This was a very difficult book to get through. This book shed light and exposed how segregated our government is in the U.S., and how even when the government "tries" contractors and white people find loopholes in policies or sanctions or disregard them altogether.

I have a note in my phone filled with notes. I will put a few of them below. This book is too complex and intricate to boil down to a single review. These are either direct quotes, thoughts, or topics that were discussed.

- [ ] For integrated neighborhoods the price would increase so they (African-Americans (AA)) couldn’t pay the payments and resell the houses to white owners
- [ ] Blockbusting worked because few AA could afford to pay for houses at the market values
- [ ] IRS was supposed to withheld money from organizations that tasks to prevented AA from moving into white neighborhoods. But they rarely did so.
- [ ] The federal reserve violated AA legal and constitutional rights
- [ ] Interest of loans were higher 3-4 times higher for AA than the whites
- [ ] Insurance companies were in on the scheme
- [ ] Banks were in on the scheme
- [ ] Bank of America and Wells Fargo target AA with mortgage lending with high-interest rates. Subprime lending continues to accumulate.
- [ ] The government would fire AA to hire white people
- [ ] Suburban segregation: president Roosevelt... prohibition racial segregation. (but it happened anyway)
- [ ] President Roosevelt had a “non-discrimination order.” (but it happened anyway)
- [ ] “Proper legal procedures.” Even when they didn’t exist, whites were still using “policies” to be practice discrimination against AA
- [ ] Racial wage gap
- [ ] Federal tax codes were for the benefit of owners and not for renters. Whites more likely owners and blacks more likely renters.
- [ ] Federal tax credits made actions against them difficult
- [ ] AA usually got janitors' jobs and upward mobility was difficult (are we surprised?)
- [ ] “Twice as good to succeed.” Something that AA taught themselves and a sentiment that lives on today in 2020.
- [ ] Medium white annual income $60k
- [ ] Medium black annual income $37k
- [ ] Equity in homes is the main source of wealth in America

Alright, where do I start? What happens when you can’t trust your sight and your thoughts?

TRIGGER WARNING❗️
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Violence
- Hint of Domestic Violence
- Hospitalization
- Religion Exorcism-ish
- Attempted Suicide

It took me a few chapters to understand what was happening in this book. I don’t know why it was difficult for me to understand the story line in the beginning but it was. I understand this was story told from two POVs. James and Julie is married and living in an apartment and doing life together. Then Julie says “hey let’s move into this small town in this house that is on the market at a great price.” James reluctantly moved there and things started to happen to them. It is as if the house has a mind of it own or does it? Creepy and unexplained things began to happen to Julie and James.

There are lots of chapters in this short novel. I would say it’s on the Horror side of the tracks rather than thriller. I founded myself creeped out the whole time I was listening to this book via Libby. This book has have a whodunnit feel to it in certain parts as well. I’m still processing what I just read.

To be honest, I did not get into this book into 3/4 in. I was goshhhhh get to the point why don't you. I realized at the end of the book that Madame Bovary reminded of Anna Karenina.

My favorite line of the book was “anything essential is invisible to the eyes.” This book called out routine and demanded that we live!

Why has it taken me soooo long to read this book?!? I’m probably going to read it again! I think I need to! Wow!

Hard truths were told for sure.

I absolutely loved this book. He has become one of my favorite authors. I plan to read more of his work. A video review of this masterpiece that had me shaking in boots is coming soon.

This historical fiction, paranormal fiction book was great. Set in the time of the Salem witch trails and at a time where people flocked to religion for salvation. I read The Witches by Stacey Stiff a few years ago. The Year of the Witches has quite a few of historically accurate information that was stated in The Witches. I continually compared the The Witches to The Year of the Witches. I love it when a book I’ve read already ties into a current read.

I appreciate the most about the book the subtleties of romance. While reading I was frustrated with Emmanuella and in awe of her bravery. Her naivety was a product of her age but needed in this novel. The Judith character reminded me of so many of the women during the Salem witch trails to words caused some many deaths.

This is a story of being born in a certain circumstance, finding your path, creating your own destiny and aggressively choosing mercy EVEN when the opposite is so appealing.

I truly wish I had these 9 steps when I was a kid! This needs to be added to your collection of children’s book. Racism is not inherent, IT’S TAUGHT! Use this book as a stepping stone for your baby to be better than WE are!

I really feel so raw after reading this book. It was more than a story it is a current epidemic that we are currently having in the United States! So many people have become quickly addicted to pain medication due to pain management. So many of our loved ones hide their addictions or justify it because life is too hard to bare.

Reading this story of a family immigrating to America for a better life, only to be met with hardship. From Gifty’s mother being super religious. She used God and scripture as a form of rearing, bringing order in the home, and to “pray away the sickness.” This is an example of “hiding addictions” in brown communities. Gifty’s mother was too afraid of what the white people would think of her that she turned to her faith help save her son.

This story is heart breaking and shows how a person can react to trauma. Gifty did not want to face the consequences of addiction in her family. She waged an internal war with herself to not be “the dreadlock man” or seen as “crazy.” She turned to logic and the scientific method as her savior. Which caused her to lose some friendships along the way. Which also tested her faith in GOD. This family reminds us how important it is to check on each other and seek help when you need it. White people are NOT the only people who have addiction problems. Addiction is not only for the white man. It affects POC communities as well.

I have been over the moon by the short stories that I have been reading. I don't think I realized how much I like these stories. Specifically, to Skin Folk I noticed a few themes throughout the stories; control, sex, abuse, revelations.
I found lots of these stories enjoyable. I also found some hard to listen to. The last story in this book is filled with domestic violence and that was difficult to consume. However, the story about a fisherman was my favorite. It's a story about a person's identity, who they are, how they wish to be seen, and their first consensual sexual experience.

There were many different magic systems throughout this book. All of these different stories were different and Unique. The story about the older gentleman who was from Trinidad and eating things easily available to me reminded me of humility and the female character in that same story race change was equally interesting. I felt such joy as the grandmas ganged together in the story about the young girl who just wanted to meet her favorite author.

I think reading Skin Folk is a great introduction to Nalo's work. I hear that some of her novels have triggering stories and harder to process. I am so glad this was my first of her books. On to Midnight Robber.