tatyana_'s reviews
173 reviews

I think that I was able to get through this book because I opted for the audiobook. I didn't enjoy this author's style, and just decided it wasn't for me. 

 March follows the late Congressman John Lewis from his childhood to being a part of student-led sit-ins to integrate Nashville dinner counters. Lewis narrates the book through flashbacks as he speaks to different people in the present. He shows how he came to find his voice, shape his morals, and discover his passion for change in his community. He even spends time talking about how he raised and loved chickens on his family farm as a child. Yet it still works as it is tied into the development of his ideals. It honestly felt like you were listening to John Lewis casually talk about his life. 

 

The dynamic artwork adds layers to the story. I was very pleased with this graphic novel. The way they chose to create the narrative and highlight themes and tones was well done. I also liked how different people in history were mentioned no matter how well known they may or may not have been. Generational divides and approaches to seeking change were briefly touched on, which I think is very relatable as well. I got my copies of this series from the library but now I want to own them! 

*Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book! Available as of July 5, 2022.* 

This book was an enjoyable and quick read. It follows four women navigating issues such as mental health, romantic relationships, and troubling family dynamics while they do their own or another person’s hair. I really enjoyed how hair is interwoven through the storyline highlighting its importance in the community. Having a story follow Black women as they care for their hair was very beautiful. That was part of what drew me into picking this book up. 

 

I did wish that we got more information about each women’s struggles after being introduced to them their respective narratives. Some characters are struggling a lot, but we don’t really see anything regarding how they are doing or how their friends are reflecting on the issue. 

 

I loved the artwork and the character design of this graphic novel. The friendship between the women is highlighted very well, and we see them empower and stand up for one another. Though some issues were handled better than others, I did enjoy this graphic novel. 

 Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book for an honest review! All opinions are my own.  

 

Peter undergoes a series of traumatic experiences very quickly starting with the death of his mother. His strained relationship with his father and getting bullied at school both contribute to him beginning to lose faith in himself and those around him. 

 

Reading this made me think about what I would do if I saw someone struggling. Would I recognize someone who was barely keeping it together? Peter was lucky to meet some people who helped him retain his faith in humanity, even if only for a moment. But many were complicit in the things happening to him and did nothing to help him. This book captured feelings like being lost and forgotten very well. Given what Peter had been through, it was not hard to understand why he started to think the way he did. That didn’t make reading about what he was going through any easier though. 

 

I rooted for Peter often and was very happy when people would be nice to him no matter how briefly. I did find that some parts were over-explained and it took some adjustment to get used to the language some characters chose to use. Also, I would’ve liked to learn more about the aftermath of Peter’s experiences at the end. Still, I appreciated that we are shown the outcome of his circumstances and how they shaped him. Overall I found this debut novel interesting and it challenged my way of thinking. 

 

*This book involves descriptions or discussions of death, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, bullying, and more.* 

I've heard many great things about Jacqueline Woodson and now I know why. I flew through this book in one sitting and I am so glad I picked it up. We watch ZJ attempt to navigate a monumental and devastating time in his life and his family. The book takes place in the late 90s when CTE was not really associated with football players. His father, a charming and kind professional football player, was beloved by many. Then he began to change along with many of his teammates. The men ZJ has known his whole life become increasingly unfamiliar to him and he struggles to understand why. He can only watch as his mother tries to get answers, his community reacts to his father, and his worldview starts to falter.

The novel is told in verse which is fitting given ZJ loves music. Parts of his songs are occasionally included in the story. I found that this format suited the story very well by helping to tell the plot and express emotions in the way ZJ was likely processing them. One of my favorite components of this book was the joyous relationships ZJ had with other men and boys in his life. They supported, celebrated, and loved each other even through rough moments. This is even present in relationships between men that ZJ is not directly involved in. It's very clear how these relationships help to shape the characters and bind them together. I can see this being one of my favorite books of the year!

Nnedi Okorafor is now an auto-buy author for me and this series is why. Binti, who left her community and Earth to attend one of the most prestigious universities in the galaxy, has not returned home. Those who knew her now consider her to be completely different both physically and figuratively. And those who don’t understand her now attempt to use her to create more division in a long-standing war. Although this was not my favorite book in the series, it was a really nice ending to a story about transformation and discovery. Binti learns more about her family history and future in this book. While she lost many people she cared about along the way, she continued to be surrounded by her family and built relationships during her travels that helped her grow. By the end of the series, Binti still has a lot more she will discover about herself, the universe, and those around her. However, it’s clear that now she is better prepared to handle the unknown than she was when we first met her at the beginning of the series.