theinfinitebookcase's reviews
534 reviews

Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 6 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

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adventurous challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I wanted to like this one so much, but I have to admit I'm pretty disappointed. What I liked most was the mystery - I really wanted to know how Jane got displaced from her time period and how the situation would be resolved. Would Jane go back to the 70s, or stay in the present? I also really loved the side characters - Myla, Niko, Wes, Isaiah, and the even the Billy's crew. But that's where my enjoyment ended.

From hearing people online talk about Jane, I thought I'd fall in love with her; instead I found both August and Jane to be at best boring, at worst annoying. While I was curious about the mystery of whether or not Jane would return to the 70s, I realized I wouldn't have even been upset if the main couple was separated and Jane had gone back to the past. I was more upset about

Billy's potentially closing down,

which had nothing to do with August and Jane's relationship.

There were a few other minor things that also bothered me. I was honestly shocked that August hadn't realized that

Auggie and Jane lived in New Orleans at the same time

despite the fact that August was essentially trained from birth to be a private investigator and investigate Auggie's disappearance. I was also surprised that in the year 2021, no one in the entire relatively intelligent cast (with the exception of Jane, who has an excuse being from the 70s and not familiar with the internet) had considered an online fundraiser when they found out that

Billy's was going to shut down.

In the age of kickstarter and gofundme, I can't believe this wasn't the first response. Though I admit the

drag show fundraiser

was a way cooler idea, an online fundraiser could have still helped raise the rest of the money.

Maybe I'm being too picky. But I have to say I had much higher hopes for this book with the many, many stellar reviews that I saw. It's not bad, but it's definitely overrated. (Though I can't judge too much since I know we're all starved for sapphic content).

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Ace: What Asexuality Reveals about Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex by Angela Chen

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informative reflective slow-paced

5.0

Whether you identify as ace or not, I highly recommend this book. It is an exploration of asexuality, but it also, mostly, an exploration of compulsive sexuality and the social narratives around sex and sexuality. I learned about asexuality, but I also learned about the ways in social narratives surrounding sex affects all of us throughout our lives, no matter our identity. I think its an important and eye-opening exploration of these topics that anyone can benefit from.

Year of the Tiger: An Activist's Life by Alice Wong

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challenging emotional funny informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

As the author calls me out for in the very first chapter, this book was not what I was expecting. I definitely thought it'd be a standard memoir with an inspiring message and Wong makes it clear in the first few pages that it is not. I loved that it was a mix of different pieces rather than standard chapters/essays; there were essays, podcast/interview transcripts, lists, illustrations, and other kinds of work. Throughout the book, the author was honest and unapologetic about her experiences and did not (as she should not have to) have concern for readers' feelings. I loved this. I, as an abled reader, needed this, I feel. I learned so, so much from this book and I am so happy I decided to pick it up for a nonfiction challenge. It is highly recommended in the disability space, and I definitely recommend it as well.

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On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I had high expectations for this book, and it was even better than I expected; I didn't expect it to be so dark and emotional. I was attached to this group of found friends, rooting for them each along the way and on the edge of my seat when things took a darker turn. I borrowed this one from the library but I may have to pick up a copy of my own because I feel like its one that I'll want to read more than once.

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Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

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adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I found this book a bit slow at first, but I ended up completely loving it. I was deeply attached to the main character and I appreciated her growth over the course of the book. She was really a character I wanted to root for. I also loved both love interests (well, until a certain point, of course); I couldn't tell who I liked more or who she would be with in the end, which is rare for love triangles. I will definitely be picking up the second book in the duology; I can't wait to see what else is in store for Xingyin.

Content Warnings