal. Has themes of unrest, humanitarianism, and the ripples of piecing life together.