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peperopoi's reviews
6 reviews
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Baby's first sci-fi with a simple theme: love conquers evil. All of the characters are a fascinating combination of grotesque and beautiful that I can't recall any other children's novel including — I'm inclined to say that effect is unique to L'Engle. It's a great, surprisingly nuanced novel that I'd recommend having in any children's library.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, and Grief
Moderate: Body horror and Violence
Minor: Child abuse
Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Lovely examination of what it means to love someone through the lens of a controversial Greek myth. Lewis' portrayal of women, their intellect, and their struggles in this novel is great, especially given his record. It seems this is due to the influence of his future wife, Joy Davidman, before he realized that he was in love with her which adds another layer of depth to the many already present within the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Sexism
Moderate: Death, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Rape and Sexual violence
Regarding sexual violence and rape: these themes are not explicitly discussed, but the ambiguity of the relationship between the characters that represent Psyche and Cupid implies that there may be an unhealthy, dangerous dynamic present.
How to Think Like a Woman: Four Women Philosophers Who Taught Me How to Love the Life of the Mind by Regan Penaluna
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I adore this book. I wouldn't consider myself particularly interested in philosophy or feminism, but there were many passages in this book that changed the way I viewed my inner dialogue and what that revealed about my self. This is a perfect book club book that would feed a deep and diverse discussion around the experiences of women.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Body horror, Death, and Infidelity
Minor: Slavery
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.0
Out of all of the celebrity memoirs that I have read, this is by far one of the best. It is honest, and self-aware, and it is clear that the author has genuinely healed from the trauma that they have experienced. Highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Infidelity
Eleanor and Hick: The Love Affair That Shaped a First Lady by Susan Quinn
informative
slow-paced
3.0
The biggest strength of this book is how it reveals parts of Eleanor Roosevelt's life that were omitted from the public record, while contextualizing them in the greater historic narrative that most people already know — President Franklin Roosevelt's election, policies, and involvement in WWII. While most know that Eleanor was an exemplary activist and diplomat, she was also a person who contained all of the inherent complexities of the human experience. Every individual mentioned in this book (Eleanor, Franklin, their children, Lorena Hickock, etc.) is described with the humanity and respect that is often missing in history books. It's a great read and I think a true reflection of history.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Infidelity, Sexism, Medical content, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Incest, Alcohol, War, and Classism
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
Alcohol is consumed regularly in the novel. In the beginning, rituals are described in detail that include branding, burning, cutting off of body parts. It is not disgustingly graphic (in my opinion) but smells are described. There is a complicated relationship that at first seems like a relationship with a large age gap, and made me, personally, wonder if there was child grooming, but it is later explained through mythology and magic. The only graphic death is due to drowning. There are other deaths and false-deaths but they are not described in detail. No one dies from suicide, but there is a scene when there is a false, staged suicide that may be triggering to some.
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Suicide
Moderate: Death and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Abandonment