Book Review: So Many Stars : An Oral History of Trans, Nonbinary, Genderqueer and Two-Spirited People of Color by Caro De Robertis

Title: So Many Stars

Author: Caro De Robertis

Serie/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Nonfiction, LGBTQ+, History, Adult

Pages: 304

Publisher: Algonquin Books

Year Published: 2025

Format: Audiobook

"So Many Stars knit together the voices of trans, nonbinary, genderqueer, and two-spirit elders of color as they share authentic, intimate accounts of how they created space for themselves and their communities in the world. This singular project collects the testimonies of twenty elders, each a glimmering thread in a luminous tapestry, preserving their words for future generations- who can more fully exist in the world today because of these very trailblazers.

De Robertis creates a collective coming-of-age story based on hundreds of hours of interviews, offering rare snapshots of ordinary kids growing up, navigating family issues and finding community, coming out and changing how they identify over the years, building movements and weathering the AIDS crisis, and sharing wisdom for future generations. Often narrating experiences that took place before they had the array of language that exists today to self-identify beyond the gender binary, this generation lived through remarkabloe changews in American culture, shaped American culture and yet rarely takes center stage in the history books. Their stories feel particularly urgent in the current political moment, but also remind readers that their experiences are not new, and that young trans and nonbinary people today belong to a long lineage.

The anecdotes in these pages are riveting, joyful, heartbreaking, full of personality and wisdom and artfully woven together into one immersive narrative. In De Robertis's words, So Many Stars shares 'behind-the-scenes tales of what it meant- and still means- to create an authentic life, against the odds.'"

My Rating: 4.75/5

Once again, this book proves why we need to read about experiences like and unlike our own. Learning the history of different people helps us to understand how we got to where we are today, while still reminding us what there is to lose and why the continual fight for equality is important. I think the grouping of stories is so incredibly valuable, the different touch points vastly important. The only reason I didn't give this book 5/5 was that this book wasn't narrated by the elders, or there weren't voice snippets from the elders. I think that might have helped me better distinguish individuals in the audiobook.

Sidny

Book Review: Finding Me by Viola Davis

Title: Finding Me    

Author: Viola Davis    

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Memoir, Nonfiction, Adult

Pages: 304

Publisher: HarperOne

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook

"In my book, you will meet a little girl named Viola who ran from her past until she made a life-changing decision to stop running forever.

This is my story, from a crumbling apartment in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to the stage in New York City and beyond. This is the path I took to finding my purpose but also my voice in a world that didn't always see me.

As I wrote Finding Me, my eyes were open to the truth of how our stories are often not given close examination. We are forced to reinvent them to fit into a crazy, competitive, judgemental world. So I wrote this for anyone running through life untethered, desperate and clawing their way through murky memories, trying to get to some form of self-love. For anyone who needs reminding that a life worth living can only be born from radical honesty and the courage to shed facades and be... you.

Finding Me is a deep reflection, a promise and a love letter of sorts to self. My hope is that my story will inspire you to light up your own life with creative expression and rediscover who you were before the world put a label on you."

My Rating: 5/5

I am excited that this year I am being more open to nonfiction reads. Hearing each other's verbal stories is so valuable, and the idea of verbal storytelling is sitting with me more and more. I knew of Viola Davis, but hearing her story was entrancing. Her past and her path to her current life are filled with hurt, racism, and reflection. It made me reflect on how piece of who we are get us to where we are. Even the parts that hurt. That being said, therapy (as Viola Davis mentions frequently in this memoir) helps us confront parts of our past and who we are to help us live with it all.

Sidny

Book Review: We Were Never Here by Sophia Hannan

Title: We Were Never Here

Author: Sophia Hannan

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Horror, LGBT, Young Adult

Pages: 352

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Year Published: 2026

Format: Audiobook

"The remaining members of a ghost hunting show return to the haunted manor that may have killed their friend in this atmospheric, contemporary gothic debut perfect for fans of She is a Haunting and Delicious Monsters.

In July, Georgia Perry and Jules Park- secret girlfriends, covert art thieves, and cohost of a popular Youtube ghost hunting show- step into a haunted house to steal a priceless painting. A few short hours later, there's a knife in Jules chest and Georgia is is waking up in a pool of blood with no painting and no memory of how she got there. 

