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988 reviews by:
ashylibrarian
5/5 (audiobook)
This book is a must-read. It has a multitude of Black youth stories that tell about the ignorances, struggles, successes, and achievements of living as a BIPOC in America.
The anthology is comprised of short stories, making room for numerous voices to be heard and shared. I sometimes struggle with anthologies, but this one was AMAZING. Each narrative feels unique and tells an important story that needs to be heard. All too often, BIPOC voices are silenced, but this anthology allows their stories to be told, and we need to listen.
I also really enjoyed how each story in the audiobook was narrated by a different reader, making them feel that much more unique. I would HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone!!
This book is a must-read. It has a multitude of Black youth stories that tell about the ignorances, struggles, successes, and achievements of living as a BIPOC in America.
The anthology is comprised of short stories, making room for numerous voices to be heard and shared. I sometimes struggle with anthologies, but this one was AMAZING. Each narrative feels unique and tells an important story that needs to be heard. All too often, BIPOC voices are silenced, but this anthology allows their stories to be told, and we need to listen.
I also really enjoyed how each story in the audiobook was narrated by a different reader, making them feel that much more unique. I would HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone!!
5/5 (audiobook)
I love this series of books! I think the letter format and character dialogue is really engaging for kids, and I personally love the way the letters look like they are written in the crayon that is speaking. The books are a bit longer, but I think they are so fun and silly that almost any kiddo would enjoy, whether they are reading it themselves or having it read to them.
I love this series of books! I think the letter format and character dialogue is really engaging for kids, and I personally love the way the letters look like they are written in the crayon that is speaking. The books are a bit longer, but I think they are so fun and silly that almost any kiddo would enjoy, whether they are reading it themselves or having it read to them.
3/5 (physical book)
CW: War, fighting, reference to parental abuse, PTSD, homophobia
This book covers a lot of really important topics and presents its readers with various ways in which people chose to cope with these topics. I think it is a good read for young adults and high-school-aged kids.
We are introduced to the main character Matt, who is struggling in school after the passing of his brother, TJ, and seems to be pretty lost about what he wants to do in the future. TJ was deployed in Iraq, where he was killed during the war, so all that Matt has left of his brother are his personal effects, something he believes will bring closure to his mourning. What Matt did not expect was to find that there was much more to his brother's life than he knew. Through TJ's personal effects, Matt discovers more about his brother and more about himself and who he wants to be.
Not only is Matt struggling with school, but he is also struggling at home, as his relationship with his father crumbles under the mourning and loss of TJ. Matt's father has extremely high expectations for him, saying that he needs to follow in his and TJ's footsteps by signing up for the military, something that Matt is not sure he truly wants. This obviously creates a lot of tension for Matt at home, and there is a clear lack of communication between the two.
I do, however, feel like the relationship between Matt and his father was not as developed as it could have been. I understand they did not have a good relationship because Matt's father became extremely shut off after TJ died and Matt has a hard time talking to him about what he wants for his future, but there was not a whole lot more explanation to the relationship outside of that. I would have liked to know more about why his father shut away TJ's items and did not open any of the letters. I just think this part could have been more developed and supported to understand the cracks in the relationship better.
SPOILERS AHEAD
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Unfortunately, I found the second half of the book to be pretty unrealistic for a contemporary read. I don't think that it would be plausible for a high school kid to run off with their friend's car and drive halfway across the country to meet someone whom he has absolutely no information about.
I think the reasoning behind going to Madison, WI, and the actions that took place were caring and developmental for Matt, but I just can't see a high school student with so many troubles realistically traveling by themselves across the country to understand who their brother's potential lover is. I think if there was some form of communication beforehand, like an email or a phone call, that may have helped make things feel more real.
With this aside, I think that E. M. Kokie developed Matt's character really well and they show the different areas of his personal and emotional growth. His character did feel realistic and it was interesting to watch him discover a new side of his brother while also discovering more about himself.
Many of Matt's ideas were clearly shaped by his father. He was raised with a live-tough, fight-hard, homophobic, war-centered mindset. This is what his father ingrained into Matt growing up, so when he learns certain truths about his brother, and about himself, Matt has to learn to challenge these mindsets he has always known and believed in order to create his own beliefs.
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SPOILERS OVER
Overall, I did not love this book, but I think it was a good story about personal growth and discovery and familial understanding, it just fell short in a few places.
CW: War, fighting, reference to parental abuse, PTSD, homophobia
This book covers a lot of really important topics and presents its readers with various ways in which people chose to cope with these topics. I think it is a good read for young adults and high-school-aged kids.
We are introduced to the main character Matt, who is struggling in school after the passing of his brother, TJ, and seems to be pretty lost about what he wants to do in the future. TJ was deployed in Iraq, where he was killed during the war, so all that Matt has left of his brother are his personal effects, something he believes will bring closure to his mourning. What Matt did not expect was to find that there was much more to his brother's life than he knew. Through TJ's personal effects, Matt discovers more about his brother and more about himself and who he wants to be.
