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American Dirt
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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review
Monica5
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Panpan

Not a popular opinion, but I had high hopes for this book. By the time I was done with it, I was just frustrated with Cummins. She stereotyped so bad in this book. There are good and bad people in all races. To me she just focused on the stereotype that all Latinos are involved in drugs somehow. I doubt that is true.
#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheBookHippie I think the book is an abomination and the author has zero clues about any of it. But I‘m used to being in the unpopular camp. 😂🤣🤷🏻‍♀️ 4mo
Monica5 @TheBookHippie I agree. I read where Cummins denied her Latino heritage before she wrote this book. 4mo
TheBookHippie @Monica5 most of my students either are from Mexico as migrants or are immigrants and none of them are drug runners. It‘s just ridiculous. 4mo
See All 6 Comments
Monica5 @TheBookHippie it was really ridiculous. At least we agree on it. We maybe the only two😂 4mo
TheBookHippie @Monica5 Probably! 4mo
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 4mo
25 likes1 stack add6 comments
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MikeReads247
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
Pickpick

Just finished American Dirt. Its a great book, Jeanine is a great writer. Handles a politically sensitive subject from a very human perspective

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TheSpineView
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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#Movie2BookRecs @Klou
Movie; Traffic

Klou Great! I just watched this movie for the first time, this sounds like a good choice! 5mo
44 likes2 comments
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jenniferw88
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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PuddleJumper If We Were Villains is on my list too 5mo
44 likes1 comment
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Victoriahoperose
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Panpan

I know everyone loves this book but the writing was just dense for me. It felt so slow in some ways and it never really got my attention fully. Interesting story, but I just didn‘t care for the way this was written.

bookaholic1 I bailed on this book myself 6mo
29 likes1 comment
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BilboBookends
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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“Trauma waits for stillness. Lydia feels like a cracked egg, and she doesn‘t know if she‘s the shell or the yolk or the white. She is scrambled.”

review
jlowery999
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
Mehso-so

While I found the writing to be quite good, I couldn't get myself totally invested in the characters or the story. I often find in a setting such as this, that a book may be better served telling a true story rather than a fictional amalgamation of a bunch of different stories, as it can tend to feel far fetched.

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jlowery999
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins

"She'd reached an age where she expected each day to be the unveiling of some quiet new sorrow, and where she simultaneously believed there was nothing left in life that could truly surprise her."

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jlowery999
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins

"Javier reminded her, in the middle of her mothering years, that life was exciting, that there was always the possibility of something, or someone, previously undiscovered."

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OutAndAbout
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Pickpick

(Pic from authors note.)
This was extraordinary, heart wrenching, sometimes hard to read but always hard to put down. The personal story of a group of immigrants, with a mother and young son as the two central characters. Everyone is running from something but more importantly running toward a dream of a better, safer, more human existence in el norte. This is a story not to be forgotten as you watch and we struggle with immigration.

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bookandbedandtea
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Pickpick

What heartbreaking reading. This will stay with me.

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RobES
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins would be an awesome movie ... edge of your seat type ....

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Megbert
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Pickpick

A harrowing journey of a Mexican mother and her young son as they run from a cartel that wants them dead. The story brings this plight home hard and gives you a sense of the desperate situation that‘s playing out in reality every day. Intrigued to read the book has become a topic of hot debate in literary circles about appropriation as Cummins is not Mexican herself, but instead spent 4 years researching this book. Not sure I agree, great book!

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Rebecca98
Il sale della terra | Jeanine Cummins
Pickpick

Quando l‘ho comprato non gli avrei dato 2€. Mi ispirava pochissimo, ma la mia libraia di fiducia ha insistito tanto. Ci ho messo quasi un anno a decidermi di leggerlo. Si è rivelato una delle letture migliori dell‘anno, davvero straordinario e inaspettato, ben scritto, scorrevole, emozionante e struggente.

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TheLushMama
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Can‘t put this down and can‘t stop crying. Wow! Gut wrenching, especially if you‘re a mother.

