This was good, Dulcé is funny. I think the organization of the prose is kind of all over the place. Each chapter was only loosely connected thematicalThis was good, Dulcé is funny. I think the organization of the prose is kind of all over the place. Each chapter was only loosely connected thematically and was very winding and random in its anecdotes. No section breaks or subheadings within chapters. I think it could have used a bit more structural work and reorganizing. But overall enjoyable....more
I've been a fan of R. Eric Thomas since his first book Here for It in 2020, so this was an aut0-read for me and it did not disappoint. These essays foI've been a fan of R. Eric Thomas since his first book Here for It in 2020, so this was an aut0-read for me and it did not disappoint. These essays focus primarily on Eric's adult life as he moves back to Baltimore (the city of his childhood) around 40 years old with his husband. The approximate range of years chronicled are 2017-2021, and he depicts how they navigated the pandemic and how that affected his depression and sense of self/happiness.
The way Eric is able to orchestrate such a range of emotions through storytelling and writing is an exquisite gift to the reader. On one page, I would be giggling, and on the next, tears would be streaming down my face. I laughed (a lot), and I cried (kind of a lot). Seamlessly interwoven with his snappy humor is a vulnerable honesty and a heartfelt commitment to hope. I loved this so much.
Trigger warnings: (may spoil parts of book) (view spoiler)[ description of depression, laceration and blood (accidental), encounter with a cop, death of a loved one, description of post-death processes (hide spoiler)]...more
When it comes to Samantha Irby, I am not a book reviewer, I am just a fan. I don’t care about what makes a book “good” or “well-constructed,” I just sWhen it comes to Samantha Irby, I am not a book reviewer, I am just a fan. I don’t care about what makes a book “good” or “well-constructed,” I just sit my butt down and delve into whatever hilarious nonsense she’s published this time. And true to form, she had me laughing so hard I was sobbing, that my fiancé felt compelled to offer to leave the room so I could be alone with this riot of a book. Thanks Sam, love u always...more
This was very enjoyable and insightful. I enjoyed her writing and her perspective. Because of this book, I picked up crocheting! Lots of great wisdom This was very enjoyable and insightful. I enjoyed her writing and her perspective. Because of this book, I picked up crocheting! Lots of great wisdom in this....more
I sympathize with Perry regarding his addiction (which is "the big terrible thing" alluded to in the title). I will never understand what it is like tI sympathize with Perry regarding his addiction (which is "the big terrible thing" alluded to in the title). I will never understand what it is like to live with addiction, and he obviously has been through a lot. I respect that he is forthcoming with his struggles and seems to be on the cusp of turning a new leaf and wanting to help others who struggle with addiction.
On a craft level, I think the structure of this memoir wasn't the best choice. The "interludes" between chapters in which he discusses more recent issues and relapses were unnecessary; I think he could have began with the brush with death and then worked back up to that chronologically from his childhood. The timeline was very confusing, as there were often time jumps and time returns (for lack of a better phrase) that disoriented me--although, I guess that's fitting for this memoir. And there were also a lot of repeated passages, especially near the end.
And, of course, the Keanu comments were certainly out of pocket, essentially wishing death upon him instead of others Perry deems more genius.
Although Perry does take accountability for various mistakes and pitfalls in his life, he also comes off bitter and mean-spirited towards some others, like he was using the memoir as an opportunity to give the middle finger to a few random people who he felt wronged him. I think that's kind of tacky in a memoir. Then there's his incessant comments on the attractiveness of any woman he's ever encountered, which, I don't know, made me kind of uncomfortable. Not that he didn't also comment on their smarts or their wit, but still. I'm not predisposed to thinking favorably towards sleazy men, which it sounds like he's been/is. He appears to be simultaneously narcissistic and self-loathing, both which I think he is aware of.
I also cannot speak to the validity of his statements about the effects of various opiates or detox medication.
