grandma-coded

In truth, I am not the target audience for these books. The quirky, Stars Hollow feel of St Crispiens does not appeal to me, so I am bored when the story focuses on things like the scavenger hunt, or the pirate. I am also bored by the reprobates, so books that include more of them get a lower rating from me. I was annoyed almost to the point of DNF-ing the first book for the second time when Aunt Eugenia insisted that Emma italicize words in her head. I like Emma. I like Islington and Hawks, and I'm glad that most of the story has to do with them, or I wouldn't be interested in continuing. I have only gotten through the six books that I have because I spend so much time in the car, and the audiobook narrator is actually really good, which is extremely rare.

I recommend these books to people often because they are objectively good, there are just so many elements that make me roll my eyes.

if you are a man, we exclude you. we exclude you gladly, proudly, and because you are physically stronger than us, we exclude you under threat of weapons when necessary.

Religious trauma is real, and stories about it absolutely have a place. But I’d love to see more stories where a character realizes the harmful version of Christianity they were taught isn’t the same as Christ.

Give me characters who deconstruct abuse instead of faith.

Give me characters who discover a deeper, kinder, more compassionate Christianity.

Give me doctors, teachers, farmers, artists, scientists, and ordinary people who see their work as their vocation.

Give me faith rooted in love instead of fear.