Books I'm Into

This was a good book, just turns out I have little actual interest in the subject matter. But if you're into books about storms, meteorology and history, check this one out.

A really good look into how you can be homeless, and stay homeless, even while working hard and doing all the right things. And how even if you manage to bounce back, one single problem can immediately send you back onto the streets. A tough but important read.

4.25. This is an adorably drawn graphic novel that hits on very hard topics. It's based on true events, while still containing a good amount of fiction; a lot of people will be able to relate to this. I enjoyed this and will recommend it.

4.5 A must read. This isn't a history book, it doesn't go into the politics, it's the diary of a 21 year old Palestinian journalist during the ongoing genocide. Plestia is just like many of us - she had a tumblr account, she likes Zayn Malik, she doomscrolls on her phone, and that's what makes this even more important. A regular young person who should be enjoying life, but because of the "crime" of being born in Palestine, she must live through and witness a terrible genocide. Definitely pick this book up.

Three boys setting off to make it on their own in 1930's USA, feeling like burdens to their starving families. Train hopping, death, starvation and illnesses drag the boys down and make it a tough but good read. This is a short book, worth an afternoon of reading.

This book made me mad. Going zero tolerance on kids to shove them in profit prisons is horrific. It's just power play by adults who hate kids, messing them up for life. I'm glad that there are some good adults out there who will fight for children, even if the fight is hard.

This was a decent autobiography, though it was slightly frustrating as parts of it weren't in order (ie: the author would talk about being 9, then 6 then 15, then 7, as if she's just thinking of things to write about and not putting them in the proper order). It surprisingly wasn't very heavy on the religion/preaching until nearer to the end. A decent novel about a family around the turn of the 20th century.

I love a good historical novel, and this contains some magical realism, too. It gives some cool information, and photographs, of the suffragette movement, and a lot of discussion and themes around the book Dracula which is a great bonus.

This was my third time reading, and first time I really hated this. Two teenagers have just lost their best friend, and email back and forth as one is in Aotearoa, the other in the USA. This book is filled with homophobic and racist slurs, and though that's on purpose for the characters to learn and grow, it was very difficult to read. It was VERY progressive for 1990's Aotearoa, but there's no reason for me to read this in the current day.

I enjoyed this - it was a great story on not passing judgement; allowing yourself to learn someones story and treating them fairly. Some serious topics are addressed in this book that I felt were handled well.

I'll be thinking about this one for a long time, as well as buying myself a physical copy. Wonderful story, though if you're to check this out, make sure you're able to handle a serious depiction of severe mental illness.

Currently reading: Soldiers and Kings by Jason de Leon.

Currently reading: The Hounding by Xenobe Purvis.