Not only is Matt struggling with school, but he is also struggling at home, as his relationship with his father crumbles under the mourning and loss of TJ. Matt's father has extremely high expectations for him, saying that he needs to follow in his and TJ's footsteps by signing up for the military, something that Matt is not sure he truly wants. This obviously creates a lot of tension for Matt at home, and there is a clear lack of communication between the two.
I do, however, feel like the relationship between Matt and his father was not as developed as it could have been. I understand they did not have a good relationship because Matt's father became extremely shut off after TJ died and Matt has a hard time talking to him about what he wants for his future, but there was not a whole lot more explanation to the relationship outside of that. I would have liked to know more about why his father shut away TJ's items and did not open any of the letters. I just think this part could have been more developed and supported to understand the cracks in the relationship better.
SPOILERS AHEAD
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Unfortunately, I found the second half of the book to be pretty unrealistic for a contemporary read. I don't think that it would be plausible for a high school kid to run off with their friend's car and drive halfway across the country to meet someone whom he has absolutely no information about.
I think the reasoning behind going to Madison, WI, and the actions that took place were caring and developmental for Matt, but I just can't see a high school student with so many troubles realistically traveling by themselves across the country to understand who their brother's potential lover is. I think if there was some form of communication beforehand, like an email or a phone call, that may have helped make things feel more real.
With this aside, I think that E. M. Kokie developed Matt's character really well and they show the different areas of his personal and emotional growth. His character did feel realistic and it was interesting to watch him discover a new side of his brother while also discovering more about himself.
Many of Matt's ideas were clearly shaped by his father. He was raised with a live-tough, fight-hard, homophobic, war-centered mindset. This is what his father ingrained into Matt growing up, so when he learns certain truths about his brother, and about himself, Matt has to learn to challenge these mindsets he has always known and believed in order to create his own beliefs.
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SPOILERS OVER
Overall, I did not love this book, but I think it was a good story about personal growth and discovery and familial understanding, it just fell short in a few places.
5/5 (physical book)
CW: Homophobia
This book has all of my emotions. I love it. Please read it. Review over.
Just kidding, but seriously, read it.
Becky Albertallie and Adam Silvera did an amazing job shaping a story that was gripping and silly and emotional and real. Ben's and Arthur's characters were written in such a way that made their story feel so authentic. I instantly fell in love with Arthur's silly character, and the way that he and Ben meet is not like the typical summer love story. There is no beach, no oogling over someone in a bathing suit, and no crazy summer romance that is ungodly unrealistic. Instead, we are given a post office, a hot dog tie, and a box full of an ex-boyfriend's memorabilia.
What If It's Us is funny, diverse, genuine, and emotional. Albertalli and Silvera create a representative cast that helps to tell the story of Ben and Arthur, something we need more in YA. Each character was unique and had their own mini story to tell along the way!
Ben and Arthur were the unlikely summer romance that fought so hard to stay together. They had their bumps in the relationship, but those bumps were smoothed out. The connection between the two was complex and developed as the story carried on, making it engaging the entire way.
I love how all of the various relationships (platonic and romantic) carried complexities that were worked out and resolved realistically. Not everything turned out to be perfect and happily ever after. Some relationships, like Ben and Hudson, took some mending before they could rebuild, and others like Arthur, Jessie, and Ethan, just needed clarification in communication for a resolution to be made. This variation made the story not feel too fictionalize as some stories become.
The ending was wrapped up perfectly in my eyes. I was worried that the story was going to end with Ben and Arthur staying together, but to me, that would have been way too unrealistic. I am so glad that they stayed friends and remained in contact. It was fun reading the epilogue and seeing where the characters all ended up!
I plan to reread this one again soon, and I am definitely recommending it to any and everyone!
CW: Homophobia
This book has all of my emotions. I love it. Please read it. Review over.
Just kidding, but seriously, read it.
Becky Albertallie and Adam Silvera did an amazing job shaping a story that was gripping and silly and emotional and real. Ben's and Arthur's characters were written in such a way that made their story feel so authentic. I instantly fell in love with Arthur's silly character, and the way that he and Ben meet is not like the typical summer love story. There is no beach, no oogling over someone in a bathing suit, and no crazy summer romance that is ungodly unrealistic. Instead, we are given a post office, a hot dog tie, and a box full of an ex-boyfriend's memorabilia.
What If It's Us is funny, diverse, genuine, and emotional. Albertalli and Silvera create a representative cast that helps to tell the story of Ben and Arthur, something we need more in YA. Each character was unique and had their own mini story to tell along the way!
Ben and Arthur were the unlikely summer romance that fought so hard to stay together. They had their bumps in the relationship, but those bumps were smoothed out. The connection between the two was complex and developed as the story carried on, making it engaging the entire way.
