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ashereadsstuff · 4 months

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54. Daughter of the Moon Goddess | By: Sue Lynn Tan Don't judge me for the amount of porn I read >_< Each link leads to goodreads or anime-planet depending on whether its manhwa/manga/manhua or a chapter book I'll see what I can do to make a better system for sharing my year of books. For now this will do. I plan on making my own website to house his stuff better. But we'll see making a website takes a lot. I'll post with updates!!

My Books of 2023 Part 1

My goal for the year was 50 books, and I have read 60-ish. I'm not really sure, to be honest. The storygraph considers manga as books, while Goodreads does not. Goodreads considers fanfictions to be actual books, while The Storygraph does not. I, however, consider both to be books, even if they are somewhat not traditional. Here's all of them:

The Delve | By: Dan Fitzgerald

Assorted Wildness | By: Gyeja

Semantic Error | By: Soori Jeo

KinnPorsche Vol 1 | By: Daemi

An Innocent Puppy Meets a Two-Faced Cat | By: Niyama

BL Motel | By: Uhrin

Scared to Live (But I'm Scared to Die) | By: Major_816

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love | By: Lex Croucher

Fence Comics Vol 1 - 5 | By: C.S. Pacat

Striking Distance (Fence Vol 1) | By: Sarah Rees Brennan

Disarmed (Fence Vol 2) | By: Sarah Rees Brennan

Superior | By: Jessica Lack

How to Tame Your Vampire Vol 1 | By: Anni Lee

Fangirl, Vol 1: The Manga | By: Rainbow Rowell

The Vegetarian | By: Han Kang

Every Heart a Doorway (Vol 2) | By: Seanan McGuire

The Leather Boys | By: Gillian Freeman

The Love Hypothesis | By: Ali Hazelwood

All for the Game | By: Nora Sakavic

I think Our Son Is Gay Vol 1-4 | By: Okura

Unexpecting | By: Jen Bailey

Little Distractions | By: K.G. Brightwell

The Hunger Games | By: Suzanne Collins

Ander & Santi Were Here | By: Jonny Garza Villa

Tell Me What Really Happened | By: Chelsea Sedoti

TharnType | By: Khun Mame

Help Me, Uncle! | By: 4E

I Caught Him Getting Off Online! | By: Fujita

Anti - Alpha Series | By: Waka Okuda

Anti Platonic | By: Yupopo Orishima

The Untimely Undeath of Imogen Madrigal | By: Grayson Daly

Epic of Helinthia | By: MJ Pankey

Gender is Really Strange | By: Teddy goetz

Puzzle for Two | By: Josh Lanyon

The Covenant Sacrifice | By: Lee Allen Howard

Yours for the Taking | By: Gabrielle Korn

Her Dark Wings | By: Melinda Salisbury

Cursebreakers | By: Madeleine Nakamura

Kiss Me Liar | By: Zing

My Bias Is Showing?! | By: Nabit

Day Off | By: Dailygreens

Dress Him Up | By: Cheese Carp Bread

Burns | By: Ra-yuan

Aesthetics of Unpleasantness | By: SS

A Trace of You | By: AG

The Proper Way to Write Love | By: Ogeretsu Tanaka

Hands Up Me! | By: Chwesong

Leash Me Up | By: Yp

Why Is it You? | Nansae

Lookism | Taejun Park

Baby Sugar Succubus | Sakana Tojou

When the Glow Lights the Woods | By: Eule Grey

My Younger Childhood Friend is Just My Type | By: Hagi Fukuhara

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ashereadsstuff · 4 months

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My Books of 2023 Part 1

My goal for the year was 50 books, and I have read 60-ish. I'm not really sure, to be honest. The storygraph considers manga as books, while Goodreads does not. Goodreads considers fanfictions to be actual books, while The Storygraph does not. I, however, consider both to be books, even if they are somewhat not traditional. Here's all of them:

