alltheradreads's Reviews (1.9k)

Such a moving and beautiful collection of essays from @iamgmjohnson — he writes in such a rich way about his life and experiences as a Black and queer man. He tells his story and also a larger story, one that is so different from my own and so important for me to listen to and learn from. ⁣
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I was struck by how his family loved and accepted his queerness (and his transgender cousin in a time when it was so much more controversial)— it reminded me how powerful and important our love is, despite our differences.

I looooved The Selection series by Cass (well, the first three books anyway!) but this one was not great. It felt half-baked and unoriginal, and the major tragedy toward the end was so rushed and fell really flat. I wanted to be whisked away into a magical wonderland but it sadly didn’t happen.

THIS BOOK IS VERY GOOD. ⁣
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So good, that it inspired me to start a new thing on tiktok sharing mini book reviews?!??? (what is happening)⁣
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Twins who go separate ways in life, one passing as white and one who “stays” Black, and their drastically different daughters (one pale and blonde, one extremely dark), and the overlapping and intertwining stories of their lives... beautifully written and a phenomenal story. ⁣
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Big praise. Brit Bennett is a beast.

This was recommended to me when I asked for books on the intersection of faith + the LGBTQ community, and I’m so glad I picked it up! It’s a YA fiction novel of a lesbian girl in Georgia with a pastor dad who asks her to “lay low” when they move to a more conservative small town. Watching Jo navigate her sexuality and identity while trying to hide a massive part of herself was so hard for me to read! I empathized so much with her, since I, too, hid a massive part of who I am and what I was going through in high school when I was stuck in a sexually and physically abusive relationship. My heart ached for her remembering how that felt for my own self. I loved the redemptive and hopeful tone of this one, and how hard topics were tackled without the story feeling too heavy or preachy. I really can’t say enough how important it is to not just read nonfiction books about topics or issues, but to read stories that add flavor and color and life to it all and help you see things in new and more vibrant ways.

A fun little summer read, complete with beaches and romance and happy endings for everyone (unrealistic but also kinda nice in times like these???). ⁣

Listened to an audiobook for the first time in a WHILE (anyone else not usually a fan?!) and I’m so glad it was this one — the alternating voices of Eleanor and Park worked so well on audio and kept me so engaged as their slow but steady relationship evolved. (I definitely sped up the pace though, I read too fast to listen slowly!) This one went places I didn’t expect (TW for domestic abuse, strong language) and was definitely a slow burn, but I grew to really love both Eleanor and Park, and to love their relationship, although I didn’t love how the book ended. (WHAT WERE THE THREE WORDS ON HER POSTCARD TO HIM?!??)

This was a great, cute YA read, with all the classic love/hate, push/pull, hot/cold tropes. It reminded me a bit of the 90210 reboot, as it’s set in a super affluent CA area with a lot of rich and entitled teens (thing Cotillion and debutantes and over-involved moms). A Black teen tragically loses his parents and comes to live with old family friends (including his old childhood friend/flame), and it’s a culture shock for him and a struggle on many levels. I loved the parallel of Nandy + Trice’s perspectives in alternating chapters, and seeing how their lives (last and present) played out.

Oof. This one hit pretty hard, with so many relevant and timely themes (police brutality, injustice and racism, gun violence, incarceration, whites privilege, etc) and it was reaaaallly good. I gasped out loud several times as I read, not expecting how the story unfolded but knowing the events are not at all just fiction but so real in our world today. Oh, and the “dear Martin” title refers to how the teenage main character writes letters to MLK as a way to try to channel his energy and do what he would do. I loved that thread throughout this story. Powerful and packs a punch.

This book is incredible — it tackles key questions in our conversations around race like “why am I always being told to ‘check my privilege?’” and “what is cultural appropriation?” and “I just got called racist, what do I do now?”. It’s so, so practical and accessible and powerful, too. I highlighted the heck out of it, finding the words so striking and SO helpful. It’s an essential read, and a reference I’ll return to again and again as I keep learning and growing.

This book.