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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
I think that On the Come Up might just have surpassed The Hate You Give *shocked face*
Amazing inspiring message. “No one can stop you on the come up dreamer, no one can stop you. Keep going”. Liked the characters. Great writing including the rap. I didn’t want to put it down. Another solid book by Angie Thomas.
On The Come Up features Bri, a young rapper who wants to make it big, without getting shot like her father, who was a rapper as well. This book addresses how it feels to be labeled and expected to be a certain way. It talks about gangs, poverty, and drugs. Bri’s anger propels her forward as she strives to move past what the world expects from her as a young Black girl in America.
Some takeaways from this book: Someone being different from you doesn’t make them any less deserving of justice. Knowing someone well doesn’t necessarily mean you know what’s best for them - take the time to really listen before jumping to conclusions. Even those who make bad decisions are someone’s daughter, sister, father, etc.
I enjoyed this book as much as her previous THUG. Another look into the Garden suburb featured in THUG, though it references without duplicating, the events in that book. I was fascinated by this world, so different to anything I have ever known. Excellent read!
“Let be real: We're black kids from one of the worst neighborhoods in the city. All it takes is one of us messing up, and suddenly all of us messed up.”
If you have read Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give, you must be excited to read On The Come Up. It’s a different story, perspective but similar problems being faced but in a different way (If any of that makes any sense)
The writing is easy, on trend and relatable and the plotline is quick and easy to follow. But I felt less emotional in this one. I wasn’t attached to the character as compared to THUG but I still feel the rage of the story and the message it is trying to bring out.
Growing up in Singapore or Asia specifically, these things are not normal or relatable honestly. Having to read, heard or watch a movie showing schools having metal detectors, segregation, police and these stereotypes seems very Wow omg these things are really happening somewhere. So being able to read someone else’s stories on what they go through like Bri how she face difficulties just because she is black is important. Not just to understand, but to know what we as people can help and fight for what’s right. I think its important that people who have a platform or a voice being able to use that power to help make a better change.
I hope Angie continues to write stories of people’s and hopefully one day all these stories can help make a difference in somebody else’s life and hopefully it can be the voice of change. I am excited for the movie now!!! I need to hear this sick flow.
P.s This book kind of reminds me of my favourite story Freedom Writers!
“You know how many rich white folks come to the courthouse on drug possession?” “A whole lot,” says Jay. “Too many,” Aunt ’Chelle says. “Every single one gets a little slap on the wrist and goes right back into society, like it’s all good. Black folks or poor folks get on drugs?” “We’re ruined for life,” Jay says”
If you have read Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give, you must be excited to read On The Come Up. It’s a different story, perspective but similar problems being faced but in a different way (If any of that makes any sense)
The writing is easy, on trend and relatable and the plotline is quick and easy to follow. But I felt less emotional in this one. I wasn’t attached to the character as compared to THUG but I still feel the rage of the story and the message it is trying to bring out.
Growing up in Singapore or Asia specifically, these things are not normal or relatable honestly. Having to read, heard or watch a movie showing schools having metal detectors, segregation, police and these stereotypes seems very Wow omg these things are really happening somewhere. So being able to read someone else’s stories on what they go through like Bri how she face difficulties just because she is black is important. Not just to understand, but to know what we as people can help and fight for what’s right. I think its important that people who have a platform or a voice being able to use that power to help make a better change.
I hope Angie continues to write stories of people’s and hopefully one day all these stories can help make a difference in somebody else’s life and hopefully it can be the voice of change. I am excited for the movie now!!! I need to hear this sick flow.
P.s This book kind of reminds me of my favourite story Freedom Writers!
