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kodi_rae's reviews
280 reviews
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
What I appreciated most about this book was the concept of wintering and it providing me the space to reflect on what winters I have experienced in my own life. The author clearly speaks from her own perspective and experience, which is good, it’s just a pretty narrow and privileged one in many ways. So while I felt it was helpful/insightful at times, at other times I felt like it was just missing some nuances and depth.
Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Beautiful, graphic, and unlike anything I’ve read. So interesting and so we’ll done. I loved it. I think Emezi has a knack for writing about the uncomfortable and asking tough questions of their reader. I might like this one slightly more than The Death of Vivek Oji but they are both brilliant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
Minor: Body horror, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Dysphoria
Stone Fruit by Lee Lai
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A quiet and sad memoir reflecting on relationships and family. It was beautiful.
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’ve often heard this book summed up as “lesbian space necromancers” and I love how it gets to the point but leaves so much to the imagination. This was a really fun and unique read. The world building is deep and the reader gets dropped right into the action, leaving a lot to be leaned and figured out as you go. Because of that, it took me a bit of time to feel like I really understood what was going on. I read a physical copy of the book which had a list of the houses and all the cast of characters that I referenced constantly and was very helpful. The back had a glossary and also descriptions for how to pronounce some of the names. I *almost* wish I had read it first but I might have still felt a little lost so maybe it wouldn’t have helped much anyway.
I think my one critique is that it moved so fast that the way the relationship between the two main characters fluctuates over time did not feel totally believable to me. But I will still read the other books in the series because it was so interesting and fun.
I think my one critique is that it moved so fast that the way the relationship between the two main characters fluctuates over time did not feel totally believable to me. But I will still read the other books in the series because it was so interesting and fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Blood
Minor: Cursing
Lucky Boy by Shanthi Sekaran
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Oof. Sooo many conflicting feelings. This was a tough one but also so good. It challenged my perspective in a lot of different ways and I'm still unsure how I feel about the characters and events overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, and Deportation
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Vomit, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Blood
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This book was so beautiful and thoughtful. It is accessible, tender, loving and will make you consider your relationship to place and nature. If you're not familiar with Indigenous knowledge systems and ways of being with the land, this book is a must-read. If you have any passion or interest in climate change, this book is a must-read. If you like spending time outdoors, this book is a must-read. Basically, I think everyone and anyone should read this book.
Woman World by Aminder Dhaliwal
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
Quirky and fun! I was initially skeptical, having read the "Y: The Last Man" series ages ago and loved it. However I feel like this book might actually be a more clever and thoughtful exploration of what the world might be like if all the boys/men on the planet were gone. It even address nonbinary and trans identities though I agree with others that it could be explored a little more. This type of theme is inherently challenging to explore as we continue to learn more about and unpack the gender binary.
Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
An intriguing addition to werewolf canon centering on a Native family and a coming-of-age tale. I loved the underlying themes of class, race, family trauma, all while centering Indigenous perspectives. The chapters go back and forth in time which I personally found a little hard to track, but it didn't prohibit me from enjoying the story. Take note that it is fairly bloody/gorey so I'd avoid if that's something you have a harder time with.
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I'm always impressed when authors are able to give away the ending immediately while still being able to capture your attention for the rest of the story. Part mystery, part identity exploration, part love story. Certain parts were uncomfortable to read in a way that makes you pause and think.
OMFG, Bees by Matt Kracht
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
Cute little book about cute little creatures. A small and accessible novel about our fuzzy, bee friends who's small but might impact on the world deserves recognition.