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Alpha. Abidjan to Gare du Nord by Bessora, Barroux

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Graphic Novel Thoughts: I’m just getting into graphic novels for human nature types of stories and with the polarity of politics around the world this one felt important to pick up. It is equal parts enlightening and heartbreaking, looking at not only Alpha’s journey but also that of those he befriends along the way. I liked that all of them were travelling for different reasons as it emphasises all the reasons for migration and helps provoke empathy to more than just those like Alpha fleeing to find his family. I especially liked that the main character was a travelling single man, as was the first friend he made, explaining why they may be sent and why the travel is important to them and their families as I have heard people comment when single men land in my country without giving thought to the reasons why they may have been chosen. Although I’m sure that those who would benefit most from the message in this book are those who are least likely to actually pi...
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Wasted by L.A. Weatherly

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Young Adult, Psychological Fiction Thoughts: This is so impactful for such a short book. I instantly felt for Jake, he is such a strong and resilient young boy. Seeing what young people on the streets go through is really saddening but something we all should know more about. I really liked the ending, as it gives any children reading this with similar life experiences like Jake’s some hope. Favourite Quote: “You should love your mum, but I don't know if I do. Sometimes I even think I hate her. But I still don't want anyone to hurt her. I know how she'd look if I turned her in. It makes me feel bad even thinking about it.”
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Trespasses by Louise Kennedy

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Psychological Fiction, Historical Fiction Thoughts:  This is such an interesting book about a period in UK history I aim to learn more about. There are quite a few interesting characters between the Laverly’s and the McGeown’s. I found Cushla to be a complex character as despite not agreeing with her behaviour regarding Michael but then felt a great softness and kindness in the way she went about the McGeown’s. The book covers a tragic chain of events covering a difficult period in history where events were often unpredictable and I myself didn’t see the ending of the events coming, although I did correctly predict who was in the Art gallery. Favourite Quote: “Booby trap. Incendiary device. Gelignite. Nitroglycerine. Petrol bomb. Rubber bullets. Saracen. Internment. The Special Powers Act. Vanguard. The vocabulary of a seven-year-old child now.”
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The Little Book of LGBTQ+ by Harriet Dyer

Rating:  5 Stars  Themes: Non-Fiction, LGBTQ+ Thoughts: This is a really great little book, it is concise but detailed with many different terms all across the community. I liked that it covered multiple terms that mean the same thing but are the correct term for different people like having lesbian and women loving women while addressing the ethnocentrism of the term lesbian and AFAB but also things such as CAFAB addressing the different people living on the trans spectrum. I also like the quick clarifications at the beginning like sex vs gender and romance vs sexuality to support the right thought processes before going through all the different attractions. Overall, it was a helpful book and I learnt some things about my own community I didn’t know before picking this up. Favourite Quote: “Identity is, after all, personal and not for anyone else to decide.”
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Thursday Night Tiki Lounge by Jennifer Newens

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Cookbook, Alcohol Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I saw this book after having Tiki drinks at a family meal not too long ago and thought this could be perfect for me to be able to make some at home too. It’s a great collection and there’s definitely some in here I can add to my repertoire. I liked the photos with each picture and found them appetising, making me want to try them more. I liked that the author put the tip after each drink where the ingredient is used (like homemade grenadine) instead of at the end so I don’t need to keep flipping back and forth and lose track of what I’m supposed to be doing. I also liked having the bit about rum and barware at the beginning so I can make sure I’m equipped before I start. Having an index makes short cutting to a specific drink easier in the future so I’ll be able to go back to it without searching.
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Binge Worthy Guide by Max McPherson

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I picked this up today since I was struggling to decide what to watch next and thought regardless of what types of shows are featured I’m sure there’d be something for me. I did find quite a few shows I’ve really enjoyed recently on the list and some very high so it gave me the confidence that the other shows I picked from here would also be right up my street. I appreciated that the author acknowledges how subjective it all is right from the off rather than making out like they have superior media taste. I liked that the author provided the average duration for the episodes in each series recommended since I like to have shows I can fit in at different times. I also liked having the original network being provided but it would be nice to know where it’s available now since I don’t have all the streaming networks but they sometimes cross such as Yellowston...
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Out of Alcatraz by Christopher Cantwell

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: True Crime, Graphic Novel  Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is an interesting story and the author takes quite an interesting theory to what happened after the men left Alcatraz island. I thought the graphics were great although I did struggle with the female character that was constantly referred to as black since it was integral to her storyline but aside from characters mentioning it, it wasn’t made obvious in the images themselves aside from one page right at the beginning that shows her mother if you pay close attention to the bank scene. I also liked the romantic angle with LGBTQ+ representation as a sweet touch to a dramatic and dangerous story and having it same sex allows for an exploration of the attitudes to them in the 1960s. Favourite Quote: “I mean, once you jump off Alcatraz island … where can you really go?”
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