so-soThis book could have been great — interesting and realistic sister dynamic, commentary about social media activism and police brutality, modern road trip following the Negro Motorist Green Book— but the structure did the book a tremendous disservice. The disjointed plot pieces didn‘t start to fit together until 200+ pages in. Such a shame. I‘m really perplexed by the writers‘/editors‘ messy narrative decisions.
#ya #bookclub #teachersoflitsy
pickCW: police brutality, violence, racism, homophobia, bigotry, death and grief.
Co-written by sisters Maika and Maritza Moulite, the tagged title is a very unique work of fiction often described as a blend of "The Hate U Give" and the movie "Get Out".
With this in mind, it does come with content warnings as I do not wish for any reader to approach this without that knowledge, especially members of the Black community.
Continued in comments ⬇️
pick"? ???? ???? ???????? ?? ? ????? ????? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?? ??????? ??????? ??? ???????. ??? ?? ???'?. ???????, ?? ????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ??????..."
This book does such an excellent job highlighting important themes such as systematic racism, LGBTQIA struggles, historic prejudism, sibling rivalry, and more.
so-soI received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The only thing I knew about this book before going in was that it was pitched as “The Hate U Give meets Get Out” and that was enough to get me excited. I dropped everything as soon as I got a notification from Netgalley and found a compelling story and characters I really loved but aspects of the structure and writing didn‘t work as much for me... continued on IG dearb00kshelves
Yesterday, in the middle of running a few errands (complete with coffee and breakfast stops), hubby and I swung by my favorite #indie to pick up some online requests: the tagged title (pictured inside the glittery star) and "This is Not the Jess Show".
This is a portion of the YA section (housed at the back of the store along with the Adult Fiction and Non-fiction titles) since the majority of the store is dedicated to Children's Lit.
#bookhaul
pickMultiple viewpoints, occasionally going back several generations in a family, create a layered contemporary story of Black lives in America. Social activism, YouTube fame, police brutality, & queer identity within conservative Christianity are some of the issues. Teens on a present-day road trip use the Negro Motorist Green Book to connect to their history … then the novel takes a suspenseful turn! 3 great #audiobook narrators #LGBT
We chose the title because it‘s something that well-intentioned people say all the time, without realizing how harmful it is. ‘One of the Good Ones‘ is usually code for a person our country deems worthy. […] There is no allotment for who deserves justice and who does not. All this really serves to do is divide and dehumanize us. Too often when police brutality is discussed, the world asks the wrong questions.
—from the authors‘ note
The deliciousness of peach cobbler in two audiobooks in one week… of course I want some! 🍑
pickThis young adult novel was even more than I thought it would be! It tackles so much! This is a fantastic book for those wanting to understand more fully what it means to experience life being a Black person. The book is equal parts historical fiction, current events, and mystery all rolled into one very well-written story. The book style was a bit tough for me to get into at first but stick with it as it all comes together. Very thought-provoking!
pickI really enjoyed this book. It had a twist you wouldn't normally expect from this type of book.
Kezi Smith is a social activist, posting tons of videos on YouTube and getting more and more recognition. When she attends her first protest on her 18th birthday, things don't go as planned. 3 months later her sisters are taking a journey down Route 66 in her honor and wondering just how they got there.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
pickThis was SO GOOD. The day Kezi was arrested on her 18th birthday, and was later found dead, changed the lives of everyone: her yt followers, other black people subject to abuse by whites, but most importantly, her loved ones. In commemoration, they go on the road trip she'd planned for her graduation and come to learn about a side of her they didn't really know. I can't say much for fear of spoilers but you won't be disappointed! Tags 👇🏽
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ So much to discuss if you read this! Kezi, a popular YouTube influencer, dies mysteriously and becomes a rallying case for a BLM-type movement. Kezi left behind a legacy and a family that wishes to preserve it, so sister Happi, older sister Genny , and Kezi‘s bestie embark on a trip Kezi had planned out using the Greenbook for Negro Motorists as a map. And then a crazy, life-altering ride begins... full review: http://scrappymags.com
pick4⭐ This book was so good and I couldn‘t put it down and read it in one day. I don‘t want to say too much for spoiler reasons, but the story took a turn I definitely did not see coming. This was a good mystery that kept me reading to see how the story would end, and it addresses social justice, racism, injustice. It's also a story about family and sisters, and I loved reading about the bonds and tensions between Kezi, Happi, and Genny.
so-soThank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I won't say what happens, but I feel like part 3 really just... cheapened the story? I mean this book made me take a long, hard look at myself, and then it just switched paths so suddenly? This book doesn't have a 'happy' ending, but it isn't the ending I was expecting. I want to say so much, but I'm not because I don't want to spoil it.
One of the Good Ones | 