I don't recommend this book, and certainly not to anyone who has or loves someone with addiction issues because I think it would be highly triggering. I was interested to learn about his struggles though, especially having grown up with Friends being an important role in my family bonding but having been unaware of his real-life addiction. However, I do hope Perry can continue down a positive path free of substance abuse and do better with his life....more
Excellent. Couldn't put it down. I have a couple critiques about the way it was all concluded but really, I just feel for Jennette. Rooting for her heExcellent. Couldn't put it down. I have a couple critiques about the way it was all concluded but really, I just feel for Jennette. Rooting for her health and happiness....more
Brown Girl Dreaming is a middle grade memoir written in verse. Woodson recounts her childhood in the 1960's and 1970's from birth in Nelsonville, OhioBrown Girl Dreaming is a middle grade memoir written in verse. Woodson recounts her childhood in the 1960's and 1970's from birth in Nelsonville, Ohio, relocation to Greenville, South Carolina, and then to Brownsville, Brooklyn when she is in grade school.
While Woodson endured struggles such as prejudice and family deaths, she was also surrounded by a beautiful loving family, making this is a tender reflection on memory and precious childhood years, playing with her siblings in the South, helping her grandfather in the garden, meeting her forever friend in NYC, and falling in love with writing. This book is heartfelt and well-written....more
Just a cool book. And a very tender ode to her special friendship with Robert. I listened to the audiobook and Patti Smith’s voice is so easy and enjoJust a cool book. And a very tender ode to her special friendship with Robert. I listened to the audiobook and Patti Smith’s voice is so easy and enjoyable. Really neat to get this glimpse into the past through writing which was so detailed and vivid. Loved studying the photographs in the book, too....more
This memoir shares a lot of the author’s Inner Child work (including letters to their younger self every other chapter) and is a critique of the anti-This memoir shares a lot of the author’s Inner Child work (including letters to their younger self every other chapter) and is a critique of the anti-Black and anti-queer carceral state we inhabit. The author deconstructs their understanding of their memories, as well as acknowledges their own misperceptions and shortcomings due to their conditioning within this society. Discusses family, being loved but not necessarily accepted, and actively choosing queerness even when it isn’t easy. I enjoyed the author’s insight and personal reflections, and although the writing was a bit dense at times, it contains a lot of important information, including the concept of misafropedia, which refers to the “anti-Black disdain for children and childhood that Black youth experience.”
Content warnings: sexual assault, racism, homophobia, sexism ...more
This memoir is vulnerable yet POWERFUL. Miller tells her story in the most exquisite writing. Her memoir is intimate and honest while also a BATTLE CRThis memoir is vulnerable yet POWERFUL. Miller tells her story in the most exquisite writing. Her memoir is intimate and honest while also a BATTLE CRY of those so often neglected and scorned by a society which cares more about protecting the assailant than the sexually assaulted. It provides a grim insight into our fundamentally flawed legal system while also offering not only companionship to fellow victims, but hope for a future where it doesn’t have to be this way. Thank you, Chanel....more
An incredible memoir that pulls from the limited archive of same-sex abuse to help illustrate her own experiences. I love this memoir, I found that thAn incredible memoir that pulls from the limited archive of same-sex abuse to help illustrate her own experiences. I love this memoir, I found that the fragmented form worked very well for her particular narrative, and I enjoyed the literary allusions and historical references. It was both experimental and informative, as well as emotional. A book that will linger with me....more
I’m Still Here is a series of personal essays about Austin Channing Brown’s experiences as a Black woman living in America. She shares anecdotes from I’m Still Here is a series of personal essays about Austin Channing Brown’s experiences as a Black woman living in America. She shares anecdotes from her life growing up between Toledo and Cleveland, such as feeling somewhat of an outcast among Black peers for “speaking like a white person,” yet in her predominantly-white school, feeling as though she was culturally disconnected from her peers. Additionally, she speaks on many casually racist behaviors, such as administration implying that it was her tone’s fault when a belligerent student once yelled at her after a lecture she gave. She also incorporates her relationship to God throughout her life’s struggles.
In this eloquent, concise, emotional book, Brown successfully shares her observations, frustrations, and hopes for this country’s future. I recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about Black experience in America....more
Believe me when I say that Samantha Irby’s writing is jam-packed with hilarity. Even when I can’t relate to her anecdotes, I am always entertained by Believe me when I say that Samantha Irby’s writing is jam-packed with hilarity. Even when I can’t relate to her anecdotes, I am always entertained by her honesty and cynicism. I absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys eating, sleeping, avoiding putting forth effort at all costs, reading about hilarious period stories, and/or laughing....more
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