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vanessarreads's reviews
82 reviews
The Little Black Boy: The Life of A Poor Kid From the East Side by Jonathan A. McKinney
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
"The Little Black Boy" has been on my list of highly anticipated reads for 2023 for a couple of months now.
Having known Jonathan, I expected to have a good laugh, which I did... A LOT. However, I didn't anticipate shedding tears, which I did... A LOT. I wept for the little boy who felt compelled to be a hero for his mom. I wept for the neighborhood kids who succumbed to crime and drug addiction as a means of coping or seeking an escape. Most significantly, I mourned for the children who never made it out at all.
Moreover, I was surprised by how much I could relate to many of his experiences. Being Black, impoverished, raised by a single Black mom who did her best for our family and others, residing in a neighborhood plagued by systemic oppression, and having to navigate a world fraught with obstacles just to obtain a decent education—these are all aspects of life with which I am intimately familiar.
It is always an honor to encounter someone's story, one filled with jokes and joyous moments. However, it is an even greater privilege to witness a narrative of pain, vulnerability, and unfiltered honesty. Such a story reassures you that "it's not just you, you are not alone, and it is not your fault."
This story is not only vital for adults but, more crucially, it must find its way into the hands of our children.
Jonathan, thanks for sharing you with the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Body horror, Bullying, Car accident, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Suicide, Blood, Death, and Death of parent
The Never King by Nikki St. Crowe
Lmao!!! I was giggling and cackling at this the entire time. The brat in me enjoyed this a bit too much.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
I’m waiting for the series to be fully complete so I can binge read
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
This has been added to the list of one of my favorite books ever.
I wish this book had the different pov’s from each character. I would’ve loved to get into Henry and Bunny’s head. I would’ve to know what was Bunny thinking during those last moments. The group had their suspicions about Henry but I’m so curious know what he really was like or who he thought he was.
I’ll be rereading this soon. Because I had a hard time tracking when Richard was lying and when he wasn’t. I noticed the further I got into the story the more he began to tell us the truth.
For a second I thought Henry kîlled Julian. Apart of me still feels like he did and Francis just lied about seeing him lol.
I’m so stuck on this story. I have so many questions still.
I wish this book had the different pov’s from each character. I would’ve loved to get into Henry and Bunny’s head. I would’ve to know what was Bunny thinking during those last moments. The group had their suspicions about Henry but I’m so curious know what he really was like or who he thought he was.
I’ll be rereading this soon. Because I had a hard time tracking when Richard was lying and when he wasn’t. I noticed the further I got into the story the more he began to tell us the truth.
For a second I thought Henry kîlled Julian. Apart of me still feels like he did and Francis just lied about seeing him lol.
I’m so stuck on this story. I have so many questions still.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
This has been added to the list of one of my favorite books ever.
I wish this book had the different pov’s from each character. I would’ve loved to get into Henry and Bunny’s head. I would’ve to know what was Bunny thinking during those last moments. The group had their suspicions about Henry but I’m so curious know what he really was like or who he thought he was.
I’ll be rereading this soon. Because I had a hard time tracking when Richard was lying and when he wasn’t. I noticed the further I got into the story the more he began to tell us the truth.
For a second I thought Henry kîlled Julian. Apart of me still feels like he did and Francis just lied about seeing him lol.
I’m so stuck on this story. I have so many questions still.
I wish this book had the different pov’s from each character. I would’ve loved to get into Henry and Bunny’s head. I would’ve to know what was Bunny thinking during those last moments. The group had their suspicions about Henry but I’m so curious know what he really was like or who he thought he was.
I’ll be rereading this soon. Because I had a hard time tracking when Richard was lying and when he wasn’t. I noticed the further I got into the story the more he began to tell us the truth.
For a second I thought Henry kîlled Julian. Apart of me still feels like he did and Francis just lied about seeing him lol.
I’m so stuck on this story. I have so many questions still.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
This has been added to the list of one of my favorite books ever.
I wish this book had the different pov’s from each character. I would’ve loved to get into Henry and Bunny’s head. I would’ve to know what was Bunny thinking during those last moments. The group had their suspicions about Henry but I’m so curious know what he really was like or who he thought he was.
I’ll be rereading this soon. Because I had a hard time tracking when Richard was lying and when he wasn’t. I noticed the further I got into the story the more he began to tell us the truth.
For a second I thought Henry kîlled Julian. Apart of me still feels like he did and Francis just lied about seeing him lol.
I’m so stuck on this story. I have so many questions still.
I wish this book had the different pov’s from each character. I would’ve loved to get into Henry and Bunny’s head. I would’ve to know what was Bunny thinking during those last moments. The group had their suspicions about Henry but I’m so curious know what he really was like or who he thought he was.
I’ll be rereading this soon. Because I had a hard time tracking when Richard was lying and when he wasn’t. I noticed the further I got into the story the more he began to tell us the truth.
For a second I thought Henry kîlled Julian. Apart of me still feels like he did and Francis just lied about seeing him lol.
I’m so stuck on this story. I have so many questions still.
One For My Enemy by Little Chmura, Olivie Blake
This is now my favorite Romeo and Juliet retelling ever in life.