moonyreadsbystarlight's reviews
570 reviews

The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

challenging emotional informative reflective

5.0

I originally read the beginning of this a couple years ago and ended up setting it down despite really liking it (one of the many partially read books gathering dust because of my weird moody reading brain). I've wanted to get back to it since then and I am so glad that I finally have. I loved everything about this from the writing to her approach as a writing working with/telling the stories of other people. She tells the story of undocumented people from several cities while incorporating her own story of growing up undocumented and her experience interacting with and having relationships with the people in these communities. This is one I'm going to be thinking about for a long time

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Deportation

Moderate: Animal death and Sexual assault

Frontera by Jacoby Salcedo, Julio Anta

adventurous emotional informative

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This was an engaging story with nice art. It brings up a lot of issues and danger that people encounter crossing the border and shows a few different reasons why people might have to. This brings up the legacy of xenophobic violence committed by the US towards Mexican in particular (and how this has impacts outside of that group). The story was interesting and puts a lot into perspective, but I do feel that some of the connections between characters was a bit rushed. Some of this could have been fleshed out if there were more time in the book. All things considered, it's still a pretty great book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, Xenophobia, Police brutality, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Gun violence

Empathy by Kevin Killian, Sarah Schulman

challenging reflective tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This is weird and compelling novel. While there is technically a plot, this seemed to be much more about the time. There was a big part of it about connection and identity, but also so much about culture and morality being faced going into the 1990s. It's about being a lesbian in a straight world, but also about thinking deeply in the face of a cultural push towards individualism and apathy. It's about the breakdown of the American dream -- but also the breakdown of the idea that it ever was really. There is a lot more here, but overall, I found it fascinating. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual content, Grief, Outing, Colonisation, War, and Classism

Moderate: Ableism, Genocide, Incest, and Rape

Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement by Ashley Shew

informative reflective

4.5

A great short look at ableism and how it intersects with technology. This talks a lot about physical disabilities but also discusses neurodivergence. There is a lot of history sprinkled in, as it is necessary for understanding where we are now -- including that of colonization and racism, as that was a key factor in old ideas about disability and eugenics. And there is so much interesting and nuanced discussion of the future with disability in mind! The author pulls from a lot of different writers and activists as well, so I am really looking forward to reading more from who she referenced as well

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Mental illness, Racism, Terminal illness, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Colonisation, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Moderate: Suicide

Mamo by Sas Milledge

adventurous mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I loved this! I'm obsessed with the art and it felt like a cohesive story. I worry about pacing with comics this small that have such a big story, but this did really well. I also love that I picked this up knowing nothing about it but "ooh pretty cover" and it ended up being queer!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent

On Call: Political Essays by June Jordan

informative

5.0

Incredible! Another instance where we would do well to read backlist for perspective on our current situation (concerning a number of global issues, as well as what we still see here in the US). There are some truly unforgettable essays in here.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide, Police brutality, Death of parent, Colonisation, and War

Moderate: Child death

The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson

challenging emotional reflective

4.0

I really liked a lot of this. I enjoyed the style and all the references. I do think it got a little muddled in parts and I have comments about specific passages. But it was interesting overall.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Body shaming, Pedophilia, Racism, and Mass/school shootings

Making Spaces Safer: A Pocket Guide by Shawna Potter

informative fast-paced

3.5

A good beginning look at the topic. Some was more basic, other parts were good refresher of bystander intervention. It also includes some helpful resources. Also, while it does discuss some issues with law enforcement, I don't think that part of it goes far enough. 

It looks like this has been expanded into a book, so I'm interested to see what all is expanded upon. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual harassment

This is about mitigating many kinds of harassment, so there is content about violence, but it isn't super explicit in detailing specific events

On Order by Peter Kropotkin

informative reflective

4.0

Haru: Book 1: Spring by Joe Latham

adventurous emotional

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

I really liked the artwork and characters. The story has heart, but the pacing was really off. Some things just happen too suddenly. Still, it's pretty cute and I'll probably read the next one. 

I've seen this cataloged as YA and middle grade, but it definitely read more middle grade to me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Death of parent

Imminent danger in water