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tlaynejones's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
I don’t have the brain width to write any sort of review that will do this justice. I have read three other books by hooks, but this one was the most autobiographical; I definitely feel I know hooks in a different way after reading this collection of essays. I really appreciated the multi layered approach to the concept of belonging in this collection. Personal stories of hooks’ childhood and family; historical impacts of the white supremacy/ capitalist/ Christian dominator culture on Black Americans, their right to belong, and their sense of belonging over time within that culture. As well as the aesthetic of belonging, and how levels of belonging influence the aesthetic and the creative aspects of life; links to literature and historic Black leaders who have spoken on aspects of belonging, and even an examination on ways contemporary understandings of identity and belonging may actually be counterproductive. So much wonderful knowledge and so many challenging questions.
I believe everyone should read everything by hooks. I certainly plan to ❤️
I believe everyone should read everything by hooks. I certainly plan to ❤️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation, Classism, and Racism
Minor: Dementia and Domestic abuse
uriah's review against another edition
4.0
I'm so glad I've read this, it's been on my list for YEARS!
karaswils's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
jillyhow's review against another edition
4.0
Parts of this felt a little fragmented to me but by the end it all tied together perfectly. bell hooks’ argument about how to build belonging was clear and I loved the ways through which she exemplified it - her grandmother’s quilting, her experience growing up in rural Kentucky, her conversations with Wendell Berry. This was my first time reading bell hooks and I’m very excited to read more 👏🏼
“…a culture of place where one makes a homeplace in a world rooted in respect for all life, earth and community, where there is spiritual grounding and aesthetic celebration of beauty, where there is a pure enjoyment of simple pleasures…” (174)
“…a culture of place where one makes a homeplace in a world rooted in respect for all life, earth and community, where there is spiritual grounding and aesthetic celebration of beauty, where there is a pure enjoyment of simple pleasures…” (174)
jraley_writes's review against another edition
Love it but on library main and eventually due; I need to purchase to complete
seedwa's review against another edition
Wasn’t inspired by the writing style - many hot topic words thrown in a poorly edited soup. It was introspective, but not introspective enough to provide an agreeably coherent and deep narrative.
sfouts's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0