And,
Because you want to grow your TBR at a ridiculous rate too, right?
RIGHT?
Highly Illogical Behaviour by John Corey Whatley
I'd heard of this one a couple of times before DD week, and frankly I was more than a little skeptical about it. The premise involves an MC trying to "cure" another MC of his agoraphobia - which sounds like a recipe for harmful representation to me.
But, according to Gerri @ Coralling Books, it's actually a surprisingly good interpretation, and I'm just fascinated to see how the author manages to turn what looks like a toxic stereotype into ... well, not a toxic stereotype. Also, I know very little about agoraphobia, and this needs to change. Between this book and the next one, I'm hoping I might get at least a basic view of it from a couple of different angles.
(Nice segway there, Lara. Real subtle.)
I'd heard of this one a couple of times before DD week, and frankly I was more than a little skeptical about it. The premise involves an MC trying to "cure" another MC of his agoraphobia - which sounds like a recipe for harmful representation to me.
But, according to Gerri @ Coralling Books, it's actually a surprisingly good interpretation, and I'm just fascinated to see how the author manages to turn what looks like a toxic stereotype into ... well, not a toxic stereotype. Also, I know very little about agoraphobia, and this needs to change. Between this book and the next one, I'm hoping I might get at least a basic view of it from a couple of different angles.
(Nice segway there, Lara. Real subtle.)
Under Rose Tainted Skies by Louise Gornell
I've seen all kinds of rave reviews about this book over the last week, but I think the honour of convincing me to read it goes to Casey @ AdoptABookAus - apparently it involves a girl with agoraphobia and OCD who meets a guy? But his mere presence doesn't miraculously cure her?
Yes please and thank you. Count me in.
The really eye-opening mental health-related books I've read have been heartbreaking most of the time *cough* All The Bright Places *cough*, but that's because they told the truth, rather than wrapping up these issues in a blanket of "you'll-fall-in-love-and-it'll-all-be-okay". Whether or not I end up sobbing, it sounds like I'll have heard the truth from this book.
And that is kind of the point of Disability Diaries - to promote books that are honest about mental illness and disability and everything in between?
I've seen all kinds of rave reviews about this book over the last week, but I think the honour of convincing me to read it goes to Casey @ AdoptABookAus - apparently it involves a girl with agoraphobia and OCD who meets a guy? But his mere presence doesn't miraculously cure her?
Yes please and thank you. Count me in.
The really eye-opening mental health-related books I've read have been heartbreaking most of the time *cough* All The Bright Places *cough*, but that's because they told the truth, rather than wrapping up these issues in a blanket of "you'll-fall-in-love-and-it'll-all-be-okay". Whether or not I end up sobbing, it sounds like I'll have heard the truth from this book.
And that is kind of the point of Disability Diaries - to promote books that are honest about mental illness and disability and everything in between?
This one comes from my lovely fellow co-host Angel (the linked post is her DD TBR, so have a look if you're looking for even more recs), and GAH I AM SO EXCITED TO READ IT. After the hella controversial Me Before You, which I read and became pretty upset by last week, I'm desperate for a book with a paraplegic character that a) doesn't perpetrate harmful stereotypes about disability being a worse fate than death, b) doesn't make me bawl my eyes out, and c) doesn't use my concern about representation and emotional investment against each other to make me feel ridiculously conflicted.
According to Goodreads, it's a fun summery read. I'm hoping it wasn't lying - although we all know I cry at everything, so I'm not about to put away the tissues.
Just. In. Case.
The Memory Wall by Lev A.C. Rosen
Another of my co-hosts, Jolien (who, I'd just like to point out, is just as lovely) wrote an absolutely gorgeous piece on dementia last Monday. I've been pretty busy this week with everything that's been going on, so I only just got round to reading it, and wow did it make me think.
This is one of the books Jolien mentioned, and other than the fact that I now have a minor obsession with learning AS MUCH AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE about dementia through literature, the premise really caught my attention. It's about a young boy who escapes his mother's slow loss of memory by playing a fantasy video game ... except he's convinced that she's playing with him from her nursing home. And refuses to believe that she's got dementia in the first place.
It sounds amazing (although I'm guessing I'll need the tissues for this one too) and also cover love. I can't wait to get around to it.
According to Goodreads, it's a fun summery read. I'm hoping it wasn't lying - although we all know I cry at everything, so I'm not about to put away the tissues.
Just. In. Case.
The Memory Wall by Lev A.C. Rosen
Another of my co-hosts, Jolien (who, I'd just like to point out, is just as lovely) wrote an absolutely gorgeous piece on dementia last Monday. I've been pretty busy this week with everything that's been going on, so I only just got round to reading it, and wow did it make me think.
This is one of the books Jolien mentioned, and other than the fact that I now have a minor obsession with learning AS MUCH AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE about dementia through literature, the premise really caught my attention. It's about a young boy who escapes his mother's slow loss of memory by playing a fantasy video game ... except he's convinced that she's playing with him from her nursing home. And refuses to believe that she's got dementia in the first place.
It sounds amazing (although I'm guessing I'll need the tissues for this one too) and also cover love. I can't wait to get around to it.
***
In the comments: Has Disability Diaries added any books to your TBR? Which ones? What's exciting you about it?
Thank you so much, Lara! I can't wait to read The Memory Wall either. I sometimes still can't believe how little dementia is mentioned in books so I think I'm really going to try and look for books with dementia in it.
ReplyDeleteI really want to read The Season of You and Me too! The first time I read Me Before You, I didn't really think about its representation. The past months I have become more critical though, and I want to re-read it now and see how it'll change my mind. But I do want to read a book that actually has correct representation!
Aaah, TBR. Ever-growing. Never-ending.
You are very welcome. I absolutely loved your post, and it's really inspired me ... so thank you for that. I'll join your quest to find dementia-related books.
DeleteWhen I read Me Before You, I was super-conscious of the representation, and ... well, let's just say I was on my Kindle highlighting everything I found a bit problematic. And there were 46 highlights.
So I'm going to be super interested in what you think when you get around to a reread.
My TBR hasn't quite crushed me yet, so I consider myself lucky.
My TBR was dead already. Now it's zombie has been incinerated. My total TBR is 600+ books. There is no hope. It's too late for me ;)
ReplyDelete600+? Cee Arr, are you okay? I feel like I need to save you from this zombie TBR.
DeleteDON'T SAY IT'S TOO LATE! I'M COMING IN!