theskyboi's reviews
26 reviews
Red Clay Suzie, by Jeffrey Dale Lofton
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Red Clay Suzie is Jeffrey Dale Lofton's debut novel, and I am more than grateful to have been gifted a signed copy of such an extraordinarily candid and heartwarming book. I was immediately enamored with Philbet's pure way of seeing the world around him.
As a fairly character driven novel, Philbet's story spans from his earliest memories of time spent with his grandaddy to his life later on in school and every little detail in between. I would be doing any potential readers a disservice by not mentioning how genuinely conversational this book's tone is; every moment feels like peeking into a personal diary.
Obsessed with Matchbox cars and his own pedal car, Philbet learns the ways of life among his closest family and friends, recounting memories inevitably tinted by the rich, red clay of his hometown. Quite simply, this tender novel is so incredibly atmospheric in the way it weaves together seemingly unrelated memories to create a tapestry of recollection.
Based on Lofton's own uprbinging in Georgia, he states that Philbet's story is, at its core, a version of his own life's story. Given this preface to the book, it is so evident that every page was painstakingly pruned to show the truth behind a unique upbringing of a gay boy within a seemingly rigid yet caring culture.
Since much of the book is best left unspoiled, I will simply mention that I immensely recommend it to anyone who likes to feel good when they read. Of course, Red Clay Suzie isn't without its own share of drama and sorrow, but what good story is? Hop to it, and rev your engines up for this must-read debut!
As a fairly character driven novel, Philbet's story spans from his earliest memories of time spent with his grandaddy to his life later on in school and every little detail in between. I would be doing any potential readers a disservice by not mentioning how genuinely conversational this book's tone is; every moment feels like peeking into a personal diary.
Obsessed with Matchbox cars and his own pedal car, Philbet learns the ways of life among his closest family and friends, recounting memories inevitably tinted by the rich, red clay of his hometown. Quite simply, this tender novel is so incredibly atmospheric in the way it weaves together seemingly unrelated memories to create a tapestry of recollection.
Based on Lofton's own uprbinging in Georgia, he states that Philbet's story is, at its core, a version of his own life's story. Given this preface to the book, it is so evident that every page was painstakingly pruned to show the truth behind a unique upbringing of a gay boy within a seemingly rigid yet caring culture.
Since much of the book is best left unspoiled, I will simply mention that I immensely recommend it to anyone who likes to feel good when they read. Of course, Red Clay Suzie isn't without its own share of drama and sorrow, but what good story is? Hop to it, and rev your engines up for this must-read debut!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Cursing, Death, and Gun violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, and Medical content
Please Miss: A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Penis, by Grace Lavery
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
Not sure if I'll ever return to it, but it was just not resonating with me in terms of style.
More Happy Than Not, by Adam Silvera
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Honestly, the writing style was too elementary for me to care about any of the plot details.
I'm Glad My Mom Died, by Jennette McCurdy
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.25
Through the candid view into the lives of others, memoirs often allow us to glean something deeper about our own experiences. I'm Glad My Mom Died is no exception to this maxim. As Jennette McCurdy unfurls a life spent in the shadow of her mother's unfulfilled dream, she transparently outlines the struggles that come along with recovering from a life of abuse.
Where words fail to explain the traumatic weight of being abused by a parent, McCurdy employs quite a punch with well crafted chapter endings that leave the reader contemplating yet eager to keep pushing onward. This book's strength lies in its sincere attempt to document her thoughts regarding costars, managers, family, and close others. However, the timeline of McCurdy's life was too difficult to follow at times, which made it difficult to fully conceptualize her life story.
It should not come as a surprise that a book with this title delves into the lifelong abuse that McCurdy experienced under her mother's care, but it should be noted that there are extensive, detailed descriptions of sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse, which she credits as the point of origin for her alcohol use and eating disorders. While these do not detract from the memoir itself, it is fair to warn any readers with particular sensitivities.
