Reviews

Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop by Danyel Smith

yoliesbookdates's review against another edition

challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

misskrechel's review against another edition

emotional informative slow-paced

3.5

madalynn_owens's review against another edition

I think this would have been a much more enjoyable experience for me in print or digital! The author’s pace was difficult for me to stay engaged  with, no matter what speed I put it at.

adashredacted's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

I really really loved this one, the way that personal essays were woven into music history, the way everything flows together. 

grace1994's review against another edition

2.0

There wasn't enough focus on telling the stories of these artists for me, and far too much focus on the author's personal stories that only vaguely related to the artist of the chapter. I finished some chapters genuinely confused about what I'd just read - where was the information about the artist and how were the author's stories relevant/interesting? I don't think it works effectively as a memoir or as music journalism. A disappointment.

fromsarahsbooknook's review against another edition

emotional informative medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse

Minor: Drug abuse

caitann's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

What an incredible, important book. I learned so much, and now have an entire playlist of songs, old favourites and ones new-to-me, to listen to with fresh perspective. Best of all was listening to Danyel Smith read this herself on audio - the raw emotion and passion in her voice throughout was beautiful, and cut straight to the heart. 

aus10england's review against another edition

informative

2.75

Quite the undertaking of a book, the writing was hard for me to get into, but I liked learning about the lives of the divas mentioned! The author has a very unique insight.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Moderate: Sexism

carolinemwatson's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse

ajahde's review against another edition

just want to save it for when I have more time to focus on it