Thank you to Libro.fm for providing me with a copy of this novel for review purposes. I have one complaint.. I wanted more!
On my Pride Month TBR and to amplify Melanated Voices, I dove straight into this memoir for my first June read (2020 really has become the year of the memoirs for me!)
Plot:
In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson explores their childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting their teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys.
This book contains sexual experiences, bullying and trauma. Particularly for those in the LGBTQIA community.
Review:
I listened to the audiobook version of this Memoir-Manifesto, and I highly recommend you do to, as it is narrated by the author. I LOVE it when authors narrates their memoirs, its the original storytelling method and it feels so personal, like a friend is sharing their story with you directly.
many of us connect with each other through trauma and pain: broken people finding other broken people in the hopes of fixing one another.George M. Johnson
This was a raw and heartwarming memoir, Johnson grew up in such an accepting and loving family, and it was still a struggle for them to identify themselves and come out. This gives for heavy reflection on how hard it is, even with a supportive family. It made me look inward and reflect on how I have acted and reacted to friends that have come out and how I could better support them and not put them on the spot with intrusive questions.
I think a lot of people will find parts of the memoir confronting or triggering based on their own experiences. However I felt that Johnson handled the stories with compassion and empathy.
I particularly loved the letters to their family members, celebrating how the people in their life helped shape who they are today.
This book is aimed towards a Young Adult/New Adult audience, and while some parts are sexual, it all has its place in helping to open the conversation around sexuality and discovery during those formative years. I truly believe this will be a pivotal book for many youth navigating their identity, understanding consent, Black joy and toxic masculinity.
HIGHLY recommended and will be in my top books for 2020, we are halfway through the year and this is the best memoir I have read so far.
I hope you enjoyed my thoughts on All Boys Aren't Blue. Have you read this? Tell me what you thought!
