Recent Reads Update: Quick Reviews

Finished Books

The Freaks Came Out to Write by Tricia Romano

What It's About: A novel that dives into the history behind the first alternative newsweekly(a publication that forgoes comprehensive coverage of the news in favor of stylized reporting, including opinionated columns and feature stories highlightin local culture), Romano chronicles the journey of the newspaper from its inception to its multiple rebirths to its current version. The novel is comprised entirely of interviews by people who have worked for the publication.

Thoughts: I like the structure of the book; placing the book in chronological order allows readers to contextualize the various topics discussed in the book, like the effect the AIDS epidemic had on gay writers and the rise of other pop culture papers. It was also really nice getting to hear a wide variety of voices, from all different kinds of cultural backgrounds; they seem to have barely anything in common, other than the shared experience of working for the same newspaper. Seeing this complex environment recreated through the interviewees' recountings drives home the idea that this paper was different from more common newspapers. Each writer was able to write about something they had a passion for, whether it was Off-Broadway or a wide range of political issues.

Overall Rating: 9.5/10

My only gripe about this book is it was hard to keep track of the wide range of staff writers, making it hard to follow at times, especially within chapters that discussed transfers of ownership. I found myself referring to the cast of characters at the beginning of the book, which would take me out of the plot. However, this book overall was very interesting and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to get into investigative reporting or becoming a reviewer.

Where To Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Indigo Bookstore

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Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

What It's About: A deeply emotional novel about the friendship between an intelligent octopus, Marcellus and an elderly janitor, Tova. Tova cleans the aquarium, where Marcellus lives, every night to cope with her husband's death and her son's disappearance; as the nights go by, Marcellus discovers what happened when Tova's son disappeared. Will Marcellus be able to reunite Tova with her son, before his time is up?

Thoughts: Without spoiling anything, this book is an emotional and hopeful read. It tells us to look in the places least expected, and shows the complexity of the bonding between humans and their animal companions. While Marcellus is far from a conventional pet, he embodies many of the traits we value, like the comfort of his familiarity and his innate understanding of human emotions. The budding relationship between Tova and Marcellus is one of hope and affection, making this book an intriguing mystery as readers wonder what happened to Tova's son, as well as a compelling story about the relationships between humans and animals, no matter what kind.

Overall Rating: 8/10

While I enjoyed this book, it's not quite my thing. If not for its colorful cover, I may not have picked up this book at all. However, I would still recommend it to lovers of unconventional mysteries and marine life.

Where To Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indigo Bookstore

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Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories From The Twenty-First Century edited by Alice Wong

What It's About: This is an important compilation that details the complexity of being someone with a disability. Each essay and story reflects the interaction between different parts of identity, from sexual orientation to their ethnicity. Every writer discusses how society views them and its contrast with how a truly accessible society would treat those with disabilities. From advocating for more accessible fashion lines that reflect intersectional identity, to calling for more attention on disabled art, this compilation tackles a variety of issues within the world of disability and disability justice.

Thoughts: This book was very eye-opening for me; as someone viewed as "physically able," or "normal," it was both heart-wrenching and disappointing to hear accounts of the abuse people with disabilities still face. These stories are not "clean" or "neat;" they are uncomfortable at times, but they are important. Each author challenges the notion of disability being the single-most important identifier of themselves, bringing in the different aspects, from sexual orientation to ethnicity, of their identity. Reading these excerpts has made me realize that within this marginalized group, a smaller-scale imitation of the larger social hierarchy occurs, where people of color and LGBTQ+ are still deemed lesser than.

Overall Rating: 10/10

I learned so much from this book that I would likely never have witnessed had I not picked up this book. From the struggles of finding clothes to carving out a space for disability performing arts, this book provides a perfect platform for dipping your feet into disability justice, or social justice in general. If you'd like to read more stories from the Disability Visibility Project, here is the website.

Where To Purchase: Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Indigo

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Currently Reading

The Humanity Archive by Jermaine Fowler

What It's About: "This sweeping survey of Black history shows how Black humnity has been erased and how its recovery can save the humanity of us all. Usine history as a foundation, The Humanity Archive uses storytelling techniques to make history come alive and uncover the truth behind America's whitewashed history. Challenging dominant perspectives, author Jermaine Fowler goes outside the textbooks to find recognizably human stories, connecting current issues with the heroic struggles of those who have come before us and bringing hidden history to light."

