These are the books I read in December 2021 with a rating reflecting my opinion on them. I am leaving books not available in English out for your convenience. At the bottom, I will be sharing some recommendations that fall under the category fiction, non-fiction, or non-fiction political. These recommendations are books I have not read myself, so proceed with caution as I cannot speak to their actual quality.
Read
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
I really liked the idea of this book as anything time travel related is absolutely my jam. The actual story however was a little underwhelming. I found the main romance a little stale, the sexy scenes trite, and the ending too fast paced. With a cast of characters this large many of them were very flat and basically serve their narrative purpose without having much dimension. I really liked the festive atmosphere and the timeloop elements, but overall this was a very mediocre read for me.
My Way by Jidi
!Review for the Gratis Comic Day 2020 edition!
While the art style was very beautiful I found the stories really unoriginal and the text font size hard to read. Pretty art but hollow storytelling.
Recommendations
Fiction
A Million Quiet Revolutions by Robin Gow
“For as long as they can remember, Aaron and Oliver have only ever had each other. In a small town with few queer teenagers, let alone young trans men, they’ve shared milestones like coming out as trans, buying the right binders–and falling for each other.
But just as their relationship has started to blossom, Aaron moves away. Feeling adrift, separated from the one person who understands them, they seek solace in digging deep into the annals of America’s past. When they discover the story of two Revolutionary War soldiers who they believe to have been trans man in love, they’re inspired to pay tribute to these soldiers by adopting their names–Aaron and Oliver. As they learn, they delve further into unwritten queer stories, and they discover the transformative power of reclaiming one’s place in history.”
The Whispering Road by Livi Michael
“In true Victorian fashion, award-winning author Michael pens a gripping, epic novel about a sister and brother whose mother leaves them at a workhouse in Manchester, England. For Joe and Annie, the choice is escape or die.”
Political
How the Other Half Eats: The Untold Story of Food and Inequality in America by Priya Fielding-Singh
“Inequality in America manifests in many ways, but perhaps nowhere more than in how we eat. From her years of field research, sociologist and ethnographer Priya Fielding-Singh brings us into the kitchens of dozens of families from varied educational, economic, and ethnoracial backgrounds to explore how—and why—we eat the way we do.”
The Power of Geography: Ten Maps That Reveal the Future of Our World by Tim Marshall
“In this revelatory new book, Marshall explores ten regions that are set to shape global politics in a new age of great-power rivalry: Australia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Greece, Turkey, the Sahel, Ethiopia, Spain and Space. Find out why Europe’s next refugee crisis is closer than it thinks as trouble brews in the Sahel; why the Middle East must look beyond oil and sand to secure its future; why the eastern Mediterranean is one of the most volatile flashpoints of the twenty-first century; and why the Earth’s atmosphere is set to become the world’s next battleground.”
Nonfiction
Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men by Lundy Bancroft
“Lundy Bancroft – a counselor who specializes in working with abusive men – uses his knowledge about how abusers think to help women recognize when they are being controlled or devalued, and to find ways to get free of an abusive relationship.
He says he loves you. So…why does he do that? You’ve asked yourself this question again and again. Now you have the chance to see inside the minds of angry and controlling men–and change your life.”
The Dawn of Everything: Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker
“Neuroscientist and sleep expert Matthew Walker provides a revolutionary exploration of sleep, examining how it affects every aspect of our physical and mental well-being. Charting the most cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs, and marshalling his decades of research and clinical practice, Walker explains how we can harness sleep to improve learning, mood and energy levels, regulate hormones, prevent cancer, Alzheimer’s and diabetes, slow the effects of aging, and increase longevity. He also provides actionable steps towards getting a better night’s sleep every night.”
The Congressional Report 