mesy_mark's reviews
736 reviews

Free to Be: Understanding Kids & Gender Identity by Jack Turban

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informative medium-paced

4.25

this is an informative text on trans youth.  Using a mix of stories and facts comes a book where exploration from a young age is to theories on what is the latest thing to blame for trans youth to the treatign the youth who are trans throughout their life.  

Easy to fall along with in a medium-paced book.  You get to see the different stories throughout the book that the children are just children knowing themselves and wanting to just be that inner self.  I liked it and wish it was available when I was young.
Decolonizing Wellness by Dalia Kinsey

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informative fast-paced

1.5

 This book is not the best. Reading it for the inclusion of LGBT, it had some mentions but also held up stereotypes. The way she mentions AFAB women and ideal beauty standards should also include trans women. Another thing is that I liked was more of an intuition eating. 
Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle

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dark 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? Yes

4.0

 In this horror novel, we come to Misha a screenwriter who is ordered to bury his gay characters. But he refused and now his past horror creations are stalking him leaving him with just a week to live.

A novel exploring the kill your gays trope. The idea is that any queer character gets the ax at some point while the straight characters live. I liked the pace of the books, as little things start to build before the characters of Misha's mind come to life. The ending threw me for a twist I did not see coming. The characters have their own personalities and motives throughout the text. The asexual computer wiz and supportive boyfriend are in Misha's corner. The horror of the novel was nicely done and even doing a little bit of body horror. And just when you think it is going to wrap up the ending comes only after an interesting end. 
A Million Quiet Revolutions by Robin Gow

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

3.0

This is a novel in verse about two trans teens in their last year of high school after growing up together and getting through the ups and downs of life.  With interest in the historical woman who dressed as a man in the Revolutionary War and kept doing so post-war sparks the two to write letters to each other when they are forced apart. 

I liked this book but had difficulty separating the two characters as two different characters since they seem to be too similar.  As in not a distinct voice for each of them.  And listening to this book through the audiobook, the narrators' voices are also to similar to clearly say ah yes this is Oliver or This is Erin.  

All and all in was cool for a book to acknowledge fellow queers of the past bu could use some improvements.
How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures by Sabrina Imbler

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lighthearted reflective

3.0

The Male Gazed by Manuel Betancourt

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reflective slow-paced

1.0

 What is this book? A criticism of objectifying men in media or personal men impacts me in media. And that is the issue. If one side was developed and explored there could be a chance to salvage this book. but instead, we hare left with descriptions not analysis of either a sociological exploration of men in media with a male gaze upon them or how it impacted and transformed the author. 
Flamer by Mike Curato

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emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 In this debut, graphic novel comes a coming of age as our MC comes to terms with his gay feelings at a summer camp in 1995. I enjoyed the tough story as if were to read. The use of slurs of both gay and Asian it is holding nothing back when it comes to the bullying the MC endures. With the theme of fire sparking throughout the pages, the only colored images. An awakening or rebirth of assortment is what I took from it. As for the artwork, the characters are easy to see apart ad well as the personalities of each character. This 300-odd-page book gets the feeling of being the odd one out and struggling to be such. 
Life skills for Adult Children by Janet G. Woititz

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informative fast-paced

3.0

This is a quicky of a book covering basic of communication skills that adult children may not have learned due to family dysfunction.  from small talk to harder ends of communication, like breaking a relationship.  It is not to detailed, more of highlighted points
Start Sketching & Drawing Now: Simple techniques for drawing landscapes, people and objects by Grant Fuller

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informative slow-paced

2.5

 An art instruction manual on how to start drawing. Techniques in lighting, stroke, and patient is needed and I picked up a few good tips and tricks. Easy to follow and with plenty of step by step guide images and explanations this is a good book for someone with some drawing skill wanting to expand their skill level. 
Draw Your Day: An Inspiring Guide to Keeping a Sketch Journal by Samantha Dion Baker

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informative relaxing

3.0

 This book has many colorful examples of sketchbook pages of the everyday activities. A draw your day to get you rethinking items and events. Overall a God book for someone into color, pen, and watercolor. No instruction on techniques just a general guide of how to make your own sketch journal