stitchsaddiction's reviews
1142 reviews

Am I Trans Enough by Alo Johnston is an incredible read and one that is a excellent resource for any transgender on non-binary person, people who are questioning their gender and those who are allies and family members. 

I've read it several times as a non-binary adult with trans teenagers as it helped both with my own gender issues and dysphoria as well as being a font of information for me as a parent. I believe that this is a book all transgender people of all ages should be in possession of as it's insightful and reassuring to know that you're not alone with any fears, questions etc etcetera.

It's wonderful to see more books like this out there and hope that Am I Trans Enough (the answer is always yes no matter how along your journey you're on) and others out there will help you when you're feeling uncertain and it's so good to see them being available after many of us have been struggling without support for so long.

365 Gays of the Year is a brilliant read which does exactly what it says on the tin.

Laney Lewis has compiled 365 LGBTQIA people or allies and provides us with a brief insight into the person alongside wonderful portraits from Charlotte MacMillan-Scott. I loved the diversity of people that were chosen from aromatic and asexual Alice Oseman the creator of the Heartstopper book series (and producer of the TV series), to the infamous artist Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564) whose sculpture David is famous throughout the world for its beauty. 

365 Gays of the Year is a wonderful read, and I was fascinated to learn more about some of the people featured. I didn't know much about Blair Imani for example and thanks to this well-written, informative and educational book. 

I'd like to think that this should be found in schools, and libraries around the world to help educate and show many people that they aren't alone. Perhaps through this; we could have more young people see they are allowed to be who they are, that it's more than acceptable to support their LGBTQIA friends and to stand proud regardless of their gender, or sexual orientation. There are so many members of the community who don't get the recognition they deserve or the life they were born to have... and I truly believe books like this truly help.

My only questionable entry in the wake of her behaviour to others, was Ellen DeGeneres; however, there is no denying her impact on LGBTQIA representation in the media especially as she showed herself and her character as a lesbian on a popular TV show at the time.

Thank you Lewis Laney and Charlotte MacMillan-Scott for giving us this beautiful book..  it was truly inspiring.

Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins by Claire Fayers is a wonderful read filled with a blend of education about various creatures from Welsh legend and Fayers's way of weaving them into stories that are as enticing to adults as they would to a younger reader (albeit they may find themselves looking around warily for a goblin or two to come get them.)

I've always loved myths and legends from around the world, and with Wales being within sight across the sea from me? The creatures that can haunt the night, rile up farmers and perhaps play with the infamous Red Dragon or 'Y Ddraig Goch' have been ones that I'd read about on holidays to Anglesey or Conwy. Discovering this lovely book reawakened the child in me who would stare out of the window at bedtime waiting to see the infamous Gwrachod, or a Bwbach (Witches or a particularly friendly Sprite).

I do love how Fayers takes care to have the various characters of myth and legend be called by their Welsh names and not English which unfortunately I've seen. It adds to their stories and legends for me and acknowledges that these are unique to Welsh culture even if there may well be similar ones around the world.

My favourite has always been the Talwyth Teg who are the fae and how they were often responsible for Changelings finding their way into mortal homes. Seeing a story about them in Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins had my adult self be as swept away as I had at the age of nine. Thank you so much for that joy once again Claire Fayers!

This is a wonderful book with vivid storytelling, fantastical characters and world-building that brings these legends to life for all.

The Sleeping Stones by Beatrice Wallbank is a wonderful blend of Welsh myth and legend and is a perfect book for any middle-grade child whose curious nature has them wondering about mermaids and other mythical beings.

I couldn't put the book down so I can guarantee a young reader who loves the idea of being something 'more'. The author has brought an isolated Welsh island to life, with atmospheric description that swept me away to childhood holidays in Anglesey climbing hills and swerving for shells and rocks along the shoreline. With a blend of the beauty of the countryside, and the bleakness of the secluded isle, the reader can wander alongside Gruff at his sheep farm, and newcomer Matylda as adventure crashes into them head-on.

