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Sally Strange

SallyStrange@bookwyrm.social

Joined 1 year, 10 months ago

Interests: climate, science, sci-fi, fantasy, LGBTQIA+, history, anarchism, anti-racism, labor politics

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Sally Strange's books

Currently Reading (View all 6)

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Matthew Gabriele, David M. Perry: The Bright Ages (Hardcover, 2021, Harper)

A lively and magisterial popular history that refutes common misperceptions of the European Middle Ages, …

Love to see historians stand against white supremacy

I'm never going to be mad about a history book written by pasty authors who call out white supremacy, islamophobia, antisemitism, etc. Plus the authors went out of their way to talk about women from the time period. All of these things are wins in my books.

The overall structure of the book is more or less chronological, but when the authors zoom in two specific moments during the Middle Ages, there still aren't a lot of details. It was enough for me in audiobook form, but I can see it being disappointing for somebody who wants to really do a deep dive into the time period. I personally liked it a lot though and had a few good chuckles while reading.

It does look like the two authors got together again for another book that talks about a specific event during the Middle Ages that I definitely want to …

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Richard Seymour: Disaster Nationalism (Hardcover, 2024, Verso Books)

The rise of the new far right has left the world grappling with a profound …

One of the best non-fiction in months

( em português, com trecho traduzido → sol2070.in/2025/05/livro-disaster-naionalism-teorias-conspiracao/ )

The term “disaster nationalism” refers to one of the faces of the current global rise of the far right, in which Brazil stands out — along with India, Hungary, the Philippines, and, of course, the US, Brazil and Bolsonarism are regular features in the book.

I came across the book through recommendations from people like Cory Doctorow, China Miéville, and Naomi Klein — the latter, in turn, has a very similar concept for the new far right, which she has dubbed “end-of-times fascism.”

What is striking about Seymour's analysis is its fluid, engaging, and eloquent quality — it is not an academic book — while at the same time overflowing with references and quotations. But that does not make it easy to read. Vivid descriptions of the violence of this extremism around the world often made me stop reading.

Among the …

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein: The Disordered Cosmos (Hardcover, 2021, Bold Type Books)

From a star theoretical physicist, a journey into the world of particle physics and the …

Learn a bit about physics and a lot about the culture of science

Besides learning that the eumelanin molecule itself is a fascinating thing that could be the building block of successful tech that integrates with human bodies, I also learned about Mauna Kea, racism and sexism in scientific institutions, and Afro-Caribbean spirituality. Definitely recommend. You might not learn as much about physics as you expect, but that's OK. The rest of it is just as important. Maybe more so.

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Bob the Drag Queen: Harriet Tubman : Live in Concert (2025, Gallery Books)

Intentional, and entertaining

This was well written and well read by the author. It defines its characters well. And makes them rise out of the page. It knows what it wants to do, it gets to the business of doing it, but doesnt get to heavy on the way of getting there.

A really affecting story of race, queerness, history, and freeing one's self.

CW: US-South slavery, queer outing, alcoholism

#Books #Bookstodon

reviewed Blood Trials by N. E. Davenport (The Blood Gift Duology, #1)

N. E. Davenport: Blood Trials (2022, HarperCollins Publishers)

Blending fantasy and science fiction, N. E. Davenport's fast-paced, action-packed debut kicks off a duology …

Sci-fantasy with heavy-handed social commentary

I wanted to like this book more. A brash young woman challenging racism and sexism while trying to simultaneously conceal and learn to use secret goddess-given powers? Advanced technology along with gods and goddesses answering prayers or creating monsters? Sounds great in theory. The problems arise with the execution.

First, the protagonist, Ikenna, is exceptionally dense. OK, she's grieving the unexpected death of her grandfather, but that's no excuse to simply take the word of the very first person who suggests that his death wasn't accidental as to who the responsible parties might be and fixate on murdering those people for the first 2/3 of the book. She repeatedly misses obvious clues that she's being played. I am not one of those people who solves mysteries ahead of the conclusion of a mystery book, but even I could see it coming. She trusts and distrusts completely and suddenly, based on …

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John Bradshaw, Sarah Ellis: The Trainable Cat: A Practical Guide to Making Life Happier for You and Your Cat (2017, Basic Books)

if you want to show your cat who's boss, read this book and then get a dog

Somewhat drily written, not to the extent of an academic paper but long sentences and some with semicolons, so this was a long bit by bit read for me. The authors are anti-indoor cat (which I gather is the general sentiment in England, but maybe living by an LA freeway will change your mind) and, somewhat interestingly but kind of bothers me, propose more selective breeding for cats to tone done their hunting instincts. Admittedly, they are experts who cite a lot of research (and point out the lack of some, e.g. with the accusations that cats are decimating endangered species), have actually trained their cats in a non-forceful manner that respects their independent and paranoid natures (the elaborate training prescriptions may have you thinking might as well get a dog instead), and obviously love their cats. I could have used this book two cats ago, and if I break …

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reviewed Womb City by Tlotlo Tsamaase

Tlotlo Tsamaase: Womb City (2024, Kensington Publishing Corporation)

This genre-bending Africanfuturist horror novel blends The Handmaid’s Tale with Get Out in an adrenaline-packed, …

Disturbing, excellent story

Content warning Graphic Murder, Death, Misogyny Moderate Rape, Sexual assault, Miscarriage Minor Incest, Trafficking, Sexual violence

commented on Blood Trials by N. E. Davenport (The Blood Gift Duology, #1)

N. E. Davenport: Blood Trials (2022, HarperCollins Publishers)

Blending fantasy and science fiction, N. E. Davenport's fast-paced, action-packed debut kicks off a duology …

I have started listening to this book at 1.5x speed, something I rarely do, because although Ikenna is irritating as fuck in her rashness and inability to catch on when people are manipulating her, I still want to find out whether she chooses to stick with the bigoted republic in which she was raised, whose rulers killed her grandfather, or do the sensible thing and defect to the substitute family who were reaching out to her and offering her support as well as an escape hatch.