Hannah

John Green's “curiosity megaphone” offers a story that completely shifted my perspective and understanding of the historical complexities of TB. It also put words to the connected injustices related to our healthcare system and the product of living in an oligarchy (where there's an abundance of knowledge & resources to cure TB).

Abulhawa's rich character development and style of writing always makes me want more, in the best way possible. This is a story of female camaraderie through very real collective & interpersonal traumas - rooted in sumud and offering reflections of hope.

Brilliant

Thoughtful, intellectual, and comprehensive history to contextualize the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.

Amb offered the wisdom and framework that I was yearning for in this current time and place. Reminding and teaching about staying in accountability, transforming ourselves, attuning widely, and speaking pointedly

Food for thought I've been craving! It's heavy yet imaginative and grounded in a liberated reality. O'Brien and Abdelhadi brilliantly capture the “what ifs” when reclaiming systems for us all. Centering the idea of communizing resources, spaces, and systems - I found myself wondering and weeping about the possibilities this version of world building offers. What would it be like to not assume what's best for others (even children), to live in symbiosis with one another and our natural environments, care for ourselves through relationships and localized “systems”, harnessing creativity when not bogged down by working for others/corporate greed to simply have basic needs met....

“Turns out, so much of what we thought was supporting us was holding us back”. (Pg. 152)

Vulnerable, clear, and loaded with valuable insights about healing. As a therapist centering mentalization, it was special to experience the audio of sessions. Love begets love!

Complex and brilliant as is usual for Octavia Butler. While considered science fiction, the reality she grounds her readers in around the complications of religion, technology, power, government, radicalization, violence, etc. - all the while illustrating depth and dimension to her characters- created a story worthy of reading again and again.

Tears of joy and sorrow from Suleika's brave and intelligent narrative. A gift of a story

A beautiful piece by Brené that weaves personal stories, research, her other books, and much more. I'll come back to the book to better understand my experiences through emotions and those I work with many times. A gift!

Resonating articulation of the complexities, irony, morbidities, hopefulness - full range of being human

Nuanced but rooted in the full spectrum of life and human ways. Looking back, the ending twists all make sense!

A page turner. A crafty intentional use of the unreliable narrator that kept me searching for clues from beginning to end. Highly recommend the audiobook with Emma Robert.

Concrete/practical TJ strategies, resources, and frameworks for understanding and responding to harm. Real stories of healing outside of our current systems. A must read for any survivor or those providing care to survivors.

Interesting plot, idealistic ending

A timeless novel

Great use of satire! Hard for my short attention to follow at times via the audiobook

Ashley writes in such a vivid & resonating way that you almost forget it's a thriller...

The concept of Doppelgängers and mirrors/parallels drawn were both fascinating and validating as a framework. Dense in some parts but intellectually rich & deeply introspective. Loved the undertones of identity exploration in this politically fractured moment.