Leo > Recent Status Updates

I don't understand the choice to make Princess and The Pit the first piece in the collection. Though I enjoyed the careful imagery and positive descriptions of Black hairstyles, the story itself didn't flow well and the ending felt deeply strange. The rest of the pieces are okay, but I think I'd just prefer to be in a mosh pit over reading about one (personal bias)

DNF...
I don't think Ling Ma is a bad writer by any means!! I just don't think the surreal aspect of her stories is for me. I might retry her work later. Maybe I'll see what the buzz around Severance is about ^_^

Thank you Billy-Ray Belcourt. Thank you for existing.

Belcourt is early into his career but I'm CERTAIN he has the potential to be a big name! His writing feels so personal, as if his characters' thoughts are your own. I also enjoy the stories he chooses to write in third person. I don't think I have all the words to describe how much I love this book so far- my nerd review is going to be a lengthy one

This is just my brainless poolside read.

two stories down! I don't love Ling Ma's writing style, the random scene changes with the surrealist element make the stories hard to follow. I'm only 2/8 stories in and I don't doubt her writing, so perhaps my opinion will change.

The second story, "Lived Experience" was absolutely phenomenal. Belcourt's writing is beautiful yet easy to follow, and I enjoy the perspective shifts from story to story as a way to characterize the MC

I am buddy reading Giovanni's Room with a friend. Unfortunately our pages are out of sync so I have to wait for him to catch up (he's on 58...). David is such a pitiful character, but I MUST know what he did to Giovanni. Ofc it's given right away that Giovanni gets executed BUT IT WAS NOT GIVEN THAT DAVID HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT?? And now I must suffer and wait for my friend to catch up :(

I feel like I am marching through a desert when reading this book! MY GAWD is it boring as all hell. The dry humor isn't even funny it's just annoying. Also I CAN'T STAND Ivan!! What actual human being carries themself that way? Constantly making sex innuendoes with a 19 y/o (he's like 24+??), HAVING A WHOLE GIRLFRIEND, and randomly getting upset when Selin doesn't reach out first?? AND NOW HES BALD WHY IS HE BALD!?