Reviews with content warning for Bullying - Annie on My Mind

Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden

12 reviews

the_true_monroe's review against another edition

emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I have had this book on my to read list for 10 years. This was filled with so much more hope, love and acceptance and happiness than I thought it would have been which is why I think I held off a decade on reading it. The extreme challenges of being gay in the early 1980’s and prior decades are very clear but what also is clear are how the times were changing and what that looked like for these girls who were exploring and recognizing their true selves.

I listened to the 2008 audiobook which includes a wonderful interview of the author and is so eye opening to listen to as 25 years had passed since the book was published at that point and now an additional 16 years have gone by and I wonder how Nancy’s answers would have been today especially since she mentioned in that interview hoping for more transgender representation which we indeed do have today, although an increase in attacks on the trans and LGBTQIA+ community including queer youth- another group she focused on in the interview.

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jesshudzik's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

An absolutely beautiful love story between two young women finding themselves despite the homophobia they face. The message of hope and resilienance really resonated with me in my own life. The homophobia the MCs face is a main part of the plot, but they do not face violence and do have some support throughout the book which made it easier for me to read without too many negative emotions.

A quick read that should not be passed up.

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haileyhardcover's review

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I thrifted this book months ago and it has been sitting on my book cart ignored since then… I just wasn’t excited about it. A book from 1982? Older than ME, even? I just didn’t think it would be very good… I almost tossed it in my donate pile. I finally decided to pick it up thinking it would fill a couple of days of reading time and get me to the end of the year… instead, I read the whole thing in one sitting.

This story is so compelling. At several points my jaw literally dropped reading what Annie and Liza (especially Liza) had to go through.

I ran the full gamut of emotions reading this book. The butterflies and hope of a first love, the fear of being found out, the rage of having to fight against bigotry and oppression, the desperation to just be allowed to be yourself and love someone, the joy of acceptance. There’s so much in this relatively short story, and it is so worth the read.

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town_scar's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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thatchickengirl23's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring relaxing tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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asophia1014's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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chrisljm's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

3.5 star rating based on my enjoyment.

I'm usually able to enjoy books that are geared towards younger readers despite no longer being the intended audience, but I think this is one of those times where it did hinder my enjoyment of the story. But still, I did appreciate this book and I think it's an important one for people to read, especially the intended audience. Even though there are more resources today than in 1982, this could still be a reassuring book for young girls who might be struggling with their sexuality. This was very well written and still holds up well today.

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