The attention to detail with the inclusion of the Welsh language makes this book a unique one and Wallbank has given the reader a story filled with spirits, magic and a legend that's united the residents of the island for centuries. A storm that can destroy everything in its wake is just around the corner and it's already left Gruff's family shaken before and then there is The Sleeping Stones.

Woven into every legend both dark and light, these vast stones are dangerous and enticing. I loved how Beatrice Wallbank brings these monoliths to life and gives them a legend that feels real. 

The Sleeping Stones is a wonderful book, and I can imagine if it's a bedtime story there will be many a call for 'just one more chapter' because Wallbank's storytelling and ability to keep you on the proverbial edge of your seat; is as magical as the legend she's created.

Can't wait to see what else this author will bring to capture young readers' imagination.

Pride: A Seek-and-Find Celebration is a wonderful book that is both a game and a form of education for young and old.

With vibrant and extremely detailed artwork, the reader searches for famous people as well as objects from LGBTQIA history as well as the various milestones the community has experienced in a 'Where's Wally' manner. I had great fun searching the pages as each era unfolds before you both good and bad - for example 'In The Closet' (1800s to 1960) which is a long and very dark period in LGBTQIA history and one that is important to talk about where you can look for the homosexual author,  Oscar Wilde as well as poet and essayist Walt Whitman. 

This is a wonderful book, both by how it looks because it's so vibrant and beautifully drawn, but it also is educational as it's not just a picture book. The author has taken the time to educate the reader but not make it overwhelming. I'd love to see this book in primary schools, and in many children's homes because representation matters and helping children understand that people not only come in different shapes and sizes etcetera but also can fall in love in different ways too. In 2024, families are looking more and more different, people are also able to become more aware of their gender at a younger age and books such as Pride: A Seek-and-Find Celebration can help with understanding and acceptance from not only a young age but in a creative way. 

This is a wonderfully imaginative introduction to the Hedgewitch series and one that any reader will become fully immersed in.

I loved the world-building and how there's a balance between the bleakness of Cassie Morgan's boarding school and the beauty she finds in the magical village and the nature that surrounds it. Each comes to life and as Cassie's escape from misery catapults her into the unknown, and I feel that the reader will want their magical adventure or playtime when this book comes to an end.

𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴, 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭,
𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘥
𝘖𝘧 𝘨𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘴, 𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘸𝘺𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴,
𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘥.

The verses such as this had my mind wander to my childhood when we'd play witches in the woods, as Skye McKenna has given so much life to witches both young and old who live in Hedgely a lovely magical village in the countryside near the infamous Hedge woodlands. I couldn't help but imagine a group of young witches reciting the verse in the same way Brownies and Guides do filled with hope and a sense of comradery. Each of the ones we encounter has their personality from the good wifch who follows the rules to the slightly erratic and carefree one - no doubt each will be relatable and their clashes of personality help bring them all from the page to someone they'd love to meet.

Filled with the wonder and whimsy of magic, adventure and a battle of good over evil? Hedgewitch is a book that's perfect for any reader who loves the idea of there being more than what you can see. I'd highly recommend it for the upcoming spooky season as not only are there witches and their familiars but evil goblins and things that go bump in the night.

I hadn't read Sebastien de Castell before, I had many occasions his books to read but just hadn't been sure where to begin if I'm honest. Then I saw Play of Shadows, the cover drew me in and the synopsis had me curious so it came home on a day I swore I wouldn't buy any books because I was utterly intrigued.

Theatre, swash-buckling action and a world-building that is so wonderfully done that I knew I'd made a terrible mistake not reading his books before. That would be me enraptured by this book, which is the first in the Court of Shadows series.

This book is incredibly written and I couldn't help but feel as though elements of it resembled the Elizabethan era or I had those elements created in my mind as I read and was drawn into the adventures, calamities and wonder of our protagonist, Damelas's life.My hopes were truly rewarded with a story that holds your attention and stands up on its own even though it's placed in an already established world of de Castell's previous books. (Which will be read now because I've unwittingly denied myself literary masterpieces imho..) 

The various characters we meet bring so much depth to the story and help to grasp ahold of you so you as the reader could be a player on the stage with them of one of Damelas's adversaries... 

