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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
I stayed up wayyyy too late but I couldn’t stop reading On the Come up by Angie Thomas (author of The Hate U Give). I am so in awe of how she can address so many different current issues facing Black communities (poverty, gangs, trauma, drugs, bias in education, school resource officers, romance, feminism, fame, activism...) without ever coming across as didactic and keeping strong, diverse, and nuanced characters front and center. Also, you bet I stayed up even later to look up videos of the author rap some of the songs that were in the book!
Angie Thomas has a way of taking heavy subjects and addressing them in a such a light straightforward to the point way. Poverty, violence, addiction, gang violence, and race were all addressed in such a way where you take away what is needed without feeling completly emotionally wrecked. I would defintely have my niece and nephew read it, there's humor and life lessons all rolled into one, in this novel.
The lack of a 5 star rating is only due to my own personal preferences. I wish the main character was a little less of a hot head and the small romance that was thrown in, I thought was unnecessary.
The lack of a 5 star rating is only due to my own personal preferences. I wish the main character was a little less of a hot head and the small romance that was thrown in, I thought was unnecessary.
I didn’t love it as much as THUG, there were moments when Bri was not very likable and I was waiting for something horrible to happen. In the end I was satisfied with how the story was resolved.
Angie Thomas did it again for me. Derde boek wat ik heb gelezen en (volgens mij?) derde met vijf sterren. Fast-paced maar ook emotioneel, de laatste 240 paginas vanavond uitgelezen. Met hoeveel shit er gebeurde door het boek heen vond ik het einde wel heel cheesy, maar ook wel een mooie afsluiter
Another excellent book by Angie Thomas! I listened to it on audio- Bahni Turpin does an excellent job narrating.
There wasn’t much of a plot but the writing was so good that I almost didn’t mind. I liked the characters but I feel like it ended with a lot of unanswered questions. What happened between miles and sonny? Did Malik stay with shana? Who wanted to collaborate with her?
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.
“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”
On the Come Up is a moving coming of age story, through which Brianna Jackson learns the joys and hardships of following her dreams while the rest of her world seems to be crumbling around her. The book was described as Angie Thomas's "ode to hip-hop," and as such, the rhymes fly off the page in ways that make you feel like you're really in Bri's head as she's trying to figure out what to say. Throughout the book, Bri has to determine who she wants to be even when everyone around her wants to make her into the image they have of who she is. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book in audio format, and can't wait to see what Angie Thomas is doing next.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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:
Complicated