Now it's October, and Georgia is underwater. She hasn't been to class in weeks, and she's avoiding her old crew- and only friends- like the plague. But when the three remaining thieves get a call from the man who paid a hefty sum to keep them out of jail, demanding that they return to finish the job, Georgia has no choice but to return to her old life.

As estranged friends scramble to steal the painting with no cover story and no leader, they quickly realize that something is very, very wrong, and it's not just the suffocating memory of Jules or the prying eyes of their viewers. Between the strange shadows that begin to trail them and the nightmares plaguing Georgia's sleep, only one thing is certain: something followed them home from De Lys manor and it will do anything to keep them from going back."

My Rating: 1.5/5

This was one where I realized that I'm getting too old for YA, which is not the book's fault. My issue was that if you are a major criminal, you are not hiring these idiots to steal art for you. I should really read the blurbs on the YA books I pick up because when picking this up I had no idea this would involve art hiests. And without it I might have enjoyed it, but with it, I was distracted. Also, the horror didn't feel as terrifying as I would have liked. It seemed like everyone was just lacking communication skills. I don't think I would read anything else from the author at this time but hey, if this seems like your cup of tea, give it a whirl.

Sidny

Book Review: Powerless by Lauren Roberts

Title: Powerless

Author: Lauren Roberts

Series/Standalone: The Powerless Trilogy (Book #1)

Genre: Romantasy, Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 526

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Year Published: 2023

Format: Audiobook

"She is the very thing he's spent his whole life hunting.

He's the very thing she's spent her whole life pretending to be.

Only the extraordinary belong in the kingdom of Ilya- the exceptional, the empowered, the Elites.

The powers these Elites have possessed for decades were graciously gifted to them by the Plague, though not all were fortunate enough to both survive the sickness and reap the reward. Those born Ordinary are just that- ordinary. And when the king decreed that all Ordinaries be banished in order to preserve his Elite society, lacking an ability suddenly became a crime- making Paedyn Gray a felon by fate and a thief by necessity. 

Surviving in the slums as an Ordinary is no simple task, and Paedyn knows this better than most. Having been trained by her father to be overly observant since she was a child, Paedyn poses as a Psychic in the crowded city, blending in with the Elites as best she can in order to stay alive and out of trouble. Easier said than done.

When Paedyn unsuspectingly saves one of Ilyas princes, she finds herself thrown into the Purging Trials. The brutal competition exists to showcase the Elites' powers- the very thing Paedyn lacks. If the Trials and the opponents within them don't kill her, the prince she's fighting feelings for certainly will if he discovers what she is- completely Ordinary."

My Rating: 4.75/5

If we were rating things purely on enjoyment, I would have rated this a five, but there were a few things that threw it off for me. I did listen to the adapted audiobook that included the sound effects (also the first time I listened to one of these). I loved it; the character actors were great, and the content was fun and entertaining. There was a lot of repetition of the character's motivation, to the point that I was annoyed. It felt like sometimes the author didn't believe we were smart enough to remember the characters' feelings and motivations. I will be continuing the series because it is the perfect trope-filled romantasy for this time of year.

Sidny

Book Review: My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey

Title: My Killer Vacation

Author: Tessa Bailey

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Adult Fiction, Mystery

Pages: 295

Publisher: Indie Published

Year Published: 2022

Format: Paperback (Own It)

"A brash bounty hunter and an energetic elementary school teacher is the murder-solving team no one asked for, but they're stuck together, come hell or high tide, until a killer is found in this spicy rom-com with a brand new bonus novella from Tessa Bailey, #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Summer. It was supposed to be a relaxing vacation in sweet, sunny Cape Cod- just Taylor Bassey and her beloved brother- but discovering a corpse in their rental house has really thrown a wrench into their tanning schedule. Now a rude, crude bounty hunter has arrived on the back of his motorcycle to catch the killer and refuses to believe Taylor can be helpful, despite the countless hours she's spent listening to true crime podcasts. Not to mention her fulfilling teaching career of wrangling second graders. Myles Summer is only there to do a job, not babysit an amateur sleuth. Although... it is becoming less and less of a hardship to have Taylor around. Sure, she's stubborn, distracting and can't stay out of harm's way. She's also brave and beautiful and reminds him of home. In other words, the insatiable hunger and protectiveness she's awakening is a threat to his peace of mind. Before Myles sinks any deeper into this dangerous attraction, he needs to solve the murder and get back on the road. Only now there are two threats- and the biggest one is to his heart."