I loved how there is antagonism between characters that shows the realities of proximity and circumstance and a fair few had me chuckling at their absurdities but it's a rarity in fantasy books that problems, anxieties and anger remain - you always need balance in personalities and sometimes it feels one dimensional but not in this case. Damelas is the cause of his issues and it's not an easy fix by any means, and he has to have help so even as the hero, (albeit he's begrudgingly and uncertain that he's one) Damelas acknowledges he cannot do it alone and again, the way de Castell writes makes it feel real so you want to shout some sense into him.I'm so glad I read this, I couldn't put the book down and loved every moment of it. 

Sebastien de Castell is a genius in how he brings worlds and people to life, and this series will be a firm favourite for me from now on.

Medusa's story is well-known in its many variations and in recent years she has become the face of sexu*al ab*se to many including myself. 

Her story is the epitome of victim shaming in so many ways and Jessie Burton has written a beautiful and heartbreaking retelling of this story born from myths of the Greek Gods. With stunning artwork helping to add to the beauty, darkness and strength of the story by Olivia Lomenech Gill, this is one of the best stories devoted to Medusa told from her perspective.

I couldn't put this book down, cried at moments for Medusa (and myself if I'm honest) and cursed these Gods for their cruelty. The story doesn't need explanation but I will say Burton's devotion to give Medusa her voice is felt on every page and I'm so glad she (Medusa) has stories like this to remind us all she was the victim all along and not the temptress.

This is a beautiful book to look at, the artwork is exquisite and is as much a part of the book as the words... 

I'm so glad I read this, and I raise my voice alongside Medusa's to say she's so much more than her myth and the snakes that framed her beauty.

This book is an incredible read and I'm still processing that it's for middle-grade readers as obviously there is some moments of ab*se to the slaves with the receiving 'punishment'. (I'm being extremely careful here with my phrasing given the nature of the book and people who read this will understand what I'm implying.)

I didn't know anything about the Great Dismal Swamp and those who lived there once they'd escaped from plantations etcetera so this was both enlightening nad harrowing to be reminded of the horrors inflited on others for the colour of their skin. Sadly, something we don't seem to have learned from and put to rest given the rise in race hate in the UK   currently.

Freewater is a book that stays with you, that brings the darkness of history to the forefront of your thoughts and lingers there. Whilst it may well be written for children, I would say anyone can read this book and take something from it, especially the strength in a person to survive; of how freedom should be yours and never earned or controlled. That silence isn't always a strength and to break free can be both hard and ultimately harrowing.

I was shaken to my core of the determination of the plantation owner to possess and dominate and I can see Freewater is a conversation starter of an era both England and America should be ashamed of whether it's read at home or school. Amina Luqman-Dawson won both the Coretta Scott medal and Newberry medal last year for Freewater and it's much deserved.

This is a book all should read, and then as I will do? I think learn more about these incredibly strong fighters and survivors who just wanted to be people not possessions.

When I saw The Mark of the Salamander by Dr Justin Newland, I knew this was a book I had to read. 

A book that brings to life one of my favourite periods of English history; The Golden Age of Elizabeth 1st? Well, that sounds like perfection to me if it's done right and The Mark of the Salamander did just that with wonderful attention to detail in the world-building that brought everything to life as we walk alongside Nelan Michaels as his life takes a dramatic change of direction.

Newland's historical adventure had me swept away with characters that come to life as each page is turned, Nelan is intriguing and I loved how his fictional life weaves in famous names of that time from Astrologer Dr. John Dee to the Drake brothers and of course; Good Queen Bess herself albeit briefly and indirectly when it comes to Her Majesty. They bring so much to the story and I couldn't get enough of pirate Sir Francis Drake as he's larger than life and somewhat enigmatic.

The Mark of the Salamander takes you on a journey of betrayal, self-discovery, and inner strength for Nelan. There are also elements of mysticism, magic, and wonder which is interesting for the time - alongside the very real hatred between Catholics and Protestants and the tension is palpable between members of the two religions.

I loved this book so much and couldn't put it down, as it's the first of a duology I was left wondering just which direction Nelan's life will go and what book two will bring us all...