Books Read in 2020: 6-10

889 words

7 minute read

6.

Genre: Science Fiction > Dystopia

Disability Representation: Yes (but it's hideous)

Rating: 0/4 (Never again)

Excerpt of GoodReads Summary:  Twelve-year-old Jonas lives in a seemingly ideal world. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver does he begin to understand the dark secrets behind this fragile community.

What I Thought:  I cannot with this book.  I'd never read it before and reading it for the first time now as an adult.  

As a twin, it traumatized me.  I don't say that lightly.  

I can't believe someone thought: "Hey, here's a great idea!  I'll write a book about killing all the weak and disabled and leave the responsibility for saving the whole community with a literal child."  And then?  People apparently read it?  And called it a 'classic?'  And had more literal children read it?  Hell.  NO.  TW: filicide.

7.

Genre: Children's > Picture Books

Disability Representation:  No, but still so good for disabled kids!

Rating: 4/4 Wheels (Perfect!)

Excerpt of GoodReads Summary:  Love isn’t just for the cute, the sweet, and the cuddly. Whether you’re awkward as a baby ostrich, prickly as a tiny hedgehog, or drool like a puppy pug, someone loves you no matter what! This new story from the team that created Next To You features an irresistible array of adorably stinky, grouchy, burpy, and warty animals to drive the point home.

What I Thought:  This was so sweet!  The most affirming and lovely book!  Every kid (and adult) can benefit from the message of unconditional love.

8.

Genre: Young Adult

Disability Representation:  HIV (not Own Voices - in terms of disability representation - as far as I know, but the author did have sensitivity readers and it showed!)

Rating: 3/4 Wheels (Really liked it!)

Excerpt of GoodReads Summary:  Simone Garcia-Hampton is starting over at a new school, and this time things will be different. She's making real friends, making a name for herself as student director of Rent, and making a play for Miles, the guy who makes her melt every time he walks into a room. The last thing she wants is for word to get out that she's HIV-positive, because last time . . . well, last time things got ugly.

What I Thought:  I really liked this book!  It was clear that the author had sensitivity readers and that definitely influenced the trajectory of the story in a good way.  

I'd heard from some that this book had "too much sex" so I was braced for that - as an asexual who often wonders how people can have it that much and why???  But on a serious note, this is the first book that clearly spelled out the reason for that, and I really appreciated it.  I felt like I learned something new.  (Not just about sex...come on now.)  OH!  THERE'S ALSO AN ACTUAL ASEXUAL CHARACTER IN THE BOOK, TOO!

Loved how fully articulated Simone was as a character.  I loved and related to her love of musicals (and RENT!  Yay!)

My single caveat was that Simone was in the position where she felt she had to educate ignorant people in the end, but I loved how she did it.  Great read.  Definitely recommend!

9.

Genre: Memoir

Disability Representation:  Trauma

Rating: 4/4 Wheels (Loved it!)

Excerpt of GoodReads Summary:  She was known to the world as Emily Doe when she stunned millions with a letter. Brock Turner had been sentenced to just six months in county jail after he was found sexually assaulting her on Stanford’s campus. Her victim impact statement was posted on BuzzFeed, where it instantly went viral–viewed by eleven million people within four days, it was translated globally and read on the floor of Congress; it inspired changes in California law and the recall of the judge in the case. Thousands wrote to say that she had given them the courage to share their own experiences of assault for the first time.

What I Thought:  I read this book for the first time last September and I've already reread it a second time this year.  I still love it just as much - if not more than the first time I read it.  I love how Chanel is just herself, unapologetic, authentic.  I cannot say enough about how much I love this book and recommend it so highly.

10.

Genre: Memoir

Disability Representation:  Trauma

Rating: 2/4 Wheels (Liked it)

Excerpt of GoodReads Summary:  Somewhere Inside is the electrifying, never-before-told story of Laura Ling’s capture by the North Koreans in March 2009, and the efforts of her sister, journalist Lisa Ling, to secure Laura’s release by former President Bill Clinton. This riveting true account of the first ever trial of an American citizen in North Korea’s highest court carries readers deep inside the world’s most secretive nation while it poignantly explores the powerful, inspiring bonds of sisterly love.

What I Thought:  I read this book for the first time in 2014 and had a very hard time understanding the politics and what was happening.  Rereading it now, I found myself grasping more of what was happening (due to the current political climate.)  I really loved reading Laura's perspective in particular and the glimpses of how trauma and silence impacted her.  Lisa's point of view was more difficult to relate to for me.

***

Don't forget to connect on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram