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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
I will never ever ever agree with their choice to use first person plural and third person singular pronouns. I had to take a break halfway through this book because I couldn’t get over the constant switching between “we” and “Aminatou” or “Ann”. PICK ONE!!
I also felt like I was missing something for most of the book, like I would have been more invested if I had listened to “Call Your Girlfriend” before reading. There was a sense of a big reveal that I couldn’t connect with since I didn’t know anything about their friendship in the first place.
Overall, I left with some interesting things to think about and a renewed desire to connect with friends who aren’t as close (physically & emotionally) anymore. So that’s a win!!
I also felt like I was missing something for most of the book, like I would have been more invested if I had listened to “Call Your Girlfriend” before reading. There was a sense of a big reveal that I couldn’t connect with since I didn’t know anything about their friendship in the first place.
Overall, I left with some interesting things to think about and a renewed desire to connect with friends who aren’t as close (physically & emotionally) anymore. So that’s a win!!
I really liked this book about deeply meaningful friendships. Mostly co-memoir but also a little research on friendship made for a richer experience. Made me want to call my best friend. Loved how this book gave value up our platonic relationships and the important ways they make us who we are. The book didn’t really have an ending nor did we really get to resolve the main conflict.
reflective
fast-paced
I picked this book up because I wanted to learn more about Ann and Aminatou’s Shine Theory and…well. I didn’t learn much else about it. It’s also been on my list for years because of the attention grabbing title. It really fell flat for me though. I had never listened to their podcast, so I had no background on them as individuals or knowledge of their friendship. Their stories were interesting, hearing the build up that led to them meeting and the early days of their friendship. When the heavier topics of race, health, politics got brought up, it felt very one sided and I couldn’t help but feel awkward and unwelcome. It was pretty much downhill from there for me. The problems in their friendship that resulted in counseling didn’t teach me much and I feel like any lessons that were intended to come through didn’t land.
This was a lovely look at friendship, and definitely gave me some stuff to think about in terms of Shine Theory and "stretching" for my pals. I liked how the authors shared the real ins and outs of their relationship, and also provided some simple ideas on how to stay connected to your friends. I plan to use some of their ideas.
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I loved this, especially with the end of CYG. I didn’t expect the turn the book took in the middle, but I really respect their honest and vulnerability in telling their story. Just all made me really thankful for friends and womanhood.
This was inspiring and heartwarming, and I called my best friend (who got this for both of us to read together) to read some of the quotes aloud. It was really sweet.
I especially loved hearing about how the two met and details of their friendship and love. I wish I had gotten more of that. It was full of it in the beginning, and again more towards the end where they talked about the rift in their friendship and how they worked through it.
However, there was a lot of room dedicated to Shine Theory which felt very business-oriented to me, and a lot of talk about supporting each other re: work-related stuff, which yes I agree is a part of friendship, but for me isn't the meat and bones. Also, the fact that one of the friends is Black and the other is white, and race was not mentioned a single time throughout most of the book in the context of their friendship (only during Aminatou's sections), felt weird and like there would be a racism problem with Ann and SURE ENOUGH.
Everything seems to be resolved now and the friends seem to be in a good place, I just walked away feeling like it was a bit on the surface and wanted more details and to connect more.
I especially loved hearing about how the two met and details of their friendship and love. I wish I had gotten more of that. It was full of it in the beginning, and again more towards the end where they talked about the rift in their friendship and how they worked through it.
However, there was a lot of room dedicated to Shine Theory which felt very business-oriented to me, and a lot of talk about supporting each other re: work-related stuff, which yes I agree is a part of friendship, but for me isn't the meat and bones. Also, the fact that one of the friends is Black and the other is white, and race was not mentioned a single time throughout most of the book in the context of their friendship (only during Aminatou's sections), felt weird and like there would be a racism problem with Ann and SURE ENOUGH.
Everything seems to be resolved now and the friends seem to be in a good place, I just walked away feeling like it was a bit on the surface and wanted more details and to connect more.
I needed this book. Oh boy... did I need this book. The ending was perfect. I want to share it with all of my girlfriends. Ugh, wonderful.