The Delve | By: Dan Fitzgerald

Assorted Wildness | By: Gyeja

Semantic Error | By: Soori Jeo

KinnPorsche Vol 1 | By: Daemi

An Innocent Puppy Meets a Two-Faced Cat | By: Niyama

BL Motel | By: Uhrin

Scared to Live (But I'm Scared to Die) | By: Major_816

Gwen & Art Are Not in Love | By: Lex Croucher

Fence Comics Vol 1 - 5 | By: C.S. Pacat

Striking Distance (Fence Vol 1) | By: Sarah Rees Brennan

Disarmed (Fence Vol 2) | By: Sarah Rees Brennan

Superior | By: Jessica Lack

How to Tame Your Vampire Vol 1 | By: Anni Lee

Fangirl, Vol 1: The Manga | By: Rainbow Rowell

The Vegetarian | By: Han Kang

Every Heart a Doorway (Vol 2) | By: Seanan McGuire

The Leather Boys | By: Gillian Freeman

The Love Hypothesis | By: Ali Hazelwood

All for the Game | By: Nora Sakavic

I think Our Son Is Gay Vol 1-4 | By: Okura

Unexpecting | By: Jen Bailey

Little Distractions | By: K.G. Brightwell

The Hunger Games | By: Suzanne Collins

Ander & Santi Were Here | By: Jonny Garza Villa

Tell Me What Really Happened | By: Chelsea Sedoti

TharnType | By: Khun Mame

Help Me, Uncle! | By: 4E

I Caught Him Getting Off Online! | By: Fujita

Anti - Alpha Series | By: Waka Okuda

Anti Platonic | By: Yupopo Orishima

The Untimely Undeath of Imogen Madrigal | By: Grayson Daly

Epic of Helinthia | By: MJ Pankey

Gender is Really Strange | By: Teddy goetz

Puzzle for Two | By: Josh Lanyon

The Covenant Sacrifice | By: Lee Allen Howard

Yours for the Taking | By: Gabrielle Korn

Her Dark Wings | By: Melinda Salisbury

Cursebreakers | By: Madeleine Nakamura

Kiss Me Liar | By: Zing

My Bias Is Showing?! | By: Nabit

Day Off | By: Dailygreens

Dress Him Up | By: Cheese Carp Bread

Burns | By: Ra-yuan

Aesthetics of Unpleasantness | By: SS

A Trace of You | By: AG

The Proper Way to Write Love | By: Ogeretsu Tanaka

Hands Up Me! | By: Chwesong

Leash Me Up | By: Yp

Why Is it You? | Nansae

Lookism | Taejun Park

Baby Sugar Succubus | Sakana Tojou

When the Glow Lights the Woods | By: Eule Grey

My Younger Childhood Friend is Just My Type | By: Hagi Fukuhara

#Dude I didn't know I read so many BLs #Manhwa #Manga #book reviews #ashe reads stuff #2023 Books Read

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ashereadsstuff · 4 months

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'Cursebreakers' By: Madeleine Nakamura

I received an ARC from Canis Major Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Rating out of 5: 🌟🌟🌟🌟(4/5)

Release Date: September 12, 2023

Content Warnings: Drug use, Mental illness, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail

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SYNOPSIS:

Adrien Desfourneaux, professor of magic, must survive his own failing mental health and a tenuous partnership with a dangerous ally in order to save the city of Astrum from a spreading curse.

Adrien Desfourneaux, professor of magic and disgraced ex-physician, has discovered a conspiracy. Someone is inflicting magical comas on the inhabitants of the massive city of Astrum, and no one knows how or why. Caught between a faction of scheming magical academics and an explosive schism in the ranks of Astrum’s power-hungry military, Adrien is swallowed by the growing chaos. Alongside Gennady, an unruly, damaged young soldier, and Malise, a brilliant healer and Adrien’s best friend, Adrien searches for a way to stop the spreading curse before the city implodes. He must survive his own bipolar disorder, his self-destructive tendencies, and his entanglement with the man who doesn’t love him back.

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MY REVIEW:

This book was a little hard to get into because of the descriptions, but that is just a given with most fantasy books, so reading progressed a little slower than I anticipated. But that's not the fault of the author; it's more of a warning for other readers. I do think the author handled the descriptions well enough; I just wish there was a pronunciation guide for some of the words. The author did good when describing how hurtful it is to love someone who doesn't love you back or situations where you tell the truth but no one believes you, no matter how hard you try, like screaming at a wall and hoping the wall at least whispers back. I love how the author describes the final stages of the grief you can feel from being hurt by the ones you love, even though they aren’t at fault either. It was heartbreaking to read the resolution in Adrien's voice when none of his closest friends believed him during his episodes. He sounded utterly defeated and was just okay with that. The loss of fighting is a loss that is hard to describe, and I think the author captured that so well. The author wrote all of this from the POV of someone who deals with bipolar disorder and addiction. I myself have no experience with bipolar or addition, so I hope my review is not rude or ignorant. (If it is, please feel free to yell at me about it, and I will change it.)

I will say that at some point the book started to annoy me because I realized at around chapter 20 that I didn’t understand what was going on, and when the book was reaching its climax, it was confusing because I didn’t feel the urgency in saving the students, soldiers, or themselves; their urgency felt like they were screaming in lowercase letters. The ending was bittersweet and interesting. I was hoping this was going to be a romance, but I’m not disappointed. I’m definitely going to reread this at a better time so I can understand.

#netgalley #arc #book reviews #fiction #2023 releases #lgbtq fiction #Cursebreakers #Madeleine Nakamura #Canis Major Books #Fantasy #Adult #Magic #ashe reads stuff #September Release #i think this books is dark? I'm not sure I read a lot of interesting stuff #dark #mental health rep #addiction rep #`

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ashereadsstuff · 5 months

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'Her Dark Wings' By: Melinda Salisbury

I received an ARC from David Fickling Books Through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Rating out of 5: 🌟🌟🌟(3/5)

Release Date: July 7, 2022

Content Warnings: Death, Violence, Toxic friendship, Body horror, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Kidnapping, War

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SYNOPSIS:

Her Dark Wings is a modern-day take on the Persephone myth, infused with the intense potency of teenage passions. The richness of Greek myth is vividly brought to life by the immediacy and originality of a fiery, contemporary drama. And iconic mythic figures crackle and change as a modern girl fills the Underworld with new life. Exploring the thin line between love and hate, obsession and attraction, friendship and betrayal, this is a breathless and bold story, beautifully told by an exceptional writer. It's about a girl who realises what she wants and, in getting it, brings soul to a stagnant world, and change to an unyielding god. It's about life - and hope - blooming in the unlikeliest of places. It's about being brave enough to release your wings.

