 | What’s it about? This memoir tackles some tough subject matter. Saeed Jones is a gay, African-American man who was raised in Texas by a single mother. Mr. Jones memoir is an honest, frank look back at his life. He does not sugar coat his story- so be ready when you pick up his book. What did it make me think about? I have often thought that this may be the best time in history to come out as a gay man. However, after reading this book, I am not saying that anymore. Saeed Jones makes you understand how truly difficult it is to be black and gay in America- even today. "You never forget your first "faggot'. Because the memory, in its way, makes you. It becomes the spine for the body of anxieties and insecurities that will follow, something to hang all that meat on. Before you were scrawny; now you're scrawny because you're a faggot. Before you were just bookish; now you're bookish because you're a faggot. Soon, bullies won't even have to say the word. Nor will friends, as they start to sit at different lunch tables without explanation. There will already be a voice in your head whispering 'faggot' for them." Should I read it? Saeed Jones is an award winning poet and the way he uses language is just beautiful. "Just as some cultures have a hundred words for 'snow', there should be a hundred words in our language for all the ways a black boy can lie awake at night." I found this one of the most compelling memoirs I have ever read. It is raw, honest, and sometimes more graphic than readers might be comfortable with. I urge you to read this book anyway. Maybe it will change the way you look at someone that is different from yourself. Quote- "However many masks we invent and deploy, in the end, we cannot control what other people see when they look at us." If you liked this try- On Earth We're Breifly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong My Brother Moochie by Issac J. Bailey All Over But the Shouting by Rick Bragg Fire Shut up In My Bones by Charles M. Blow 9 1/2 stars |
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A Real Simple “Five Books That Won’t Disappoint” A Bustle “28 New Books Out In August 2019 To Add To Your End-Of-Summer Reading List” A Refinery29 “The Books Of 2019 We Can't Wait To Read (So Far)” A Mindbodygreen “5 Books You Won't Be Able To Put Down This August” A Hello Giggles “The 10 Best New Books to Read in August” A Get Literary “Favorite New August 2019 Fiction” An InStyle “14 Books to Read This August” A New York Post “Best Books of the Week” A Vogue “10 New Books to Read This Summer” An Elle “The 16 Best Books of 2019 (So Far)” A Marie Claire “The Best Fiction Books by Women This Year” A Good Housekeeping “50 Best Books of 2019 to Add to Your Reading List”  The Other's Gold by Elizabeth Ames
335 pages What’s it about? Four college freshman arrive at an exclusive liberal arts college and immediately become the best of friends. This is the story of how that friendship grows over the next 15 years. What did it make me think about? "Really?"- that's what I kept thinking.... To me the plot was overly dramatic and not very plausible. At times it was preachy and at times it was downright silly. I was very excited to be done with these women's lives. Should I read it? I would not recommend this one- but I may be alone in this. This book has received lots of good press. I was disappointed though.... Quote- "How they became friends was no great mystery, but how they remained so, braising their lives together eye their shared college quarters, transcended the usual alchemy of optimism and obligation that kept friendships intact, kept people from fading into other categories: old friend, college friend, just someone I once knew." If you liked this try- Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid Number One Chinese Restaurant by Lillian Li The Nest by Cynthia D''Aprix Sweeney Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler 4 stars
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A sad, poignant, mystical read. I won't give too much away. Quick and well worth it!
9 1/2 stars!
A coming of age story set in Mexico. It certainly gives you a whole new view of all the people coming over the border.
9 stars
Quirky characters and the story told through letters to Richard Gere. Who could ask for more? 9 stars
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“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.”
― Charles William Eliot
― Charles William Eliot
ratings
1 to 2- I did not enjoy this book.
3 to 4- I found some aspect of this book redeeming but would not recommend it.
5 to 6- I really enjoyed something about this book (characters, plot, meaning etc.) but it was uneven. Some aspects were stronger than others.
7 to 8- It was a good book. I liked lots of aspects of this book. I would recommend it.
9 to 10- I was sorry to turn the last page. I highly recommend this book!
3 to 4- I found some aspect of this book redeeming but would not recommend it.
5 to 6- I really enjoyed something about this book (characters, plot, meaning etc.) but it was uneven. Some aspects were stronger than others.
7 to 8- It was a good book. I liked lots of aspects of this book. I would recommend it.
9 to 10- I was sorry to turn the last page. I highly recommend this book!