3 likes1 stack add
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BooksNBowls
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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I got it! You put a smile on my face! Thank you so much @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️ Grateful for the #LitsyLove family and I can‘t wait to begin writing you and getting to know you all! ☺️

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘m happy it arrived safely!! We are happy to have you ❤️❤️❤️ 1y
37 likes1 comment
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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I love a summer storm ☔️ This hydrangea has never been this big! Can‘t wait to see the blooms! I hope everyone has had a great weekend ❤️

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Happy Sunday everyone!! What are you reading? I just finished The House in the Cerulean Sea and I loved it!

#HappySunday
📚📚📚

BooksNBowls Me and Kate just started Caraval! American Dirt has been on my list for a while. My husband is an immigrant so I‘m really interested to read it! Let me know how it goes! 1y
Dragon Just picked up American Dirt at a book sale but I‘m going to read something lighter maybe 1y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @BooksNBowls it‘s a tough read right from the beginning. I have an extra copy if you would like it. Email me at loverofbooks75@gmail. Com 1y
BooksNBowls @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks omg that would be amazing! It‘s been on hold for months now! Emailing you now 😊 1y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @BooksNBowls mailed it this afternoon 📦💌 1y
57 likes5 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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I‘m still reading this… 💔 a day late!

#MayMoms
#Courageous

Kayla.Adriena I have this book too, I remember when it came out with such controversy 1y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Kayla.Adriena me too! 1y
Eggs I thought it was well done 👍🏼 1y
66 likes3 comments
review
rebbyj
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
Pickpick

Whew. Very good.

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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#ThoughtfulThursday

The seasons don‘t really affect my reading 📚

All of my beautiful flowers remind me of spring 🐝🦋🌺🌸🌼🌻🌹

DGRachel Lilies are my favorite (and those are gorgeous!) Where I love, they usually bloom right around my birthday and it‘s like a special gift from Mother Nature. 💖 1y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @DGRachel thank you!! This is from last year. I‘m patiently awaiting their arrival this year 💛🌹 1y
MoonWitch94 Ohhhhh flowers are quintessentially spring!!! How do you like the tagged book?? It‘s on my tbr & I have heard mixed reviews. 1y
See All 6 Comments
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @MoonWitch94 I‘ve just started it.. it starts out heartbreaking 💔 1y
MoonWitch94 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Ohhhhh well I‘ll put that a bit further down my list, then. I‘m trying to keep my reads a little lighter these days. Thanks for the heads up! 👍🏻 1y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @MoonWitch94 definitely don‘t read this one now then!! 1y
67 likes6 comments
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DHill
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Why have I not read this yet? It‘s excellent on audio narrated wonderfully by Yareli Arizmendi.

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Cathythoughts
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Bailedbailed

I‘m giving up the ghost … it‘s goodbye to this one. I made it through to the second half, but it was a struggle just for Bookclub. We had our meeting last night. There were mixed views, some loved it. It didn‘t seem to spark our usual full on discussion 🤷‍♀️. I‘m glad to be moving on.

TrishB If you‘re not enjoying it it‘s the best thing to do! I haven‘t got to this one yet. 2y
Cathythoughts @TrishB I agree. I would have bailed earlier but I was hanging in there for the Bookclub discussion. I‘ll be interested to see what you think of it. 2y
squirrelbrain I‘ve had this on my Kindle for ages…. Certainly not inspired to pick it up after your review! 2y
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TheLudicReader I love how books elicit different responses. I couldn‘t put this one down. 😂 2y
Cathythoughts @squirrelbrain Some of the girls loved it. I imagine you‘d know soon enough after you started it if it‘s for you or not. (edited) 2y
Cathythoughts @TheLudicReader Yes a couple of girls in our Bookclub were the same .. they stayed up at night because they couldn‘t put it down. I love this about books too 2y
marleed My favorite bookclub discussions are when some people love a book and some people just don‘t. What‘s funny is sometimes that discussion will even change my opinion of a book. 2y
Cathythoughts @marleed Me too ! Sometimes it makes me re think a book 👍🏻 2y
LeahBergen I love when our book club is divided like that and I suspect that my current book club read is going to be like this. I‘m loving it but I know some of our members are probably going to pan it. 😆😆 2y
Megabooks Good idea 2y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen Yes , divided is good for discussion. I already stacked Malice Aforethought 👍♥️ 2y
Cathythoughts @Megabooks Yes 👍❤️ 2y
BkClubCare The controversy on its being published can be enough discussion for me. I will skip this one. 2y
71 likes13 comments
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Cathythoughts
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Still struggling with this one on audible, for Bookclub. I‘m just not connecting with the characters. ( that speed looks wrong 😳 I‘m on 1.3X ) anyway , Bookclub Friday night , I better step it up.

