March Wrap-Up || 2019

TL;DR

Adriana shares her thoughts on various books she read in March, including stories about mental illness, friendship, self-acceptance, and romance.

Transcript

Bibliophiles of the internet, my name’s Adriana and today I’m here to bring you my March Wrap-Up. As many of you know, March is Women’s History month. So with only a couple of exceptions, I chose to read exclusively from female authors. I also read a lot more than I thought. So let’s just get into this. The first book I finished in March was “Lit... Read More

Key Insights

• 🙈 Fiction can be a powerful tool to debunk stereotypes and address misconceptions about mental illness, as seen in "Little & Lion" and "Starworld."
• 🙂 Stories like "Sadie" shed light on the normalization of violence against girls and highlight the urgency to address this issue.
• 👋 Representation and thoughtful portrayal of queer characters, adopted characters, disabilities, and mental illness in books like "Starworld" and "I Wish You All the Best" contribute to inclusive storytelling.
• 😫 The post-9/11 setting in "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" offers an opportunity to challenge xenophobia and promote understanding.
• 🤩 Self-acceptance and embracing imperfections are key themes explored in "I Wish You All the Best" and "Can't Escape Love."
• 💀 Poetry collections like "Bright Dead Things" have the power to evoke strong emotions and convey complex themes through descriptive language.
• 👻 Middle-grade fantasy books like "Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow" allow young readers to explore themes of power, responsibility, and diverse perspectives in a fantastical setting.

Questions & Answers

Q: What themes does "Little & Lion" by Brandy Colbert explore?

"Little & Lion" addresses mental illness, debunking stereotypes associated with bipolar disorder, and explores queer relationships and the complexities of familial dynamics.

Q: How does "Sadie" by Courtney Summers shed light on violence against girls?

"Sadie" exposes the normalization of violence against girls and gives voice to victims by following the story of a missing girl seeking revenge on her sister's killer, highlighting the urgency to address this ceaseless issue.

Q: What is the main message of "I Wish You All the Best" by Mason Deaver?

"I Wish You All the Best" focuses on acceptance, self-acceptance, and finding safe spaces where one's entire identity is seen and understood, encouraging the recognition of what is good and brings happiness.

Q: How does "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" challenge xenophobia?

"A Very Large Expanse of Sea" confronts xenophobia and Islamophobia by showcasing a romantic relationship between a Persian-American teenager and an all-American boy, challenging misconceptions and highlighting the importance of personal connections and understanding.

Q: What themes does "Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow" explore?

"Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow" explores power, responsibility, and the intersection of abilities and intentions in the context of magic, emphasizing the importance of using power for good and acknowledging diverse perspectives.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• "Little & Lion" by Brandy Colbert: A YA contemporary exploring mental illness and queer relationships, debunking myths and addressing the negative misconceptions associated with bipolar disorder.

• "Starworld" by Paula Garner and Audrey Coulthurst: A dual-perspective YA contemporary about two teenagers dealing with difficult family situations, offering representation for queer characters, adopted characters, and characters with disabilities and mental illness.

• "Sadie" by Courtney Summers: A gritty YA contemporary thriller about a missing girl seeking revenge, shedding light on the normalization of violence against girls and the importance of giving voice to victims.

• "Go For It, Nakamura!" by Syundei: A cute, queer slice-of-life manga about a socially awkward character navigating crushes, offering relatable moments and rejecting idealized depictions of queerness.

• "Educated" by Tara Westover: A memoir about Westover's unconventional upbringing and her journey to self-education, exploring the struggle to find oneself and differentiate personal experiences from teachings.

• "I Wish You All the Best" by Mason Deaver: A heartfelt YA novel about a non-binary teenager navigating rejection from their parents, finding acceptance, and learning to embrace imperfections.

• "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi: A YA contemporary romance set post-9/11, challenging xenophobia and emphasizing the importance of understanding and acceptance.

• "Bright Dead Things" by Ada Limón: A poetry collection exploring themes of feminism, identity, love, and loss through narrative and picturesque language.

• "Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow" by Jessica Townsend: A middle-grade fantasy about a young girl discovering her magical abilities and the responsibility that comes with power.

• "Can't Escape Love" by Alyssa Cole: A romance novella featuring a Black disabled woman who demands respect and equal partnership, emphasizing healthy communication and acknowledging diverse perspectives.