Tessa

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this.

This is a book that I might never had heard of nor picked up if it wasn’t for the exposure from NetGalley. And it would have been such a shame if I had missed this book. Having only read one book so far (Giovanni’s Room) and only having known bits and pieces of Baldwin’s life this was such a treasure trove of information.

Maybe, if you are already very familiar with Baldwin, this won’t be as eye-opening as it was for me.

That doesn’t mean, however, that this book isn’t worth a read.

So many different people in this book comment on Baldwin and what he meant and still means to them. Both in a context of the past and the present. What most of the stories have in common is that Baldwin (either in person or through his works) found them at a younger age; at a library, café or through someone they care about and has never left them.

James Arthur Baldwin (or King James as he was referred to in one of the stories) has left a huge legacy behind for many more generations to be inspired by and this collection proves it.

A Small Apocalypse - Laura Chow Reeve 3,5*

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this.

This collection got off on a rough start for me. Thankfully it didn’t stay that way. Most of the stories focus race, grief, gender, sexuality, mental health, friendship and family relationships. Overall I am happy I read this, but wouldn’t feel inclined to read it again.

Milked Snakes: 2*

Milked Snakes follows a woman who is transforming into a reptile. This story didnt make a lot of sense to me. Having such a strange thing happen to you and just staying calm, acting like it’s as mundane as going grocery shopping or doing laundry... It is nice that it is a story about finding your people, but it was too vague for me.

Rebecca: 3*

This story is about Grace who takes a plane and finally meets her online boyfriend for the first time. But he is not really the reason she came there. I liked this story more and Reeve’s writing is enjoyable. Yet this story also felt unfinished. There are hints as to what it’s about, but then the next page shows a new story.

One-Thousand-Year-Old-Ghosts: 4,5*

For the third story in this book we follow Katie who is a second generation immigrant. Her grandmother has taught her the art of physically botteling up her negative memories to forget them.

’I clogged every drain in the house to create space to put myself away.’

This was a very creative story. I love a complicated family dynamic and an emphasis on the importance of memory.

The lay-out and structure of this text was also well thought out.

Real Bodies: 4,5*

Next we follow a Chinese-American woman who lives in an America that forces people to go on constant dates. Forcing the entire population to only embrace straight and white relationships and keeping track of all to ensure that they do.

This haunting story is not far removed from our reality and shows readers that allowing people to be free in who they are will always be the most important.

’Beauty is just enough white to soften the rough edges.’

Suwannee: 4*

Suwannee focusses on queer friendship and the solid bonds that groups of people can form. Two characters from an earlier story appear in this one, creating a timeline throughout some of the stories. There is a romance storyline as well, though the focus is on friendship with it-s strentghs and weaknesses.

Hunted: 3*

This one was very short. All I have to say is that it is the epitome of self love.

Happiest: 3*

Family and grief take focus in this story. The dynamics between the family members are clear and it feels like something that could have actually happened. I would have loved a longer version of this.

A Small Apocalypse: 4*

Grief, growing pains and your place in the world are all themes in this short story. It has a clear character and is enjoyable to read.

Paper Wasps: 4*

Lily, who has something along the lines of OCD, keep disappearing into her obsessions. It is a good representation of the ebbs and flows of depression.

Beloved Flamingo Stoned to Death: 3*

Lou works at a zoo and feels a kinship with one of the flamingoes who ends up as described in the title. It focusses on grief and has an interesting point of view.

Upstairs: 3*

This story reminds me of the start of ‘Beau Is Afraid’, which is a movie I hated. Though it is always interesting when a character doesn’t know what is and isn’t real.

Three-card Spread: 4,5*

I really liked this one. It’s main focus was family dynamics (parents and children) and how we are influences by them, whether we want it or not.

Migratory Patterns: 4*

In my opinion, the collection should have ended with this story creating a full circle moment. I liked that we got to follow some of the same characters throughout the book and this way we got some closure on them.

A Packing List for the End of the World: 3*

This is interesting after having read The Road. However, it is very short and feels like it doesn’t really a point and quite random at the end of the collection.

3.75Overall this was an entertaining short story collection. But short stories aren't my thing, that's why I didn't love it.Midnights: 3
Kindred Spirits: 3Winter Songs for Summer: 4
The Snow Ball: 2.75If the Fates Allow: (Skipped bc I don't want to read about covid)The Prince and the Troll: 2.75
Mixed Messages: 3Snow for Christmas: 5 (Snowbaz for life)
In Waiting: 4.5* (really interesting concept)

Cue that Lady Gaga gif
This book is perfection and is worth every percentage of the hype. It now belongs in my list of all time favorites and will make me happy every time I think of it. 10/10

Reread (14/08/22 - 08/09/22)
I still think this book is amazing even two years later. I could still remember so much of it (which barely happens) and it has and will stay with me for such a long time. While the ending could be seen as slightly too optimistic I don't think that takes away that this could happen in real life, to a certain degree of course.
It's such a joy to read and I have underlined the hell out of it, also using 179 tabs to mark the best parts.
I hope everyone reads this book!

I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. Based on what it says on the back I thought it was going to a book about a space romance featuring loss. But this book went in all different directions, I even thought it was scary at some points. The plot twists were amazing and I did not see most of them coming. The ending was everything I wanted. I was afraid that the book would end up a different way for a bit but thankfully it ended the way it did. I am now scarred for life, I will never go to space.