marleed I think about this book sometimes and all it‘s controversy in early 2020. Then the pandemic hit and the controversy faded from hot topics quickly. 2y
Cathythoughts @marleed A reason it would stay In your memory 👍🏻 2y
LeahBergen Book club meetings are the only time I force myself through a book, too. 😆 2y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen Same with me. I may not make it to the very end this time , but I‘ll get as far as I can. The struggle is real 😆 2y
58 likes4 comments
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Cathythoughts
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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I‘m listening to this book for Bookclub, and I‘m finding it hard to connect with … not happening for me , not yet anyway 🤷🏼‍♀️ I‘d bail.. but I don‘t want to miss out on the discussion.. I got the print on kindle , still not pulling me in

Tamra 😐 No fun. I think I started the audio and then bailed, but left it TBR just in case it was not the right time or format. (edited) 2y
Cathythoughts @Tamra Ya , no fun. But I‘ll try to keep going because there will be a big opinionated discussion ( which I love ) 😆 2y
Tamra @Cathythoughts haha! Me too. 2y
See All 7 Comments
LeahBergen Book club books are pretty much the only ones I will force myself to finish. I like the discussions too much! 😆 2y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen Exactly! I love the discussions … I‘ll keep going 2y
CarolynM Yep, I have to really hate (or be seriously disturbed by) a book group choice before I bail. Hope you can stick it out with this one. 2y
Cathythoughts @CarolynM Thanks! Ofcorse now I am allergic to it 🙄😂 … I better get over that feeling 2y
60 likes7 comments
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Cathythoughts
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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#Weeklyforecast

Hoping to read some more of these books. ( I had started Love Songs on audible, but decided it would be a lovely read .... it‘s pretty big though 😳 looked smaller on audible 🙃

Also American Dirt on audible for Bookclub

Happy reading everyone ❤️
Hi Cindy, I hope all is well with you.

Cinfhen I really enjoyed American Dirt on Audible and ultimately I too switched from audio to print for 2y
Cinfhen Lovely reads, Cathy! How are the grandkids??? How‘s your daughter feeling??? 2y
erzascarletbookgasm Happy reading! 💕 2y
See All 12 Comments
TrishB Great choices! I‘m trying to get to Love Songs when I have a completely free weekend and can give it some time. It‘s calling to me though! 2y
Cathythoughts @Cinfhen That‘s interesting about you switching to print for Love Songs ... I just felt there was such a lovely flow and it was so engaging on audible that I was missing out on a good read .. Now to find time is the issue ( isn‘t it always the issue 😄) 2y
Cathythoughts @Cinfhen Grandkids are doing great , Thankyou ... busy days. My daughter feels very well, she‘s thrilled with her little Emma 💕 2y
Cathythoughts @TrishB I nearly died when I saw the size of the book 😳 but I think it will be a lovely read 2y
Cathythoughts @erzascarletbookgasm Hi Jessie 🙋‍♀️ hope all is well with you X 2y
Cinfhen Glad to hear all the “girls” are doing well 💕💕💕 2y
AnneCecilie I‘ve seen a lot of great things about The Song. Hope you enjoyed it too. 2y
Megabooks 😘😘 2y
LeahBergen What a gorgeous and comforting photo. 🥰 2y
63 likes1 stack add12 comments
review
Yoricke_SouthAfrica
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Pickpick

This book was brilliant. Gripping, thought provoking and very real.
Highly recommended.

rachaich This was such a read, it stuck with me for s long time. 2y
Yoricke_SouthAfrica @rachaich It really is. It's still with me. I spoke of this story just yesterday. 2y
54 likes2 comments
review
Michael_Gee
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Mehso-so

“Survival is a matter of instinct rather than desire.”

