I watched this show when it came out 4 years ago, so the book wasn’t as suspenseful for me because I knew the twist. And it took awhile for Holly to show up. But I liked it enough, maybe would have liked it better if I’d hadn’t seen the show first. But I have to say this is an instance where I liked the show better than the book.

I found this book entertaining even though the ending was predictable. It was obvious to me that the journey of undoing some decisions “regrets” ultimately showed her she made correct choices for herself. Many of the “big life” decisions she felt guilt or regret for, were right for her. And that ultimately through this journey should would learn her life was one worth living and go back to the “root life”. But I think the concept of multiple lives at once was interesting vs possible different lives. I often think about how different my life would be had I done this or that, not out of regret but just general pondering on how life is full of variables that lead to different outcomes.
3.5 rounded up

I think this book is important because I have never heard from an intersex person’s point of view, and I think that probably applies to most people. All the conversations that are happening around trans, non-binary people and the policies that are being enacted, really aren’t including intersex peoples. (she never heard the term intersex until she was 27!) The amount of shame and secrecy that surround intersex people is made clear through this memoir.

I read through some of the other reviews and many people complained about the memoir being like a resume. Fair enough, but she is an activist so her memoir will include many of those jobs and that journey. But I understand “politics” isn’t always people’s favorite thing but I found it interesting and her very existence is political, so to not expect some of that would be short-sighted. I also saw some saying she was “braggy”. I have issue with this because for some reason when confident, accomplished women talk about those accomplishments it is viewed negatively. And that criticism often comes from other women. She was slut shamed starting at a young age, which she talks about. Reclaiming her own sexuality without shame, as an intersex person, is a pretty big idea of this book. It did not come off as braggy to me, she even comments on the hypocrisy of her sexual shaming and how if it was a man, he would not experience the same shame. So as someone who from birth, was treated as a secret to be kept and something to be shamed about, becomes confident enough to tell her story gets called “braggy”. Big ick.

4.5
I don’t know a lot about Greek Mythology so I had no preconceived ideas or clue what would happen. But I did find myself constantly googling more about this information, it had me very engaged. And to my surprise, realized I have been to Mycenae and seen the Tomb of Agamemnon and the Lion Gate. Some of the events can be hard to stomach but I felt the rage and grief from those pages. Very moving.

I liked this book, it provides a new way to consider the civil rights era and a new perspective from those wanted equal rights but not necessarily integration. Alice, the main character, finds new safe haven in New Jessup by being in a black community without daily white interaction. But the threat of white violence is still there in a slow, simmering tenseness.
The first part of the book is pretty slow, I found the writing to be sometimes confusing. I think it was the transitions to provide background, sometimes seem to come out of nowhere and didn't fit. Could be because it was a little slower at times, I wasn't paying good enough attention.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"Her words were full of the kind of truth only children can tell - bursting with the belief and imagination of an uncorrupted heart."
"My daughter had taught me what it meant to be enchanted by love, and I prayed thanks every day she had chosen to teach me as her mama."
"Don't diminish yourself baby...that's the world's work, not yours."
"But at the end of the day, we can't control Chase or the Chases and Fitzhughs of the world. What we can do is live for, love, and protect our community."

I listened to this, which I think may have been a mistake. Due to the side characters and side stories, it was really easy to lose interest and get bored. Many people seem to really love this book and the writing and I just didn't connect the same way. The overall message is wonderful; finding humanity and community. The ending was beautiful. But everything else between was not cohesive enough for me. Again, I feel like maybe I am missing something.
I did watch the author speak about this book. I know it was well researched and thought out, everything was done for a reason. And I really appreciated the insight into this process and book and his overall drive to write things that are hopeful, that offer solutions instead focusing so hard on the bad. "Tune out people who make a living off showing our differences." So I will definitely check out more books, but read vs listen.

Like it enough, but not as good as some of the others in the series.

3.5 rounded up
There was a lot going on in the book, not hard to keep straight just a lot of sub-stories and background. But I enjoyed the WWII veteran perspective as well as the indigenous history, though was minimal. (Sioux uprising) Will probably check out his other works.

3.5 rounded up
This book is so different from what I have read before and I liked it. Interesting way to comment on environmental and political issues today. Wealthy people should invest in the earth / environment in a way that helps everyone vs focusing on investing solutions on themselves only. Kids not enjoying fresh fruit anymore due to the processed food they grew up on. “Religion is a flimsy construction of rituals infused with arbitrary power.” All sorts of ideas presented throughout the book, but did ultimately end in a hopeful way vs doom.