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MY REVIEW:

So, "Her Dark Wings" by Melinda Salisbury kicks off with a pretty solid vibe. No boredom or annoyance so far, and the descriptions hit that sweet spot—just enough without getting too wordy. Although, I have to admit, some descriptions got a bit weird and cliché at times.

Now, Corry, the main character, goes through some heavy stuff—betrayal, lies, trauma. She's allowed to feel everything she needs to, and I stand by that, but after a while, Corry becomes a tad too dramatic. Wishing death on someone and going into full fury mode seems a bit over the top, especially when there are way worse betrayals in history that could justify that level of anger. Near the end of the book, it made it sound like she didn't care anymore, but at the same time, she still did in a weird way.

The romance between Hades and Corey? There was zero chemistry; it just kind of happened out of nowhere. The only thing that pushed them together was their one kiss in the first few chapters of the book. I honestly started shipping Alecto and Corey instead, thanks to their first interactions having so much more to them than a literal kiss between Corey and Hades. But hey, the ending gets a thumbs-up for tying things up alright. Although I kind of wanted more details on what Corey becomes, The last problem I had with the book was that it's not exactly a Greek myth retelling, which irks me a bit. Plus, where the heck is Persephone? I love the original myths around Persephone, Hades, Zeus, and Demeter. I personally didn't like how it was just overwritten.

Despite all that, it's a satisfying read in the end. So, if you're cool with a few quirks and don't mind some mythological detours, it's worth checking out.

#arc #book reviews #fiction #dark #ya fiction #young adult #Melinda Salisbury #Her Dark Wings #mythology retelling #fantasy #romance #contemporary #emotional #ashe reads stuff #2022 release #David Fickling Books #It was pretty mid #at least I finished it ( in the best way possible)#netgalley

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ashereadsstuff · 6 months

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'Gwen & Art Are Not in Love' By: Lex Croucher

I received an ARC from Wednesday Books Through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Rating out of 5: 🌟🌟(2/5)

Release Date: November 28, 2023

Content Warnings: Violence, Death of parent, War, Homophobia, Blood, Alcoholism, Vomit, Child abuse

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SYNOPSIS:

Heartstopper meets A Knight’s Tale in this queer medieval rom-com YA debut about love, friendship, and being brave enough to change the course of history.

It’s been hundreds of years since King Arthur’s reign. His descendant, Arthur, a future Lord and general gadabout, has been betrothed to Gwendoline, the quick-witted, short-tempered princess of England, since birth. The only thing they can agree on is that they despise each other.

They’re forced to spend the summer together at Camelot in the run-up to their nuptials, and within 24 hours, Gwen has discovered Arthur kissing a boy, and Arthur has gone digging for Gwen's childhood diary and found confessions about her crush on the kingdom's only lady knight, Bridget Leclair.

Realizing they might make better allies than enemies, Gwen and Art make a reluctant pact to cover for each other, and as things heat up at the annual royal tournament, Gwen is swept off her feet by her knight, and Arthur takes an interest in Gwen's royal brother. Lex Croucher's Gwen & Art Are Not in Love is chock full of sword-fighting, found family, and romantic shenanigans destined to make readers fall in love.

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MY REVIEW:

As soon as I started the book, I was surprised that there was no formatting whatsoever for the chapter starting pages. If you are giving an ARC for review, the book needs to have some form of formatting. Readers, no matter who they are and at what point they are reading the book, should judge the book as a whole. They judge the art, the formatting, and the many POVs that are not labeled—literally everything. So it's not been a great start so far.

I have been reading ARCs for a while now, and my main pet peeve is unlabeled multi-points of view. I don’t care if it's two POVs or seven. If there are multiple points of view, YOU MUST LABLE THEM.

As I was reading this book, it constantly felt like I was waiting for it to pick up in tension, conflict, or something, but it didn’t. I like how every character had some flaws and pluses, but Gwendoline didn’t have anything to her; she was a very flat character. For example, Arthur is snarky, has a troubled family home or life, was trained in certain aspects of being an heir, and is very gay. Sidney is a Casanova who would literally waste his time to pursue a girl but is a great friend and good at his job. Gabriel is the unfortunate heir to the king who loves reading and studying and wants to be the best king he could be, but in his own way with no violence. But for Gwen, she is just very complain-y and is in love with a woman knight (I don't know what the proper term is), and she does embroidery; she is so painfully bossy. I would recommend this book to people who like lots of monologue-forward stories.

