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mesy_mark's reviews
739 reviews
It Came from the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror by Joe Vallese
reflective
3.0
Horror refected with a queer tone is this mix of academic and personal essays as each essay delves into the queerness of a film likewise the queer experience of the author. As noted in the beginning spoilers ahead. It was interesting to see the parallels of queerness to a horror movie. I thought git would be more in-depth on queer elements of a movie versus the use of personal essays but over al enjoyed listening to this audiobook.
The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James by Ashley Herring Blake
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Sunny has a bad heart and so has to undergo a heart transplant. When she wakes she sees her long-lost mother for the first time in eight years. On her first day at the beach since the surgery she meets Quin, the new girl in town whom she may have feelings for.
I Loved this book. Listening to the narrator, feminine voice, as they tell about Sunny is such a rooting for her to have her complete her mission. Have her expand her friend group. Have her reconnect with her mom. The characters are lovable. The pacing of the book is at a good rate. It really is a cute story of 12-year-old world changing after she got a heart.
I Loved this book. Listening to the narrator, feminine voice, as they tell about Sunny is such a rooting for her to have her complete her mission. Have her expand her friend group. Have her reconnect with her mom. The characters are lovable. The pacing of the book is at a good rate. It really is a cute story of 12-year-old world changing after she got a heart.
The New Queer Conscience by Adam Eli
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
So I listened to this book through an audiobook and found that it is very idealistic. The idea that queer people need to stand up for queer people seems to be so simple but it is very complex to carry out in part because of the past and current history. The 'sin' and hatred of the past that has lingered on into laws and jail and death if engaged in now. And if LGBT is not included in every day, cishet washed away, then I don't see how this is possible. But the book gave me a fever for hope and yeah, as an LGBT person I'll be engaging in the primary message.
Queer City: Gay London from the Romans to the Present Day by Peter Ackroyd
informative
fast-paced
2.5
So this was a highly information-packed history of queer London. But it should perhaps have been longer to cover it rather than incident after incident. Some parts just seemed like a list of crimes here and there. I listened to the audiobook format and the narrator's voice was easy to listen to.
Polywise: A Deeper Dive Into Navigating Open Relationships by Jessica Fern
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Polywise is how to get into a deeper way of relationships. It is informational and packed with information on things in the polyam community such as NRE (new relationship energy) without leaving another partner (s) behind. Balancing conversation in what type of structure Listening to this book brought up relationship tips to seek out what you want in relationships as well as case studies on how the example worked.
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin
reflective
2.25
The concept of this book is great but the execution was poor. Focus really on the basics of trans thing through each, hormones, and surgery, rather than how the teen lives their life while also happening to be trans. Because if you are trans wanting to read about other trans lives you're going to already know what the basics are. The audience wasn't for the community it was for those who wanted to dive into personal questions that is a doc and trans person should be having. I would have liked this book more if it was focused on the lives of trans teen rather than what are they doing to further their transition, How about getting into their bobbies and other nontransrealted and if the fact that they are trans as caused opticals bring that up rather then each story be on getting on hormones.
Mermaids Never Drown: Tales to Dive For by Natalie C. Parker, Zoraida Córdova
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It is a collection of short stories about merpeople. Many have LGBT elements in them. While none stuck out to me as being a 5/5 many were enjoyable to listen to. There are multiple narrators in this book. A couple of the stories didn't seem complete.
Satisfaction Guaranteed by Karelia Stetz-Waters
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Cade learns she has inherited her aunt's failing sex shop along with Selena. In this super artist no responsible family except for Cade, can the store be saved?
This book is not shy about describing anatomy. In this rom-com, there is plenty of talk about women's bodies against the month the pair have to save the shop or lose it and the home they inherited. There is a lot on the line and our duo is falling for each other.
I like the overall content if this book. The narrator is easy to listen to and does a good job. The story moves along at a good pace with the plot and the characters are likable.
This book is not shy about describing anatomy. In this rom-com, there is plenty of talk about women's bodies against the month the pair have to save the shop or lose it and the home they inherited. There is a lot on the line and our duo is falling for each other.
I like the overall content if this book. The narrator is easy to listen to and does a good job. The story moves along at a good pace with the plot and the characters are likable.
The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This is more than a queer romance story about two boys alone in space heading on a rescue mission. It's a mystery to what is going on. It's light on romance and heavy on science fiction that kept me guessing from page to page on what could happen. And then oh no spoilers here. Loved the book.
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
emotional
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? No
3.5
This is a good book. I listened to it through audiobook format and I liked the way the story played out as I ran my runs or listened to it in a coffee shop. Felix is trans and is in search of identity. Felix has a friend, an enemy, and a portfolio to make before it is too late.
In an art program in New York Felix is having issues with his art. And then a mysterious genderqueer shows up in his life putting all his girlhood photos out for the whole school to see. At the same time, Felix is falling in love with a guy who used to date his best friend Ezera.
The pace of this book is about medium pace. It is the story of an adolescent trans boy. There is a bit of mystery as Felix tries to find who is harassing him online and putting photos of him as a girl in the school. It's also a love story as Felix comes to terms with his identity and his feelings towards other characters. Overall, Overall the story is pretty good. Diverse, creative, and likable characters.
In an art program in New York Felix is having issues with his art. And then a mysterious genderqueer shows up in his life putting all his girlhood photos out for the whole school to see. At the same time, Felix is falling in love with a guy who used to date his best friend Ezera.
The pace of this book is about medium pace. It is the story of an adolescent trans boy. There is a bit of mystery as Felix tries to find who is harassing him online and putting photos of him as a girl in the school. It's also a love story as Felix comes to terms with his identity and his feelings towards other characters. Overall, Overall the story is pretty good. Diverse, creative, and likable characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia