mossybean's reviews
345 reviews

I tried, paused for several months, and then tried again. I was really interested in this book, but I just found it too dry. I had hoped it would be a personal exploration mixed with outside input from the diverse ace community, but instead it read mostly like an academic paper, not my favourite way to recieve information.

I think I enjoyed this one more than the first book. This story introduced Tyson, a definite new favourite character. I want to read an offshoot series all about him and his adventures. I was really into the adventure, and the world expansions were cool. And there was a big plot twist at the end that I didn't expect at all, and through the first book and most of this one, I found things pretty predictable. I'm interested to see what happens in the following books. 

I found this book a little hard to get into, because of the harsh transitions between chapters. Every chapter changes time period, location and character, often cutting off stories in the middle to go somewhere else. Over time I got more used to it, but it was definitely a slower read because of the lack of flow. I was really invested in the love story between Ruth and Idgie, I could've taken a book just about that. They seem to be accepted as partners, though never referred to as such, and the word "lesbian" never graces the page. Just call them what they are! I guess it was published in 1987. 
The atmosphere in Ninny's stories is just great, tangible and alive. Those were the best parts for me, I could've done with less present day I think. I wasn't very invested in Evelyn's story. 

This was really lovely! I only skipped one story, which is pretty good odds for a short story collection. I've liked Rainbow Rowell for a long time, and it was nice to revisit her, having read everything else of interest in her author library. There was an interesting mix of adult and YA love (or romance adjacent) stories. I think my favourite of the collection was the prince and the troll, which melded fairytale with social commentary. I thought it was very clever. I also really loved the ending message, when she says

"This isn't easy. This is just another kind of hard. That's all that's left now, for any of us."

. She was so right. I expected all the stories to be cute romances, and though I liked those ones too, the ones that stood out were the stories that strayed from that a bit. Mixed Messages too, I thought was quite profound. And of course, the most anticipated story of this collection featured my favs, Simon and Baz. It was cute and lovely and perfectly satisfied my expectations. 

I read this after watching the show, and was surprised to see how closely the show actually follows the book. I had previously attempted to read this and found the jokster narrative voice too irritating, but after enjoying the show I tried again, and I liked it this time. It's quite funny and well written. A success for something outside my usual wheelhouse. 

I found some of the stories dragged on a bit, but the other ones were quite lovely. Once you read a few, you realize the pattern the stories will follow-- main character has a life problem, they somehow get directed to the community house and then the library, and they get recommended a book that changes their perspective. It's cozy and gentle. 

I liked this sequel less than the first book. The plot jumped around a bit too much, and sometimes got stuck in these little eddies of story that took too long

like when they were solving puzzles underneath the island for SO MANY CHAPTERS

. I liked getting Dami’s story though, and I still liked them as a character. I think one issue was that the characters were always facing these life or death situations, so at some point you don’t believe they’re actually in danger, because they always miraculously pull through. Once that suspense is gone, reading those sequences is far less interesting. Additionally, it’s not always interesting to read people think out loud about logic puzzles or strategy. Or maybe just these people. Anyhow, I got bored at parts. I still liked the queerness, the found family, and the magic. 

This was about what I expected, fast-paced, a lot of fighting and escaping and magic. It was very readable though, and I enjoyed many parts of it even though it's not a new favourite. I never read this as a kid, so it's fun to participate in a slice of reading culture that most of my peers are now nostalgic about. I also read this in tandem with my brother, our first "buddy read" of sorts. That's the best part of it I think, the connection drawn from having read it.