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A review by notesbynnenna
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
4.0
Oh, Queenie!
First of all, can we just talk about how great this cover is? It feels like a celebration of black hair, which I love. And honestly, this cover and a recent conversation with my hair stylist is making me want to get box braids again.
This book was one of my two BOTM picks for March (the other one was Daisy Jones, which I loved). It follows a young Jamaican-British woman living in London, who doesn't really have her life together, but she's trying.
It was great to read a book centered around a young black female protagonist in a contemporary setting. I loved all the British lingo as well, since it reminded me of my cousins, who live in the UK and are some of the coolest people I know.
While I thought many of Queenie's decisions were questionable, I was rooting really hard for her success. I definitely found some of her experiences relatable, and cringed at both the overt and subtle racism she had to deal with in her everyday life. I also like that the author didn't shy away from Queenie's mental health struggles, as I feel like there's still such a stigma around mental health and seeking help, particularly in black communities.
I also enjoyed the way the book incorporated emails and texts in the story; I've always had a thing for epistolary novels. The tone is very relatable and humorous, even though she's dealing with a lot. I feel like there's a lot to identify with in this book, even if you haven't had the exact same experiences as Queenie. She's young, she's struggling, and she's just trying to figure out her life. I think a lot of us have been there. I'd definitely recommend this one if you're looking for a read that's both amusing and a bit heartbreaking.
First of all, can we just talk about how great this cover is? It feels like a celebration of black hair, which I love. And honestly, this cover and a recent conversation with my hair stylist is making me want to get box braids again.
This book was one of my two BOTM picks for March (the other one was Daisy Jones, which I loved). It follows a young Jamaican-British woman living in London, who doesn't really have her life together, but she's trying.
It was great to read a book centered around a young black female protagonist in a contemporary setting. I loved all the British lingo as well, since it reminded me of my cousins, who live in the UK and are some of the coolest people I know.
While I thought many of Queenie's decisions were questionable, I was rooting really hard for her success. I definitely found some of her experiences relatable, and cringed at both the overt and subtle racism she had to deal with in her everyday life. I also like that the author didn't shy away from Queenie's mental health struggles, as I feel like there's still such a stigma around mental health and seeking help, particularly in black communities.
I also enjoyed the way the book incorporated emails and texts in the story; I've always had a thing for epistolary novels. The tone is very relatable and humorous, even though she's dealing with a lot. I feel like there's a lot to identify with in this book, even if you haven't had the exact same experiences as Queenie. She's young, she's struggling, and she's just trying to figure out her life. I think a lot of us have been there. I'd definitely recommend this one if you're looking for a read that's both amusing and a bit heartbreaking.