Overall, there was much to be learned in my reading of this book. McCurdy's life served as something of a mirror through which I could understand the limits of the human soul, as well as its persistence. No one thing can define us in this world, and I believe that this book encapsulates the importance of mental health treatment, as well as child welfare, especially within the context of the entertainment industry. This read will stay with me for quite some time.
Where words fail to explain the traumatic weight of being abused by a parent, McCurdy employs quite a punch with well crafted chapter endings that leave the reader contemplating yet eager to keep pushing onward. This book's strength lies in its sincere attempt to document her thoughts regarding costars, managers, family, and close others. However, the timeline of McCurdy's life was too difficult to follow at times, which made it difficult to fully conceptualize her life story.
It should not come as a surprise that a book with this title delves into the lifelong abuse that McCurdy experienced under her mother's care, but it should be noted that there are extensive, detailed descriptions of sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse, which she credits as the point of origin for her alcohol use and eating disorders. While these do not detract from the memoir itself, it is fair to warn any readers with particular sensitivities.
Overall, there was much to be learned in my reading of this book. McCurdy's life served as something of a mirror through which I could understand the limits of the human soul, as well as its persistence. No one thing can define us in this world, and I believe that this book encapsulates the importance of mental health treatment, as well as child welfare, especially within the context of the entertainment industry. This read will stay with me for quite some time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Alcohol, Body shaming, Cancer, Mental illness, Vomit, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Child abuse
Moderate: Blood, Incest, and Cursing
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis and Medical content
La casa de los espíritus, by Isabel Allende
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What can my review possibly add to a book that is celebrating its 40th anniversary? The House of the Spirits fits snugly into the moniker of "debut novel," given the old adage to "write what you know." As a patchwork history of Chile in the 20th century, as well as a saga of the purportedly fictional Trueba family's women, this book weaves magical realism and historical fiction into an unforgettable read that any author would feel lucky to consider their first foray into fiction.
Having read the novel in Spanish, I feel both blessed and cursed to have had access to the original text; I was enchanted and haunted in equal measure. While the book deals largely in political and historical themes, the legacies of the women within the Trueba family are at the crux of the story. From Clara's clairvoyance to Blanca's indecision and to Alba's tenacity, this book illustrates the power that comes with sharing the stories that are most personal to us.
Often taking a circuitous path between past and present, the prose of this novel is what enchants the reader most of all. From the moment that Clara has her first premonition until the narrator utters that final phrase, reading this book is a challenge rewarded with mischief, absurdity, solemnity, and satisfaction. However, that flowery language Allende seems predisposed to include in her story did result in a rather slow-paced read, so consider yourself warned.
In light of warnings, the content of this novel, while fictionalized, does align with the true struggles of the life of 20th-century Chileans. The violence perpetuated across lines of gender, class, and race is far too prevalent in this book for me not to warn any potential readers. While typically dealt with in ways that I find historically accurate to the spirit of many lived experiences, I do note the very graphic nature of this novel.
Having read the novel in Spanish, I feel both blessed and cursed to have had access to the original text; I was enchanted and haunted in equal measure. While the book deals largely in political and historical themes, the legacies of the women within the Trueba family are at the crux of the story. From Clara's clairvoyance to Blanca's indecision and to Alba's tenacity, this book illustrates the power that comes with sharing the stories that are most personal to us.
Often taking a circuitous path between past and present, the prose of this novel is what enchants the reader most of all. From the moment that Clara has her first premonition until the narrator utters that final phrase, reading this book is a challenge rewarded with mischief, absurdity, solemnity, and satisfaction. However, that flowery language Allende seems predisposed to include in her story did result in a rather slow-paced read, so consider yourself warned.
In light of warnings, the content of this novel, while fictionalized, does align with the true struggles of the life of 20th-century Chileans. The violence perpetuated across lines of gender, class, and race is far too prevalent in this book for me not to warn any potential readers. While typically dealt with in ways that I find historically accurate to the spirit of many lived experiences, I do note the very graphic nature of this novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Car accident, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Incest, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Violence, War, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, and Rape
The Town of Babylon, by Alejandro Varela
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Every once in a while, you get lucky enough to find an author who so effortlessly writes the exact same way you think, and I was fortunate enough to bump into Alejandro Varela's debut novel. From its premise alone, The Town of Babylon seems like quite a simple, human tale of strolling down roads with memories best left unexamined, but Varela's prose manages to tackle the mundane and the emotional through a lens of public health that adds as much nuance as it does sincerity.
