hermusings is interested in reading...

How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States
Daniel Immerwahr
Post from the The View Was Exhausting forum
hermusings made progress on...
hermusings started reading...

The Appeal (The Appeal, #1)
Janice Hallett
hermusings commented on a post
I love how much real talk this novel has about being a trans woman, so specific that it's clear the author is trans herself. It feels natural and multi-layered, unlike some novels I've read by cis writers who include trans characters on purpose, turning the trans experience into a political token instead of a reflection of humanity, flawed and complex.
I read an interview with Dinan that included a question about representing trans characters, touching on this very point:
Some sections of the media have abhorrent views of trans people. With this in mind, how cautious are you about how you present your trans characters?
I want to offer full and complex characterisations of trans people: I’m not in the business of trying to convince anyone that trans people are deserving of basic human rights. I can’t cater my work to people who don’t have a basic level of empathy for trans people. To write with the goal of converting transphobes feels like a fruitless exercise and too much of a burden. My work is not for them.
A couple examples of this complex characterisation I've noticed so far:
"Carla and I are friends, in the sense that we're both trans and therefore vaguely supportive of each other on social media."
"To protect my soul, I refuse to scroll through profiles [on dating apps], waiting for men to like me first so I can wield the ax. The experience is otherwise too degrading. My profile already says that I'm trans."
It's subtle, but after reading a handful of cis-authored stories with trans characters, I can tell Dinan has chosen authentic characterisation over politically-minded representation, and I really appreciate her honest writing!
hermusings started reading...

You Can't Live All on Your Own!, Volume 2 (You Can't Live All on Your Own!, #2)
Mizoko Tsuno
hermusings wrote a review...
Miller’s plays have a marvelous way of keeping you engaged til the very end, even when you know what will occur, and the crucible is no exception.
I love that he wrote this to bring attention to the trials occurring during the red scare and to read it in 2026 feels timely as well. The pandemonium behind distorted truths for the benefit of the few at the detriment of the marginalized & innocent.
This book is clearly written by a white man in the 50s & John Proctor is prove of that. His character was actually the catalyst of the trials tormenting this town and the entire book he’s portrait as a flawed victim. This dated the book for me, specially act 4 as his wife apologizes to him?! 🥴
Overall, great craic & a classic for a reason.
hermusings finished a book

The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts
Arthur Miller
hermusings started reading...

The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts
Arthur Miller
hermusings started reading...

The View Was Exhausting
Mikaella Clements
hermusings paused reading...

To Woo and to Wed (The Regency Vows, #5)
Martha Waters
hermusings started reading...

To Woo and to Wed (The Regency Vows, #5)
Martha Waters
hermusings commented on hermusings's update
hermusings is interested in reading...

A Master of Djinn (Dead Djinn Universe, #1)
P. Djèlí Clark