KJK Reads

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Short Story Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a really short story and I’m unsure exactly how I feel about it. There are three cups, not just the black one, and the cups themselves are described in exact detail so I could imagine them in front of me. The impact of drinking them was extremely detailed too. However, the psychological descent we were promised felt a little forced to me, as Saul seemed to derail from 0 to 100 in an instant and I was quite looking forward to the unravelling more than the details on the setting and props. Favourite Quote: “A man can adapt himself to almost any suffering, provided he believes it might eventually end. Remove that belief, and suffering acquires roots.”

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Memoir Thoughts: I’ve never read a memoir formatted quite like this before with each paragraph being titled with and in response to some form of quote said to or about Alabanza. I found it extremely enlightening as Alabanza discusses not only his gender identity but also his sexuality and race and the way in which they intersect which I hadn’t seen in the last gender identity memoir I’d read. It was interesting to see him acknowledge both the prejudice and discrimination his race caused while still acknowledging the privilege he has being lighter skinned compared to those gender non-conforming darker skinned peers he has. I liked that the book addresses both the joys of his identity and community as well as the negatives and traumas that can come alongside it which shows the recurring theme with the burger attack mentioned in the prologue. Overall, this is a seriously enlightening book that everyone should read to learn about gender non-conforming people, especi...

Rating:  5 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, LGBTQ+, Own Voices Thoughts: This is a really interesting collection of stories that shows the diversity in being trans, there are stories of happiness and hope alongside the harsh reality that can be faced socially or medically transitioning. I really enjoyed the insight into another part of the LGBTQ+ community from a broad lens as I don’t have these experiences but love learning more so I can better understand (although it is NOT the job of minorities to educate us, own voices resources like this are so important). I would have liked to have seen a little more on intersectionality as race and disability also impact the way different trans people are treated differently but I get that it’s competition winners so JKP couldn’t control who entered/won and published what they had to hand. This one is really worth a read, it's quick but really enlightening.  Favourite Quote: “We are everywhere and yes, we are changing the fabric of society, b...

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, LGBTQ+ Thoughts: This may be one of my favourite LGBTQ+ history books so far. It collates so much of our history from pre-Christian persecution and the reasons that homophobic attitudes spread (which is often ignored) all the way up to the year before publication (2019). I loved seeing Anne Lister mentioned as she is quite a historical institution who was nearly erased due to her family, and seeing her be able to be reclaimed is great as she never hid who she was. I liked that there was 3 whole chapters before the beginning of pride as it gave us quite a lot of our own history with pride being the middle of the chapters. I also liked the ‘Why I Have Pride’ at the end of each chapter as it brings a modern conversation in too which is great for young people who are still questioning their own identity. I also loved the touch of rainbow edges with each chapter being a different colour as it’s something I’ve not seen done before and is a great touch. I ...

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Memoir, Non-Fiction, Classics Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was an interesting tale of Baldwin's life. I did feel like it was jumping about a bit but the fragmented history did add more to the story as we met people and events when they fit together rather than chronologically, like the suit just after he got successful to show the difference in how he was treated by family and close friends rather than when it actually happened when it wouldn’t have as much of an impact. It did feel a little weird hearing Baldwin discussing the attitudes to Arabs in Europe with how he was used to being treated himself in America but he conveys it like he shares in the oppressive views. Overall, it’s a powerful read and a great choice if you’re interested in the other works of James Baldwin for context. Favourite Quote: “It was strange to find oneself, in another language, in another country, listening to...

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction Thoughts: I was quite conflicted with this book. On the one hand, Armitage does a great job of simplifying psychological concepts for the general public and it is great that the problem of devices in parenting is being addressed. However, I did feel like she was repeating herself, especially with highlighting things in the introduction, then in the age specific topic and then again in the case study. While I know repetition can be key to learning, it started to lose my interest when I was reading the same thing again and again. I did like the stopping the negative cycle and creating your own device management plan at the end as it gives parents and readers hope but it should be addressed that sometimes mental illness and neurodivergence is biological and/or inherited so not everything can be fixed by taking screens away. Favourite Quote: “Education surrounding how devices and social media impact our psychological health extends to anyone who is unfam...

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Self-Help Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book is a gentle an easy introduction to the self-help genre and positive psychology as a general. There is an inclusive tone for the most part but in some parts it not only forgets the presence of disabled people but can be unintentionally harmful like the way in which health is handled. This is especially difficult as those who are newly disabled are likely to turn to self-help books or therapy to help them adapt and reading that “health is a gift and a responsibility" may do the opposite and make them feel worse. I did like the key takeaways at the end of each letter to recap the important parts as it can be used when flipping back for a quick refresher. The create your own A-Z at the end was a great touch as I’ve never seen something like that in an A-Z before.  Favourite Quote: “The essence of it all is that we are first and foremost, human be...