Hedgehog Harry

just a lil scamp out here reviewing media

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  • Men Who Hate Women: The Extremism Nobody is Talking About [Book Review]

    As a trans man a lot of typical men-only or man-centric spaces in person are pretty limited for me. I don’t pass particularly well these days – not that passing needs to be a goal. But this means I am not subject to that sort of “locker room talk” that is associated with the men only spaces that are taking a spotlight right now with the actions (or inaction) of a certain medal-winning-podium-standing men’s sports team. I tend to avoid men-only online spaces that aren’t specifically for trans men.

    All this is too say that the rhetoric in this books was not that I am often exposed to. Though having worked with teenage boys in the past it is sadly not unfamiliar. This book was read for my day job at the recommendation of a colleague. I found it difficult to stomach at times but an important read. It was well-written and compelling. Worth the time and the emotional and mental labor if you are feeling up to it.

    Full disclosure: I almost didn’t post this review as I am nervous about the kind of negative attention it could garner from certain corners of the internet. But fuck it.

  • In the Middle of a Better World [Book Review]

    These poems provided me a quiet stillness.

  • March [Book Reviews]

    When I was in undergrad I did a year long assistantship where I help work on a database of graphic novels about history. The librarians attached gave me pretty free reign on what I read and catalogued, but they called dibs on the March books and Mouse, which meant I read a lot of cool comics on the Labor Movement, World War II, and various feminist waves. Someday I’ll do a list of my favorites.

    This is all a roundabout way of saying I’ve been waiting to read March. I thought I was way behind, but it’s never too late to read this excellent, groundbreaking series of books. Especially if you’re lucky enough to find them at your local library like I did. Thank goodness for libraries.

    While I knew some details and the general story of the various protests of the Civil Rights Movement and, I knew very little about John Lewis’s life or the specific history of SNCC. This series gave me a lot to think and reflect on especially in these ever unprecedented times. On a stylistic note I found that the art style was striking and effective with just enough detail to give the reader the scope and context of the images without being overwhelming. I enjoyed the way the lettering would blur or twist when the characters couldn’t hear what was going on or stopped paying attention.

    Overall, I highly recommend this series and recommend reading it in print if you can though I check out a preview of the comiXology version and found it well-formatted.

  • Free Agent [Book Review]

    A fun, quick read! This book came recommended in a video by Alex from Pucks and Paperbacks about different hockey books. I read it as part of a readathon where one of the bingo squares was reading a book under 200 pages. This books comes in way under and is a delight to read.

    The book primarily takes place in DC and I appreciate a book where the city becomes a focal point to the extent it is almost a character itself. I’ve never been to DC (my only east coast visit was to Boston back in the 2010s for Nerdcon) and I felt like I got to peak at both the local and tourist sides of the city. The youth center scene was my favorite hands down and reminded me fondly of my own time working at a youth center with a large LGBT+ population.

    Overall, I recommend this book if you need a quick read that is a feel-good romance with discussions of hockey, community, and SPICE.

  • Making Time [Book Review]

    The cover of this book won me over immediately. I love the art style, I love the way the characters are gazing at each other, and I love the lil kiddo around the corner. Every detail is so on point and gives nods to little details in the books. Doesn’t hurt that I think making a fish the mascot of a team is hilarious. Almost as good as making the arena the Culver’s arena – my wife said she would change loyalties TODAY if Madison announced they were going to have a team hosted at the Culver’s arena.

    First and foremost, I want to focus on the character of Rowan. Both because it can feel rare to find a child character done well (way too many annoying waifs in the regency books of my wasted youth) and because he comes first for Tyler and Jamie themselves. The scene in the children’s museum was precious and I loved seeing Rowan make friends at various WAG events. I greatly appreciated seeing a child who becomes tired, overstimulated, and just plain cranky.

    Which leads to Tyler who shows great parenting skills. I love love love watching him become comfortable with letting others show care for Rowan and then for Tyler himself. I deeply appreciate the positive portrayal of sex work and the hustle that being a single parent takes for Tyler. It makes it all the more satisfying when Tyler discovers he and Rowan can be part of a community with Jamie.

    Captain, my captain. Jamie is so so soft and I love that in a big ole hockey man. I especially love that the reader gets real hockey play throughout the book (love the inclusion of the winter classic). So often I leave a hockey romance wishing for more hockey and I didn’t feel that dissatisfaction with Making Time.

    Overall, I relished reading Making Time and cannot wait to read more from Weston. Thanks to the author for an ARC.

  • Paper Doll: Notes From A Late Bloomer [Book Review]

    I have been saving this particular book for a reading slump. I like to listen to memoirs and this one rolled in under seven hours which is perfect for the weekend read-a-thon I’m participating in with on Alex (pucksandpaperbacks)’s discord for the Paperback Pals. The memoir combined some of my favorite things: behind the scenes of Hollywood and Broadway; LGBT identities, spaces, and communities; and occasionally breaking into song.

  • Finding My Way [Book Review]

    Finding My Way by Malala Yousafzai dives into the life of the author and delves deeper into the genre of memoir. It is excellently written with a clear voice that shows compassion, insight, and humor into the late teens and twenties of a young woman thrust into the public eye. I am married to an education nerd so some of that fascination has rubbed off on me and I was especially interested in learning how the Oxford system works as it seems so different from continuing education in the United States. I appreciated that Malala was not afraid to show her mistakes, mishaps, and missteps that are part of growing up. I also appreciated her focus and frank discussion of the importance of mental health care.

  • So Many Stars: An Oral History of Trans, Nonbinary, Genderqueer, and Two-Spirit People of Color [Book Review]

    I love an oral history in general (I read an excellent graphic novel adaptation of Stud Terkel’s labor work in undergrad) and when I can listen to an audiobook of one I am even happier. The audiobook for So Many Stars: An Oral History of Trans, Nonbinary, Genderqueer, and Two-Spirit People of Color by Caro de Robertis is excellent. The breath of experiences covered by the oral history is interesting and moving. In particular, listening to the book as I myself am undergoing medical transition is interesting experience. I am constantly thinking about my body, its changes, and changes I would still like to see happen. It is wild to know that others have been feeling the same, and different, way(s) for generations.

  • January Wrap-Up

    Read:

    Playing for Keeps by Alexandria Bellefleur

    Like in Love with You by Emma R. Alban

    Fates Skates by Victoria Schade

    Thirty Love by Tom Vellner

    Unmaking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity by Devon Price, Ph. D

  • Thirty Love: A Novel [Book Review]

    My experience with tennis is limited to a single family reunion where my dad showed me the ropes and, of course, to wii tennis. My experience with living closeted is much more extensive and for that reason Thirty Love: A Novel by Tom Vellner tugged on my heart strings. I found the main character and love interest compelling, the side characters enriched the narrative, and the villains of homophobic sports culture and individuals realistic. The book was a slow start for me as I had to acclimate to tennis, but Vellner was a good teacher and the characters pulled me in. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley who provided me with a review copy.