I hated the experience of reading this book, w/its graphically depicted series of horrors & exhausting litany of cruel & dehumanizing traumas.

There‘s an immediacy to the writing that pulls you into its current, and it‘s harrowing.

There are moments of selfless generosity: “For every wickedness, there is an equal and opposite possibility of redemption.”

Image: Fyodor Pavlov‘s tarot.

31 likes1 stack add
review
Karons1
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Pickpick

One of my favourite 🤩 reads of last year outstanding #americandirt #greatbook #toptenreadsof21

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BeckyWithTheGoodBooks
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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My book club picked this to read this year. I brought up how many Latinx and Chicano authors have expressed it is harmful, misrepresentative, and appropriating trauma-porn. It js also a book about the Mexican/immigrant viewpoint written by a white woman. MANY BIPOC authors struggle to have their own voices published and recognized. I was told that the known controversy was the reason for picking it as it will “add to the discussion.” ⬇️⬇️

BeckyWithTheGoodBooks It seems exploitive and offensive to use the real harm BIPOC experience from this as fodder for book club discussion. I won‘t be reading this or participating in the discussion. What say you Littens? 2y
JamieArc I have so many thoughts about this, but I‘m on the same page with you. I was pretty disgusted hearing her defense of it, saying she wished “someone slightly browner than her had written it,” when browner people HAVe written those stories, just without the publicity. 2y
JamieArc I also think that it could have been a good book of marketed differently. If sold as a good story and work of fiction, instead of the way it was marketed as the voice of the immigrant experience (this opinion I got from BIPOC authors). Those are just some thoughts. I‘m sure it‘s an engaging story, but especially because of my own experience working in migrant communities, I can‘t read this. 2y
See All 7 Comments
JamieArc Lastly, if you haven‘t read Luis Alberto Urrea, the Devil‘s Highway is great! 2y
Caterina @BeckyWithTheGoodBooks I agree with the stand you're taking here! It's why I'll never read this book, and especially would never participate in a book club event on it. 2y
Prairiegirl_reading I totally agree with you. I wouldn‘t participate either. 2y
Karons1 Only read this last year and it‘s my joint 🏆 winner for 2021 along with such a fun age both outstanding books 📚 2y
22 likes7 comments
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Yoricke_SouthAfrica
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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This book hooked me from the very first page.

41 likes1 stack add
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Michael_Gee
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Oh lort. Just got the message from Libby that this is due in 3 days and there are people waiting, which means I have to cram 5 hours of this into 3 days which, let me tell you, I am not looking forward to. This is f*n GRIM and is affecting my day-to-day mood (#privilege, I know). I hate reading books like this (it‘s a book club pick). The Grueling Saga of Torments has to be one of my least favorite genres.

(It‘s well-written and all that)

Suet624 Michael, how did I miss so many of your posts??? 2y
Michael_Gee @Suet624 🤗 We must‘ve slipped by each other! 2y
30 likes2 comments
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SamanthaJS
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Pickpick

I posted a Top 10 of my favorite books from last year. I read 66 and my original goal set in January of 2021 was 35, so that makes me happy. While I couldn‘t quite rank where each book on my Top 10 fell, I‘d say American Dirt is in my top 2.

13 likes1 stack add
review
Beccaf
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
Pickpick

Absolutely harrowing. So hard to not invest in the characters from early on in the book.
One of those books that you read that will stay with you forever.

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bekakins
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Pickpick

#wintergames2021 #teamgamesleighers

I've been rubbish this week at updating on progress so will tot up both weeks points tomorrow!

