Reviews tagging 'Incest'

All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson

127 reviews

sarahc_v's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad

3.75

I will start by saying that I don’t think I am the target audience for this book which did impact my experience reading it. I think it’s very important that this book exists and that it will be so incredibly beneficial to queer teens, black teens, and especially black queer teens. It was interesting to see George’s experience growing up in the 90s as a queer person which is very different from how younger people experience it. I liked overall the concepts and the meaning/significance of the book, but I wasn’t wild about the writing style. As other reviews pointed out, the sentences were very choppy and because I was listening to the audiobook that was especially noticeable. I’d say that the first 3/4 of the book weren’t anything extraordinary to me, but I really enjoyed the last 1/4 and hearing about the college experience and everything about Kenny. Having also

built a very close friend group in college who became my family (and whom my parents had met many times) and the one of those friends died

the section about

Kenny’s death

really deeply resonated with me and I found George’s reflection on it very insightful. So if only for that section, I am very glad to have read this book. I would also recommend this book to those trying to learn more about the black queer experience - obviously George’s journey isn’t universal but it is a good introduction for those who want to learn more (having already been pretty familiar through other books and media, this wasn’t as impactful to me). 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Sexual assault, and Death

Moderate: Deadnaming

ryannreidreads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

4.5

Beautiful memoir and a manifesto very much needed for teens. It’s such a quick read and even though the content can be very tough, super necessary and distilled into an empowering piece. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Incest, Death, and Racism

mraddd's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Homophobia, Bullying, Sexual content, and Grief

Moderate: Terminal illness, Racism, Transphobia, and Incest

Minor: Outing and Racial slurs

havennnofjoyy's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective tense medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Incest, Death, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Racial slurs, and Bullying

Moderate: Medical trauma, Drug use, and Medical content

n1y4d's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia and Incest

finnthehuman217's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

This book is so important to read. I am kind of shocked that it’s the most  banned book in the US. It’s the author’s experience with Childhood sexual assault, relationships with their grandmother and other family members, and experience bottoming for their first time. It was not a good experience and they warn that they wrote about their first encounter with gay sex because they wanted young queer folks to hear about the experience from someone who didn’t like it at first. It is a beautiful reference to the incredible story of Moonlight. Where Juan teaches Chiron how to swim and how they based the title on that quote. It’s such a good read!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Incest, Racism, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

blue_is_at_sea's review

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

I had a great experience reading this book. It’s one of the first memoirs I’ve ever read and I have to say I think it’s a great one to start with. 
It deals with so much: race, gender sexuality, death, trauma, family and friendship. 
I like that the prose is very accessible and the chapters are short. The subject matter can be fun and lighthearted but can also be heavy at times. 
It’s a great read and I do recommend it. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Racism, Sexual assault, and Homophobia

Minor: Incest, Dysphoria, Outing, Deadnaming, and Grief

jenniferbbookdragon's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

4.5

A powerful memoir about growing up Black and queer, this book has been targeted by those who believe banning books about controversial topics is necessary to protect children. Johnson directly addresses racism,  homophobia,  bullying, and sexual abuse, all of which impact teens in their daily lives. He argues that they need books like this to know they aren't alone and to empathize with peers facing these issues.  I agree.
Johnson describes his introduction to sex in college as difficult due to the lack of sex education for queer youth. 
Their struggles with identity and sexuality are addressed in the  context of a supportive family,  something many young people lack. Johnson's story is one of strength and hope. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, Homophobia, Racism, Alcohol, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Incest, Cultural appropriation, Deadnaming, and Drug use

Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Transphobia, Outing, Violence, and Blood

qkitten's review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

1.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Physical abuse, Bullying, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Incest

kiki_kiwi's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective tense fast-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Incest

Minor: Sexual harassment