I just finished this but I feel the need to immediately read it again. Rankine knows how to relate human feeling to materialism through the perspectivI just finished this but I feel the need to immediately read it again. Rankine knows how to relate human feeling to materialism through the perspective of being American, and she weaves themes of mental illness and social justice into so perfectly. To summarize, this book of essays dives into mental illness, depression, and loneliness by referencing it through her own personal life as well as historical events- leaving the reader to ask “Are we already dead?”...more
Esperanza’s Box of Saints was a quick read but it told an amazing story of Esperanza’s journey of finding her daughter Blanca- despite the fact that BEsperanza’s Box of Saints was a quick read but it told an amazing story of Esperanza’s journey of finding her daughter Blanca- despite the fact that Blanca died during a routine surgery. The pacing of this novel was perfect and the ending was better than what I assumed would happen. I would definitely read this again, and it’s great for those who enjoy a simple yet compelling story. ...more
This was my first Jane Austen read, and it met the expectations I had for it. Once I got used to the language (although I did have to refer to SparkNoThis was my first Jane Austen read, and it met the expectations I had for it. Once I got used to the language (although I did have to refer to SparkNotes between chapters) it was easy to catch the nuances between characters and follow the narrative. Despite Persuasion being a subdued romance, I was still invested in the story when it wasn't focused on Anne and Cpt. Wentworth and once it finally got to the romance parts it was impossible to put down.
I'm not sure if or when I'll read another Austen novel, but Persuasion was a wonderful introduction to this classic author....more
I love Heyman's work, and it's sad that this was her only "claim to fame." Her handwritten notes between photographs link feminist ideology with HeymaI love Heyman's work, and it's sad that this was her only "claim to fame." Her handwritten notes between photographs link feminist ideology with Heyman's shots of everyday women. This book really embodies 70s-wave feminism. ...more
The first graphic novel that I took notes on while reading. The Hospital Suite provides a personal experience of OCD and health anxiety over the authoThe first graphic novel that I took notes on while reading. The Hospital Suite provides a personal experience of OCD and health anxiety over the author's lifetime, but it is balanced with a simple art style and touches of humor. ...more
Originally called "Rescue Distance" in its Spanish version, Fever Dream is about the guilt that comes with motherhood. The entirety of this novel feltOriginally called "Rescue Distance" in its Spanish version, Fever Dream is about the guilt that comes with motherhood. The entirety of this novel felt like being in the climax of a horror film, where the reader is waiting in suspense to learn "what is important" as the narrator Amanda tells her story to a unique soul called David. Throughout this story, David tells Amanda, and the readers, what is important and what is not, and throughout the novel what is important gradually becomes clearer. The ending of the book leaves readers with a lesson- that no matter how much you can plan for disaster, it will find you before you even know its there. "Rescue distance" refers to Amanda calculating how long it would take to save her daughter from dangerous scenarios, but in the end she failed to see "what was important" to save her daughter.
Schweblin did a great job at giving the readers just enough information to stay invested, while also leaving a lot up to your imagination- or just omitting information entirely- and ending the book quite ambiguously. It would be hard to find any literature comparable to this novel, and I consider Fever Dream to be a gem of a book. ...more