I started getting into the book around chapter 15, but then at chapter 35 it fell through, and I had trouble finishing it. I just think it's because the book keeps going back and forth between POVs and it's hard to keep track. I do like the ending I think it was wrapped up nicely. I will reread this and update my review accordingly.

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ashereadsstuff · 7 months

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"Fence: Disarmed" & Fence: Striking Distance" By: Sarah Rees Brennan & C.S Pacat (Creator)

Striking Distance (Fence 1) Release Date: September 29, 2020

Rating out of 5: .25

Disarmed (Fence 2) Release Date: May 18, 2021

Rating out of 5: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟(5/5)

Content Warnings: Bullying, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Classism, Infidelity, Ableism, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Racism, Domestic abuse, Toxic Relationship

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SYNOPSIS Striking Distance (fence 1):

The boys of Kings Row bout with drama, rivalry, and romance in this original YA novel by The New York Times bestselling author Sarah Rees Brennan—inspired by the award-nominated comic series by C.S. Pacat and Johanna The Mad.

Sixteen-year-old Nicholas Cox is the illegitimate son of a retired fencing champion who dreams of getting the proper training he could never afford. After earning a place on the elite Kings Row fencing team, Nicholas must prove himself to his rival, Seiji Katayma, and navigate the clashes, friendships, and relationships between his teammates on the road to state championships—where Nicholas might finally have the chance to spar with his golden-boy half-brother.

Coach Williams decides to take advantage of the boys' morale after a recent victory and assigns them a course of team building exercises to further deepen their bonds. It takes a shoplifting scandal, a couple of moonlit forest strolls, several hilariously bad dates, and a whole lot of introspection for the team to realize they are stronger together than they could ever be apart.

The first installment of this enticing original YA novel series by Sarah Rees Brennan, rich with casual diversity and queer self-discovery, explores never-before-seen drama inspired by C.S. Pacat's critically acclaimed Fence comic series and boasts original cover and interior art by Johanna The Mad.

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SYNOPSIS Disarmed (Fence 2):

The boys of Kings Row head to France with exes, rivalries, and secrets in this original YA novel by New York Times bestselling author Sarah Rees Brennan--inspired by the award-nominated comic series by C.S. Pacat and Johanna The Mad

The boys of Kings Row are off to a training camp in Europe! Surrounded impressive scenery and even more impressive European fencing teams, underdog Nicholas can't help but feel out of place. With the help of a local legend, though, he and the rest of the team finds it within themselves to face superior fencers, ex-boyfriends, expulsion, and even Nicholas's golden-boy, secret half-brother, the infamous Jesse Coste. Will Aiden and Harvard end up together, though? En garde!

The second installment of this enticing original YA novel series by Sarah Rees Brennan, rich with casual diversity and queer self-discovery, explores never-before-seen drama inspired by C.S. Pacat's critically acclaimed Fence comic series.

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MY REVIEW:

This book absolutely shattered my affection for the first installment and the entire series (though the comics are still holding up for me, at least for now).

You see, the first book earned a solid 5-star rating from me. I adored it, especially after binge-reading the comic books. But oh boy, this sequel fell flat. It felt like the longest 365 pages of my life, mainly due to Aiden and Harvard. Aiden and Harvard's perspectives had me rolling my eyes so hard that I put the book down for a whopping 8 months. Then, I made a promise to myself to power through it, even if it meant skimming their parts. But I ended up skipping them entirely because they grated on my nerves. Seriously, how is Harvard the team captain when he can't even hold a decent conversation with his best friend of 9 years, who happens to be his now-boyfriend? (major spoiler, BTW, thanks for that; I went through all the anguish just for the cover to spoil everything in less than 2 seconds) The only thing that kept me from throwing in the towel were Nicolas and the other guys.

In the first book, I felt for Aiden and understood the trauma that shaped him and his approach to life. However, the second book muddled it all up. Frankly, I'm expecting Harvard and Aiden to call it quits soon. They're way too dependent on each other, can't communicate to save their lives, and Aiden, in particular, comes across as downright enttitled

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ashereadsstuff · 8 months

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'Yours For The Taking' by Gabrielle Korn

I received an ARC from St. Martin's Press Through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Rating out of 5: 🌟🌟🌟(3/5)

Release Date: December 5, 2023

Content Warnings: Transphobia, Confinement, Grief, Death, Ableism, Body Horror, Cancer, Child Abuse, Drug use

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SYNOPSIS:

The year is 2050. Ava and her girlfriend live in what's left of Brooklyn, and though they love each other, it's hard to find happiness while the effects of climate change rapidly eclipse their world. Soon, it won't be safe outside at all. The only people guaranteed survival are the ones whose applications are accepted to The Inside Project, a series of weather-safe, city-sized structures around the world.

Jacqueline Millender is a reclusive billionaire/women’s rights advocate, and thanks to a generous donation, she’s just become the director of the Inside being built on the bones of Manhattan. Her ideas are unorthodox, yet alluring—she's built a whole brand around rethinking the very concept of empowerment.

