Sarah

It should have been called Sisterhood Codependent. Oh, how I wanted to love this one. Spoilers below:



For context: I'm 31, and read the first 2 books of the series in high school. My coworker told me there were 4+one for adults (the same generation) so I thought it'd be fun to reread the first 2 and finish the series. I tore through the first 4. While imperfect, they were charming, thoughtful, intelligent, and hopeful. I had trouble with how insecure the girls were, but they were 16-19, so it was accurate and honest! But at about my age, of our sisters are in really bad mental places, even if some are finding professional success. I don't mind bleakness, but there didn't seem to be a point to their misery. I guess they were miserable because they were out of touch: but that's not a sisterhood, that's codependency. I was also frustrated with this book from a mental standpoint. SPOILER:

Perception of suicide as a plot device is a disservice to the readers. I don't mind a death, but the fact that they thought it was suicide and it wasn't, feels undeservedly manipulative and cheap. And then te ending is too happily ever after. We're supposed to think Bee is ok without therapy or dealing with her mental health issues? 3/4 of them end up with their high school boyfriends? For my money, the only interesting one is Brian. 2 stars as I enjoyed the last third, and shed some tears, but a pretty unsatisfying conclusion to the sries/

Know I'm way behind the curve as a theatre geek, but this was truly an amazing read. I'd love to see it sometime. McDonagh”s darkness is always fantastic. I have some questions though...

We need more stories like this, for young adults and...adults in general. The word I keep going back to is “tender.” There is such a pure tenderness about it, even though the strife and harshness. Wonderfully written, with deft, real, and nuanced characters. A wonderful representation of many identities made invisible: a diversity of weight, race and gender identity (and its difference from sexual orientation). Strikes me as an honest portrayal of domestic abuse, too. Nice and surprisingly un-cliche use of [b:Romeo and Juliet 18135 Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327872146s/18135.jpg 3349450] I'm rather sad I've finished it. I'll miss the characters.

I

Never do I recall wanting to break into applause after reading a book! [b:Men Explain Things to Me 18528190 Men Explain Things to Me Rebecca Solnit https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1393447237s/18528190.jpg 26233826] is marvelously interdisciplinary: author [a:Rebecca Solnit 15811 Rebecca Solnit https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1251330691p2/15811.jpg] intertwines history, art, literature and ancient mythology. She draws parallels I never would have thought of before, and gives form to feelings I've felt. A manifesto of sorts, I didn't find it preachy, only compelled to feel more brave. This is a very important book in understanding today's feminism, she takes care to praise the young feminists and smartly refutes detractions. The second book I've read this summer (the first being [b:The Cook Up: A Crack Rock Memoir 27416063 The Cook Up A Crack Rock Memoir D. Watkins https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1456091202s/27416063.jpg 47465150] by [a:D. Watkins 6282805 D. Watkins https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]) that should be required reading.