Being an Ally by Shakirah Bourne and Dana Alison Levy

Rating:

4 Stars

Themes:

Non-Fiction, LGBT, Trans, Disability, Black Lives Matter, Own Voices

Thoughts:

This is such a good guide to being an ally to many different types of marginalised groups. It introduces the issues of discrimination in a sensitive way and is very responsible in using own voices to explain these issues rather than having someone who doesn’t experience it risking becoming condescending.

Favourite Quote:

"The term ally has become a common way to talk about the responsibilities we have to shop up and support each other, and in particular for those with privilege to show up and support people and communities that are systematically oppressed. But not everyone thinks it's a great word. Some argue that too many people claim the label without doing the work. Others say it doesn't go far enough, and that allies might empathise with and support individuals, but they aren't doing the hard, sometimes dangerous work of breaking down oppressive systems. There are those who say we need accomplices, not alles, to really make change."

Comments

Vincent: A Graphic Biography by Simon Elliott

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Comic, Non-Fiction, Biography Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great little book on Vincent van Gogh. It is very detailed containing pieces of his life such as changing careers and failed love interests that are often not considered when we think of van Gogh, instead favouring his art and mental health. The illustrations were really well done and at times helped to bring levity to the story which isn’t often the happiest of lives.

The War of Sober by Edward Rand

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Addiction, Psychology Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great book not just for addicts trying to establish and maintain their sobriety but also psychologists, counsellors and the people working with them. It approaches the experience of addiction from the perspective of going to war and may help those who can’t get along with the 12 steps, contingency management or other forms of therapy traditionally used. It’s also helpful to have Edward detail his own experiences and approaches throughout so it feels less clinical and shows he does know what he’s talking about when he mentions the difficulties so it comes across less patronising than some self-help addiction books. Favourite Quote: "It doesn't matter what happened yesterday. Win or lose, if we are still alive, we must decide to be different today and then make the correct choices today, because friends, ...

Broken Glass by Sarah Kay

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Poetry Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This collection is mixed for me, some of the poems were really good and all were definitely emotive but I think so many poems on the Hamas attack and subsequent war which is highly politically charged a little difficult to tackle. Favourite Quote: "What good is it to open my heart when in the end, you will stab it in the back?"

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