Through a fairly character-driven story with flawed humans just trying their best, this novel follows Andrés as he reluctantly agrees to reconnect with his high school classmates at the most recent reunion. Amid old flames, past bullies, and gossip about some absent classmates, Andrés finds himself drowning his anxieties in alcohol and regret. Overall, a vulnerable narrator yet guarded protagonist is at the helm of the main plot line.
As stated before, public health plays a huge role in this book's style. From mortality and mental health to sociocultural stressors and public transportation, Varela manages to weave together the quotidian with the philosophical and scientific. As Andrés revisits his childhood town, he glimpses into the lives of others in such an earnest way that captures the essence of what it means to integrate the past into our evolving sense of self.
Never have I read a work of fiction that so blatantly tapped into my worldview, inviting me to stay a while in the thoughts of its protagonist. Even in the moments where I felt my heart thumping at the choices Andrés made, I felt seen and heard as a gay Latino; it felt fulfilling to see another representation that didn't fit the typical, pre-approved mold. Each journey into the life and strife of Andrés, his classmates, and his family is reminiscent of what I've seen from some short story collections, yet it feels more unified through its continuous narrative.
Through a fairly character-driven story with flawed humans just trying their best, this novel follows Andrés as he reluctantly agrees to reconnect with his high school classmates at the most recent reunion. Amid old flames, past bullies, and gossip about some absent classmates, Andrés finds himself drowning his anxieties in alcohol and regret. Overall, a vulnerable narrator yet guarded protagonist is at the helm of the main plot line.
As stated before, public health plays a huge role in this book's style. From mortality and mental health to sociocultural stressors and public transportation, Varela manages to weave together the quotidian with the philosophical and scientific. As Andrés revisits his childhood town, he glimpses into the lives of others in such an earnest way that captures the essence of what it means to integrate the past into our evolving sense of self.
Never have I read a work of fiction that so blatantly tapped into my worldview, inviting me to stay a while in the thoughts of its protagonist. Even in the moments where I felt my heart thumping at the choices Andrés made, I felt seen and heard as a gay Latino; it felt fulfilling to see another representation that didn't fit the typical, pre-approved mold. Each journey into the life and strife of Andrés, his classmates, and his family is reminiscent of what I've seen from some short story collections, yet it feels more unified through its continuous narrative.
The Sign for Home, by Blair Fell
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
5.0
The Sign for Home is one of those novels that lingers on your mind and immediately brings a grin to your face when you remember everything within its tenderly crafted prose. Blair Fell's first novel demands to take up space on your shelf, nestling itself nicely between fact and fiction. Equal parts endearing, enlightening, and evocative, this book captures the heart and mind in equal measure.
I'll start with Cyril, the gay, middle-aged ASL interpreter with a heart full of good intentions and not nearly enough executive decision making to back them up. His chapters both eased me into learning about a language and culture I've had next to no exposure to while also allowing me to see where I'd fit in among all the turmoil in the book—being gay myself and all.
Of course, there would be no novel without the pure, driven soul known as Arlo Dilly. What a protagonist! I cannot stress enough that I have never felt so proud for or enamored with a fictional character. As a DeafBlind college student, Arlo hopes to gain fluency in written English in order to assist with his mission trip in Ecuador. However, Arlo finds himself torn between his past and future when Molly, his lifelong interpreter, is paired with the downright sinful Cyril as part of his scholastic interpreting team.
I'd be remiss to not praise Fell for his decision to write Arlo's chapters in the second-person perspective while leaving Cyril's in first. Cyril's limited view of life, love, and relationships sits snugly within the first-person chapters while Arlo's every move is written so effortlessly in a manner that allowed me to place my hearing-sighted experience aside and immerse myself in this young man's world.
