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4.58 AVERAGE
4.58 AVERAGE
YA isn’t a genre I read very often—this is probably the second YA book I’ve read in 6 years. For that reason I was hesitant to read it even though it was (rightfully, I would discover) universally praised. Finally I decided to give it a try. And I was left in awe.
Angie Thomas has captured a story that too often goes untold, and I never wanted to stop listening. Starr was an incredible narrator, I loved being inside her head and watching her grow as a young woman. And the structure of the story itself—no scene, no character, no word is wasted. Thomas is a brilliant architect. The cherry on top was having the audiobook narrated by Bahni Turpin, who really needs to win a Grammy for every single book she narrates.
If you’ve hesitated to pick this book up because you think it won’t appeal outside of its original teenage target audience, stop hesitating! This is a work of art and if you don’t enjoy it, chances are you have some issues you need to work out. I can’t wait to see the movie.
Angie Thomas has captured a story that too often goes untold, and I never wanted to stop listening. Starr was an incredible narrator, I loved being inside her head and watching her grow as a young woman. And the structure of the story itself—no scene, no character, no word is wasted. Thomas is a brilliant architect. The cherry on top was having the audiobook narrated by Bahni Turpin, who really needs to win a Grammy for every single book she narrates.
If you’ve hesitated to pick this book up because you think it won’t appeal outside of its original teenage target audience, stop hesitating! This is a work of art and if you don’t enjoy it, chances are you have some issues you need to work out. I can’t wait to see the movie.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
my actual rating is a 4.9, but i’ll round up.
…so basically i’m in love! i’ve already watched the movie before reading this book, but i’m starting to think i like the book a lot more than the movie… i wish i read this before the movie so i could have appreciated the movie better!
this was a rollercoaster of emotions for me, esp. since i am a black person who hears ab these situations all the time where i’m constantly in fear and angry w/ the law (not just for me, but for every black person that could potentially deal w this). this book really shows the side of how it feels as a black individual that witnesses/goes through these difficult situations. i would recommend this book to anyone who didn’t know how it felt to be on the “wrong” side of police brutality because this explains the emotions and hardships of it so well! i’m incredibly in love w this book and want to read it again already lol.
…so basically i’m in love! i’ve already watched the movie before reading this book, but i’m starting to think i like the book a lot more than the movie… i wish i read this before the movie so i could have appreciated the movie better!
this was a rollercoaster of emotions for me, esp. since i am a black person who hears ab these situations all the time where i’m constantly in fear and angry w/ the law (not just for me, but for every black person that could potentially deal w this). this book really shows the side of how it feels as a black individual that witnesses/goes through these difficult situations. i would recommend this book to anyone who didn’t know how it felt to be on the “wrong” side of police brutality because this explains the emotions and hardships of it so well! i’m incredibly in love w this book and want to read it again already lol.
Wow. This was such an eye opening book. I think it's the best book I've read this year so far. It's powerful and beautiful, and please read it. You'll understand and learn so much from this book. I hope this will be read in schools in a few years, everyone should read this book! I'm also super sad that it's over, I loved it so, so much.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
medium-paced
Really well written book, kudos to Angie Thomas for some excellent character writing. Personally, I think this book's target audience is white people, which is by no means a negative thing - but I wouldn't call it radical by any means. I wasn't overly fond of the 'not all cops' narrative that was being pushed - ACAB means ACAB.
Beautiful. A true must-read. Haven’t had a book stick with me like this in a while.
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Yeahhh, not sure what the rave is all about on this one. It not bad but I don't think it's an original story line.
The fact though that real people deal with this type of daily treatment by police is beyond reproach. The fact that cops mostly get away without punishment makes it exponentially infuriating. White people cannot understand. There's no way they can.
I attended demonstrations in Baltimore for Freddie Gray & went down to where the police in riot gear were stationed & I witnessed first hand how the media twisted the story. It was a peaceful protest & no one leading these events called for violence of any kind. I did see the occasional rebel trying to instigate but the crowds shut that down immediately. In this book, the cops tried to twist Star's testimony by suggesting/baiting. How is this allowed to happen?!
I don't have the answer for this broken system but cops are held to higher standards by their position alone & should be punished to the full extent, and while under investigation no paid leave. I mean WTAF.
The fact though that real people deal with this type of daily treatment by police is beyond reproach. The fact that cops mostly get away without punishment makes it exponentially infuriating. White people cannot understand. There's no way they can.
I attended demonstrations in Baltimore for Freddie Gray & went down to where the police in riot gear were stationed & I witnessed first hand how the media twisted the story. It was a peaceful protest & no one leading these events called for violence of any kind. I did see the occasional rebel trying to instigate but the crowds shut that down immediately. In this book, the cops tried to twist Star's testimony by suggesting/baiting. How is this allowed to happen?!
I don't have the answer for this broken system but cops are held to higher standards by their position alone & should be punished to the full extent, and while under investigation no paid leave. I mean WTAF.