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The Bluest Eye
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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review
Bookwormjillk
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Pickpick

#WithTheBanned @Jadams89
This novel was a tough read but in the best way. Toni Morrison is so good at painting a picture with words, and does a phenomenal job reading the audiobook.

sarahbarnes 🩵🩵🩵 4d
71 likes1 comment
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CogsOfEncouragement
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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This was my first time reading,
and oof, heartbreaking.

#WithTheBanned

dabbe I hope I can find the wherewithal to finish it. 😔 1w
CogsOfEncouragement @dabbe It is a book I have wanted to read for awhile, not realizing the subject matter. I pushed through to finish it today. It helped to read Anne of the Island before and I‘m following it up with a cozy mystery and then a Nancy Drew. 1w
staci.reads One of my favorites. 1w
dabbe @CogsOfEncouragement An escapist book will be PERFECT after this one. Thanks for the tip. 1w
45 likes4 comments
review
Kenyazero
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Pickpick

This month's #WithTheBanned read is not gentle. It takes on internalized and external racism, generational trauma, and the harm of lack of diverse representation in media. It's a stunning read, but review the content warnings. The end includes an excellent afterward by the author that delves into her choice to explore these themes through the lense of such a traumatic, unaverage case. I was disappointed in what she equates homosexuality to.

Kenyazero Used for #GottaCatchEmAll Spinda: someone is drunk or high @PuddleJumper; and #OwlHouseReadathon Stringbean: being true to yourself 1w
Reggie There is a passage about a couch in here that I always think of. This book is brutal but so well written. 1w
PuddleJumper 🍹🍹 1w
Kenyazero @Reggie yeah, that was a very vivid and striking description! 1w
36 likes4 comments
review
Melismatic
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Pickpick

Overwhelming, indeed. There‘s so much here to parse through. And to think this was Toni Morrison‘s first novel.

I need time to gather my thoughts. Most immediately, I assume this is commonly “banned” for its description of sexual assault (and sex itself) but the anchor of this story is somehow even more heart-breaking? I doubt I‘d be able to handle it at a young age myself.

#WithTheBanned

Melismatic It‘s wild to say depictions of sexual assault toward *children* isn‘t the foremost takeaway here. But this novel is so nuanced - so much can get potentially get lost in knee-jerk reactionary feelings. This story is clearly meant to make you sit with your feelings, uncomfortable but it‘s also harshly real. (edited) 1w
35 likes1 comment
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Melismatic
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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This has been on my TBR for so long!!

Interestingly, I‘m diving in for #WithTheBanned by getting a copy from my local library - there was a short wait because several copies were set aside for a local school assignment! Makes me hopeful that meaningful conversations are being held locally at least!

TheBookHippie It‘s required reading here. 12th grade English. I think I read it back to back 3 to 5 times as a teen. 1w
Melismatic @TheBookHippie wow! Where were you located if you don‘t mind my asking? I was a voracious reader in high school but we never read anything by a woman author as required reading. 😭😓 1w
TheBookHippie @Melismatic Michigan and they try constantly to ban it. 1w
See All 7 Comments
Melismatic @TheBookHippie 😵‍💫 glad you were able to experience it when you did! So much is changing so quickly in terms of these bans! 1w
TheBookHippie @Melismatic I‘m so old that they didn‘t pay to much attention when I was in highschool but they sure do now it‘s insanity 1w
Melismatic @TheBookHippie truly! And I‘m of the mind that most of these ppl so up in arms about these books haven‘t even read them themselves. Invented anger to score “points”. It‘s so dumb. 1w
TheBookHippie @Melismatic they certainly have never read them! So ridiculous .. 1w
29 likes7 comments
review
Jadams89
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Pickpick

I can‘t say I enjoyed this book. It is not enjoyable. It is an uncomfortable read. But it feels very relevant in today‘s climate.

I look forward to the discussion at the end of the month.

#WithTheBanned

KadaGul Toni Morrison's books aren't your usual page-turners. They're profound and dive into a lot of sensitive topics.#Hello2025 🍀💜🌅💙🎆 2w
37 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
5feet.of.fury
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Pickpick

Read for #withthebanned this book is banned for being sexually explicit & depicting CSA.

The book follows Pecola Breedlove and those around her, showing the impact of racism on her perception of herself. This racism includes internalized racism and being othered by those within her community and lack of support at home.

Very visceral, emotional and alarming. Not an enjoyable read but an impactful one.

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LitsyEvents
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Repost for @jadams89

Hey all! I hope you‘re ready to dig into some banned books! I‘ve created a book club on Fable if you‘d like to join there. #withthebanned2025

See original post at https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2822354

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Jadams89
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Hey all! I hope you‘re ready to dig into some banned books! I‘ve created a book club on Fable if you‘d like to join there. #withthebanned2025
https://fable.co/club/with-the-banned-with-jadams89-410943408182?invite=3b31a3e7...

