modern story of Raven from the teen titans. Includes voodoo magick influence of new orleans. Beast boy makes an appearance kind of along with slade.

I stumbled upon this collection of sci-fi stories written by various black and people of color writers. I originally was looking for books written by black female sci-fi authors like Octavia Spencer and so many other greats. Unfortunately a lot of their works are not in the library system individually but within collections. I wasn't sure i would like that format. Very few of the stories i skipped or skimmed which is a first. I was shocked when many of the stories ended in cliffhangers. I wanted more. It was so beautiful reading about these worlds where they not only look like me or other non white people but have their cultures interwoven into the plot, theme, main idea of the story in a respectful incredible way. If we lived in a better world these stories would make incredible movies and tv shows. Unfortunately it will never get that opportunity not without a lot of whitewashing and demeaning changes. I not only felt like i learned more about my people but other cultures as well. I high recommend this book.

I am Gen z, born in the 2000s, and I did not grow up interested in Wonder Woman. However, my mother, I later learned, as we watched Wonder Woman (2017), was in her youth. But that is where my W.W. interest ended until 2021 Nubia: Real One came to be. She is black and a dc character. I didn't need to know much else. I quickly requested it at my library and waited for months. When it was available, I let my little sister read it first. She loved it.
In my time, we had Number 5 from Kids Next Door and Penny Proud. Still, the new generation of the 2010s has Craig of the Creek, Garnet from Steven Universe. Many more diverse families, cultures, and people in these shows tell real stories of black and P.O.C. main characters which I love. I used to read comics and manga for hours. I can only remember W.I.T.C.H., the power of five having a black character. Regardless, I am thankful to McKinney and my Jamaican Sister Robyn for such a well-written and beautifully designed masterpiece. Coincidentally the day I read this was George Floyds Triple Murder verdict; I only wish Trayvon Martin, the case that set it all off for me, had gotten the same shocking justice. I cannot wait to see what else you both create in the future for people of color. We need our stories to be told now more than ever in every medium, for the children. I laughed and got angry reading this truth, but I resonated wholeheartedly with Nubia. I stan Nubia x Oscar for life. I will definitely be adding this to my personal library soon.

Do you have relaxed hair, locs, straightened hair, balding,shaved, braids, natural, weave, wigs, gray, hair loss?
Have you experienced colorism, racism, preference, conditioning, colonization, style, childhood, trauma, choices, and identity issues? Then this book is for you. Where has this book my whole life? It is incredible. Every black woman (men too) of any hair choice is recognized in this book: the good, the bad, and the truth. I really do hope to receive this as a gift or purchase this. I want my children to have this glory of a collection in their library. To learn from and connect to.
From the ages 7 - 13 (2007-2013), I had natural styles, braids, and straightened hair. I remember the days of holding down my ear. Staying still like a statue. The smell of burning hair, grease, sprays, and sweat in the air. My hair would be shiny and styled so cute. I was okay with my short hair. When I watched tv, a lot of the princesses like ariel had long flowy hair. I would have blankets and towels on my head. Soon there will be a mermaid with locs on the scene. If little me knew that back then, I would have been thrilled.
Then in high school, I did not want my hair straightened anymore. I tried to stick to natural styles with my hair, braids, and crotchet styles. Every three years or so, I get it blow-dried straight or flat ironed and trimmed. I never keep it straight long. I think I look unattractive. Other people disagree. But it's my style, my face, my hair. Now I have my first wig. Soon I will get a curly brown blonde one.
I have never had a sew-in. I don't think I can afford nor care to maintain one. I adore watching for my hair with oils, clean and natural ingredients, and products. I enjoy wash day because I get to pamper my hair and myself.
My plan is when I am older and have my last child, I want to loc my hair. When I retire or feel very old, I want to shave my hair off. This book has inspired me in so many ways. I even felt more free taking out my braids reading this book. I felt more mindful all throughout wash day. I am not a braider. I cannot cornrow (yet!). My mom learned to do hair on me. I have a sneaky suspicion I will do the same thing. I can twist (two-strand and three-strand). I can style and find suitable products for my hair.
I am dark skin and have 4a,b, c mixture hair. In my Jamaican family, I have "Cooly" hair. Which is another way of saying good hair. I don't see it that way. I think all black hair loose to tight coils is beautiful because of what it can do EVERYTHING! No other people on earth are so blessed. It took me 2 hours to twist my hair small with an oiled scalp, 2 creams, and gel to last me a week of not touching my hair after taking out my braids and washing. I didn't get to deep condition this week. I was busy helping the family cook for my mom on mother's day. But this week I will deep condition. I plan to undo my twists, and eventually when it gets too unruly for me, I will spend two hours twisting it again, or my mom will do it for me. I try to not have her do it as much anymore. I am a big girl now. But there is nothing like oiling each other's scalp and twisting up each other's hair.
I recently started washing and styling my grandma's hair. From years of her coloring and relaxing her hair, she has bald spots and almost no hair. I am excited to turn gray. I have no plans to ever color it, but I will wear colored braids and wigs.
In conclusion, black women and men read this book. Whether you relax, are natural, or wear weaves and wigs, it's all love in this book...black love.

