literarybear's reviews
438 reviews

The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer

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hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

The concepts of community and mutual aid have been heavy on my mind lately. When social safety nets fail, what is our backup? The answer is each other and Kimmerer details it perfectly. “The currency in a gift economy is relationship, which is expressed as gratitude, as interdependence and the ongoing cycles of reciprocity. A gift economy nurtures the community bond that enhance mutual well-being; the economic unit is “we” rather than “I” as all flourishing is mutual.”
Flamer by Mike Curato

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The illustrations and use of color are beautiful. The night canoeing panels were my favorite. The brutality of bullying a closeted kid is front and center, so make sure you’re aware of trigger warnings. The religious aspects weren’t my favorite but seemed important to the internal conflict overall. This is the type of book that should be available for young queer readers.
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Not me crying over a middle grade book about a robot in the wild. 😩 It’s been a long couple weeks, okay? This is heartwarming and lovely. The little illustrations are adorable too. I wish I knew more kids in this age group so I could read it with them. I will be continuing this series once I recover emotionally.
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder

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informative medium-paced

3.5

This feels like necessary reading for where we’re at now. Snyder’s presented arguments are not without their own biases, but reflecting on historical patterns leading to the rise of tyrants gives us a framework for addressing the red flags we’re seeing now. If you’re feeling lost and just want some basic context for this moment, On Tyranny might be a good starting point.
Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews

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dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I liked the horror elements and thought the premise was interesting. However a lot of the book felt like it was biding its time until it could release a big secret. Some of the monsters scenes started to feel repetitive and the plot felt a bit drawn out.
Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser

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funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

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dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Forest of Noise: Poems by Mosab Abu Toha

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challenging emotional sad medium-paced

4.5

This is haunting and heavy poetry collection. I’m grateful Abu Toha has been able to share these wounds with the world. All the trigger warnings. 

After Allen Ginsberg

“I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed in a tent, 
looking for water and diapers for kids; 
destroyed by bombs;
a generation under the rubble 
of their bombed houses;

I saw the best brains of my generation 
protruding from their slashed heads.”
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova

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

4.25

This book is exceedingly difficult to summarize. I feel like the less you know about it going in, the better off you are. It is a Kafkaesque, magical realism, monster horror with a lot of complex emotions. I really enjoyed how original the story is: contemplative yet touching, filled with grief but somehow easy to read. Really glad I got to experience this one.
Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Gorgeous use of color, fun illustrations, an inclusive cast of characters, and a bittersweet message are all wrapped up into this beautiful little graphic novel. It’s YA so it’s a little simple, but it poignantly emphasizes the gift it is to grow old. I think there are messages here for older and younger audiences alike. I’ve been struggling with the idea of growing older a lot this year, as I’m currently the same age my mom was when she died. Life is often stressful and hard but there is magic in it too, if we remember to look for and embrace it.