alyssamakesart's reviews
338 reviews

You Can't Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain by Phoebe Robinson

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

I thought about putting this down a few times and only really continued because it was an audiobook. Robinson’s voice is soothing and there are lots of funny bits. My main hang up is that most (but not all of the book) felt like it was written for a non-Black woman audience. A younger me probably would’ve loved this when I was less secure in my Blackness and not jaded towards the late teens, Obama years liberal optimism. 

One of my favorite chapters was the last one which was interesting because it is clear it wasn’t intended to be in this book and it’s a big shift. It reminded me of Ali Wong’s book to her kids (which I loved) and I felt validated for hating the Kingsman movie ending.

I would recommend some but not all non-Black (POC or otherwise) read it as something to learn and because it is entertaining. 
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Captain America Vol. 3: The Legend of Steve by Ta-Nehisi Coates

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challenging dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates

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challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Captain America Vol. 2: Captain of Nothing by Ta-Nehisi Coates

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adventurous challenging dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Captain America by Ta-Nehisi Coates Vol. 1: Winter in America by Ta-Nehisi Coates

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

2.5

Full disclosure, I have little knowledge of Cap beyond the MCU. I did not understand what was happening (beyond mood) but got a loose grasp in the last 25%. I wasn’t able to appreciate the art as much because I was trying to understand the plot and found myself rereading a lot. I’m still intrigued and will give this series more time before I def. Maybe another vol or 2. 
The Other Olympians: Fascism, Queerness, and the Making of Modern Sports by Michael Waters

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challenging informative tense medium-paced

4.5

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This Country: Searching for Home in (Very) Rural America by Navied Mahdavian

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funny informative reflective medium-paced

3.75

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Squire by Sara Alfageeh, Nadia Shammas

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adventurous funny inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Second Hand Love by Yamada Murasaki

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challenging emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I rated it higher after reading the interview at the end and thinking of this as intended-a companion piece to “Talk To My Back.” The particular book is not paced well (drags in the first half) and feels repetitive just beyond the boundaries of tolerable. However, i like the illustrations and am truely facisnated by the choice and method of exploring the “other woman” in an honest and open way.
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This Is Why They Hate Us by Aaron H. Aceves

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funny hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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