My Rating: 4/5

I finished this read quite a while ago. I liked that the author wasn't just focused on the romance in this book; the mystery played an equal role in the book. In some ways, it reminded me of parts of Finlay Donovan series (the cozy romance aspects). The spicy scenes were well written, and the characters were fun. My only complaint was how long it took the spice to get rolling.

Sidny

Book Review: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah

Title: Born a Crime

Author: Trevor Noah

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Nonfiction, Adult, Memoir

Pages: 289

Publisher: Doubleday Canada

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook

"The memoir of one man's coming-of-age, set during the twilight of apartheid and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed.

Trevor Noah's unlikely path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show began with a criminal act: his birth. Trevor was born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. Living proof of his parents' indiscretion, Trevor was kept mostly indoors for the earliest years of his life, bound by the extreme and often absurd measures his mother took to hide him from a government that could, at any moment, steal him away. Finally liberated by the end of South Africa's tyrannical white rule, Trevor and his mother set forth on a grand adventure, living openly and freely and embracing the opportunities won by a centuries-long struggle.

Born a Crime is the story of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself in a world where he was never supposed to exist. It is also the story of that young man's relationship with his fearless, rebellious and fervently religious mother- his teammate, a woman determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence and abuse that would ultimately threaten her own life."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This book was an incredible listen. Once again, the audiobook is narrated by the author, which helps me to better hear the tone they are telling their story with. Learning more about the racism and colonisation of South Africa, as a North American, we know that what we learn in school is often, if not always, white-centred and centred around events we were involved in (ex., the World Wars included Canadians, so we learn about that) but we didn't learn about apartheid. I liked how Trevor used his comedic talents to talk about deep issues and histories while still using dark humour to keep it in his style.

Sidny

Book Review: The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

Title: The Couple Next Door

Author: Shari Lapena

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Adult Fiction

Pages: 308

Publisher: Penguin Books

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook

"You never know what's happening on the other side of the wall.

Your neighbor told you that she didn't want your six-month-old daughter at the dinner party. Nothing personal, she just couldn't stand her crying.

Your husband said it would be fine. After all, you only live next door. You'll have the baby monitor and you'll take it in turns to go back every half hour.

Your daughter was sleeping when you checked on her last. But now, as you race up the stairs in your deathly quiet house, your worst fears are realized. She's gone.

You've never had to call the police before. But now they're in your home, and who knows what they'll find there.

What would you be capable of, when pushed past your limit?"

My Rating: 3.5/5

In the moment, reading this book, I loved it. I remember being wowed by the twists and turns. It has been 16 days since I read it and... I don't remember most of it other than snippets. This is the reason for the rating, if it was right after reading it might have been a 4 but because of the lack of memorability it went down for me. What I will say about the author is I love the final twists in the two books I've read of hers! I will be reading more of her work, probably on audiobook, because the narrators for this and the other book I read by her were perfect. If you've read any of her work, what is your favourite of her works?

Sidny

Book Review: The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

Title: The Death of Vivek Oji

Author: Akwaeke Emezi

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Adult Fiction, LGBT, Contemporary

Pages: 248

Publisher: Riverhead Books

Year Published: 2020

Format: Hardcover (Owned it)

"Raised by a distant father and an understanding but overprotective mother, Vivek suffers disorienting blackouts, moments of disconnection between self and surroundings. As adolescence gives way to adulthood, Vivek finds solace in friendships with the warm, boisterous daughter of the Nigerwives, foreign-born women married to Nigerian men.

But Vivek's closest bond is with Osita, the worldly, high-spirited cousin whose teasing confidence masks a guarded private life. As their relationship deepens- and Osita struggles to understand Vivek's escalating crisis- the mystery gives way to a heart-stopping act of violence in a moment of exhilarating freedom.

