I'll Look So Hot in a Coffin by Carla Sosenko

May 11, 2025

I'll Look So Hot in a Coffin by Carla Sosenko

This is the best book title I've seen in a while. Born with a rare health condition, Sosenko was a pretty face attached to what she considered to be a grotesque body. I was horrified at the insensitive things people did (like reaching out to touch the hump on her back) and the ugly things they said, particularly men. I am glad the author realized that she is just fine exactly how she is and absolutely entitled to live her life how she wants. Sensitive readers should be aware of subjects that may be triggers, including mental illness, wanting to die, physical disability, abusive relationships, and stupid insensitive people (who are unfortunately ubiquitous). Will appeal to readers who enjoyed Jennette McCurdy's memoir I'm Glad My Mom is Dead.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki

December 22, 2021

The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki

Following the death of his father, Benny Oh begins to hear voices. Not just any voices - he hears items like a shoe, vegetables, furniture, and Christmas decorations speaking to him. His depressed mother develops hoarding tendencies, which doesn't help Benny's situation. He finds solace in the quiet of a large public library, where the books speak to him but in an orderly fashion, and he meets a variety of street people who also take refuge there. 

Although I liked the story and it held my attention, it's very difficult to categorize or describe. The narrator is a book that tells Benny's story. As a librarian at a public library for 30 years, I recognized many of the characters that Benny encounters at his public library. Libraries are safe havens for many people who otherwise don't fit in or have nowhere else to go. Books and libraries can save us by finding a way out of our own heads - I have always known this. It's also about how we fill our emptiness. Some people fill their emptiness with alcohol or drugs or excitement; others lean toward books, art, and objects.

I really like the author's previous book, A Tale for the Time Being. Ozeki tends to write in an experimental style. While this isn't for everyone, readers of literary fiction will find a lot to think about.

When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald

 December 18, 2020

When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald

Zelda is a young adult who is on the spectrum and diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome. She lives with her brother Gert. Zelda is obsessed with Vikings to the point of dressing like a Viking and carrying a sword. Her goal is to live a legendary life based on Viking values. When she learns that Gert has resorted to some illegal activities and questionable companions to support them, she determines that it is up to her to save Gert and herself.

This one wasn't for me. I had a problem getting into this book since it was hard to relate to the characters. There are a lot of positive reviews but I found Zelda to be a difficult narrator. When narrators are on the spectrum, I always wonder how accurately the author is portraying them. The author addresses a number of controversial topics including a long section on how Zelda wants to have sex with her boyfriend who is also on the spectrum, and how developmentally delayed young adults still have the same desires and needs as other young adults. I do love the cover art.