Hope by Pope Francis
Read as part of CBR17 bingo: white cover Will preface this by saying I know a lot of people have suffered religious trauma, especially at the hands of the Catholic Church. This review is not meant to convert or convince you that your pain is not real. I also know that faith is not for everyone. This is not meant to be an evangelizing post. Despite my frustrations with the Roman Catholic Church, I had always been a fan of Pope Francis. I believed he […]
Willi Ninja: Vogue Legend by Joy Michael Ellison
When I need a quick read I head to my piles of reader copies. Sometimes I need to go to my online links and sometimes I have physical copies. This time it was an online reader copy for Willi Ninja: Vogue Legend by Joy Michael Ellison and illustrator Nabi H. Ali. Due mid-May 2026 you’ll be just in time to learn about Willi Ninja and become inspired to dance like him in the hot summer nights. Yes, Mr. Ninja (not his real name) was […]
Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native American Voices by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale
I will start with a slightly controversial statement with my review of Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native American Voices edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale: The stories, poetry, essays, photographs and more, are familiar events and journeys that have relatable elements for almost anyone who has ever been an outsider. Regardless of if you are a minority, I think most people can relate to the prejudices, the destruction of history and faith, and taking the lands of people. And some of the themes […]
Nina Simone's Gum by Ellis, Warren
Bingo Row 2 – Purple (There were three names on the cover of Nina Simone’s Gum that attracted me to the book. I put a disambiguation at the end of this review if that’s helpful.) One day, a five-ish year old Warren Ellis woke up to see his yard was full of clowns making burgers. His father acts like raccoons got in the yard again and grumbles about dealing with them when it’s time to hang the laundry. This is nonfiction. Nina Simone’s Gum, by […]
Gwyneth: The Biography (2025) by Amy Odell
This is for bingo square ‘favourite’, partly because celebrity memoir/biography is one of my favourite genres, but also because Gwyneth Paltrow has, in one way or another, been the favourite her whole life–favoured of fate and fortune via her parents, acclaimed actress Blythe Danner and producer Bruce Paltrow, cynosure of critics, muse for Calvin Klein and Anna Wintour, tabloid and arty celebrity scene It Girl, Academy darling for her Oscar win at 26 for Shakespeare in Love (1998)—and more chillingly, for a while, as journalist […]
Kimiko Does Cancer: A Graphic Memoir by Kimiko Tobimatsu
While not a perfect read, Kimiko Does Cancer: A Graphic Memoir has several good reflections of what is happening to the author and has strong relatability. You might not have had cancer (or a serious illness) but you can relate to her struggles and journey. I found myself realizing I have thought/felt some of the things she talks about with my own health issues, as much of what she says and does is universal. It really isn’t about cancer, that is just the starting point […]
