ambershelf's Reviews (1.3k)

A lot of typos & missing words/sentences that impeded a the reading experience severely

Following Black Texan families, HOLLER delves into the different ways we express & experience love. The stories grapple with the complexities of love—how we show it, whether we deserve it amid chaos, and the sacrifices we make in its name.

However, HOLLER is a bit of a mixed bag. While standout stories resonate deeply with me, such as The Mother, Holler, Child, and Time After, most of the collection feels a tad forgettable. The highs are undoubtedly high, but the lows contribute to a sense of unevenness throughout the book.

In essence, HOLLER is a beautiful book that offers glimpses into the multifaceted nature of love and grief. Watkins has crafted a collection that sparks moments of brilliance.

In this groundbreaking debut collection, Bilal portrays Black Muslims grappling with faith and race in America. Often told through a slice-of-life approach, TEMPLE FOLK captures various facets of life at different times through the evolution of the Nation of Islam (NOI).

A notable aspect of the collection is its examination of the intersection of religion, race, and patriarchy, emphasizing that while NOI fights for Black liberation, it's not exempt from sidelining Black women. Furthermore, the narrative sheds light on the challenges of adapting religious beliefs to suit the unique experiences of Black individuals in America, a perspective not often explored in fiction.

TEMPLE is the type of literature that requires the readers to "work for it." I looked up NOI's history to better understand the events referenced in the stories and re-listened/re-read a couple of chapters to capture the nuance. Some standouts for me are Candy for Hanif, Janaza, Woman in Niqab, and Nikkah.

TEMPLE succeeds in presenting a mosaic of ideas and invites contemplation on the broader themes of hypocrisy while practicing one's faith, the complexities of sexism/racism in religion, and the evolution of faith within a community striving for liberation.

Best friends Anita and Rainie are intrigued by the old sycamore tree and the neighborhood stray dogs who can communicate with humans. Once the duo learns of their lineage, Anita convinces Rainie to become a dog with her through a red string tied around their necks that preserves their friendship.

I didn't even include the wild part of the summary, but if what I described above has you baffled, imagine how lost Elena & I were when we read MEATS