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megansoetaert's reviews
413 reviews
How Iceland Changed the World: The Big History of a Small Island by Egill Bjarnason
informative
slow-paced
3.25
a very informative look at Iceland’s history and how the country has influenced the world. i just returned from a trip to Iceland and this book complemented everything I learned from the people who call Iceland home! i enjoyed learning more about the country, its people, and its history.
Bjarnason’s humor is a great addition throughout each chapter, but it’s still pretty dry. i think readers who would enjoy this book most are history buffs who plan to visit/have visited Iceland--it's very based in fact, and not every section of every chapter is as engaging. i do think this would work well on audio!
Bjarnason’s humor is a great addition throughout each chapter, but it’s still pretty dry. i think readers who would enjoy this book most are history buffs who plan to visit/have visited Iceland--it's very based in fact, and not every section of every chapter is as engaging. i do think this would work well on audio!
Behind You Is the Sea by Susan Muaddi Darraj
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I could’ve read whole books about these characters. The stories flow together in a way that doesn’t even make them feel like short stories, showing the interconnectedness of Palestinian American communities. Each story highlights the diversity of Palestinian experiences in the US, while still showing the similarities characters face.
This was very well done, and i can’t wait to read Darraj’s other books.
This was very well done, and i can’t wait to read Darraj’s other books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, and Domestic abuse
Voices of the Lost by Hoda Barakat
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A book comprised of different letters, written by various people to their loved ones, seeking some semblance of forgiveness or ability to return home. I cared for the last “voice of the lost” the most, the gay man writing to his father. all of the letters, though, show the darker sides of being human, and the worlds in which we’re raised.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
The Rest of You by Maame Blue
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Maame Blue’s second novel, The Rest of You, is an endearing and emotional story about Whitney, a 30 year old Londoner trying to find herself as an adult and understand the childhood she left behind in Ghana.
Throughout a very difficult year, Whitney tries to process death, a past abusive relationship, her family, her childhood, and maintaining friendships. I was so endeared to her, I wanted her to have all the tenderness and healing she needed.
There are also chapters throughout the book from the point of view of Whitney’s aunts in Ghana in the 90s that help us understand her family and childhood. I ate those up—I wanted to know more about Aretha in particular!!
Blue brings humor and love into every chapter, making a tough story lighter. There are some places that jump over big emotional events, to go back and process them later—it was a little jarring at first, but I think made sense in the context of how humans process our trauma and grief.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Throughout a very difficult year, Whitney tries to process death, a past abusive relationship, her family, her childhood, and maintaining friendships. I was so endeared to her, I wanted her to have all the tenderness and healing she needed.
There are also chapters throughout the book from the point of view of Whitney’s aunts in Ghana in the 90s that help us understand her family and childhood. I ate those up—I wanted to know more about Aretha in particular!!
Blue brings humor and love into every chapter, making a tough story lighter. There are some places that jump over big emotional events, to go back and process them later—it was a little jarring at first, but I think made sense in the context of how humans process our trauma and grief.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Murder, Death, and Domestic abuse
Unsettled: Cambodian Refugees in the New York City Hyperghetto by Eric Tang
informative
slow-paced
4.25
A very informative look into refugee status in the US, the “hyperghetto” as created in US cities, and Cambodian/Khmer experiences as refugees from the 1970s til today.
Dr. Tang incorporated the story of Ra, a Cambodian woman resettled as a refugee in the Bronx, to help tell the story of the injustices Cambodian refugees faced in the US refugee system and the US as a whole. This fusion of memoir & academic analysis worked very well for this book, and as a former student of Dr. Tang’s, i loved getting to learn from him again.
Dr. Tang incorporated the story of Ra, a Cambodian woman resettled as a refugee in the Bronx, to help tell the story of the injustices Cambodian refugees faced in the US refugee system and the US as a whole. This fusion of memoir & academic analysis worked very well for this book, and as a former student of Dr. Tang’s, i loved getting to learn from him again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Thunder Song by Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
A moving reflection on indigineity, growing up Coast Salish, queerness, and relationships (to family, self, and nature). I loved getting to hear the author narrate her own story in the audiobook 🫶🏼
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
This is a well-done historical fiction novel exploring the lives of two girls/women, Homa and Ellie, over the course of their lives in Iran and, later, the US. I loved their friendship and how their lives intersect again and again over time. Readers get to see their growth against the backdrop & because of a changing Iran in the 50s-70s.
I wish we had more chapters from Homa’s POV earlier on. Also, some of the later chapters felt rushed or misplaced. I think the best developed sections of the book were when Homa & Ellie were teenagers/young adults—it combines their personal fights, activism & politics, and their country very well.
Overall, I love seeing more historical fiction that’s not about WWII/Europe! This is a great read and tells the story of young 20th century women in Iran beautifully.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for a free copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
I wish we had more chapters from Homa’s POV earlier on. Also, some of the later chapters felt rushed or misplaced. I think the best developed sections of the book were when Homa & Ellie were teenagers/young adults—it combines their personal fights, activism & politics, and their country very well.
Overall, I love seeing more historical fiction that’s not about WWII/Europe! This is a great read and tells the story of young 20th century women in Iran beautifully.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for a free copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Rape
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Queenie 😭😭😭 This book stressed me out!!! All I can say is i’m glad there is growth & reflection happening by the end of the book. thank god for therapy & family.
Even though Queenie was a complete mess, she still felt endearing. I was rooting for her even though I was cringing the whole way through! Alsoooo, almost everyone around her was awful and not making her life easier. I think this’ll be great as a show, i’m excited for the tv series’ release!
Even though Queenie was a complete mess, she still felt endearing. I was rooting for her even though I was cringing the whole way through! Alsoooo, almost everyone around her was awful and not making her life easier. I think this’ll be great as a show, i’m excited for the tv series’ release!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Sexual violence
I'm a Fool to Want You: Stories by Camila Sosa Villada
emotional
fast-paced
4.75
I loooove Camila Sosa Villada’s writing. She finds such unique ways to tell age old stories and experiences, especially those of trans women, and everything she writes hits me so deeply.
I normally don’t enjoy short story collections, but this is beautiful and graphic and flowed together very well. My favorite stories were I’m a Fool to Want You and The Beard. Sosa Villada’s writing and Maude’s translation bring the stories to life so well. I can’t wait for this to be published.
Thank you to Other Press and Camila Sosa Villada for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
I normally don’t enjoy short story collections, but this is beautiful and graphic and flowed together very well. My favorite stories were I’m a Fool to Want You and The Beard. Sosa Villada’s writing and Maude’s translation bring the stories to life so well. I can’t wait for this to be published.
Thank you to Other Press and Camila Sosa Villada for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Sexual violence
Ma and Me by Putsata Reang
emotional
medium-paced
5.0
Ma and Me is an incredibly thoughtful and emotional memoir. The emotions that Reang has for herself, her life, and her mother can be felt so vividly. At once a memoir for herself and her mother, this book connects the lines of both of their lives to portray love, grief, misunderstanding, desires, culture, and trauma. It's so well-written and reflective--you can tell that Reang has deeply thought about everything in her and her mother's lives in a way that not all memoirs portray. I also loved learning about Khmer culture and history, especially from the care of Reang and her family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Violence