Reviews

Love Is a Revolution by Renée Watson

ebonyessencebookshelf's review against another edition

emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

“I’m fat. It’s just a description. It doesn’t have to case negative judgment.”

“When you’re trying to birth a revolution, you still have to take care of yourself.”

“But if the change isn’t for you it won’t last.”

3.75 - Watson did a nice job telling this story and I rather enjoyed this read. Yes this is definitely something a younger person should read to understand how important it is to love and get to know yourself. Then continue the self love throughout your life. This way hopefully no one can pull a fast one on you or pressure you. Even at 34 i learned some things that want to apply and carry on my forever self love journey. 

The whole lying to have someone like you is not something i ever did. Either you’re rocking with or not. However, i can see how teenagers through time felt like they had to be something they’re not to fit in. When being you is enough. 

-I loved the writing down of list. Sometimes getting it out on paper to see it will help make that change. 

-Loved that Watson wrote Nala as a beautiful brown skin plus size beauty and she knew it. 

-Tye was so sweet and i believe he would of liked Nala regardless from jump. 

-JT was one of my absolutely favorite characters. The bond him and Nala had was so heartwarming. 

-I called it with Imani. Nothing wrong with wanting something for yourself. Liked that Watson showed not having that communication can lead to saying stuff you can’t take back. 

-The music and lyrics were nice. One of have favorite things about the book. A way to tell someone it’s okay to love the skin you’re in. 

-Nala did grow some. Which it would of happened sooner to really give her a KO ending. She had so many opportunities to come clean. 

-Her taking that step back from tye was really dope of her. 

-Also college is not for everyone. No point. Do wasting money and time if you’re unsure. That’s perfectly okay. 

 Favorite music track list:

-Blue, track 13

-Blue, track 5

My favorite list:

-Black girl hairstyles

-Gratitude 

-3 Things i love about myself

-Tips for showing yourself love

foleyzac's review

hopeful lighthearted fast-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? Yes

2.5

carissagms's review

Under age romance

kaseycanread's review

hopeful inspiring lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

jenae2004's review

emotional inspiring medium-paced

4.0

sdill118's review

4.0

This one was a cute one- I love Renée’s style of writing and will definitely be reading more of her books.

jessethereader's review

2.0

I couldn't overlook the insta love in this book. We have a character who becomes completely obsessed with a guy she knows next to NOTHING about and begins to let this man live in her mind RENT FREE. It blocks us from getting to know the depths of her character, because all we see is how she feels for this boy that again... she barely knows.

I did like that there are messages embedded in the text talking about how important it is to remain true to yourself and how you shouldn't change yourself for other people, but outside of that it was a miss for me. :(

aalyiahv's review

emotional inspiring lighthearted 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

4.0

Nala is a character that I seen a lot of myself as a teenager. Trying to find a sense of belonging as well as impress someone because you like them, while also acknowledging that just because you like someone does not mean you have to change yourself. If that person likes you, they will appreciate you entirely which Tye did. This book healed my 16 year old self, as a 23 year old Plus size Black femme. 

tinynavajo's review

3.0

Have you ever done something to impress someone else, even though you know the thing you were doing is something you would NEVER do in the first place? Well, this is what happens to Nala as she meets and gets to know Tye, a young Black activist who is new to the neighborhood and new to Inspire Harlem, a young activist group that Nala's cousin, Imani, is a part of. As Nala gets to know Tye and as they spend time together, Nala starts to tell little lies about what she does and doesn't like, what she does and doesn't do, to impress him, to get him to like her. It's not necessarily a bad thing, it's something that all of us have done from time to time.

When it gets too big, too out of control, the lies become something that she wishes she never thought of doing in the first place, it all comes crashing down around her. Nala then learns that she needs to figure out how to love herself first, before she can learn to love anyone else.

paulachap's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5