Shelby, a business major from a working-class family, is drawn to Jacqueline’s promises of power and impact. When she lands her dream job as Jacqueline’s personal assistant, she's instantly swept up into the glamourous world of corporatized feminism. Also drawn into Jacqueline's orbit is Olympia, who is finishing up medical school when Jacqueline recruits her to run the health department Inside. The more Olympia learns about the project, though, the more she realizes there's something much larger at play. As Ava, Olympia, and Shelby start to notice the cracks in Jacqueline's system, Jacqueline tightens her grip, becoming increasingly unhinged and dangerous in what she is willing to do—and who she is willing to sacrifice—to keep her dream alive.

At once a mesmerizing story of queer love, betrayal, and chosen family, and an unflinching indictment of cis, corporate feminism, Yours for the Taking holds a mirror to our own world, in all its beauty and horror.

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MY REVIEW:

I enjoyed most of this book, except for its ending which left me dissatisfied due to the unresolved plotlines. The book concluded on a frustrating cliffhanger, and while I have questions, I won't delve into them to avoid spoiling the experience for potential readers.

Several issues stood out to me. The initial concepts introduced in the beginning weren't consistently developed throughout the story. Some monologues were overly lengthy and felt unnecessary. The book featured an abundance of different points of view (POVs), including four women highlighted in the synopsis and an additional three introduced later on. This accumulation of seven distinct POVs lacked clear labeling, making it confusing to follow. Moreover, the portrayal of perspectives from transgender and black women felt underdeveloped, particularly concerning the challenges they might face, such as the amplified backlash a black woman might encounter compared to a white woman in a position of power. Proper research into these experiences, particularly within corporate America, would have enhanced authenticity. Additionally, certain conflicts were resolved too hastily.

Despite these criticisms, I found several intriguing aspects. The book effectively weaved in satirical elements, providing a thought-provoking exploration of feminism and the essence of womanhood. As someone who identifies as a feminist, I found my understanding evolving while reading, thanks to the author's impactful influence. The author possesses a remarkable command of language, crafting immersive settings and evoking genuine emotions from the characters. Even the perspectives of the antagonists were engrossing, prompting me to reflect on my own notions of feminism.

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ashereadsstuff · 9 months

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'Puzzle For Two' by Josh Lanyon

I received a ARC from JustJoshin Publishing, Inc. through NetGalley

Rating out of 5: 🌟🌟🌟(3/5)

Release Date: May 28, 2023

Content Warnings: Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent

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SYNOPSIS:

Fledging PI Zachariah Davies’s wealthy and eccentric client, toymaker Alton Beacher, wants to hire an investigator who can pose as his boyfriend while figuring out who is behind the recent attempts on his life. And Zach, struggling to save the business his father built, is just desperate enough to set aside his misgivings and take the job.

But it doesn’t take long to realize all is not as it seems—and given that it all seems pretty weird, that’s saying something. The only person Zach can turn to for help is equally struggling, equally desperate, but a whole lot more experienced rival PI Flint Carey.

Former Marine Flint has been waiting for Zach to throw in the towel and sell whatever’s left of the Davies Detective Agency to him. But when the game, inexperienced accountant-turned-shamus turns to him for help, Flint finds himself unwilling—or maybe unable—to say no.

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MY REVIEW:

So before I could totally finish the book, it got archived on NetGalley, and I couldn't read it any more because of them. I think this book was mid to be completely honest. I recommend you not read the Blurb available on any book cataloging app and just go in blind for a better experience. There were times I liked it, and there were times where I was hoping it would just pick up the pace. I started skimming at one point as well. I think that everyone should try to read this book instead of going off of what I say. Readers should come up with their own opinions. The main character was also annoying at times; he stated he was trained to do this type of work, but his actions at times were a bit immature considering his background.

#netgalley #arc #2023 releases #book reviews #dark #mystery #queer #Crime #Suspense #Adult #Mystery Thriller #thriller #lgbtq romance #True Crime book first then LGBT romance book second #mm romance #queer fiction #Josh Lanyon #Puzzle For Two #ashe reads stuff

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ashereadsstuff · 9 months

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brain filled with jegulus uni au where james walks into the wrong lecture, all tired and sleep deprived, with baby harry on his chest. cue regulus falling in love with the hot dilf that doesn't belong in his post modernism class and who he knows for a fact is sirius' best friend

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ashereadsstuff · 10 months

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'Gender Is Really Strange' By Teddy G. Goetz and Illustrated By Sophia Standing

I received an ARC from Jessica Kingsley Pub through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Rating out of 5: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟(5)

Release Date: October 19, 2023

Content Warnings: Colonization, Racism, Transphobia, Xenophobia

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SYNOPSIS:

What does it mean to be trans? Non-Binary? Gender Expansive? What parts of gender come from society? What parts come from within? How much is biology, and how much is socialization? Part of the Really Strange series, this science-based graphic medicine comic addresses these questions and more, revealing the inherent messiness of gender identity and sex. A mysterious amalgam of biology and society, inherently sensed, yet societally-defined, the complexity of gender is revealed through examining neuroscience, biology, hormones, mental health, behaviour and how much of gender comes from society. Exploring theories, thinkers, terminology, history and gender cultures around the world and across different religions, this easy-to-understand and engaging book will help you to question perceived norms and engage critically with your own gender identity. Get ready to break down the binary B.S. and celebrate gender in all its messy glory!

