Oh my goodness. This book. Where do I even begin? I will start by saying I absolutely loved this book. It’s the best book I’ve read in a while. In the first couple of chapters, I was a little confused and lost in the story. This is a book where you gotta be patient because the story gently brews throughout. This is a multi-generational story that follows Ailey’s mother's side of the family.

I felt like I was traveling through time reading this book, going in and out of different decades, experiencing and living through what the characters were experiencing and living through. It felt like I was right there in the story with them. Each character, every song, every page of this book was done with absolute perfection. The author brought these characters and this story to life. Love, heartbreaks, trauma, racism, and so much more weaved together to create this story that feels so real. Because stories like this ARE real.

My favorite aspect of The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois the character development and the intricate details throughout this novel. This book needed every detail for it to be complete and whole. It felt like a roller coaster ride. At some parts, the story was blissful and easy to read, then the next page, it would take a turn that would have me in tears. The emotions. Ugh, just everything. This book is everything.

What. A. Journey.

Even though this book is 800 pages, I wanted more. I didn’t want the story to end. I wanted it to keep going. How is that possible? The other night I woke up in the middle of the night with this book on my mind.

My first read of 2022 and it will probably be my favorite read of 2022. If you loved Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, then you are going to love this book too.

Read this book. Don’t let the page count intimidate you. Let the story take over you. Because it’s so worth it.