sara_m_martins's reviews
329 reviews

While it feels like a collection of essays, the bias is very present, and sometimes personal ideas get conflicted with fact, most ideas do feel representative of discussions that are had, and most concepts are transmitted correctly. I can see a questioning youth using this book as a resource. I think the biggest sin is that the author did not approach their ideas of pansexuality in the best way, and it gets confusing and comes across borderline pan-phobic to the reader. 

The writing is very reminiscent of articles, which make sense, accounting for the author's background. 

I wish the structure was a bit more polished, namely when it comes to the third parties accounts' throughout the book - blocks of text are stylistically different, having small paragraphs taken from different bi+ contributors. However, the connections between the text to these paragraphs and the text again was hard to see, and it could take me out of the reading experience a little bit. 

Filled with stats and personal ramblings, which can either be your thing or very much not - i personally love facts and figures. 

I really enjoyed reading about the bi+ community, as it was one of the hardest things to grieve when i gave up my bi label. 

Didn't love the way that bi+ community was made to be the martyr of martyrs, and in my perspective, there a bit of broader picture missing throughout the book. 

 

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC. 

This book was made for someone much smarter than myself (positive).
The main theme, as I see it, is the importance of stories, telling and consuming, with a strong love note to the sea in the middle.
Coupled with beautiful illustrations, in blue and red tones, a palette which also confers a much deeper meaning to the story.
This is a story that you can chew for a while - i went back and forth a couple times, noticing meanings and parallels in both story and colour and their combination; each one adding a new thing. 
In terms of tone this is a more adult book than it first seems, especially because of the sad twist towards the end (see TW:

pregnancy loss, stillbirth, animal cruelty

) (+light nudity included).

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC. 

Great for kids, and some (many!) adults. 
Perfect introduction to the theme of pronouns and gender identity, in a clear, easy to understand way, while not dumbing it down. 
Also many great resources at the end, would be especially helpful for guardians and educators. 

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC. 

Dr Williams provides a lot of good scientific facts and informative graphics, so you really get a Vagina 101 session in this book! There was a really important discussion on racism towards the end of the book (rec just for that), and throughout Dr Williams does not shy away from difficult topics such as abuse or FGM. 

Something that struck me several times was the stark differences on what i know goes in maternity wards in my country (Portugal) and what Dr Williams describes - does the US got PT beat regarding obstetric care? mayhaps

There was clearly an attempt at inclusion of non-straight and non-cis experiences, which i appreciated, but this was still made mostly for a cis/straight audience. I really think a sensitivity reader would’ve elevated it: !especially! a trans one (i really hope “transgenderED” did not make it to final copy. cannot stress this enough). I read this back to back with Let’s Talk About Down There by Dr J Lincoln, and while it has other flaws, it was exquisite regarding LGBTQ+ inclusivity. But, I still highly recommend reading this one too.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. 

 

 This was a very fun book, with cool helpful graphics, lots of fun facts and debunks of fake facts about Vaginas. It also has great detailed info, getting a “how to guide” feel to it at times (positive). 

I sometimes found that it lacked a little bit of depth, scientifically, for what i wanted (but i am a scientist in the biomedical field, so...). This might be a benefit for some people! I read this close to This is How You Vagina by Dr N Williams, which goes more into scientific depth, if you’re looking for that.

Now I really feel this book takes the cake due to the amazing inclusivity! As a queer woman/person, I often feel like a footnote in these issues, so it was quite refreshing to read this (and i think it’s even more groundbreaking for the trans community!).

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. 

 

each poem in this collection is a exceptional

truly no words to describe this
if you are able to get the audiobook version, truly just spend the 1h15 experiencing this. wow

An atmospheric read about rural and moral poverty, "Unsettled Ground" follows twins Jeanie and Julius, and their dog Maude (does not die!), mainly from Jeanie's perspective, as they deal with their mother's death and the repercussions of it. 
In their 50's, living with their mother in a cottage and isolated from broader society for the most part, they start to truly navigate the world and, with that, their dire economic situation. Dealing with poverty, in particular rural poverty, but equally moral poverty (being without responsible adults that teach you how to be in the world), we see the consequences of the cycle of poverty, and of the lies and omissions from their mother. There is also a strong theme of illiteracy which I think it was a very strong, important and unusual perspective.
The writing was very atmospheric, which augmented a feeling of discomfort I had throughout the book.
The plot is on how the cycle of poverty feedbacks onto itself, a spiral that keeps going down, which is amplified by the moral poverty of the characters - their ignorance on what systems exist that can support them (and refusal to ask for/accept them). However, about 75% of the way through the "it gets worse" is drastic, with a change in gears that lost me for a sec, and needed a recalibration (

the starting point for Claire Fuller was "a vandalized caravan" in the middle of the woods, and I think it was the way she found to get there

). 
Their subplots of Julius' romance, and the family's love of music were a nice break from the main plot. I also think Jeanie can be read as asexual, from subtext, although I don't think it was done on purpose.