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MY REVIEW:

No matter what your political beliefs are or your age, everyone needs to read this book with an open mind. This book obviously talks a lot about gender and deconstructs the roles of masculinity and femininity. It makes you wonder if everything you were told as a child was actually something you agreed with. For a graphic novel, this book gives just the ton of information I wish I had when I was so desperately trying to find answers and getting nowhere with, like, who I am? And what does it mean to be male or female? Why do I feel like none of those and, at the same time, still identify with those labels? It also helps further my argument that not everything needs to be labeled. Dress how you want, act how you want, and be who you want. Life is too short to be what others are telling you to be. I also absolutely love the sources at the end of the book this topic was thoroughly researched. This book should be included with teaching a child sex education, I highly recommend.

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ashereadsstuff · 11 months

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'The Untimely Undeath of Imogen Madrigal' By Grayson Daly

I received an ARC from Nosetouch Press through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Rating out of 5: 🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐(4.5)

Release Date: May 23, 2023

Content Warnings: Death, Body horror, Cursing, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexual content, Abandonment, Bodyshaming, Child abuse

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SYNOPSIS:

Death is Both an End and a Beginning.

On the island city of Lenorum, Maeve serves the Sisterhood of Good Death, a convent whose purpose is to shepherd lost souls from one world to the next. But her life of devotion to the unquiet dead is upended by an encounter with the haughty poet Imogen Madrigal, who has mysteriously returned from beyond the veil not in spirit, but in the flesh--and determined to obtain justice, whatever the cost. Maeve agrees to help Imogen solve her murder, which propels her headlong into the hedonistic and heretical world of the extravagant and influential Poets' Court.

THE UNTIMELY UNDEATH OF IMOGEN MADRIGAL delivers a metaphysical mystery in the richly imagined, darkly fantastic and urbane world of Lenorum, as Maeve comes to terms with her own path and learns what living a good life truly means.

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MY REVIEW:

I loved this book. I wish I had gotten to read it at a better time. I've been reading this book through my finals, which made the experience a bit tedious.

Anyway! I thought the characters were well thought out; each one had their own problems, and this book didn’t make the main character seem like a saint or anything, or someone who was impervious to trauma and the real world. The author also didn’t make the character afraid of the world, considering their background, in an annoying way. She had fears; she voiced them, but she went through it afraid, was on her toes, and handled each situation. I thought the middle ground between being stupidly brave and fearful was well written, and Maeve wasn't too much of either. Each character had an interesting backstory that gave them amazing depth, and no one was two-dimensional.

Maeve and Imogene’s relationship wasn’t toxic! They helped each other without being codependent; they learned from each other; they had their problems, but they talked them through. I do wish we got to see how Maeve navigated her relationship with certain characters (you know who I’m talking about), and seeing more of Maeve’s sisters and their interactions would be nice. I also really wanted to know more about Imogen and the other sisters backstories and experiences, as well as that one character I mentioned above (I hope you know who I’m talking about). I want to know more about what happened to them in general, considering their conflict and how they got to be okay with everything. But other than that, I give it 4.5 stars, and I will be buying the hardcover copy of the book.

The world described was amazing, It was very clear that the author put a lot of thought into how it should work. The explanations weren't annoying either. To me, the book never dragged on and on, which is very much appreciated as someone who doesn't have a great attention span. I loved the lessons that the book discussed, like how it's okay to go for what you want and to cherish what you've got; how change is a part of life and it must be embraced; how judging people isn't okay even if the person in front of you is your worst enemy; and never be afraid and when you are, do it afraid.

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ashereadsstuff · 1 year

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'The Bliss House' By Jim Bartely

I received an ARC from A RARE MACHINES BOOK through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Rating out of 5: ⭐

Release Date: September 5, 2023

Content Warnings: Pedophilia, Incest, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, child abuse, gore

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SYNOPSIS:

Two young men bringing up a small child in the middle of nowhere. Everything could be fine, but strangers start to meddle.

For near a century the reclusive Bliss clan farmed the same land. Now it’s 1963 and everyone’s gone except teenage Cam, his older cousin Wes, and little Dorie. They buried Gran over a year ago. But Gramp is still with them, wrapped tight as a mummy in an old tarp in the cold room off the kitchen. Life’s better now without the old man’s rants and terrors.

