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bashsbooks's reviews
207 reviews
Bi: The Hidden Culture, History, and Science of Bisexuality by Julia Shaw
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
3.75
This book is informative... to a newly bisexual person entering the community or a particularly good ally. But the advertising made me hopeful that it would be more for someone like me (someone who has been out and entrenched in the bisexual community for a long time). And while I did not feel unwelcome to this book, much of its contents were explaining things I already knew. Therefore, I recommend it as a touchstone and basic primer for bi studies.
*Also, this book treats all multisexual identities as falling 'under the bi umbrella', so if you are pan, poly, omni, etc. this book was written with you in mind, but you may not enjoy the bi-prioritization in the language.
*Also, this book treats all multisexual identities as falling 'under the bi umbrella', so if you are pan, poly, omni, etc. this book was written with you in mind, but you may not enjoy the bi-prioritization in the language.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia
Minor: Ableism, Bullying, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
All of the content warnings are discussed in an academic sense; they are not described directly in detail as if someone is experiencing them, but rather, the author goes into depth about the vulerabilities of the bisexual (and queer) community.
Time Is a Mother by Ocean Vuong
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
The hype around Ocean Vuong's poetry is well-earned. I recommend reading these poems aloud.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Racism, Suicide, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Car accident
An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Raising Backyard Ducks: Breeds, Feeding, Housing and Care, Eggs and Meat by Gail Damerow
informative
medium-paced
4.25
This was a pretty good baseline for beginners! I have a lot more questions than this answers, but if you want to get the basics down before going into further research on how to raise your own ducks, here's the place to start. I wouldn't recommend this to people who know anything about having ducks already, though.
Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
I KNOW I said the last one was my favorite, but this one is actually my favorite. Oseman has such a talent for rendering teenage and young adult experiences in a way that feels real. This doesn't stop at her depiction of what being queer is like - she shows in this volume that she has the chops to depict mental health support and mental illness recovery in a real manner.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Mental illness
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Self harm
Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
My favorite installment of Heartstopper so far! Enjoyed getting to know the other characters in this universe. I also like the more serious issues that the series is now getting into.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, Eating disorder, and Homophobia
Minor: Self harm, Vomit, Outing, and Alcohol
Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
So cute! I ran to the library today to pick up this volume and read it as fast as the first one. I love following Nick & Charlie's adventures.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Homophobia
Minor: Toxic friendship
Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Very cute! Can't wait to read the rest of the volumes. Super fast read - I wish I'd grabbed them all from the library at once.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Outing
Loveless by Alice Oseman
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-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
I love Loveless! Hilarious and relatable, I see my teenage self in all these characters. One of the more authentic-feeling queer fiction novels I've read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Sexual content
How to Resist Amazon and Why : The Fight for Local Economics, Data Privacy, Fair Labor, Independent Bookstores, and a People-Powered Future! (2nd Edition) by Danny Caine
informative
medium-paced
4.25
Great introduction into Amazon's shady practices and its effect on local communities. I was particularly interested in the impact Amazon has on the book business, from writing to publishing to selling. I do wish there was a little bit more time spent on the how than the why, though. There are a few suggestions at the end of the book, but most of the text is made to convince people, and well, I was already convinced before I picked up the book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is the most meh book I've read in a long time. There were things I enjoyed about it, but it was a slog to read because I found much of the plot, well, boring. Also, I don't recommend reading this in a digital format - because it has a lot of footnotes, it undoubtedly works better in print.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Infidelity
Minor: Ableism and Islamophobia