Christina

Scary as F. I can't describe the feeling but definitely didn't sleep well while reading this. Everything from childlike fears to the very real fears of racism, abuse, and bullying. Ending was a bit meh for me but 950 pages worth were perfect for a horror read.

Oh my goodness! This is unbelievably cute and heart warming.

A tough read not just by the topic itself but the layering and symbolism in Morrison's writing. I might have to read this again to see it past the first layer. This is an American classic. I'm ashamed it took me so long to finally read it!

I definitely want to re-read this again. I wanted to read it as slow as possible cherishing each beautiful word. How I knew from the beginning that this was the book for me? This quote: “Reading a novel, he supposes, is like playing a game where all the choices have been made for you ahead of time by someone who is much better at this particular game. (Though he sometimes wishes choose-your-own-adventure novels would come back into fashion.)”

I absolutely loved this book! It ended up with lots of small scribbles and post its all over of new adventures to plan out. Need to get some binoculars and other explorer gear soon!

This was tragic, real, and paralyzing. Lots of thoughts.

This book was an emotional roller coaster. It's extraordinarily beautiful and tragic at the same time. I loved the lyrical quality of the writing. We need more books like this on our bookshelves

Wow - this was a heart wrenching read. I loved Jones' writing - and her characters felt so real. It's so real having themes about- injustice, prison system, marriage, forgiveness, and renewal. Definitely going to buy this for the bookshelf and read more of her work.

I have a lot of thoughts here but here's my initial review:

I made a conscious effort to not hate read this but the story itself leads to the frustration. This book is not the new Steinbeck that Don Winslow is claiming. LETS JUST GET THAT OUT OF THE WAY. False advertisement.

It reads like a one dimensional fictional thriller for white Americans.

The author fails to acknowledge the stories and authors that have already been written on this experience while publishers have suppressed their voices. At least use your platform to truly amplify their voices, Jeanine.

This book was written for white folks who “have good intentions” and want to discuss the controversy of “bringing a voice to a faceless brown mass” in their predominantly white book clubs. Seriously.

Am I saying don't read it? Never (I am against book censorship) but if you read it - reader beware and use this to start the conversation and dialogue. Then, educate yourselves by reading the books that ACTUALLY bring truth and authenticity to the subject.

Not sorry.

“Later, Ugwu murmured the title to himself: The World Was Silent When We Died. It haunted him, and filled him with shame.”

A difficult read due to its graphic description of the Biafran War but a truly heartbreaking and searing testimony. Beautiful written.

So many thoughts and words. Need to simmer. Holy smokes what a legendary read

“The subtle and deadly change of heart that might occur in you would be involved with the realization that a civilization is not destroyed by wicked people; it is not necessary that people be wicked but only that they be spineless.“ Ugh - brilliant

Brilliant, painful, and heart breaking. Inspired by the atrocious events of a “reform” school in Florida, it puts an understandable questioning of goodness and hope and replaces it with the bitter and harsh reality of America's true self. Please read this.

What a thought provoking graphic novel. It's filled with twists and turns. Such emotion in the illustrations

Don't you just love when you unexpectedly fall in love with a book. THIS BOOK GUYS. OMG. I had goosebumps and chills throughout. The writing and imagery is just beautiful and perfection. It is exactly the dialogue I would expect from our astronauts or even myself. It's filled with a diverse character set which does matter. It's not just some other sci-fi book. This is great sci-fi.

“It's difficult to assign value to discovery when you haven't sorted out the parameters of reality yet”

UGHHH SO GOOD. I loved the tribute to all of what is beautiful and ugly about a city. The characters and world building were so unique that I miss it all already. Can't wait for book two! I have so much more to say but just want to simmer a few days in this book's deliciousness

Everyone should read or listen to this book ESPECIALLY people in positions of authority/leadership, communication, law enforcement, the justice system, education, shit any industry. It's a brilliant examination on how we interact with strangers. I hope I can implement these perspectives myself. Let's not have another Sandra Bland. We need to be better and do better. We owe her and many others that at minimum.

Damn, what a book. I loved it but also felt unsettled afterwards. I loved how the version I read was both Brave New World and Brave New World revisited. I liked reading Huxley's commentary and assessment of how modern society (in 1954) compares and should be warned by the world he created in Brave New World. Time for some soma...

The coloring and details of this book are perfection. My favorite part are the flashbacks and the ending. Brilliant.

This book grew on me. Light hearted, whimsical, but also deeply provoking. Recommend!

N.K Jemisin can do no wrong. A great way to end trilogy!

It's been awhile since a book has brought me to tears...highly recommend although I will say it was triggering even for me.

HOLY SMOKES - THIS IS EVERYTHING I WANT IN A BOOK. The writing and structure is so BRILLIANT. The world building is NOT slow. OMG UGHHH - queue up book #2!

Liked the straight talk without sounding too preachy. Good things to keep in mind for 2020!

I love Marjane Satrapi - what a refreshingly real take on after dinner discussion with multiple generations of woman: gossip, love, men, sex, marriage, beauty. Beautiful.