Hi there, my name is Robin and thank you for checking out my channel. I am a queer bookish channel who is just looking to share some amazing books with the world. If that interests you then sick around!
I adored Mooncakes, and have added Hell Followed With Us to my wishlist! Have you read Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell? I finished it at the weekend and think it might be right up your street. Easily one of my stand-outs for the year (so far xD)
it's kind of weird how to be she either has to be a feminist or queer, and she is textually a feminist. but wouldn't it make equal sense for a lot of her belief in feminism to exist alongside her queerness ? they aren't two different things, they (especially in that time) would probably inform each other.
Completely agree! Making the video came from the fact that I read her as a queer character and googling if anyone felt the same and getting more results being “no she’s just a feminist” - definitely agree that both coincide with each other but I wanted to add my perspective on her character and why I think she wasn’t just a feminist :)
@@sapphicreadingcorner ooh yeah definitely!! i should've been clearer; i meant people saying she couldn't be queer cos she's explicitly written to be a feminist (as based on Alcott) when feminism and the sapphic identity overlapped so much, both in the past and now. me personally, i've always read her as aromantic and/or asexual. especially in the 2019 movie. that marriage proposal was brutal.
I'm currently reading Evenings and Weekends and wholeheartedly agree with what you were saying. I found it a little confusing to begin with with all these different charactes but as I've read more they all have their own distinct personalities and feel like real characters.
This month I subscribed to the Verso Books book club and they have got a free ebook of essays about Palestine which was a very eye opening and emotional read that I want to follow up with The Hundred Years War on Palestine. Apart from that I thought L'Espirit de L'Escalier by Catherynne M. Valente was an amazing retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice that flips the story on its head with some vivid 'person who comes back wrong' imagery. I also finished Vanity Fair this year which i adored and I'm currently reading through all of the Sherlock Holmes canon which is a joy.
You have such a great way to talk about books - I really enjoyed your review. And I think the same about the book. I really loved the concept and the beginning, but was so bored by the last chapters.
Totally agree with you. This was a hot mess, way too long and all over the place really unfortunately. The potential would have been there, in theory a nice plot but I just don’t think it was well written. I had to force myself to finish it 😅 Thanks for the review :)
I love your enthusiasm!! I literally just finished reading this and its instantly as favourite for me as well. Like I will definitely be hyperfixating for the next week or so. I cant wait to read Private Rites.
I’m surprised that as a queer reviewer you didn’t discuss what I considered to be an immensely interesting commentary on gendered romance and performance. Rika’s role as “Prince” to Reiko’s (and former classmates). How fatness is perceived as a failure of womanhood but Rika’s thinness is masculinized in the eyes of both men and women. Reiko’s admittance that she wishes for Rika to be a man so they could escape the roles set out for them. I feel the undercurrents of this book are immensely queer. The interpersonal plot is resolved with a found family and Rika realigning her priorities away from what had been set out for her. I feel to consider this a thriller with some feminist 101 added is to ignore the characters and their personal journey entirely. Also this it nitpicky but we do know how much Kaji weighs - 70 kilos. I only remember bc it hurt my feelings. Anyways hope you have a nice day. I don’t usually comment and I realize it’s rude to put something long and critical as the first. Feel free to delete. If I’m shouting into the void that’s okay. Your review makes sense and if you tend to read shorter stuff then I get if the pacing felt off. I on the other hand felt elation as it continuously unfolded exploring its themes from different perspectives through the narrator (and to a slightly lesser extent Reiko and a much less extent Shinoi’s) development.
