hillysreads's Reviews (381)

Under the Skin is SUCH AN IMPORTANT READ. It discusses various topics in the health industry such as how COVID-19 affected the Black community, mental health, environmental hazards in Black communities, lack of healthcare in Black communities and so much more. Racism in healthcare is not talked about ENOUGH. So many Black people are neglected and lose their lives every day due to racism and discrimination in healthcare.

What I learned while reading this book, blew my mind. As a Black woman with sickle cell and who has experienced neglect and discrimination in healthcare, I thought I was prepared for what I was getting into. But this book brings so much to light!

The book starts off discussing the health racial disparities for Black women during childbirth and Black infant mortality. Black women are three to four times more likely to die during or after childbirth and Black infants are twice as likely to die compared to white mothers and infants.

“….statistics showed the racial disparity in infant mortality was actually greater in present day than in 1850, when Black women were human chattel and babies of all races died so frequently that parents hesitated to name them.” It’s the 21st century and with all the technology we have, racial disparity in infant mortality is greater now than in 1850???

Villarosa weaves in American history and real true life stories that are her own and other Black Americans' experiences in healthcare in the book. It really made the book easy to understand and get through - despite the hard topics the book discussed. Under the Skin hit on every angle of racial disparities in the healthcare industry. I truly believe every doctor, nurse, therapist, or anyone who works or wants to work in healthcare, should read this book.

3.5

Dating Dr. Dil was soooo cute! I’m a sucker for enemies to friends trope and this book immediately sucked me in! I loved both of the main characters, especially Kareena. She was a strong-willed and independent woman who knew exactly what she wanted and wasn’t willing to let go of her expectations of love. I also enjoyed the banter between the two characters, even though they couldn’t stand each other, they had such great chemistry that made me want to keep reading. I also really loved the Bollywood setting and the South Asian culture throughout the book. I found myself laughing out loud - especially at the aunties! They kept trying to arrange for Kareena to go out with different men to help her get engaged and their characters are hilarious

4.5

Take My Hand goes back and forth between 1973 and 2016 focusing on Civil Townsends' experience being a nurse at the Montgomery Family Planning Clinic. From the first couple of chapters, I was intrigued by the MC Civil, her personality was fire and she was passionate about her career and just being a free woman. The story focuses on Erica and India (sisters) and their family - I loved the relationship between her and the sisters. The family lived in extreme poverty and Civil tried to help them in every way possible, forming a relationship with each family member, and fitting right in. The government took advantage of this family and put India and Erica on birth control when they had no reason to be. It is so cruel and sad how the government took advantage of Black families such as Erica and India’s family; which took a traumatic turn that had me literally gasping out loud in shock. I learned a lot while reading Take My Hand and I took a lot from this story, and it will stick with me. I really enjoyed reading this book, it was quick-paced at the beginning but the end had a slow burn. I loved the characters and this story was beautifully written. I highly recommend you read this to learn about the racism and discrimination in health care in America.