I love how all of the various relationships (platonic and romantic) carried complexities that were worked out and resolved realistically. Not everything turned out to be perfect and happily ever after. Some relationships, like Ben and Hudson, took some mending before they could rebuild, and others like Arthur, Jessie, and Ethan, just needed clarification in communication for a resolution to be made. This variation made the story not feel too fictionalize as some stories become.
The ending was wrapped up perfectly in my eyes. I was worried that the story was going to end with Ben and Arthur staying together, but to me, that would have been way too unrealistic. I am so glad that they stayed friends and remained in contact. It was fun reading the epilogue and seeing where the characters all ended up!
I plan to reread this one again soon, and I am definitely recommending it to any and everyone!
5/5 (audiobook)
This book is a must-read. It encourages positive, helpful conversations while pointing out a list of injustices that still need to be changed in our society.
Ijeoma Oluo crafted a narrative that helps readers understand how to have conversations about race, why having those conversations is extraordinarily important, and when the conversations are appropriate to have. The three words that stick in my head after reading this book are emotional, educational, and informative.
I, personally, like having conversations about topics that may make others uncomfortable. I want to know as much about a topic as I can, and I want my sources to be diverse. I love hearing conflicting ideas, but in a rational and pleasant debate. This book opened my eyes and is helping me have this conversation in the most respectful and helpful way possible.
We need to learn to listen to the stories of others and ask how we can help. Oluo explains that defending and speaking are not always the most effective nor respectful ways to talk about race, and through this book, she really helps to display various ways we can change those less effective strategies into supportive, positive strategies.
One of the pieces of this novel I really like is how Oluo constantly challenged the reader by asking "why are you reading this book?" She wants the reader to understand why they are reading this book, but also why they are wanting to talk about race. This thought-provoking question throughout the novel really made me think critically about where I stand in the conversations and how I can do better.
I will recommend this book to anyone who is ready to start the conversation, change their conversation, or at least listen and think about the conversations.
This book is a must-read. It encourages positive, helpful conversations while pointing out a list of injustices that still need to be changed in our society.
Ijeoma Oluo crafted a narrative that helps readers understand how to have conversations about race, why having those conversations is extraordinarily important, and when the conversations are appropriate to have. The three words that stick in my head after reading this book are emotional, educational, and informative.
I, personally, like having conversations about topics that may make others uncomfortable. I want to know as much about a topic as I can, and I want my sources to be diverse. I love hearing conflicting ideas, but in a rational and pleasant debate. This book opened my eyes and is helping me have this conversation in the most respectful and helpful way possible.
We need to learn to listen to the stories of others and ask how we can help. Oluo explains that defending and speaking are not always the most effective nor respectful ways to talk about race, and through this book, she really helps to display various ways we can change those less effective strategies into supportive, positive strategies.
One of the pieces of this novel I really like is how Oluo constantly challenged the reader by asking "why are you reading this book?" She wants the reader to understand why they are reading this book, but also why they are wanting to talk about race. This thought-provoking question throughout the novel really made me think critically about where I stand in the conversations and how I can do better.
I will recommend this book to anyone who is ready to start the conversation, change their conversation, or at least listen and think about the conversations.
4/5 (audiobook)
CW: Rape, fatphobia, eating disorders, gaslighting
Roxane Gay hit me with all of the things I needed to hear in this memoir. She discusses weight, femininity, family, friends, and personal struggles and successes. Gay is a wonderful writer who tells the traumatic, raw, and real story of her life.
Gay shares how she and others have treated her body throughout her life, both positively and negatively. She is always honest about her struggles and her triumphs, making me feel like I was sitting next to her, listening to her tell me her story. Through this book, Gay is able to tell her story and does not hold back like society would expect her to. For this, I admire Gay.
The ending does not wrap up in a neat, tidy, all-things-are-good bow, but instead, it challenges its readers to continue thinking about what is "standard" and "normal" and how we can change those perceptions.
I plan to recommend this book to mature readers looking to challenge what society expects of us.
CW: Rape, fatphobia, eating disorders, gaslighting
Roxane Gay hit me with all of the things I needed to hear in this memoir. She discusses weight, femininity, family, friends, and personal struggles and successes. Gay is a wonderful writer who tells the traumatic, raw, and real story of her life.
Gay shares how she and others have treated her body throughout her life, both positively and negatively. She is always honest about her struggles and her triumphs, making me feel like I was sitting next to her, listening to her tell me her story. Through this book, Gay is able to tell her story and does not hold back like society would expect her to. For this, I admire Gay.
The ending does not wrap up in a neat, tidy, all-things-are-good bow, but instead, it challenges its readers to continue thinking about what is "standard" and "normal" and how we can change those perceptions.
I plan to recommend this book to mature readers looking to challenge what society expects of us.