There are problems with the land lease and the meddlesome, moralizing neighbours, and rumours are spreading in town that there’s something not quite right about Cam and Wes, but they’re taking care of it all as best they can. Then the local Children’s Aid drops by to say Dorie needs schooling and proper parents, and it’s clear they can’t hide their secrets any longer. They’re on the road, heading north, with a body in the trunk. Wes knows a place, a cabin deep in the woods …

No matter what they do, gruesome casualties seem to follow them. It could be funny if it wasn’t so nightmarish. And through it all, a tender secret love thrives, as they try to hold on to the family they’ve built together.

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MY REVIEW:

While there were some aspects of this book that I did not enjoy, it was still interesting. but the book did have its downfall. I honestly don't care to figure out which is worse—the pedophilia or the incest—because Cam is 17 and Wes is somewhere in his 30s, and both of them are in a relationship together. I feel like the book could have worked either way if you had reduced the age difference and eliminated the incest. When the ploce interfered with their life was weird because it just happened and then a coupl eof chapters later you get the epilouge where everything was kinda okay and also not.

Once I got past the pedophilia and incest, or at least tried to, it was actually quite interesting at first, but as the book went on, I became apathetic. The characters spent a lot of time trying to figure out who they are and how to make their new lives work until something else happened, so while the book wasn't exactly boring, there was a lot of internal dialogue. Wes and Cam's POVs were interesting but occasionally made me feel icky, like when Was was preying on young guys at the diner. Dorie's POV was interesting and occasionally sad (Not a bad thing).

Amazing details were provided in the book's descriptions, such as how Grampa was rotting in the cellar or how Cam killed Gus and what that involved. The author did amazing work with that.

#Murder #Fiction #Queer #Adult #arc #Jim Bartley #The Bliss House #Dark #A RARE MACHINE BOOK #2023 releases #netgalley #ashe reads stuff

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ashereadsstuff · 1 year

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'Tell Me What Really Happened' By Chelsea Sedoti

I received an ARC from Sourcebooks Fire through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Rating out of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date: April 4, 2023

Content Warnings: Gun Violence, Death, Racism, Toxic Friends, Murder

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SYNOPSIS:

There are stories about the woods around Salvation Creek, about the people who have gone missing. Now their friend is one of them. A riveting, fast-paced YA mystery told entirely through first person police interviews of four teens over the course of a few hours.

It was all her idea. They would get away from their parents and spend the weekend camping. Down by Salvation Creek, the five of them would make smores, steal kisses, share secrets.

But sometime around midnight, she vanished.

Now the four friends who came back are under suspicion―and they each have a very different story to tell about what happened in the woods.

The clock is ticking. What are they hiding? Who is lying? Dark truths must come to light if their friend is to be found...

Told entirely through first-person police interviews, this riveting mystery asks: what really happened that night?

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MY REVIEW:

This book was good, even though it was quite pretty predictable. But I believe that's how most young adult and murder mystery books go: either it's easy to predict or it's not, and there are a lot of plot holes. Each character had strengths and weaknesses well incorporated into the book and the plot. It was pretty entertaining and annoying (in a good way) at times, considering the characters personalities.

I only gave the book 4 stars because the ending felt a bit rushed. I would like to know how the culprit was charged and if they were let go or anything instead of them saying they would like a lawyer and the rest of the gang being let go. Other than that, it was a fun read. I would recommend this to someone who wants to get into YA thrillers based on murder mysteries, but not to someone who is well into the genre and looking for more recommendations.

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ashereadsstuff · 1 year

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Book blogs would you please reblog so that I can follow you; I need more book blogs in my life. ❤️

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ashereadsstuff · 1 year

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'Ander & Santi Were Here' By: Jonny Garza Villa

I received an ARC from Wednesday Books through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Rating out of 5:⭐⭐⭐.5

Release Date: April 25, 2023

Content Warnings: Racism, Deportation, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Sexual Content, Violence, Trafficking

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SYNOPSIS:

Finding home. Falling in love. Fighting to belong.

The Santos Vista neighborhood of San Antonio, Texas, is all Ander Lopez has ever known. The smell of pan dulce. The mixture of Spanish and English filling the streets. And, especially their job at their family's taquería. It's the place that has inspired Ander as a muralist, and, as they get ready to leave for art school, it's all of these things that give them hesitancy. That give them the thought, are they ready to leave it all behind?

To keep Ander from becoming complacent during their gap year, their family "fires" them so they can transition from restaurant life to focusing on their murals and prepare for college. That is, until they meet Santiago Garcia, the hot new waiter. Falling for each other becomes as natural as breathing. Through Santi's eyes, Ander starts to understand who they are and want to be as an artist, and Ander becomes Santi's first steps toward making Santos Vista and the United States feel like home.

Until ICE agents come for Santi, and Ander realizes how fragile that sense of home is. How love can only hold on so long when the whole world is against them. And when, eventually, the world starts to win.