Thoughts So Far: I know, I know-it's taken me more than two months to read this book. That is by no means a reflection of the quality of this book; it contains valuable perspectives that I think everyone should be exposed to. The timing of my reading this book was just bad, as it coincided with discussion of Jim Crow laws in APUSH, leading to a kind of fatigue. However, this book is by no means boring, although it is dense; Fowler does an amazing job of storytelling and highlighting the often-overlooked achievements of African Americans throughout history, from Ida B. Wells-Barnett to Ottowa W. Gurley. So far, this book has revealed the continuities of racism, both implicit and institutional, that echo throughout the centuries. Newly-freed slaves would mask their names by using initials such as "O.W. Gurley," trying to mask their Black identity so as not to be shunned by the white majority. Unfortunately, that still holds true, especially in terms of jobs; a perceived "Black" name might jeopardize and applicant's chance of getting an interview, much less a job. I like the book so far, and I'm aiming to finish it by the end of November.

Where To Purchase: Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Indigo Bookstore

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Empire of the Summer Moon by S. C. Gwynne

What It's About: "Empire of the Summer Moon spans two astonishing stories. the first traces the rise and fall of the Comanches, the most powerful Indian tribe in American history. The second entails one of the most remarkable narratives ever to come out of the Old West: the epic saga of the pioneer woman Cynthia Ann Parker, who was kidnapped by Comanches as a nine-year-old girl, and her mixed-blood son Quanah, who became the last and greatest chief of the Comanches. ...Gwynne's exhilarating account delivers a sweeping narrative that encompasses Spanish colonialism, the Civil War, the destruction of the buffalo herds, the arrival of the railroads, and the amazing story of Cynthia Ann Parker and her son Quanah--a historical feast for anyone interested in how the United States came into being."

Thoughts So Far: I just started reading this book, and I am VERY intrigued. It would be so easy to make this novel inflammatory and racist towards Indigenous tribes, but Gwynne captures the power that can come with brutality and savagery. When you're watching others like you fall like wheat before a scythe, savagery becomes your only defense; it grants one a certain kind of power, being able to maintain your lifestyle in the face of adversity. Gwynne doesn't only look at one side of the tension; he examines both sides, pointing out flaws and hypocrises in both. I wanted to read this book because it's National Indigenous Heritage Month, and I wanted to read something that would honor a heritage that I know nothing about, yet is so closely linked to US history. This book has allowed me to do that, at least so far.

Where To Purchase: Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Indigo Bookstore

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Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think About Race and Identity by Michele Norris

What It's About: "Our Hidden Conversations is a unique collection of stories, richly reported essays, and photographs providing a window into America during a tumultuous era bookended by the presidencies of Barack Obama and Donald Trump. The beauty of this work is in its sweep and unvarnished candor. ...Many of the stories were submitted by white respondents and by people of ethnic groups often overlooked in conversations about race. This unexpected panorama of responses across race, class, religion, and geography provides a rare 360-degree view of how Americans see themselves and one another. Our Hidden Conversations offers an honest, if sometimes uncomfortable, conversation about race, permitting us to eavesdrop on deep-seated thoughts, private discussions, and long-submerged memories."

Thoughts So Far: This book is awe-inspiring, particularly in the courage it must have taken for these individuals to open up and send their deepest, potentially darkest, thought to someone who is practically a stranger. THe thing I appreciate most about this book is that even though it's a hand-picked collection of stories(Norris has collected them for 14+ years), everyone is included. And I mean that truly, not in the cliché, because, although I do not agree with some of the opinions and statements expressed in this book, all viewpoints are represented in this book. From those who think anti-racist means anti-White, to those who dream of a day when the census no longer includes a race box, this book seems very inclusive of all kinds of identity. Having looked at the website for The Race Card Project, I remain in awe of the impact this project has had on hundreds of thousands of people.

Where To Purchase: Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Indigo Bookstore