This was a really uncomfortable read... Not overly festive! But enjoyed it nonetheless. Interesting to read some of the criticism also.

Chelsea.Poole Love your bookmark 🔖 2y
10 likes1 comment
review
Court7
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
Pickpick

Difficult.

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Squidonland
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins

Instead she skims the news for emerging facts about the investigation, and it‘s as she expected: nothing. Because fear and corruption work in tandem to censor people who might otherwise discover the clues that would point to justice. There will be no evidence, no due process, no vindication.

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Acoleman
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Pickpick

OMG - So so so so good. One of my top 5 books ever. If this has been hanging out in in your tbr pile, make it your next read.

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cajunsyd
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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About to dig into this one. Apparently lots of controversy around this one, I guess I‘ll find out why.

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LibrarianBanana
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Mehso-so

Controversial or not, the story is solid but nothing I would want to re read or would be remembering past this week. Yes, it's a heartbreaking take on an immigrant's journey but the writing was a bit heavy handed while really not giving me much to sink my teeth into. The author seems to have all the details, mostly accurate, about what the happens when trying to cross illegally to the US, but for me, it needed a bit more of something...

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TheSpineView
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Klou Great job! 2y
52 likes2 comments
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Pickpick

My IRL book group picked this, so I gave it a go. As many people point out, the author is regrettably not LatinX. But in terms of storytelling, I liked it a lot. Lydia has guts and the journey is justifiably harrowing. Glad I get to talk with friends about it, because there are many disturbing incidents and themes. Between this and some border-related news items lately, I am feeling luckier than ever. Pair with Separated by Jacob Soboroff. ⬇️

BarbaraTheBibliophage I‘m taking a brief break from writing longer book reviews while I recuperate from surgery (which is going well, I‘m just tired). Might write a little more for GR, if you follow me there. #thebibliophage2021 2y
vivastory I hope you continue to recover well! 2y
See All 11 Comments
TrishB Take care and rest ♥️ 2y
MicheleinPhilly All of the healing vibes headed your way! ❤️ 2y
Reggie Hope you‘re back to a 100% real soon! 2y
DivineDiana Sending healing thoughts your way. 🙏🏻 2y
70 likes11 comments
review
carlthecattt
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Pickpick

Revolting, charming, believable but unbelievable, hard. These words crossed my mind at some point or another while reading American Dirt. About halfway through I wanted to put it down and never pick it up again because of how sad and hurt it made me feel. By the end I was happy to have finished it. While it may be more unrealistic than most accounts for migrants, I think it shines a much needed light on this difficult subject.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Great review!! 2y
13 likes1 stack add1 comment
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amber_ldsmom
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Pickpick

Great book! Truly enjoyed it! Jeanine Cummins is a great storyteller, and the Audible version is fantastic.
5⭐️!

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CindyMyLifeIsLit
American Dirt | Jeanine Cummins
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Pickpick

I found this to be a gripping story. I don‘t know how accurately it depicts the reality of trekking across the desert to enter the US illegally, but it was a fascinating read. I know there is a lot of controversy about this book, but I don‘t think people should be limited to only writing about events they have personally experienced or about characters that look like them. How limited our reading material would be, if that were the rule! IMHO🤷‍♀️

Reggie I think there are two different conversations with the issues of this book. One is, yes, this author should be able to write whatever she wants. Two, there has been conversations about getting diverse stories out there but when the publisher throws the kind of money they did at this woman it tells all people of color we want your stories but just told from a white person‘s point of view. I kinda think that‘s what it is. 2y
CindyMyLifeIsLit @Reggie I didn‘t know the controversy was about money. I wonder why they paid her more? I wouldn‘t think it‘s because she‘s white. I would think the publisher‘s only motive is making money, regardless of the author‘s color. I mean, there are POC-authored books winning awards, being made into movies, etc., so it‘s not like publishing a great story written by a POC is a gamble. 🤷‍♀️ I‘d like to know the story behind this—time for research! 😁 2y
41 likes2 comments