See All 12 Comments
Melismatic Joined! 3w
Amiable Are you just doing it over on Fable or will you chat here as well? 3w
Jadams89 @amiable we‘ll chat here too! Fable‘s just a fun extra - no pressure to join 3w
Bookwormjillk I‘m not on fable yet but looking forward to the discussion! 3w
Kenyazero I‘ve just downloaded Fable to see how it works, and joined the challenge there. 3w
Jadams89 @Kenyazero @Bookwormjillk I‘m new to it as well…just thought I‘d try out the book club feature. 3w
lil1inblue I joined Fable a while back but haven't played with it much. This will be a good way to get to know the app! 3w
KT1432 Eeek!! I love fable and I‘m in so many clubs, but I‘m still going to join this one lol! 3w
35 likes12 comments
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LitsyEvents
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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repost for @Jadams89:

Hey all! Just a reminder that #WithTheBanned will be reading The Bluest Eye starting Jan 1st. Let me know if you‘d like to be added to the tag list!

original post:
https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2816267

32 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Jadams89
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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See All 9 Comments
5feet.of.fury @Jadams89 just for my planning, are we doing a check in at the end of the month/read at your own pace? 1mo
Jadams89 @5feet.of.fury yes, read at your own pace. 1mo
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage I‘m not a fan of toni morrison so I‘m going to skip this month. 1mo
Kenyazero Ready! 1mo
Julsmarshall Whoohoo! 1mo
37 likes1 stack add9 comments
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LitsyEvents
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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The first book for #withthebanned2025 is tagged. Anyone can join this group read hosted by @jadams89 Original post:
https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2804229

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Jadams89
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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The first book up for #WiththeBanned is Toni Morrison‘s The Bluest Eye. We will start reading January 1st! You can read a chapter a day or however you like. Just let me know if you want to be added to the tag list! #WTB2025

I‘ll repost this closer to January, but I wanted to make sure everyone had time to get their copy with the holidays.

See All 26 Comments
KT1432 Awesome!! And yes please! 2mo
LapReader I‘m in 2mo
CuriousG Please add me to the tag list! 2mo
Jadams89 @CuriousG added you!! 2mo
Catsandbooks Fantastic! 2mo
Melismatic Yes!! Love the # too 🫶🏻 2mo
Deblovestoread Perfect! Thank you! 2mo
Bookwormjillk Great pick! 2mo
Kenyazero I think I will join in for this one! 2mo
Read4life I‘m in. Happy to see that # too! 2mo
Megabooks Please tag me!! I‘m not sure whether I‘ll do them all, but I definitely want to join in!! 2mo
Jadams89 @Megabooks Absolutely! Join in as much or as little as you like. 2mo
AllDebooks I'm all in for this!!! Please add me to the tag list. 😊 2mo
Jadams89 @AllDebooks got you on the list! 2mo
AllDebooks @Jadams89 thanks. Excellent 1st choice, I have my copy ready to go. 2mo
SconsinBookyBadger Please add me to the tag list 😊 2mo
Jadams89 @SconsinBookyBadger got you on the list! 2mo
PaperbackPirate I‘ll pass on the first one but please tag me. I‘d love to join you next year. 2mo
Jadams89 @PaperbackPirate added you to the list! Absolutely, not every book will appeal to everyone - happy to have you join in whenever you wish! 2mo
Bookbuyingaddict Wow I didn‘t know this book 📖 had been banned ! What ever for ? Crazy 🤪 and thanks so much for organising this and giving us advance notice to get the books 📚 😍🙂😘🤩 2mo
AllDebooks Is there a list of books for the year or are we on a month by month basis? @Jadams89 1mo
Jadams89 @AllDebooks I‘m working on the list. Hopefully I‘ll have it up by January 1mo
AllDebooks @Jadams89 great, thanks x 1mo
49 likes26 comments
review
andrew61
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Pickpick

A poetic book that I found disturbing. There was one scene that I wished I hadn't read, + my heart broke for poor Pecola, a victim in so many ways. I stumbled as a poetic description of growing plants changed into how effective they were at various stages to hit a child. The scene where pecola's father is humiliated by white men during a sexual act is painful.The writing is incredible, the themes important, but I would struggle to read it again.

Leftcoastzen It‘s an incredible but difficult read. 2mo
Cathythoughts Those scenes we wish we hadn‘t read are difficult. It‘s hard to forget them 💔 2mo
Centique I totally agree Andrew. The scene i wish id never read …and yet im glad it exists, that someone of Morrison‘s capability has captured that human experience. An incredible book that deserves all the prizes but i have trouble recommending it to anyone its so devastating 😓 (edited) 2mo
53 likes3 comments
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allenac87
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
Pickpick

Excellent and heart breaking

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KateReadsYA
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Pickpick

It took me about half the book to really understand and enjoy this authors writing style but once I did just wow. I can see why she is so highly praised. I'll want to reread this in the future so I can truly enjoy the genius of this book.

