stephbeaudoin20's reviews
905 reviews

The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K. S. Villoso
This is the first book in the epic fantasy series Chronicles of the Bitch Queen. I adored this book with its excellent world building, twists and turns, and phenomenal story. I really liked the author's note at the end about how this world is the author's homeland, the Philippines without colonization. What a special idea. I was so interested in this book that I read past my bedtime and wanted to get out of work faster so I could read again.

This is my eleventh book for #25for25

Dear God. Dear Bones. Dear Yellow. By Noor Hindi
The Poets know!
This whole book is really good. I have so many highlights. My favorite poems are
All My Plants are Dead
Confession 
I Call My Mother from the Moon

This is my tenth book for #25for25

‘Til Heist Do Us Part by Sara Desai
This is the second book in the Simi Chopra series and it is AMAZING. I absolutely love this series. It is hilarious, silly, so many emotions, and a great mystery. I love all of the characters, and the hijinks. Definitely one of my favorite series and I will read these books multiple times.
This is my ninth book for #25for25

We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida translated by E. Madison Shimoda
The translation is spectacular!

I honestly don't know how to describe this book, except that it is wonderful and whimsical. It's witty, silly, and so interesting. I can't tell you more without ruining it. Read this wonderful book. 

This is my seventh book for #25for25

Pardon my Frenchie by Farrah Rochon
Ashanti and Thaddeus are spectacular together. Will they, won't they. Of course they will! This is a Romance! But the push and pull is so well done. Spectacular marks for romance and steam. High praise for showing alternative family dynamics and not making a big deal about it. Families come in all shapes and sizes. I also really loved the doggies!

This is my sixth book for #25for25

Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse 
This is the second book in the Between Earth and Sky series. I would recommend reading the series in order.

I adore Rebecca Roanhorse’s writing. If she is writing it, then I am reading it! The continuation of the epic fantasy world did not disappoint. What happened to the Sun God? Will the Crow God rule now? What about the other clans? Will the mysterious Teek’s come to the meeting? What about the humans that are pawns in the game of the Gods?

This is my fifth book for #25for25

The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
I LOVED this book! Absolutely YES to Indigenous Authors writing romance and not pandering to trauma porn! I really enjoyed the story, the humor, and the happily ever after. The cultural gems throughout were so great. Like introducing yourself and your kin so that you can be sure that your snag isn't your cousin. The very real fear of breaking down and being in danger of kidnapping, rape, and murder because you are an Indigenous Woman. The part where Ember has this urge to braid Danuwoa’s hair before they've even acknowledged their interest in each other is so spectacular. I can't wait to read more stories from Danica Nava.

This is my fourth book for #25for25

Woman Life Freedom: Voices and Art from the Women’s Protests in Iran, edited by Malu Halasa
This book was an excellent read. It is filled with essays, stories, and art surrounding the 2022 Woman Life Freedom protests and what the future may hold for Iran. Thank you to the brave contributors risking their lives, freedom, and family to be part of this collection.

This is my third book for #25for25

Buffalo Dreamer by Violet Duncan
ᐸᐢᑳᐧᐃᐧᒧᐢᑐᐢ  qᐅᐳᐊᐧᑕᒼ
paskwâwimostos ᐸᐢᑳᐧᐃᐧᒧᐢᑐᐢ buffalo opowatam ᐅᐳᐊᐧᑕᒼ dreamer
This book is a treasure. As an adult the language was not too young for me. The story shines a light on the disgusting history of so-called us and so-called canada and the residential sch**ls. They are an absolute disgrace and part of the ongoing genocide against Indigenous People of Turtle Island. I really loved the dreams and visions, the family aspect, and summer Rez life.

This is my second book for #25for25

Against Erasure: A Photographic Memory of Palestine Before the Nakba, Edited by Teresa Aranguren and Sandra Barrilaro, Foreword by Mohammed El-Kurd
This book is spectacular. I read the 2024 edition with the new forward by Mohammed El-Kurd, whose writing I always want to read. The book is on English and Arabic and I find it fascinating how they have laid out the photographs to be experienced from right to left and left to right. Stellar job. The real ones know that Palestine has existed for Centuries. And photography is proof of that existence. I treasured the writings at the beginning of the book and interspersed throughout.

This is my first book for #25for25