lcl_reads's reviews
139 reviews

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

5.0

In true Tiffany D. Jackson, Grown is fast-paced and hard to put down because I just had to find out what happens next. I was rooting for Enchanting, but also scared for her because her story is all too familiar. I love how Jackson gave tantalizing snippets of the ending, but still had a twist. This is tied with Monday's Not Coming as my favorite book I've read by Jackson so far. (I've read Allegedly, Monday, Weight of Blood, and now Grown).

I really like thrillers, but I've been struggling with some lately because they just feel outlandish, which isn't really thrilling to me. Jackson does such an amazing job creating a story that truly sends shivers down my spine because while I know it is fiction, I know it is also so real in a way that is gut-wrenching.

This book reminded me of Nightcrawling by Leila Motley. Interestingly, I listened to both and they happen to have the same narrator.

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

adventurous fast-paced

4.0

Troublemakers: Lessons in Freedom from Young Children at School by Carla Shalaby

5.0

Behind You by Jacqueline Woodson

emotional reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This Boy We Made: A Memoir of Motherhood, Genetics, and Facing the Unknown by Taylor Harris

5.0

A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult

slow-paced

3.0

Typically, I enjoy Jodi Picoult, but this one just didn't work for me. She attempts to show there are two sides to every story, but for me, reproductive justice is just not a two sides issue. It is an issue of recognizing the humanity, value, and worthiness of those who bear children and their right to control their bodies and is rooted in historical ways groups have exerted bodily control over others. I recognize this is my reader bias and cognitively I appreciate that this is part of Picoult's writing style and that this book isn't for me.

I found the backwards timeline confusing for character development and made the plot boring and anticlimactic. I kept mixing up character details because of the way the information is doled out. Additionally, I did not find the end of the book very climatic or interesting because so much information is given upfront.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Blood, Violence, Hate crime, Medical trauma, Medical content, Abortion, and Mass/school shootings

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

adventurous emotional reflective 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

It took me a little bit to get into this once, but once I did, I could not put it down! Gyasi hops from one lineage to another through time and weaves together a story that centers the depth of Black stories. I love the way she was able to perfectly pull the threads together across time, continents, decisions, and beliefs. I really respect that she ties each person's story together without reducing them to a monolith. This is a truly well-written book.

There Was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds

lighthearted

5.0

White Negroes: When Cornrows Were in Vogue ... and Other Thoughts on Cultural Appropriation by Lauren Michele Jackson

informative fast-paced

4.0

I wanted to read this after watching American Fiction and seeing Sinatra reading it. In that context, it is very interesting to consider the context of the movie and I'd recommend watching that movie in conjunction with reading this book.

Now, back to the book itself. I appreciate that Jackson gets highly specific in her references and is very detailed. I believe that is essential on this topic as it is one where it is easy for some to minimize the significance and prevalence of cultural appropriation. I found the book to be very engaging and easy to follow and thought it was interesting how she woven seemingly unrelated topics together (which makes perfect sense when considering that cultural appropriation in the US touches literally everything). 

The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds

emotional sad slow-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

This is my second book by Jason Reynolds and after A Long Way Down, I was a little disappointed. Overall it is a good read, although I did find myself cringing a few times (women are referred to as "females" once). I thought the overall premise is as interesting, particularly in thinking about how one deals with grief, but certainaspect were a little unbelievable (a teenager living alone with very little income? How was he paying rent?) I wish it would have dived a little deeper into Matthew's thoughts on attending funerals.