I did indeed find this in the Dollar Tree making it the second well written book I found there. I am glad it was there because I could afford it. I love the diary style of each chapter. Taking me to each time period of Mary's life and the lesson she eventually learned. I hope she is always evolving and feeling her emotions in a way that serves her. I hope her kids will read her books and understand her a little better. She is not just mom, daughter, author, or wife... she is Mary Laura sometimes boring, always type A, and ever changing. I think its cool to see how other people live. Find love, have kids in a different way, and stress over the mundane of life challanges that do matter and are important in their own way. I hope to have these things one day. A pet that my family loves and will grieve when they pass. A loving relationship that doesn't abandon me when things get hard because it won't always be easy. Travel in places I won't exactly fit in or be happy and the ability to move to somewhere I do. In my personal opinon the chapter about her awful ex from college should have been called RED FLAGS. I enjoyed this book. I hope the people I lend it to can absorb the concept. Sure it doesn't really connect with me in some aspects culturally or in experiences but it doesn't have to all the time. Good job Mary A+.

Predictable ending but very well written. Eager to read the second book...

I really love this book. I was enthralled in the entire story line and never wanted to put it down. Willa I saw so much of myself as a daughter of immigrants in her though we are over 80 years apart in time. I was thinking nice no love scenario but then comes Sam I mean i think everyone deserves a good time so I guess its fine. I loved how I could feel and visualize the trauma within the family. There are various topics: education, roles of women & their rights, abortion, sex, culture, religion, addiction, poverty, I mean I see so much connection between that time period and now the only difference is the race & culture. I was sad to see some characters not make it. I was shocked by paddy but happy for him none the less. The entire MacCarthy family really have a lot to work through. Therapy and the medical treatment of all women. I have never wanted to be a doctor. I hope more good doctors like Winston exisit in the real world because with these laws set against so many and the divide in care its always needed. Thank you Amy Trueblood and really such an iconic name.

I will start by saying I choose this book after Bell Hooks's death. I had never heard of her nor read any of her work. I was aware of "Ain't I a woman," but I had no idea it was her. I read "All about love" in 2022. I suppose I am currently 22, and I have never been in romantic love. It has not been reciprocated. Usually, it is pretty one-sided. I hope to reread this book in a decade to see where I am. I love friends and family, even strangers that should fulfill me, but it fades. People are often not consistent in the love they claim to have for me or show me. Aside from my family, even with them, If I were honest about who I am, they would not love me, and I can live with hiding myself from them. One day they will die, and that is just the truth. Two years ago, in my first relationship, I had someone so incompatible with me in love with me, and no matter what, I felt nothing. I learned though I regretted having sex with this person because every time was so wrong, I felt nothing but deep disgust for the entire experience. I completed every task that my family required of me. I had a heterosis norm relationship for a year. Now that my feelings have grown on a spectrum, I fear it has made it more difficult for me. I don't give off the vibe. I want to be seen for my true self and have a great love life. But at this point, I want to have incredible sex. Yes, I am young with my whole life ahead of me, but I also have goals and things I don't have much time for. With my program and possible health issues progressing, I wish there was more I could feel besides dread and suspicion. Dating in this day and age is awful. I have been scared that I cannot use the apps. I know no one in my location is for me with my current situation. Therefore traveling, leaving, and living all over to work in my dream field do and have all the things I was not allowed to. My freedom is my love. Even if others never see me, I see myself. I deserve to live to the fullest. I love this book, and I am sad Bell Hooks is gone, but I will take her advice and keep going.

This is an old book. I was maybe 4 years old when it cam out. Listening to it modern day was very cringey. There were some verbage that is not totally appropriate. A lot of cis hetero romance that had me laughing and utterly confused. I have never listened to an audio book with two different narrators. The last audio book I listened to was "Yaki Delgado is going to kick your ass" in high school, and I don't even remember the plot. But this book even though I have never read any of the other titles will definitely stay with me. If Nash and Tess are gonna be together Sofia and Decker should too. I am not saying I am for the way it went really but if youre gonna give me smut trash complete the cycle weirdos. Overall I have not as i recall read a action romance for hetero gaze. I felt like I was watching one of my dads cheesy over sexual action movies with the bald british or american old guys who looked like they did not belong with their hotter female leads who deserve a movie series in actuality. I hope to give this to someone. I am lucky to still have a CD player in my car.

Over the past few months, I was hunting for books about eating disorders but telling the story, not the science. I was not expecting to find a lot or really anything that I could culturally identify with as a black woman with body image issues/eating disorders. I enjoyed the book overall. I was transported to Stephanie C.A.'s world. I appreciate the honesty and rawness her story brings to the table. I feel like it is not talked about enough. In our communities, there is not enough belief in children putting their needs first. We are carrying the pain of those before us. Not knowing what is better. Going through more trauma. Sometimes never getting health. It costs us our lives in more ways than one. I am glad I found this gem. Thank you for your contribution.

TW & cons: Sex shaming, Religious trauma, Brief ED mention
Pros: Cherokee cultural & spiritual representation, pagan rituals i feel as one is accurate
"A lot of sex shaming. Looking online its pretty popular especially with indigenous cosplayers. Zoey Redbird. I am liking these vampire versions so far. I wouldnt mind being one." I am hoping (depending if I enjoy boy two as much as I have book 1) there is less sex shaming because zoeybird is definetly horny for Mr.Night. Heath is just a good refrigerator lol. I am hoping she does not end up with Heath in the end of these 13 books. Based on spoilers I know I am suppose to be suspicious of Nefret but she is so Iconic. I love ALL of zoey's friends. I hope they all make it through the change. I know the hag is suppose to be redeemable eventually just not sure when. I have never thought about vampire lore in this way. I have always wanted tattoos but only in connection to my indigenous culture. These markings on their face & body is so beautiful. I am grateful to my friend Scar for exposing me to this "vampire trash" that I love. So far not so trashy just a little cringey. Unfortnately there will not be a series since the deadline has passed now but maybe one day or even a movie franchise. Found a beautiful playlist for the first book: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3EuZvxmCDeUi3OuO9k6Bff?si=83d1100397074768
If I could be any character human I would be Grandma Redbird, Vampyre* Zoey, Fledgling Shaunee
(Did not like how to spelled vamipre at first*) I am curious as to why the authors chose indigenous culture but I am grateful I have NEVER read a book that does. Blessed Be till the next sabbath of Mabon.

I love this book. Real and raw like The last black unicorn by tiffany haddish and Becoming by first lady michelle obama. I found myself taking notes mostly on the food tips. I hope the girls appreciate how much this will only enhance and benefit their lives. Ali is amazing I hope to attend her show one day. Justin's afterword was so lovely. I appreciate a man who loves his family and aims to be a decent person and beyond. Enough about him. This book was meant to be read only by Ali. No one else except maybe Oprah could do it justice. I learned to much and I am glad my relationship with my mother and sister is kind of like this. Although i am first generation american to two jamaican parents and it definitely has its issues I am deeply grateful. Thankful that this book is at the library and I hope to one day buy it for my children.