Without spoiling too much of what happens, I will guarantee that this book will make you giggle as much as it makes you shake your fist at the injustice of our troubled planet. Please make some space for this beautiful book among your most treasured tomes. For what it's worth, I hope this photo and review can capture even a fraction of how totally this book addresses the concept of the sublime.
I'll start with Cyril, the gay, middle-aged ASL interpreter with a heart full of good intentions and not nearly enough executive decision making to back them up. His chapters both eased me into learning about a language and culture I've had next to no exposure to while also allowing me to see where I'd fit in among all the turmoil in the book—being gay myself and all.
Of course, there would be no novel without the pure, driven soul known as Arlo Dilly. What a protagonist! I cannot stress enough that I have never felt so proud for or enamored with a fictional character. As a DeafBlind college student, Arlo hopes to gain fluency in written English in order to assist with his mission trip in Ecuador. However, Arlo finds himself torn between his past and future when Molly, his lifelong interpreter, is paired with the downright sinful Cyril as part of his scholastic interpreting team.
I'd be remiss to not praise Fell for his decision to write Arlo's chapters in the second-person perspective while leaving Cyril's in first. Cyril's limited view of life, love, and relationships sits snugly within the first-person chapters while Arlo's every move is written so effortlessly in a manner that allowed me to place my hearing-sighted experience aside and immerse myself in this young man's world.
Without spoiling too much of what happens, I will guarantee that this book will make you giggle as much as it makes you shake your fist at the injustice of our troubled planet. Please make some space for this beautiful book among your most treasured tomes. For what it's worth, I hope this photo and review can capture even a fraction of how totally this book addresses the concept of the sublime.
Cold Like Ash, by Max Deacon
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The titular Ash is a new college student with a penchant for the expeditions of Xena, the warrior princess. As Ash acclimates to life in university, he finds himself torn between a fast-paced, exhausting friendship with the eccentric Ezra and the mysterious, closeted romance bubbling behind Jonah's closed doors. Within its first few pages, the book paints a rather clear picture of Ash's insecurities and doubts, but Max Deacon's clever writing wastes no time engaging readers with themes of self-discovery and the difficulty of navigating interpersonal relationships.
What drew me in the most was how raw and intense it felt to read about Ash's confrontations with his friends and with himself. As a former college student whose relationships suffered greatly at the hands of self-doubt and inexperience, I could relate so effortlessly to Ash's struggle to find his place among peers whose experience seemed far more vast than his own. Though not universal, Ash's love for Xena can strike a chord with anyone who has found themselves faced against the anxiety—or embarrassment—of showing others your deepest interests. We've all had a time or another where we felt like the odd one out.
As queer people, we seldom have any idea of how to balance relationships, both friendly and romantic, as we forge our own identities. Cold Like Ash adeptly and succinctly encapsulates the fears and stressors that come with young adulthood in the twenty-first century; I found myself crying and cheering for a past version of myself when I looked into Ash's life story. The mark of brilliance in an author is written all over this book, and I couldn't recommend it more highly.
What drew me in the most was how raw and intense it felt to read about Ash's confrontations with his friends and with himself. As a former college student whose relationships suffered greatly at the hands of self-doubt and inexperience, I could relate so effortlessly to Ash's struggle to find his place among peers whose experience seemed far more vast than his own. Though not universal, Ash's love for Xena can strike a chord with anyone who has found themselves faced against the anxiety—or embarrassment—of showing others your deepest interests. We've all had a time or another where we felt like the odd one out.
As queer people, we seldom have any idea of how to balance relationships, both friendly and romantic, as we forge our own identities. Cold Like Ash adeptly and succinctly encapsulates the fears and stressors that come with young adulthood in the twenty-first century; I found myself crying and cheering for a past version of myself when I looked into Ash's life story. The mark of brilliance in an author is written all over this book, and I couldn't recommend it more highly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Hate crime, and Injury/injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Cursing, Death of parent, Medical content, and Gaslighting
Corrupted: The Truth Shall Be the Nail in Your Coffin, by Jared Dixon
I started too early; I'll pick it up later.