“You know how many rich white folks come to the courthouse on drug possession?” “A whole lot,” says Jay. “Too many,” Aunt ’Chelle says. “Every single one gets a little slap on the wrist and goes right back into society, like it’s all good. Black folks or poor folks get on drugs?” “We’re ruined for life,” Jay says”
Bri Jackson is sure that becoming a rapper will get her family out of the projects for good. She has the talent, one that many credit to her late father, Lawless. Bri’s first original song spreads like wildfire in the community, and the sound of others blasting her beat through their car stereos and singing along to lyrics she wrote feels right. But with the spotlight on her, Bri’s impulsive personality and inability to ignore the haters begin to get her in trouble. When her mom, a former addict, is laid off from her job at the church and money is tighter than ever, Bri feels more responsibility than ever to make her rap career happen; however, the music industry wants to change her into someone she doesn’t want to be. Torn between the money and her true identity, Bri must make big decisions about what’s most important to her.
I had the opportunity to meet Angie Thomas and listen to her talk about both The Hate U Give, her first novel, and this one. She is truly inspirational and comes from such a good place with her intentions as a writer. I really enjoyed reading this one and appreciated the musical aspect of it. Bri is a character that I feel like many teenagers and even adults can relate to, especially when it comes to making decisions regarding what we want vs. what we need. Highly recommend, especially to those who loved THUG!
I had the opportunity to meet Angie Thomas and listen to her talk about both The Hate U Give, her first novel, and this one. She is truly inspirational and comes from such a good place with her intentions as a writer. I really enjoyed reading this one and appreciated the musical aspect of it. Bri is a character that I feel like many teenagers and even adults can relate to, especially when it comes to making decisions regarding what we want vs. what we need. Highly recommend, especially to those who loved THUG!
4.5. Tough to follow up what is being considered a modern classic and a generation-defining novel ([b:The Hate U Give|32075671|The Hate U Give|Angie Thomas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1535002553s/32075671.jpg|49638190]), but Angie Thomas has a clearly defined voice and one that demands to be heard. Her stories bring the headlines to the streets and make large scale issues felt on a micro level. I really enjoyed hearing Bri's story and can see it translating great to the screen.
Angie Thomas proves in her sophomore novel, On the Come Up, that her talent is vast, and she has so much to give the world.
I'm not going to do a long, thorough review of this book because I feel like its not really my place to comment on a lot of the life experiences in the book, but I wanted to single it out. It was definitely a 5 star read for me, and I never put 5 star reads in Shorter Musings posts.
I will say this about it:
Bri is messy, talented, confused, hurting, and amazing.
Bri is REAL.
Bri's voice is perfection.
The supporting cast of characters it top-notch. Every. Single. One.
This book made me laugh.
This book made me cry.
This book made me laugh and cry on the same page.
I love it even more than The Hate U Give.
I'm not going to do a long, thorough review of this book because I feel like its not really my place to comment on a lot of the life experiences in the book, but I wanted to single it out. It was definitely a 5 star read for me, and I never put 5 star reads in Shorter Musings posts.
I will say this about it:
Bri is messy, talented, confused, hurting, and amazing.
Bri is REAL.
Bri's voice is perfection.
The supporting cast of characters it top-notch. Every. Single. One.
This book made me laugh.
This book made me cry.
This book made me laugh and cry on the same page.
I love it even more than The Hate U Give.
Refreshing take on th YA genre
I am not a big fan of YA Novels but I do remember enjoying The Hate U Give , Angie Thomas' debut novel so I figured I would enjoy her sophomore novel On The Come Up. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed being in the world that Thomas created, it was utterly captivating and endearing. Thomas is able to write in such a way that you are entertained and engaged the entire time.
The story follows "sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time." We are thrust into her world as she tries to navigate her friendships, her future and her family life. This are falling apart around Bri and you cannot help but want to protect her. The characters are fully developed and will pull you in from the jump. A great read all around.
I am not a big fan of YA Novels but I do remember enjoying The Hate U Give , Angie Thomas' debut novel so I figured I would enjoy her sophomore novel On The Come Up. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed being in the world that Thomas created, it was utterly captivating and endearing. Thomas is able to write in such a way that you are entertained and engaged the entire time.
The story follows "sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time." We are thrust into her world as she tries to navigate her friendships, her future and her family life. This are falling apart around Bri and you cannot help but want to protect her. The characters are fully developed and will pull you in from the jump. A great read all around.