Heartstopper: Volume Four by Alice Oseman

Rating:

5 Stars

Themes:

Graphic Novel, LGBTQ+, Mental Health

Thoughts:

I can see how well Oseman handles difficult and complex topics and I’m glad she put a disclaimer on the content page. The book handles eating problems and developing anorexia with such a sensitive approach while still emphasising that there is help and support out there. It was nice to see a little about the friend groups families/backgrounds with one struggling with all their family and one not being safe to leave the country to see extended family. I think it was a good idea to leave it for a few books as those figuring it out and reading this are already likely thinking the worst of their families reactions but it should still be addressed as not every family is welcoming or safe. I also really liked that we’re seeing a little more of the other relationships now both within the friendship group and the teachers as it shows a wider range of relationships and is all soo cute. I’m gutted reading the end/acknowledgements that the next is the last one available, but am buzzing at the news that there’s a new one being released afterall.

Favourite Quote:

"I know I’m not an expert or anything, but from what I’ve learnt over the past few months, mental illnesses take a long time to go away completely … if they ever do.

This is probably only the start of a long journey."

Comments

Mint and Murder by Carly Winter

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Shame-Sex Attraction by Lucas Wilson

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, LGBTQ+ Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is definitely a difficult read and it took me quite a while to get through it for that very reason. It is split up into 17 different peoples experiences with a foreword and afterword. It’s definitely an important read for many as these practices are still legal in many countries, including my own, and without knowledge of the damage of the practices many may not join in the protests or sign the petitions to try to get laws in place. As a member of the community myself I found some of these stories such as the ‘Sniffing the Gay Away’ and ‘Convert’ especially difficult to read and reminded me just how lucky I was to have such a supportive and loving community around me. I appreciated that the afterword highlighted the limitations of the collection such as having little to no religious, geographical or racial diversity but that they did try to ga...

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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