Scan barcode
utopiastateofmind's review
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Everything Within and In Between begins with a letter. It begins with a search for answers, with questions that you can never put to rest. But what it kicks off is a gripping and difficult journey to examine ourselves and our family. To take a look at the microaggressions we've been victim to while also examining our own actions and prejudices. That because Ri is white passing, her life is different than her classmates and her family. And while this has caused her to feel disconnected from her culture, it's equally important to look at why.
Ri's struggles with her identity, as well as how she has to realize that assimilation meant survival, is a coping mechanism in some ways, was so emotional. Everything Within and In Between is nuanced. It examines both the positives and consequences. The ones even we might not be aware of in our lives.
Everything Within and In Between begins with a letter. It begins with a search for answers, with questions that you can never put to rest. But what it kicks off is a gripping and difficult journey to examine ourselves and our family. To take a look at the microaggressions we've been victim to while also examining our own actions and prejudices. That because Ri is white passing, her life is different than her classmates and her family. And while this has caused her to feel disconnected from her culture, it's equally important to look at why.
Ri's struggles with her identity, as well as how she has to realize that assimilation meant survival, is a coping mechanism in some ways, was so emotional. Everything Within and In Between is nuanced. It examines both the positives and consequences. The ones even we might not be aware of in our lives.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
popthebutterfly's review
emotional
inspiring
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? No
5.0
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Everything Within and In Between
Author: Nikki Barthelmess
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Latinx side characters, ownvoice Mexican American Biracial MC, Bisexual side character, f/f romance shown once by side characters
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Young adult readers, contemporary, ownvoice
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: October 5, 2021
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 336
Recommended Age: 15+ (Racism, Microaggressions, Underage alcohol consumption, Drug use, Colorism, Language, Religion, Purity culture, Slut shaming, Teen pregnancy mentioned, Sex mentioned)
Explanation of CWs: Racism, colorism, and microaggressions are central to the plot. Underage alcohol consumption shown. Drug use shown. Slight language. Mentions of religion throughout the book. One chapter mentions purity culture fairly heavily. Slut shaming is mentioned. Teen pregnancy is mentioned. Sex is mentioned mildly.
Synopsis: For Ri Fernández’s entire life, she’s been told, “We live in America and we speak English.” Raised by her strict Mexican grandma, Ri has never been allowed to learn Spanish. What’s more, her grandma has always pushed Ri away from the neighborhood they call home and toward her best friend’s world of mansions and country clubs in the hopes that it’ll bring Ri closer to achieving the “American Dream."
In her most private thoughts, Ri has always believed that her mother, who disappeared when she was young, would accept her exactly how she is. So when Ri finds a secret unanswered letter from her mom begging for a visit, Ri decides to reclaim what her grandma kept from her: a language and a mother. But nothing goes as planned. Her mom isn’t who Ri imagined she would be. And Ri’s struggling to navigate the different interweaving threads of her mixed heritage that make her who she is. Nobody has any idea of who Ri really is—not even Ri, herself.
Review: I really loved this book. I thought it did well too show the struggles, that I can only imagine and that I have only heard about from friends and read about in books, Latinx families face when coming to America and feeling a need to assimilate more into the white culture. I loved how brutally honest this book was in showing that. I felt like the character development was amazingly well done and the world building was also wonderful. The plot was also intriguing from start to finish.
The only issue I had was that the pacing was a bit slow in the beginning but it picked up fast and overall I enjoyed this read immensely.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Book: Everything Within and In Between
Author: Nikki Barthelmess
Book Series: Standalone
Diversity: Latinx side characters, ownvoice Mexican American Biracial MC, Bisexual side character, f/f romance shown once by side characters
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: Young adult readers, contemporary, ownvoice
Genre: YA Contemporary
Publication Date: October 5, 2021
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 336
Recommended Age: 15+ (Racism, Microaggressions, Underage alcohol consumption, Drug use, Colorism, Language, Religion, Purity culture, Slut shaming, Teen pregnancy mentioned, Sex mentioned)
Explanation of CWs: Racism, colorism, and microaggressions are central to the plot. Underage alcohol consumption shown. Drug use shown. Slight language. Mentions of religion throughout the book. One chapter mentions purity culture fairly heavily. Slut shaming is mentioned. Teen pregnancy is mentioned. Sex is mentioned mildly.
Synopsis: For Ri Fernández’s entire life, she’s been told, “We live in America and we speak English.” Raised by her strict Mexican grandma, Ri has never been allowed to learn Spanish. What’s more, her grandma has always pushed Ri away from the neighborhood they call home and toward her best friend’s world of mansions and country clubs in the hopes that it’ll bring Ri closer to achieving the “American Dream."
In her most private thoughts, Ri has always believed that her mother, who disappeared when she was young, would accept her exactly how she is. So when Ri finds a secret unanswered letter from her mom begging for a visit, Ri decides to reclaim what her grandma kept from her: a language and a mother. But nothing goes as planned. Her mom isn’t who Ri imagined she would be. And Ri’s struggling to navigate the different interweaving threads of her mixed heritage that make her who she is. Nobody has any idea of who Ri really is—not even Ri, herself.
Review: I really loved this book. I thought it did well too show the struggles, that I can only imagine and that I have only heard about from friends and read about in books, Latinx families face when coming to America and feeling a need to assimilate more into the white culture. I loved how brutally honest this book was in showing that. I felt like the character development was amazingly well done and the world building was also wonderful. The plot was also intriguing from start to finish.
The only issue I had was that the pacing was a bit slow in the beginning but it picked up fast and overall I enjoyed this read immensely.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
sheafandink's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, and Racism
that_bookaholic_gal's review
4.25
Her feet pound the pavement, her arms pump in a steady rhythm, and her heart races along with the beat of the music flowing through her earbuds. The wind whips around her, people watch as she passes, but she pays nobody any mind as she’s in her own world. Running helps calm her mind and spirit while the rest of the world turns in complete chaos. Her feet switch from solid ground to the uneven flow of the sand. She slows to a stop and removes her headphones, so the music can be replaced by the steady rush of the ocean waves. Here she is grounded. Here she is calm.
Everything Within and In Between was so much more than your average YA filled with all the teen drama. Sure, there was teen drama and it will transport you to those reckless high school days, but it also grappled with a young teenaged girl’s struggle with fitting in and knowing the depth of her heritage and culture.
I enjoyed traveling this journey with Maria, who goes by Ri. Growing up with light skin she was held back from her true heritage and thrown into a white-washed world to be “safer” but that’s not who she is and she knows it. This book was so beautifully written as she learned to embrace the culture and heritage that makes her who she is, despite the broken past she comes from.
I highly recommend picking this one up!
TW: Racism/Racist Comments, Micro-aggressions, Alcohol Abuse, Drug Abuse, Underage Drinking, Abandonment, Sexual Harassment, Cheating.
Everything Within and In Between was so much more than your average YA filled with all the teen drama. Sure, there was teen drama and it will transport you to those reckless high school days, but it also grappled with a young teenaged girl’s struggle with fitting in and knowing the depth of her heritage and culture.
I enjoyed traveling this journey with Maria, who goes by Ri. Growing up with light skin she was held back from her true heritage and thrown into a white-washed world to be “safer” but that’s not who she is and she knows it. This book was so beautifully written as she learned to embrace the culture and heritage that makes her who she is, despite the broken past she comes from.
I highly recommend picking this one up!
TW: Racism/Racist Comments, Micro-aggressions, Alcohol Abuse, Drug Abuse, Underage Drinking, Abandonment, Sexual Harassment, Cheating.
sabslibrary's review
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
More...