Scan barcode
literaryk's review
5.0
AMAZING memoir. Calhoun expertly tells his coming of age story, weaving the influences of pop culture, his experience as a 7th Day Adventist, and family into each chapter. His memoir highlights of representation in media, and his message of validation and being enough for yourself really resonated. I gleefully read about so many shows and movies that I had also connected with. This is one I could suggest to anyone and everyone, and definitely will.
aus10england's review
emotional
reflective
2.25
Daaaang this one was a bummer for me! I probably should have done more research, but I think this would definetly belong in a relgion memoir section of a bookstore, and that aspect of the book didn't interest me too much. I did however enjoy the pop-culture asepects and how it related to the author's culture, that was neat. Again, great subject matter and heart, but for sure for people interested in Christianity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Racism
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual content
pbarish18's review
5.0
I was introduced to Mr. Calhoun’s writing via The Atlantic and it has turned into a bright spot in my week to read his always thoughtful newsletter. This memoir was no different, as someone who reads this very much as an outsider, despite my self-proclaimed nerdiness, this memoir contains a multitude of beautiful insights into a world I do not inhabit. It’s a credit to his writing style and voice that he makes you feel every emotion he felt during adolescence even when you shouldn’t be able to comprehend some of those experiences. The fact that he leaves the memoir on somewhat of a cliffhanger makes me excited that he’ll return with another insightful collection of stories.
readerette's review
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
I appreciated the author's search for empowered Black characters in pop culture as part of finding his way in the world. Just as with his writing for The Atlantic, I enjoyed his observations about characters' behaviors and choices, and what he learned from them. I don't think I always got the connections he was making between what he saw in those shows and how it applied in real life, but I don't necessarily need to.
There were a surprising number of typos and grammatical misses in the edition I read.
There were a surprising number of typos and grammatical misses in the edition I read.
1pursuinglove's review
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
If you are a Black Millenial (B)Adventist geek, or any combination of the above, you owe it to yourself to read this book.
More...