mollysmith1313's reviews
116 reviews

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

emotional funny hopeful reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is such a reflective cozy read. If you enjoy interesting stories about everyday people doing everything things with a sprinkle of extraordinary bonds between seemingly different characters, you’ll like this one. I very much enjoyed the perspectives of the octopus and Tova. The narrator for the audiobook did a great job capturing so many different characters. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Cancer, Child death, Grief, and Abandonment

Rad American History A-Z: Movements and Moments That Demonstrate the Power of the People by Kate Schatz

challenging hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE BOOK! My spouse and I took turns reading this book out loud to each other, and we both learned so much. It definitely included a lot of history I did not learn in school, but it also included events that happened during my lifetime I just didn’t know a lot about. This book includes history of feminism, civil rights, climate and environmental activism, music, and so much more. I’m buying a bunch of copies of this book to give as gifts because I truly think it’s deserving of such, and it’s easily my favorite book read in 2024.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Police brutality, Grief, and War

Redbone: The True Story of a Native American Rock Band by Sonia Paoloni, Christian Staebler

challenging informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

Yes, it’s a book about the origins of Redbone. But it also mentions the American Indian Movement (AIM), United Indians of All Tribes occupying Alcatraz, the Heart of the Earth Survival School, and the Trail of Broken Treaties, the mass slaughter of Lakotas at Wounded Knee, and the occupation and siege of Wounded Knee in 1973. And how Redbone’s song, “We Were All Wounded at Wounded Knee,” was a political song banned in the U.S., but played in Europe. Then it talked about the band breaking up, and what happened to all the members after that.

Another Appalachia: Coming Up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place by Neema Avashia

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

4.0

The book is just what it is described to be. A very interesting read. It felt like I was listening to a very extended NPR story. 

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.

Reading about the mother who abducted this girl, and the family complicit with it, makes me so sick with anger. Listening to the experiences of grief surrounding deaths and lost pregnancies is really tough to listen to as well. I ended up being to overall upset at the content to continue, but I applaud the author anyway. It truly is a well-written book.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Racism, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, and Gaslighting

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson

4.0

I normally keep an arms length away from self help books, but this one was a quick read, very funny, and came to me highly recommended from a guy at work. I think it should be required reading for everyone between the ages 20-30. I think it’s a really great book with a ton of food for thought and practical ways to evaluate how you view your values and the f**ks you give. The only reason I knocked it down one star is because a few times there were brief sections of the text I didn’t connect with, and sometimes certain ideas were repeated a little more than I thought necessary. But I still highly recommend.

Life Isn't Binary: On Being Both, Beyond, and In-Between by Meg-John Barker, Alex Iantaffi

3.0

I really liked other books Meg-John has contributed to, so I thought I’d check this out. It’s full of a a lot of thought provoking ideas on how to challenge a ton of the binaries we use in everyday life. I gave 3 stars because some parts of the book dragged a little bit for me, but admittedly maybe I just wasn’t connecting with some of the material. And it’s a book I don’t feel the desire to reread. That being said, if you love journaling and meditating on these ideas, I highly recommend this book to you.

Queer: A Graphic History by Meg-John Barker

5.0

I was surprised at how much I was personally invested while reading much of this book. It really gave me so much to think about. Exploring gender, sexuality, race, class, and more in such a condensed way must have been difficult. But I applaud that effort and highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys graphic novels and is looking for an introduction into queer theory.

Gender Euphoria by Laura Kate Dale

3.0

I think it’s great to tell trans/nonbinary stories but focus on euphoria instead of dysphoria. It’s interesting to read about other peoples experiences, but I honestly have no desire to read it again and plan to donate it. I’m really glad it exists for people who need the “pick me up” these stories have a potential to provide for transgender readers.

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

5.0

I loved reading this book! It very much reminded me of a Bridgerton-like love story, but better because it’s such a warm and fuzzy “feel good” as far as so many characters knowing the main character’s gender identity and still being so supportive of them throughout the book. That being said, the depiction of depression and drug and alcohol abuse is sobering. I enjoyed reading it so much that I definitely see myself reading it again for fun! I highly recommend if you enjoy romance in general, but especially if you enjoy LGBTQ+ romance.