September Reading Wrap-up and Reviews | 2020

TL;DR

In this video, the content creator reviews four books: "Small Spaces" by Katherine Arden, "The Book of Phoenix" by Nnedi Okorafor, "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander, and "Earthlings" by Sayaka Murata.

Transcript

hi guys so i am here today to do my september reading wrap-up where i review for you all the books i read in september but to be perfectly honest i have been in a bit of a slump so i haven't really finished that many books i mean to be honest like i'm quite content if i finish one book in a month like i don't have any like grand expectations of mys... Read More

Key Insights

• 😱 Middle-grade horror books like "Small Spaces" can provide a great escape during a reading slump and are enjoyable for both children and adults.
• 🕶️ Nnedi Okorafor's "The Book of Phoenix" delves into dark and disturbing themes, including racism, capitalism, and the treatment of human beings in a futuristic setting.
• 🙂 "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander sheds light on the racial disparities and injustices within the American prison system, discussing issues such as racial profiling and the loss of rights for incarcerated individuals.

Questions & Answers

Q: What makes "Small Spaces" by Katherine Arden a great read for the Halloween season?

"Small Spaces" delivers a creepy atmosphere that can even give adults a jump scare. It doesn't dumb down the fright factor for its child audience and is an enjoyable and absorbing read.

Q: How does "The Book of Phoenix" by Nnedi Okorafor explore racism and social issues?

The book delves into racism within the context of a futuristic world where African-descended individuals are predominantly targeted for experimentation. It also addresses capitalism, science, and abusive systems.

Q: What are the key themes discussed in "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander?

"The New Jim Crow" explores the racial injustices within the American prison system, including racial profiling, the loss of voting rights for incarcerated individuals, and the exclusion of black citizens from fully participating in society.

Q: What sets "Earthlings" by Sayaka Murata apart from "Convenience Store Women"?

While both books explore themes of nonconformity and social expectations, "Earthlings" takes a much darker and more intense approach, dealing with topics such as pedophilia, sexual violence, and familial abuse.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The content creator experienced a reading slump in September and only managed to finish four books.

• "Small Spaces" by Katherine Arden is a middle-grade horror book with a great balance of creepiness and fun, perfect for the Halloween season.

• "The Book of Phoenix" by Nnedi Okorafor is a dark and gritty sci-fi book that explores racism, capitalism, and the treatment of human beings in a futuristic setting.

• "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander is a powerful nonfiction book that examines the racial disparities and injustices in the American prison system.