Where do I start? Ibi Zoboi might be the most amazing writer of all time. I’m not exaggerating- okay, maybe I am, but she’s really, really good. After the first chapter or two, I realized the book was heavy with exposition. But, hear me when I say that I hadn’t been noticing it. Ibi wove the details of the character’s family, world, and mind in flawlessly, it flowed like water into the action of the book. The writing, overall, gave my this feeling: imagine you are carrying a heavy-but-not-terribly-heavy cardboard box around. It’s big, but fits perfectly in your hands, and against your body. Dust slips off, but you keep walking forward. It is a constant reminder as to what you are doing, what you are tasked with- bringing this box to its destination. The writing was strong and held its own, I couldn’t stop reading it. Zuri’s (1st POV) was incredible. She is a 17-year-old badass, black Haitian-Dominicana with four sisters and two parents and a landlord that everyone called Madrina (“godmother” in Spanish). She has opinions and biases and mistakes and dreams. The writing made her feel real, like she was talking to me. She was strong and her voice matched it and- I want to meet Zuri! She grew up in Bushwick, a neighborhood in Brooklyn or, as she calls it, just the hood. She loves the tight-knit community and the music and the people and the bookstand on the corner. The story begins with a family moving in across the street. The thing is, the house they are moving into didn’t used to be there. It used to be a beautiful, collapsing, rotting, old house, but now it’s a brand-spanking-new mini mansion that does not fit in it at all. Neither does the rich family that comes along with it. Will Zuri clash with the new boys next-door? Oh, you bet she will- she never backs down from a fight. But, what happens when it turns out to be something else? I don’t want to sound like a broken record, okay? but, I cried. I finished it in the car, just as I got to the house, and I for sure screamed. I definitely worried my father. The book just left me with so much emotion and so much to mull over that I didn’t know where to put it. I didn’t know how much I was going to be able to relate to Zuri, it ended up being a lot. Now, I worry I don’t have much credibility left, as a reviewer- mostly given to the fact that I get really excited about pretty much every book I read- but you have to read this one. Trust me, you won’t be able to put it down. If you're anything like me, you will laugh, cry, want to scream (and then maybe scream), but just don't forget to breathe. Ibi is telling an important story here. She’s telling the story of a character that doesn’t often have a voice. A story that is too often forgotten.
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Explicit; would rate R for sexual content. TW for homophobia. A graphic novel where, essentially, two stories are being told, simultaneously. Clementine comes to a house, in the first scene, to collect her ex-girlfriend’s old journals. Emma, the girl, recently passed (reason unknown) and wanted Clementine to read them. And read them she does. They cover the entire story of their relationship, and give insight into her thoughts at the time. The past told in narrative and the present that Clementine lives in, blend together in that way that time can do.
TW: abuse, child abuse, homophobia This book is tearing me apart. As soon as I “picked it up” (I read it as an ebook) I was hooked. I didn’t want to stop, but I kept having to because I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. It’s that intense. Somehow the wording feels simple, just readable, in a way, but the story is not. The weight of the book sat on my throat the entire time, barely letting me breathe. It’s amazing. Summary: (Here goes, this might suck, but I’m trying so hard to avoid spoilers.) Evan keeps his head down. He keeps his worlds separate. His family and house stay far away from school and his friends. 1. His family looks perfectly normal to the outside world. They are a quiet Greek family who go to church every Sunday. His mom hates him and isn’t quiet about it, only ever seeing him as a disappointment. His dad is always at work, and isn’t much help at home anyway. Dark secrets lie behind those doors. 2. School is okay, until things with his best friend change. That turns into something beautiful, but the hate they get is not. 3. He draws to keep himself sane. This is the best book I have read in a while. I picked it out randomly and was blown away. Angelo Surmelis writes from a place of truth in his own life, which makes it all the more devastating. He tells a painfully raw story that taught me a lot. Please read this if you can. I’m out of words. PS. You will cry. I seriously love this show so much. It might be my favorite, after Grey’s, of course. I can’t emphasize how much I think this type of show is needed. It’s a sitcom that happens in the (fictional) NYC police precinct 99, but also so much more. I was surprised with the seriousness that came up throughout the seasons and how they handled it. It shows nuances of corruption, racism, sexism, and homophobia within the workplace and on the streets. As always, I love to watch for the characters, and they are amazing. The character arcs are a work of art. Nine characters, two latinas, 3 women with very different personalities and presentations and two black men in respected positions of power. I can’t explain it. I felt represented and it was a light setting. #diversity #crushing stereotypes Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg*) drinks too much coffee, cute, uses humor as a shield, always underestimated, leather jackets, immature, never gives up, loves his friends, loyal Jake’s mom: You have been protecting me since you were a kid. Sometimes I think you got so good at it, you decided to become a cop and protect everyone. Jake: Oh, that’s a cool thought but I became a cop because of Die Hard. #Jewish Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero) sharp, always seem put together, wants to seem tough, organized, teacher’s pet, secretly smokes, competitive, so many binders, loyal “But the real hero here is the binder”. #female #Cuban Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz*) mysterious, scary calm, plain scary, wears all black, where did those knives come from, will surprise you, observant, strong, loyal “What kind of woman doesn’t have an axe?” #female #latina #independent #lgbt Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio*) actually a bunny, food critic, falls in love too easily, protective, clueless, wants to be included, indecisive, loyal “That’s why I’ve never tried to develop and edge! Can’t lose what you don’t have- no surprises!” #feminine guy Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews*) father to everyone, does pull-ups in his sleep, caring, yogurt, talks in third person for some reason, person everyone goes to, motivational, loyal Jake: It’s like taking candy from a baby. Terry: What are you doing giving candy to a baby? Don’t give candy to a baby! They can’t brush their little teeth! #black #nurturing #physically intimidating, but a sweetheart Scully (Joel McKinnon Miller) how does he still have a job? eats only junk food, loyal “If we’re away from our desks for too long, they’ll update our computers and we’ll lose minesweeper.” #loving friendship with another man Hitchcock (Dirk Blocker) somehow still alive, silly, loyal “You had me at no paperwork.”#loving friendship with another man Gina Linetti (Chelsea Peretti*) dramatic, secretly kind, quick-witted, knows all the gossip, funny, wicked burns, dancer, trendy, loyal “Hi. Gina Linetti. The human form of the 100 emoji.” #female #owns her bossiness Captain Ray Holt (Andre Braugher) - no small talk, impossible to read, smiles sometimes, hard to impress, determined, more secrets, lived through hell, loyal “Do you want to hear the funniest thing ever? I also split an infinitive, and she didn’t notice.” #black #openly gay