Propulsively readable, teeming with unforgettable characters, The Death of Vivek Oji is a novel of family and friendship that challenges expectations- a dramatic story of loss and transcendence that will move every reader."

My Rating: 1.5/5

I liked some aspects of this book. But I think that this isn't mentioned in any of the descriptions of this novel. THERE IS INCEST! Maybe this is something that other people can over look for the LGBT content, but I couldn't look past it. The story would have been better for me if it was like a family friend, not an actual family member. If you loved this book, props to you, it just wasn't for me.

Sidny

Book Review: This is Me: A Reckoning by Hayden Panettiere

Title: This Is Me: A Reckoning

Author: Hayden Panettiere

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Memoir, Nonfiction, Adult

Pages: 320

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Year Published: 2026

Format: Audiobook

"Heroes and Nashville star Hayden Panettiere reclaims her story in a remarkably candid memoir.

Hayden Panettiere's career in entertainment began before she could talk. From her first gig as a Michelin baby to roles in cult classics like Remember the Titans and Raising Helen, as well as popular soap operas Guiding Light and One Life to Live, Hayden built an impressive resume by the time she entered middle school. Throughout the early 2000s, she starred in millennial favorites like Racing Stripes, Heroes, and Scream 4 & VI and earned two Golden Globe nominations for her starring role of Juliette Barnes in Nashville. The squeaky-clean face of Neutrogena, she was Hollywood's girl next door and subjected to all the fame, attention and expectations that came with it. In an era of relentless paparazzi with an appetite for celebrity breakdowns, naysayers were certain this young starlet would crash and burn. Not one to disappoint, she did. 

In this irreverent, intimate and inspiring memoir, Hayden holds nothing back. What started as a fun job for a child took a decidedly darker turn as she came of age. She exposes the pressure and exploitation young stars face before they're old enough to know themselves, and how easy it is for them to lose control of her own narrative and, ultimately, their lives. Hayden was a target of brutal tabloid headlines picking apart her body, and she performed storylines onscreen that mirrored her real-life trauma. She suffered post-partum depression, addiction and recovery, domestic abuse, and the loss of her beloved little brother. Despite everything, Hayden managed to take these experiences, which she called "lifequakers" and emerge from them stronger, no longer afraid to use her voice or show her true self. She's played the part of a misfit hero, a superstar, a survivor, a cheerleader, and an all-American fresh face. In This is Me, Hayden stars in her most heart-wrenching and unforgettable role herself. This is her story on her terms."

My Rating: 3.5/5

It's kinda hard to rate a nonfiction memoir/biography as is. I find it that much harder when the author has passed away. Hayden Panettiere was incredibly young when she passed. Her life as a child actor shaped who she became, but she was brave enough to tell her story, to share each part that made her who she was. The good, the bad and the ugly. I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by the author, which always brings the biography to the next level. It reminds me that oral history is a tradition. 

Sidny

Book Review: Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

Title: Grown

Author: Tiffany D. Jackson

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Young Adult, Thriller, Contemporary

Pages: 384

Publisher: Quill Tree Books

Year Published: 2020

Format: Paperback (Own It)

"Author Tiffany D. Jackson delivers another ripped-from-the-headlines mystery that exposes horrific secrets hiding behind the limelight and embraces the power of a young woman's voice. When legendary R&B artist Korey Fields spots Enchanted Jones at an audition, her dreams of being a famous singer take flight. Until Enchanted wakes up with blood on her hands and zero memory of the previous night. Who killed Korey Fields? Before there was a dead body, Enchanted's dreams had turned into a nightmare. Because behind Korey's charm and star power was a controlling dark side. Now he's dead, the police are at the door, and all signs point to Enchanted."

My Rating: 5/5

Once again, Tiffany D. Jackson comes in with a home run of a book. I have loved every book I've read by her. It's the realness that you can see shining through the mystery/thrilling elements. It's the reality of the characters' lives; it's the twists and turns, etc. It's the storytelling. The ability to show the faults in our society and our current state in a way that gives hope for the future. It's the twists, the turns, and the shock that I'm always left sitting with as I binge-read the last 50 pages. I can't wait to read the next book by this author. 

Sidny