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A review by lexish00
Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America by Ibi Zoboi
5.0
First of all, teenagers are so sweet, I love them. I hated being a teenager, so reading about teenager problems always hits me in the feels.
Second of all, this was a wonderful collection. Like other reviewers, I'm going to just give my thoughts on each short story below.
* Half a Moon: sweet story about family, types of sisterhood. It was a good opener, but not the strongest.
* Black Enough: I definitely agree with other reviewers that the love-interest girl was being unfair. I liked seeing a character from Austin!!! Worlds colliding is always fun.
* Warning: Color May Fade: Other reviewers like this one a lot more than I did. I thought it was okay. I'm just not as captivated by "writing about art" as others I think.
* Black. Nerd. Problems.: AHH teenagers. This one had a lot going for it -- good characterization, nerdiness, race questions, a mysterious-fun side plot.
* Out of the Silence: It was okay, but maybe too vague. That was the allure and mystery, but then it didn't go any deeper so. Shrug.
* The Ingredients: Very slice of life, just a sweet interlude. Well written with a fitting ending. I love seeing teenage boys in realistic scenarios, talking about feelings and hopes and dreams (yes, sandwiches can be hopes and dreams).
* Oreo: more themes of family, understanding different backgrounds and viewpoints. It didn't feel particularly innovative to me, but I think it's a good introduction to certain intra-race issues.
* Samson and the Delilahs: VERY unique story, interestingly told, quite enjoyable. Hints at the boy's mother's past, trying to connect to it, trying to connect with a new culture. All interesting.
* Stop Playing: Similar themes to Gravity (below), but handled quite differently, different voice, etc. I connected a lot with this one, as kind of a cautionary tale. Surprising (good) ending.
* Wild Horses, Wild Hearts: It was fine. Not a standout, to me personally.
* Whoa!: Definitely in my Top 3!! Very fun, I would love a whole book like this reminiscent of Kindred.
* Gravity: Interesting POV/storytelling device. Another trying to connect with a new culture. Fun(ny), fitting, justifiable ending.
* The Trouble with Drowning: Very much in the vein of books like Everything I Never Told You. A slow-burn short story (is that possible? :)).
* Kissing Sarah Smart: Felt very very modern, I liked it. Was I an immature teenager, am I forgetting what being a teenager was like, or was the main character a very mature teenager?
* Hackathon Summers: I might be biased because I work in tech, but I enjoyed this one a lot for exploring this world. The ending was a bit too abrupt, but short stories are difficult.
* Into the Starlight: Worlds/cultures colliding, rich v poor, etc. It was quite enjoyable, a great writing voice.
* The (R)Evolution of Nigeria Jones: WOW. I wanted this one to be a chapter in a full length book.
Favorites (extra stars for extra favorite):
** Black. Nerd. Problems.
** Samson and the Delilahs
* Stop Playing
*** Whoa!
* Gravity
* Kissing Sarah Smart
* Hackathon Summers
*** The (R)evolution of Nigeria Jones
So my "favorites" were about half of the stories. :) You can't go wrong with this collection if you enjoy stories teenage slice of life/coming of age stories.
Second of all, this was a wonderful collection. Like other reviewers, I'm going to just give my thoughts on each short story below.
* Half a Moon: sweet story about family, types of sisterhood. It was a good opener, but not the strongest.
* Black Enough: I definitely agree with other reviewers that the love-interest girl was being unfair. I liked seeing a character from Austin!!! Worlds colliding is always fun.
* Warning: Color May Fade: Other reviewers like this one a lot more than I did. I thought it was okay. I'm just not as captivated by "writing about art" as others I think.
* Black. Nerd. Problems.: AHH teenagers. This one had a lot going for it -- good characterization, nerdiness, race questions, a mysterious-fun side plot.
* Out of the Silence: It was okay, but maybe too vague. That was the allure and mystery, but then it didn't go any deeper so. Shrug.
* The Ingredients: Very slice of life, just a sweet interlude. Well written with a fitting ending. I love seeing teenage boys in realistic scenarios, talking about feelings and hopes and dreams (yes, sandwiches can be hopes and dreams).
* Oreo: more themes of family, understanding different backgrounds and viewpoints. It didn't feel particularly innovative to me, but I think it's a good introduction to certain intra-race issues.
* Samson and the Delilahs: VERY unique story, interestingly told, quite enjoyable. Hints at the boy's mother's past, trying to connect to it, trying to connect with a new culture. All interesting.
* Stop Playing: Similar themes to Gravity (below), but handled quite differently, different voice, etc. I connected a lot with this one, as kind of a cautionary tale. Surprising (good) ending.
* Wild Horses, Wild Hearts: It was fine. Not a standout, to me personally.
* Whoa!: Definitely in my Top 3!! Very fun, I would love a whole book like this reminiscent of Kindred.
* Gravity: Interesting POV/storytelling device. Another trying to connect with a new culture. Fun(ny), fitting, justifiable ending.
* The Trouble with Drowning: Very much in the vein of books like Everything I Never Told You. A slow-burn short story (is that possible? :)).
* Kissing Sarah Smart: Felt very very modern, I liked it. Was I an immature teenager, am I forgetting what being a teenager was like, or was the main character a very mature teenager?
* Hackathon Summers: I might be biased because I work in tech, but I enjoyed this one a lot for exploring this world. The ending was a bit too abrupt, but short stories are difficult.
* Into the Starlight: Worlds/cultures colliding, rich v poor, etc. It was quite enjoyable, a great writing voice.
* The (R)Evolution of Nigeria Jones: WOW. I wanted this one to be a chapter in a full length book.
Favorites (extra stars for extra favorite):
** Black. Nerd. Problems.
** Samson and the Delilahs
* Stop Playing
*** Whoa!
* Gravity
* Kissing Sarah Smart
* Hackathon Summers
*** The (R)evolution of Nigeria Jones
So my "favorites" were about half of the stories. :) You can't go wrong with this collection if you enjoy stories teenage slice of life/coming of age stories.