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lolmacdaddy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
trashcanbarbie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
theocbookgirl's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
mair_mcc's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.25
I always enjoy a little slice of life memoir/nonfiction read. This one did lose me a little bit towards the end when it strove to prove larger points about San Francisco politics, AIDS, and the legalization of marijuana. Obviously all related topics, but it felt like the author bit off a little bit more than they could chew. Overall, I enjoyed!
sanfranshan's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
yanblonde's review
5.0
5 stars, incredible story!!! omg the interaction between the LGBT community and its history, the stoning of San Fran, and San Fran culture is just perfect in this book. every story told was sooo good.
allisonwonderlandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Haiku Review:
If past cards read right
this could be a friends story.
Or…a friend’s parents….
alternate:
F. Queen. Meridy
lady to the highest coin
w/ sticky fingers.
@bookfairtradecoffee
If past cards read right
this could be a friends story.
Or…a friend’s parents….
alternate:
F. Queen. Meridy
lady to the highest coin
w/ sticky fingers.
@bookfairtradecoffee
vbohlsen's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Learned a lot about the history of marijuana and the road to getting it legalized, particularly how that relates cannabis for medicinal use.
msbookmarked's review against another edition
5.0
Want a crash course on the history of SF? This book is the one to pick up.
It was clear that a lot of work, both personal and historical, was put into this book. Through her parents' unique past, Volz gave a detailed historical account that's almost textbook-like but presented with a more humane lens. Names mentioned were no longer just a figure head but felt more real through their connections with Volz's parents. More importantly, the book showed how interwoven all the movements were, an accurate reflection of the overlapping issues in social justice. I also appreciate how Volz made an effort to highlight the difference in the treatment of activists and victims that were from marginalized and racialized communities.
It was also a privilege to glimpse into a uniquely different family dynamic. I loved how much of a superwoman Volz portrayed her mother to be, but I'm equally impressed at how she acknowledged the struggles of sexuality and mental health of her dad. While there were moments of vulnerability from Volz on how their unique ways affected her childhood, I loved that ultimately she wrote about it with little resentment and so much love. Her writing was also very appealing, that no matter how non-religious or non-spiritual that you think you are, you can temporary suspend your own beliefs and be drawn into their world of I Ching, tarot cards and all the other "hippie magic".
I'm glad that I picked this book after visiting SF. It was easier to visualize the scenes and made me appreciate the city even more. To this day, when healthcare or social issues are still made political, the book serves as a reminder that at the heart of it are human lives at stake and to be careful what to champion for.
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It was clear that a lot of work, both personal and historical, was put into this book. Through her parents' unique past, Volz gave a detailed historical account that's almost textbook-like but presented with a more humane lens. Names mentioned were no longer just a figure head but felt more real through their connections with Volz's parents. More importantly, the book showed how interwoven all the movements were, an accurate reflection of the overlapping issues in social justice. I also appreciate how Volz made an effort to highlight the difference in the treatment of activists and victims that were from marginalized and racialized communities.
It was also a privilege to glimpse into a uniquely different family dynamic. I loved how much of a superwoman Volz portrayed her mother to be, but I'm equally impressed at how she acknowledged the struggles of sexuality and mental health of her dad. While there were moments of vulnerability from Volz on how their unique ways affected her childhood, I loved that ultimately she wrote about it with little resentment and so much love. Her writing was also very appealing, that no matter how non-religious or non-spiritual that you think you are, you can temporary suspend your own beliefs and be drawn into their world of I Ching, tarot cards and all the other "hippie magic".
I'm glad that I picked this book after visiting SF. It was easier to visualize the scenes and made me appreciate the city even more. To this day, when healthcare or social issues are still made political, the book serves as a reminder that at the heart of it are human lives at stake and to be careful what to champion for.
a3bowles's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! This book is so much more than the story of a weed dealer. The history of drug criminalization and prohibition, the AIDS epidemic, drug reform, San Francisco and its gentrification, as well as Jonestown and the Milk & Moscone assassinations.
A fascinating and well-researched book.
A fascinating and well-researched book.