I have always been amazed with this style of plot structure; the idea of a story within a story. Beth Goobie paints you a picture about a girl named Maddy. For English class, the project was to collectively finish a novel. Every student has to give at least 300 words, and some put more effort in than others. It is fascinating how the story the characters create echo greater themes Maddy faces in her own life. Trigger warning: rape: The spring before the book starts, Maddy Malone was gang raped. She knows who three out of the five guys were, even though they wore masked, and finds out who the other two were later in the book. The night doesn't pause in haunting her. She has not spoken a word to anyone. Even when she drops art and doesn’t speak to her parents like she used to. She can’t talk to her older sister anymore and her life doesn’t feel like her own anymore. Will she find the courage to speak up about her own pain? Should she? Or should she take the pain she was given and deal with it? This novel narrows in on a lot of issues. One I found consistently powerful was about by standers. Knowing about different groups of secrets gives you a perspective that feels very raw. The author reminds you of how important your actions are even if you did nothing. That you are no more innocent. I didn’t expect to get much from this book, but I think it’s going to stick with me for a while. I recommend giving pause if some of the mentions in this book will trigger you (rape, self-harm, suicidal ideation, bullying, and sexual harassment). All together this story is worth knowing because it speaks up for people who may not be able to. Pretending something didn’t happen, just because it makes you feel better, doesn’t make the situation go away. And it sure as hell doesn’t help the victim, no matter the scenario. And 20 Other Myths and Misconceptions About Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming People DISCLAIMER: I haven't read the entire book yet, for it has been more of a skim, but am eager to start taking notes. My mom gave this to me to get an opinion of whether she should ask to get it for the school she works at or not. A mighty conservative school, mind you. I am saying yes, it is an important topic of conversation that shouldn’t be ignored because ignorance gets you nowhere. The book wasn’t presenting an opinion. I only saw facts backed up with solid references. It explored questions that shouldn’t be shameful to have, as long as you educate yourself. It doesn’t lecture you because only you can act on information given to you. As a trans* person, I felt the book was accurate and gave a warm view of the community. There are far too many articles and columns that are mad at you for being transphobic in ways you may not have realized you were. That anger gets us nowhere, while it is understandable, and the only thing is to read and read and move on. The prose was calm, howbeit, still giving a strong voice to the minority and exerting appropriate exigency. I felt that it has a range of information to offer from new eyes on the questions to people who see themselves well-versed. I will be delving in further and recommend you do as well. Gretchen starts. She hasn’t gone back to school after she was attacked. She’s okay now, except for she doesn’t usually leave the house, hates crowds, and gets panic attacks. Her biggest coping skill is solving calculus equations. Phoenix enters, and I wasn’t sure why they were connected. He and his brother escaped gang activity in El Salvador. But, they are separated now. And he is just trying to keep his head down. They keep each other going. I love the writing, and it is hard to read without rooting for the two. Marie Marquardt writes two things so accurately it’s hard for me to believe they aren’t real because I’ve seen it done badly so many times. Gretchen has panic attacks and other forms of PTSD and anxiety. Phoenix misses home but knows he can never go back. He points out funny cultural differences that Americans have from him- and it is always spot on! Maybe the book hits close to home because I relate to the characters so much, but that is what makes the best read, right? Intense and meaningful, but well balanced with humor and sweetness. Complete recommendation from where I'm standing. The over all affect made me hate the system and want to change things, but also realize that the little things count. All successes have value. I am out of words to describe how intense this book was to me. So, this might get long. Jeff Garvin may have written out of my diary, if I kept one. I listened to the novel on audiobook, narrated by Tom Phelan and think he did a phenomenal job and fit the character completely. Riley is entering junior year at the local public school, partly a publicity stunt for their father's campaign as conservative congressman, and partly post-disaster. As in, hell at their old Catholic school, leading up to a suicide attempt and then hospitalization. So, yeah, there's a start. Riley is genderfluid, and gets harassed even without being out. They make two friends, but the real way they express them selves is through their anonymous blog. Where they reach thousands of people astonishingly fast because their words are so raw. I connected with this character on my levels. From mental health, a topic that is hard to find realistically and not in a damaging perspective, to gender identity and the conflicts that come with it. It is YA and, therefore, has it's share of drama that adults might find boring (maybe, I'm not sure), but I want to shout the messages and themes it shares from the rooftops. If you, yourself, or anyone you know is anywhere on the spectrum of genderfluidity, I highly recommend this book. Riley explains the nuances and struggles within it in an enjoyable way. This may be my new favorite book. Ever. I totally cried. And screamed. Multiple times. And laughed, and... do I have to go on? This should be your next read (or listen!) and make sure to drop the title to friends. Wow, that sounded really sponsored? It wasn't. Have a gay day! I would like to give out a few trigger warnings for mentions of suicide ideation, moments of panic attacks, and fairly graphic assault (don't worry there is a happy ending to it all). |
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