"This incredible book discusses the good, bad, and personal of relaxing, straightening, wigs, graying, weaves, braids, locs, bald, natural, the big chop, colorism, race, sexuality, and so on."

Excerpt: "What I learned was that a woman who is not treated really special as a girl works through that her whole life" Dekar's touch excerpt by Pamela Johnson."

A must read.

Textbook used in my health and wellness course. Not read for pleasure but I did get an 88 in the class. A lot of content. Preferred a physical text but the ebook reading to me was very helpful.

Jordan understood the assignment. In my youth all i read was books like this. The teen drama romance. This is a more modern version of it. The make out scenes are so...wow like if that is what kissing is suppose to feel like I had no idea. I wish liking someone...being with them felt as good as I felt reading this book. I do of course have a few critiques & questions. Why did Dana (young gf of rich dad) get to kick out his daughter but said she was lucky to have money,parents, talent when in actuality no she did not have good, supportive, active parents. As far as I could tell from reading there are no poc which is fine. I prefer white authors to not write poc characters it often becomes stereotypical and offensive. The girl questioning her sexuality I wish there were a few chapters designated to her or her perspective. A book two or end chapter of who they became in college would have been really interesting to read as well. I mentioned this before but often characters are written in a way where their love interest is almost identical to their best friend or someone they love and are close to. That was kind of true in the beginning. But the aggression exhibited by both male characters was okay. Unfortunately some act like that but not all. As someone who was raised by a single parent for most of their life the dad messed up. He put a woman before his daughter. Thats messed up. A new mother neglecting her daughter by not changing her and abusing substances. Because someone leaves you does not make it okay to stop caring for yourself or a baby that depends on you for EVERYTHING. I did very much enjoy this book. I had no idea people were still capable of creating stories like this that give me nostalgic 90s- early 2000s vibes. I wish someone could love me see me. I need more recommendations of books like this. Good job Jordan!!!

I am happy to be done with this class!!!

This year has been a lot. It is only fitting that I close out this year having read a truly good book. I am very glad I picked up this book based on its glorius updated cover and summary. I have never bought a book from the dollar tree before, but now I will make it a habit to. It is affordable and there are truly some gems in there. No, insult to Ashley but as for someone who loves books more than anything I would have not found her masterpiece otherwise. I want to thank her for creating something special that I connected to more than she could ever know.

***SPOILERS***
I truly enjoy books and films that have several stories in one that intertwine. Hence, my love of shows like "Modern love" and"Black mirror". I would say I have always found death fascinating. Its a time for me to celebrate the people who have passed. I have yet to lose anyone close to me. I have watched many people experience the pain and its like second hand emotions but unlike them I go on mostly unaffected. I loved all the characters from the good to the bad. Autumn is a lot like me. Wanting to stay home and read. Her losing Tavia was a major shift that changed her and others world. I do love how her and Dante decided to still be together. With a change life this it can be a lot to deal with. I am glad she figured out she still had her own identity as an art and music lover. Her connection with her sister and the struggles of her complicated feelings so well written and expressed. Shay a twin of sasha. Jerome and Ro and the friends of all the characters. Cancer though just as sad and difficult as a car accident or suicide just takes a while. Watching someone you love get sicker is one of the most painful things to do. Panic attacks and music such an important part of her story. With the track and field and music managements its such a beautiful blend of interests that are keeping the characters grounded and reminding them they too are alive. I was happy to see how they finally got Unraveling Lovely back together because they all suffered loss. Logan burdened by words said in anger. Finding peace thanks to his parents getting him help. A mirror was placed in his face to truly get his shit together. If this ever becomes a film or limited series I need the music. I need it to be so good. I imagine Logans voice like JT or Sam Smith.

Why books like this matter:
Most of the characters in this book are people of color, queer, and relatable. I cannot tell you how many books in my 21 years are not all those three things and more. It uses social media without referencing brands that is very easy to imagine because each main character uses different ones. I love the fact there are black twins who created an organization for other black and POC music lovers who run track, have panic attacks, depression, parents who are trying with what they have. A korean adoptee and how her first ever friend made her feel accepted. A hispanic/Latinx family. Exploring grief across the spectrum. Delving into how relationships can get messy and complicated.

Overall, this book is well written. As a debut it just makes me hungry to read more of her work. I love to read books that make me visualize it fully and fall into the story. I am Autumn, Shay, and Luke and I hope to be loved by someone like Dante, Jerome, and Bram. Well done Ashley.