Author: Kit

Categories
Blog Fiction

Big Girl

by Mecca Jamilah Sullivan, book 51 of 2022

Cover of the book Big Girl, bright teal background with large gold block lettering with purple accents. Images of Harlem's street scape in the letters.

The heart of this book is Malaya, a funny and resilient young girl growing up in Harlem in the 1990’s. While the book covers hip hop, race, gentrification, and Malaya’s sexual awakening, the vast majority is about Malaya’s relationships with her parents, grandmother, friends and most of all food. This book was moving and wonderfully descriptive, but extremely stress inducing for me.

Warning, if you have any kind of eating, dietary, or body image issues, this book could be very triggering. I found myself disturbed by the way Malaya’s mother and grandmother talked about food, their bodies, and women’s bodies in general, though nothing surprised me considering the way society scrutinizes women’s appearance and choices. I will say the writing was great and the end was very moving and hopeful but it was a real challenge to enjoy the ride.

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC!

Content Warnings: Emotional abuse, Body shaming, Addiction, Death of a family member, Statutory Rape

Categories
Blog Fiction

The Puppeteer’s Daughters

by Heather Newton, Book 50 of 2022

This is a story of 3 half sisters coming to terms with the declining health of their father and their differing relationships with him after discovering an unexpected addendum to his will. This book has a mild element of magical realism that I just loved. The characters were well developed and easy to become invested in. I’m not a huge fan of family dramas but I’m glad I requested this one and I’d recommend it to those who generally enjoy them.

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC!

Recommended for: those looking for family drama with a touch of magical realism. 
Content Warnings: Family Drama, Body shaming, Addiction

Categories
Blog Fiction Social Justice

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy

by Becky Chambers, Book 45 of 2022

Cover of the book A Prayer for the Crown-Shy featuring abstract forest scene with orange sky, green hills, white trees, and tea cart traveling down a winding road through it.

A lovely continuation of the story started in “A Psalm for the Wild-Built”. The only thing that’s gotten me through the last few weeks has been my undying love for Mosscap, the sentient robot and his quest to learn about humans and their needs. Would absolutely recommend it to anyone eager for a vision of a better world in these trying times.

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC!

Categories
Blog Nonfiction

Ways of Being

by James Bridle, Book 44 of 2022

Cover of book "Ways of Being" - abstract colorful art suggesting a landscape.

The perfect book for someone who wants to look at the world through a different lens. Exploring intelligence through Bridle’s curious eyes was a joy.

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC!

Recommended for: anyone looking for new ways of thinking and living

Categories
Blog Nonfiction

Bitch: On the Female of the Species

By Lucy Cooke, book 35 of 2022

I found this book unexpectedly delightful. Definitely one of the most engaging nonfiction works I’ve listened to this year. Cooke’s narration was excellent and I was surprised to find myself laughing out loud while learning. Would recommend this to anyone interested in animals, gender and sexual issues, or just science in general. 

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC!

Categories
Blog Fiction

Cult Classic

by Sloane Crosley, Book 29 of 2022

I have so many feelings about this book.The story centers on Lola, an engaged woman in New York City who can’t seem to stop encountering her ex-boyfriends. I felt like the story took a little more time than I would have liked to heat up but once it did I could not stop reading. It was unexpected, suspenseful, and often laugh out loud funny. Plus extra bonus points for having one of my favorite covers of the year so far.

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC!

Categories
Uncategorized

The Bodyguard

by Katherine Center, book 28 of 2022

This book is sweet, laugh out loud funny, and a great lower stakes read! I loved that it featured a gender swapped version of the bodyguard trope. It had enough substance, humor, and character development to keep me from wanting to hit the pause button. Felt like, once again, this was written to be adapted into a screenplay and missed some opportunities to be the best book it could be. I’ve felt this way about several books I’ve read lately and I am starting to wonder if this is a “me problem”. That being said, it would make an A+ PG-13 Rom Com and I would definitely watch it. 

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC!

Content Warnings: Cancer, Death of a family member, Domestic Violence  
Categories: Fiction, Romance (not spicy)

Categories
Blog Fiction

The Immortal King Rao

by Vauhini Vara, book 27 of 2022

I really enjoyed the premise of this book and won’t spoil it by sharing more than the book’s description already has. I’d consider it less science fiction and more dystopia or unconventional family saga. It includes all the thought-provoking and depressing social commentary I usually enjoy with interesting historical references and context. While I enjoyed the premise and writing of this book, I did find myself annoyed by the pacing. Lately I’ve read several books that felt more like the author was trying to write something that could be easily adapted as a mini series for tv instead of writing for the actual audience, the people reading the book. 

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC.

Categories: Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Content Warnings: Death, Climate Change, Rape, Sexual content, Murder

Categories
Blog Fiction

Nettle & Bone

by T. Kingfisher, book 21 of 2022

My take, this is a charming and fun fantasy novel for low stakes enjoyment and dark humor. The main character, Marra, is a wonderfully relatable princess on a quest to save her sister and family. I won’t give away the details but this book was worth the read just for the secondary characters, a lovely bunch of misfits. Kingfisher mixes worldbuilding similar to Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman and characters similar to those in the House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, yet still creates something that feels special. Would absolutely recommend it. 

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC.

Categories: Fiction, Fantasy 
Content Warnings: Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Death of a Child, Cannibalism

Categories
Uncategorized

Wired for Love

A Neuroscientist’s Journey Through Romance, Loss, and the Essence of Human Connection

written by Stephanie Cacioppo, book 18 of 2022

Warning: There is a strong potential that this book will make you cry. Dr. Stephanie Cacioppo describes both her scientific and romantic evolution in a way that makes it impossible not to become invested. Cacioppo enriches descriptions of the neurological components of love with personal anecdotes. If you are curious about biology and a romantic this is the book for you! Though not my favorite science book, or my favorite memoir both components were very well done.

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ALC.

Content Warnings: Illness, Death, Grief