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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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:
No
I loved this sweet and insightful look at Deaf Culture, especially the way the main characters. Great and varied disability representation, although Deaf and hearing loss are the primary groups focus (with some blind/sight impaired characters as well).
This book was cute but I didn’t love it. Like what was the point of the lifeguards, I have no clue. I did really enjoy the deaf part though
i have nothing against the way the representation happened, in fact, it was a nice eyeopener. but i don't like how the romance was written at all :'>
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A lovely light story that gives, as a hearing person, intel on the Deaf community. The main character was a bit annoying at times, but I kept forcing myself to remember that she’s only 17 and that her immaturity is simply normal. I preferred the secondary characters to her.
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
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
one of those books that exist solely for representation. and it does have excellent representation, but that is the only thing this book is good at.
positives
— i loved the way there was sign language AND spoken language; i loved the way sign language was dealt with in general, with the main character still learning, there was a lot of descriptions of the signs and expression of how fast people were signing.
— i loved the way the mc couldn't hear everything, and how this was expressed in text. i also love how she simultaneously couldn't understand all the asl either.
— i loved how various D/deaf experiences were shown. i loved that D/deaf people were not a monolith.
negatives
— while i think the complex issues were dealt with well, at some points it got kinda lecturey. at points, in felt like examples then explanations of the problem, rather than a story. this is fishy territory, especially because sometimes the "example -> frustrated venting of the issue" IS the marginalized experience, but i *personally* think it was a bit overdone.
— i'd argue this book felt like "an introduction to a fuck ton of different D/deaf issues," and i would've preferred it to focus in on one issue. would've made the whole thing more effective.
besides those very minor complaints, the reason this book is not higher rated is because i was not moved by the writing, story, OR characters. i didn't hate the book in any way, it was just,, boring. as someone who reads A LOT of contemporary romance, this was solidly neutral in the genre.
positives
— i loved the way there was sign language AND spoken language; i loved the way sign language was dealt with in general, with the main character still learning, there was a lot of descriptions of the signs and expression of how fast people were signing.
— i loved the way the mc couldn't hear everything, and how this was expressed in text. i also love how she simultaneously couldn't understand all the asl either.
— i loved how various D/deaf experiences were shown. i loved that D/deaf people were not a monolith.
negatives
— while i think the complex issues were dealt with well, at some points it got kinda lecturey. at points, in felt like examples then explanations of the problem, rather than a story. this is fishy territory, especially because sometimes the "example -> frustrated venting of the issue" IS the marginalized experience, but i *personally* think it was a bit overdone.
— i'd argue this book felt like "an introduction to a fuck ton of different D/deaf issues," and i would've preferred it to focus in on one issue. would've made the whole thing more effective.
besides those very minor complaints, the reason this book is not higher rated is because i was not moved by the writing, story, OR characters. i didn't hate the book in any way, it was just,, boring. as someone who reads A LOT of contemporary romance, this was solidly neutral in the genre.
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Maybe felt a little preachy at times, but also my university RUINED things for me. I went to an ASL-English Interpreting program but my school was an absolute dumpster fire now everything Deaf related feels like homework and not something I love
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Give Me a Sign has such a wide representation of Deaf culture and experiences. It's emersive as well as educational. Anna Sortino uses her own experiences growing up as hard of hearing to create an amazing novel and relatable characters.