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emilyhays's reviews
562 reviews
The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag
3.5
I've been meaning to read this book pretty much since it came out and never really got to it! i do this think that since then I've hyped it up a bit in my head because I really thought I'd like it.
A couple things I did love were that while I could tell it really was conscious of not getting to close to indigenous/native american culture, it was VERY close. And knowing the author is white makes that feel a little different.
I also totally recognize that this is a children's graphic novel, but I did find the plot point of the great-uncle to be a little confusing. Like, the grandmother seems so nice but she obviously ignored the completely wrong story passed down from her children to her grandchildren about her brother???
I do love the analogy throughout comparing Aster's experience to the trans experience. I think it's a good way to present the experience to kids of this age bracket (middle grade, 9-12). And as a bookseller, I love to recommend titles like this.
I did really enjoy it, despite the couple of problems I had, and plan on reading the rest to see how it progresses and develops!
A couple things I did love were that while I could tell it really was conscious of not getting to close to indigenous/native american culture, it was VERY close. And knowing the author is white makes that feel a little different.
I also totally recognize that this is a children's graphic novel, but I did find the plot point of the great-uncle to be a little confusing. Like, the grandmother seems so nice but she obviously ignored the completely wrong story passed down from her children to her grandchildren about her brother???
I do love the analogy throughout comparing Aster's experience to the trans experience. I think it's a good way to present the experience to kids of this age bracket (middle grade, 9-12). And as a bookseller, I love to recommend titles like this.
I did really enjoy it, despite the couple of problems I had, and plan on reading the rest to see how it progresses and develops!
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
informative
tense
fast-paced
I have a hard time rating memoirs like this so I'm ~*not going to*~
but this is exactly what you know it is. deeply traumatic, and yet it is both surprising and unsurprising that a person could treat you the way McCurdy's mother treated her.
but this is exactly what you know it is. deeply traumatic, and yet it is both surprising and unsurprising that a person could treat you the way McCurdy's mother treated her.
77 Fragments of a Familiar Ruin by Thomas King
4.0
I've read one thomas king novel, and one thomas king nonfiction, so I knew I wanted to pick up some poetry. I was a little surprised by the style, it felt a bit literal to me, especially compared to his novel-writing style which is FILLED with allegory and references. Overall though, I did really enjoy this.
Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor
4.5
I haven't written an actual review in quite some time, but I feel like this needs it.
I think as a white person, in particular, some research and additional information is needed when reading afrofuturism. There is a lot attached to it that I just don't have knowledge of. So after reading this, I googled "Sankofa," and wow am I glad I did.
"Sankofa is an African word from the Akan tribe in Ghana. The literal translation of the word and the symbol is “it is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind.” - https://www.berea.edu/cgwc/the-power-of-sankofa/
Wow, Okorafor really encapsulated this meaning within the narrative of Remote Control.
Sankofa, our main character, is forever changed by a traumatic event, and abandons what she knows to go on a quest, seeking clarity and closure for her trauma. And, [spoilers]when she finds it, she doesn't feel these things. She must journey back to where it all began to truly find closure. A story that fully explores the meaning of the word Sankofa.
If you're looking for a short, tense, emotional scifi read, this is the one. And don't forget to take the time to read up on the history of what your reading to truly "get it."
I think as a white person, in particular, some research and additional information is needed when reading afrofuturism. There is a lot attached to it that I just don't have knowledge of. So after reading this, I googled "Sankofa," and wow am I glad I did.
"Sankofa is an African word from the Akan tribe in Ghana. The literal translation of the word and the symbol is “it is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind.” - https://www.berea.edu/cgwc/the-power-of-sankofa/
Wow, Okorafor really encapsulated this meaning within the narrative of Remote Control.
Sankofa, our main character, is forever changed by a traumatic event, and abandons what she knows to go on a quest, seeking clarity and closure for her trauma. And, [spoilers]
If you're looking for a short, tense, emotional scifi read, this is the one. And don't forget to take the time to read up on the history of what your reading to truly "get it."