It’s good to be corrected and hear different opinions- I do agree that Reiko has queer undertones - if not queer herself. The book shows that glimps of her childhood and her relationship with her long term boyfriend is distant. I would also say her sudden all consuming thoughts about Kaji seem queer (but also am aware that this is just through her actions and character too) Although seeing Reiko realign her perspectives and having a chosen family was a perfect finish to the book it just felt a little too late for me. I enjoyed many of the stories themes - but it did flag for me. I found when she was going to Kaji’s home town slow and I think those themes would have shined through again in less pages. I also put blame on myself for not going into to this more in the video as I think my expectations where way off and I was expecting more of a thriller novel. And thank you for correcting me on the weight - I only remember Reiko talking in depth about how much she has gained/weighed. Before writing the video I usually do research through other reviews with different opinions. And people who loved this book said there is no “point” of this book, it’s just watching characters grow and understand that they can live different lives not within the patriarchy - and I got the message but in the end I just didn’t enjoy that journey because of the pacing.
Thank you!! Imma throw a few recs in here as well if thats cool... witch boy by Molly Knox Ostertag. My absolute favorite, Stars in Their Eyes by Jessica Walton! Its a super cute romance between a nonbinary character and a girl with a prostetic leg, set at a con!! So fun!!
also and i dont want to bother you but i love consuming black romances but i really want to get into black gay romances or at least interracial gay romances do you have any recommendations thanks 👍🏽
I have a couple - anything by Akwaeke Emezi I’ve read bitter and pet those are really good. Clap when you land, real life, anything by Kalynn Bayron loved the poison heart books! Faebound, D’vaughn and kris plan a wedding! I’ve really enjoyed these ones!
Happy holidays Robin, great video as always. I had the same thoughts about Sistersong it sounds right up my alley, I'm sad you didn't get on with it, but I know friends who thought it was great so I'm gonna keep it on my tbr and see what I think. I've also got On a Sunbeam waiting on my shelf so it's nice to know that's good one to read
Thank you so much! Hopefully Sistersong works out for you, I know a lot of people in my book club absolutely loved it too! Hope you have a lovely holiday season!
Ugh I really need to read the book! Fun fact about me I always love sharing is that The Haunting of Hill House 2018 show is actually what helped me choose my new name when I started my transition which is Eleanor! Wonderful video and discussion, I am so excited to read the book soon! ❤️
I've had orders from Dryad before - their packaging is top notch. Side note: I recently read Tell Me I'm Worthless based on your previous rec... I'm not entirely sure what to think. Definitely don't think I can give it a rating but would say it's pushing the boundaries of the horror genre (in a good way). A must-read for horror fans. Glad I read it
I so connect with your review of this book. It's something to do with the loss of what we thought was reality... and then reality is shown to be so much larger and weirder than we thought?? but no less deserving of love?? I don't know, I am reeling from the beauty of this book and I am going to get salt slow based on your recommendation thank you <3
I've read Wives and found it really intriguing; wasn't what I expected. I've currently got Dowry of Blood on loan from the library so looking forward to getting round to that for spooky season. All of these sound so good - if you had to recommend just one, with no specific requirements, which one would you pick?
The one that really stands out for me in this list is Tell me I’m worthless! Although I don’t usually suggest it to most because of the list of trigger warnings but it’s the one horror book that changed my whole look on the genre.
I think the puppy scene you referenced was meant to communicate that he would never act to do the right thing no matter what opportunity he was given. That scene I think should be considered alongside him plotting to kill the scavengers which demonstrated just how capable he is when doing evil and supporting the status quo. I also think the separate references to him euthanizing his own dogs was meant to foreshadow the ending. He even brought Jasmine on pseudo dates to the same place he brought the dogs. To him she was an animal he cared about but would ultimately set aside for convenience.
Quick question: Did you know the book that would come? I wanted to buy a box but I wasn't sure if it was every box was different or if it's the same for all
I didn’t know which book it would be, with it being old stock you might get the same box or completely different one I think. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful!
I finished Tomorrow recently and I didn't really feel blown away by it. I missed whatever everyone else has got hype from. But I have got an urge to play The Oregon Trail again 😆 I started listening to Invisible Women a while back and it was so shocking to realise how women are overlooked.
