Bite Size Reviews: Week of 6/6

Hello fellow readers! It’s the end of another week, so it’s once again time for my weekly reading wrap up.  For the week of 6/6, I feel like I did a lot more reading. Which might have been helped along with some reviews I had previously agreed to. Also, I got my first auto-approve from a publisher on NetGalley this week, which was pretty cool! But now I’ve also got to catch up on some NetGalley reviews. Soon! There are a few I’m really excited to read.

I’ve been trying to really focus on just reading LGBTQ books this month, outside of the books I’ve had to review. It’s been going well so far! I’ve got a stack by my bed that I’ve been working through. There are some good ones in that pile!

Check out previous week’s reviews for 2020: 3/21, 3/28, 4/4, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30

Bite Size Reviews: Week of 6/6

The Legendary Shiver by J.H. MacAl (6/6)

I wrote a full review of this week, so I’ll keep this short and sweet. The Legendary Shiver follows Ruby as she becomes a famous singer and the consequences that can follow. It was definitely a character study, and the plot keeps you on your toes. MacAl does an excellent job pulling you into the story, using characters that are fully developed and easy to relate to (4 stars).

Saga V. 5 by Brian K. Vaughan (6/6)

This volume is where things really start to go downhill and just get downright sad. It’s been so long since I read these volumes that there’s a lot that I forgot happened. I’m definitely enjoying re-reading these because I’ve always enjoyed Vaughan’s writing and Staples’ art is gorgeous. Honestly, I want them to write a new series. Or they can come back and continue this one. I wouldn’t be mad (5 stars).

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi (6/9)

Everyone knows that there are no more monsters in Lucille. At least, that’s what Jam has grown up knowing. So when a creature named Pet comes out of one her mother’s paintings to hunt a monster, she’s unsure of what to think. Especially when that monster is in her best friend’s house. This book received a lot of critical acclaim last year and for good reason. There’s so much to unpack here and Emezi’s world closely mirrors ours. Definitely worth the wait (5 stars).

Belladonna by Anbara Salam (6/9)

This was another book that I received on NetGalley that I wrote a full review on this week, too. Belladonna is about two best friends who go to a prestigious art history school in Italy, where they both learn a lot about each other. It was a bit out of my wheelhouse, but definitely a good character study. The plot, however, was a bit too slow moving (3.5 stars).

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Bendi (6/10)

This is a remix of the book Stamped by Ibram X. Bendi, a National Book Award winner and chronicle of the history of racism in the United States. I listened to the audiobook because Jason Reynolds reads the audiobook and I love his narrating voice. He brings this book to life and it gets right to the point. Reynolds and Kendi work together effortlessly to make this book relatable to children, though it would be great for adults as well. Definitely recommend 100% (5 stars).

Civil War: Amazing Spider-Man by Michael J. Straczynski (6/10)

Continuing my read of the Civil War event from Marvel, I was so excited to get this one for obvious reasons. It might also be my favorite volume so far. We get to see Peter’s journey while the Registration Act gets passed in Congress. His emotions and his struggle feel so real, especially as he tries to protect MJ and Aunt May. And that ending! Seriously, what an ending (4 stars).

The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta (6/11)

Told in verse, this is Michael’s story of growing up mixed race and gay in England, trying to figure out his identity and how to come out. There’s so much emotion in this book, emotions that a lot of teens will be able to relate to as well. While some verse novels seem forced, this book didn’t seem that way at all. There were a lot of lines that packed a punch, and Michael fully embodies the Black Flamingo by the end of the book (5 stars).

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson (6/12)

A series of personal essays from George M. Johnson, who is a known journalist and LGBTQ+ activist. I listened to this audiobook as well, which was read by the author. Johnson introduces the book by saying he wrote this for the teens that have questions but don’t want to ask. There are topics in this book that aren’t talked about a lot in young adult books but are important conversations to have. Honestly, I’m not sure why this book isn’t showing up more online. It’s fantastic (5 stars).