baancs's reviews
627 reviews

Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin

reflective fast-paced

4.0

[He] was an adult man and an elected public official, and my daughter was a dumb kid in love, and he ended up fine, and she’s a punch line.

Tackles misogyny, slut shaming, double standards… how men so often end up fine while women are forever branded with a scarlet letter. This was enjoyable to read but it didn’t feel as empowering as it could have been, probably due to its writing style/gimmick.

The Strength In Our Scars by Bianca Sparacino

inspiring

4.0

Sometimes, the greatest act of self-love is simply allowing yourself to be seen in all that you are.

A nice collection of poetry about moving on and learning to love yourself. I felt like some parts were just variations of each other, just told in different ways, that’s why I couldn’t give this 5 stars.

The Places I've Cried in Public by Holly Bourne

reflective medium-paced

3.5

They’re too scared that their gut is wrong and the boy is right. Because we trust boys. We trust them when they say they love us. We trust their instincts and their motives, and they’re never as silly as us, are they? They are logical and reasonable and don’t let feeble emotions get in the way of things. Who are you going to trust? The calm boy whose voice doesn’t wobble, who can explain reasonably, and using examples, why everything is fine – or the crying girl saying she can feel something is wrong?

To all the red flags you’ve loved (and suffered emotional abuse from) before

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

emotional informative sad medium-paced

4.0

I often fear tomorrow. What if I wake up and don’t know who my husband is? What if I don’t know where I am or recognize myself in the mirror? When will I no longer be me? Is the part of my brain that’s responsible for my unique ‘meness’ vulnerable to this disease? Or is my identity something that transcends neurons, proteins, and defective molecules of DNA? Is my soul and spirit immune to the ravages of Alzheimer’s? I believe it is.

That misery of slowly losing yourself… your knowledge, reputation, memories, and the things that make you you… // I also liked how informative this was regarding Alzheimer’s and its effects not only on the person but on everyone part of that person’s life. 

The author is actually a neuroscientist whose grandma had Alzheimer’s so I believe the descriptions and details about the disease portrayed in the book can be trusted. Who said a work of fiction can’t be both emotionally engaging and informative?

And the POV being on Alice herself… it’s like I was experiencing the disease myself and it was terrifyingly sad tbh. Not remembering the things that bring you joy, the things that you love… I never want to experience anything like that 😢

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

When he stops, I’m still here, and he’s still looking at me like he can’t believe I am, and I want to keep that look forever.

“Emilia,” he says, and when he does, it warms me to my soul. “Every day you save me.”

All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

4.0

... how do you ever know your own emotions are spontaneous and genuine, and not just a programmed set of responses?

A brilliant, fascinating, and wildly imaginative tale about the clash of magic and science set in a futuristic/apocalyptic world. This was such a weird book, but I loved it. Not for everyone though :) 

Love Poems by Pablo Neruda

emotional

4.0

Well, now,
if little by little you stop loving me
I shall stop loving you little by little.
 
If suddenly
you forget me
do not look for me,
for I shall already have forgotten you.
 
If you think it long and mad,
the wind of banners
that passes through my life,
and you decide
to leave me at the shore
of the heart where I have roots,
remember
that on that day,
at that hour,
I shall lift my arms
and my roots will set off
to seek another land. 

Prufrock and Other Observations by T.S. Eliot

4.0

We have lingered in the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown
Till human voices wake us, and we drown. 

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

adventurous funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced

5.0

“And what did you find?”
“I love myself. They make it so hard for us to love ourselves.” Taylor stared off into the dark. Her face gleamed with tears. Snot ran over her lips. “The judges won’t like that answer.”
“Nobody’s judging you.”
Taylor choked on a sob. “Always,” she whispered.

About beauty pageant contestants stuck on an island due to a plane crash, and how they help one another learn to love themselves for who they are, not what the world demands them to be. A hilarious feminist satire on beauty and consumerism. Awesome read! 

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

Ten little Indian boys went out to dine; One choked his little self and then there were nine.

Nine little Indian boys sat up very late; One overslept himself and then there were eight.

Eight little Indian boys travelling in Devon; One said he'd stay there and then there were seven.

Seven little Indian boys chopping up sticks; One chopped himself in halves and then there were six.

Six little Indian boys playing with a hive; A bumblebee stung one and then there were five.

Five little Indian boys going in for law; One got in Chancery and then there were four.

Four little Indian boys going out to sea; A red herring swallowed one and then there were three.

Three little Indian boys walking in the Zoo; A big bear hugged one and then there were two.

Two little Indian boys sitting in the sun; One got frizzled up and then there was one.

One little Indian boy left all alone; He went and hanged himself and then there were none.

Brilliant and compelling murder mystery!