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MY REVIEW:

I received an electronic ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was...Something

Even though the book was a little slow for my taste and I have a short attention span (take that as you will), I did like the book, and the amount of diversity was fucking great and made every character fun and interesting to read about. But there were times where the dialogue annoyed me or sounded like something a person wouldn’t say in real life; it was sometimes written like how an alien thinks 20-ish-year-old humans talk. There were also many pop culture references that were amusing at first but quickly became annoying and cringey. I thought that the Spanish incorporated into the book was nice, but there is no translation for the Spanish. It would be nice to include the translations in footnotes or in parentheses. As someone who is bilingual, I understand that sometimes English can not really emphasize the urgency of some words and phrases, and being a minority is very important for the characters and the plot, but people still need to understand what the characters are saying. Given the subject matter of this book, some of the conflicts seemed to be resolved far too quickly. And this book definitely didn’t feel like a YA book considering how many times it references sex and that the main characters are literally adults as well.

At first, I thought everyone should read this book because of the political and cultural topics that are being discussed and challenged, but my view changed dramatically after chapter 40. It’s incredibly slow. I somehow finished the book, but it took me a long time to get there because I had to take breaks. To give you an idea of how long it took, I started this book on January 25th, and this book is only 336 pages. Normally I finish books like that within 1-2 weeks, depending on my personal life. But I do like the ending; I saw it as very fitting considering the trajectory of the book.

I would not read this book again, and I would only recommend it to people who like cheesy, romantic movies. I don’t even know if I like the book.

#netgalley #book reviews #advanced reader copy #2023 releases #YA #young adult #lgbtq #fiction #queer fiction #Contemporary #nonbinary #wednesday books #romance #lgbtq romance #Jonny Garza Villa #Ander & Santi Were Here #ashe reads stuff

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ashereadsstuff · 1 year

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'Unexpecting' by Jen Bailey

I received a ARC from Wednesday Books on NetGalley in exchange for a honest review

Rating out of 5:⭐⭐

Release Date: August 22, 2023

Content Warnings: Teen Pregnancy, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent

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SYNOPSIS:

Juno meets Heartstopper in this poignant and emotional story about found family, what it means to be a parent, and falling in love.

Benjamin Morrison is about to start junior year of high school and while his family is challenging, he is pretty content with his life, with his two best friends, and being a part of the robotics club. Until an experiment at science camp has completely unexpected consequences.

He is going to be a father. Something his mother was not expecting after he came out as gay and she certainly wasn’t expecting that he would want to raise the baby as a single father. But together they come up with a plan to prepare Ben for fatherhood and fight for his rights.

The weight of Ben’s decision presses down on him. He’s always tired, his grades fall, and tension rises between his mom and stepfather. He’s letting down his friends in the robotics club whose future hinges on his expertise. If it wasn’t for his renewed friendship (and maybe more) with a boy from his past, he wouldn’t be able to face the daily ridicule at school or the crumbling relationship with his best friends.

With every new challenge, every new sacrifice he has to make, Ben questions his choice. He’s lived with a void in his heart where a father’s presence should have been, and the fear of putting his own child through that keeps him clinging to his decision. When the baby might be in danger, Ben’s faced with a heart wrenching realization: sometimes being a parent means making the hard choices even if they are the choices you don't want to make...

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MY REVIEW:

This book is sometimes annoying because of how much it relies on characters having miscommunications. The book also felt a bit boring. I had a very hard time trying to finish this book. It has absolutely nothing to do with Heartstopper. It’s also a bad marketing tactic to say that your product is the combination of two different things. Source: I’m a current college student double-majoring in business. Your product should be an original; comparing it to two other similar products raises or defines the expectations of the consumer and puts unnecessary pressure on the producer. It sets the book up for failure. (Because the consumer assumes that they are going to get the same feelings they got from the comparison products.) Ben isn’t trying to understand the people around him and why they are upset. and everyone else around him does the same. No one puts themselves in other people's shoes. The problems in the book felt superficial and weren’t developed well, which affected the characters' personalities. So the character development wasn’t all there.

#netgalley #book reviews #advanced reader copy #2023 releases #YA #young adult #contemporary #LGBT #fiction #Queer #wednesday books #lgbtq romance #unexpecting #Jen Bailey #ashe reads stuff

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ashereadsstuff · 1 year

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It's that typical post most blogs have that says stuff like "About Me."

A random, opinionated reader who believes others would be interested in their thoughts. You can find me on Goodreads, AO3, and the Storygraph if you care about some of the things I read and want to read. But I spend most of my time on Goodreads and The Storygraph. I also read almost anything, so feel free to recommend something in the "ask me" area. I also read ARCs (Advanced Readers Copy) on here, and I'll make a post specifying if I am reading an arc. Posts I make here will be published on Goodreads and The Storygraph.

I also like fanfiction and book binding, so when I make a typeset, I'll post about it and find a way to share it on here. Of course, all the type sets are free, and if I see anyone commissioning and charging for them, they will be taken down immediately.

AO3

Goodreads

The Storygraph

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Recently Finished: Cursebreakers By: Madeleine Nakamura

Currently Reading: In The Lives of Puppets By: TJKlune

Up Next: Providence By: Craig Willse

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#the storygraph #AO3 #goodreads #books and reading #bookbinding #fanfiction #typesets #books recommendations #book reviews #ARC #netgalley #booksirens

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