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KateReadsYA
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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DeeLew I love this book. It‘s been over 20 years since I read it so it might be time to read again! 4mo
KateReadsYA @DeeLew That's great! I love rereading books. Have you read, beloved? I picked it up before this one but was having a hard time following along. 4mo
DeeLew @KateReadsYA I I haven‘t read Beloved but it consistently comes up on “best of” lists so I think I need to put it on my TBR. 4mo
50 likes3 comments
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JuliaTheBookNerd
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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I love Toni Morrison books 💙

#Controversial 👁️💙

#AboutABook… 📚📖📒📘📕📗📙📓

#BookNerd 🤓💙📚

Eggs Awesome author and choice 👍🏼 5mo
46 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
AshleyHoss820
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Pickpick

I‘m sorry, this was her FIRST NOVEL!? Hang it up, everybody else, b/c dang. I know Morrison is going to chew up my soul and spit it out, but I can‘t help but keep coming back for more. Every story in here is painful. You see Pecola through a child‘s narrative. That‘s where Morrison‘s magic lies: her ability to weave and manipulate language. It‘s beautifully written, but it‘s also mean and hard and angry. As it should be. 240/1,001 #1001Books

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Sara_Planz
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Pickpick

How can you describe this book as anything more than a masterpiece? Nearly 55 years after it was first published, Morrison's story of Pecola is unforgettable and tragic, one that everyone should experience at least once. Everytime I read a Morrison book, I come away with a different perspective, insight, another "aha" moment, and The Bluest Eye is one that hits me that way with each rereading.

TheBookHippie One of my absolute favorites! 10mo
38 likes1 comment
review
BookMaven9
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have had this book on my shelf for years and finally picked it up. However I ended up listening to it when I find out Toni Morrison was the narrator. Listening to her lovely, melodious voice unspool Pecola‘s story using language that is beyond beautiful but speaking about such horrors is at times unsettling and uncomfortable as it should be when speaking about harsh realities.

Stunning in its terrible way.

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KinaReads
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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🙇‍♀️

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TracyReadsBooks
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Pickpick

Morrison‘s first novel is a stunner—profound, raw, honest, real…I could go on and on. Life with all its ups and downs, it‘s mundanity, it‘s hopes and heartbreaks leaps from the pages as we read the story of Pecola Breedlove, a young black girl, who dreams of having blond hair and blue eyes, features that she believes will make her pretty, allow her to fit in. Somehow this was the first Morrison book I‘ve read. It definitely won‘t be the last.

33 likes1 stack add
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TracyReadsBooks
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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60s and sunny in November? I‘ll take it! Starting the tagged book this morning, another one that I can‘t believe I haven‘t read…Going to remedy that right now.

#OutAndAbout #ReadingOnTheTrain #SpringInNovember

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merelybookish
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Pickpick

Technically a re-read but I was in high school the last timeI read it (30+ years ago 😳) and not much remained beyond a Black girl's desire for blue eyes. A complex novel that shows understanding and empathy for even the worst of humanity's acts, of which Black girls are often the victim. Morrison's writing is beautiful and brutal. Even in her first novel, her artistic vision is undeniable. I read it as part of a deep dive into Morrison 👇

merelybookish Hosted by @HardcoverHearts. Up next is Sula. Also a #192025 for 1970 @Librarybelle 1y
Librarybelle On my to read list! 1y
Pinta Marigolds! A fave Morrison—so much first book experimentation. 1y
See All 9 Comments
merelybookish @Librarybelle Definitely worth reading but not an easy read! 1y
merelybookish @Pinta Yes! And dandelions. 💛 1y
sarahbarnes Great review! I reread this one more recently, too. Absolutely gut-wrenching. What a writer. 1y
Centique I think of this book as the most devastating book i ever read. A hard read for sure. I dont think anyone but Toni Morrison could bring out the beauty and humanity in it 🙌 1y
merelybookish @sarahbarnes Thanks! The last time I read it I was in high school so a much different experience this time! So sad and so well done. 1y
merelybookish @Centique It truly is unflinching! She does not let her readers look away from brutal truth. But still showing beauty. It's pretty amazing, especially considering it's her first novel. 1y
62 likes1 stack add9 comments
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Becker
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Pickpick

How could this possibly be Morrison‘s first book? It is incredibly well done. 😍

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Onemoreodonian
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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“He does not see her, because for him there is nothing to see. How can a fifty-two-year-old white immigrant storekeeper with the taste of potatoes and beer in his mouth, his mind honed on the doe-eyed Virgin Mary, his sensibilities blunted by a permanent awareness of loss, see a little black girl? Nothing in his life even suggested that the feat was possible, not to say desirable or necessary.”

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RaeLovesToRead
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Pickpick

A harrowing examination of the racism underpinning society's notions of beauty. I feel I should say more about it, but the writing is poetry and left me with more feelings than words.

Brutal and devastating.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

70 likes2 comments
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Cinfhen
Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Pickpick

WHOA! I was not prepared for the BRUTALITY of this book nor the extremely graphic sexual abuse depicted. Just heartbreaking. Absolutely gutted by this book. I can‘t say I “enjoyed” reading this one, but it‘s definitely a powerful piece of writing. Does this belong in a classroom? I‘m not sure it‘s right for every student but it certainly is the RIGHT place to explore the themes of poverty, inequality, cruelty and damaging beliefs.

CarolynM Great review💔 Hope you are well, Cindy😘 1y
Cinfhen All good @CarolynM how are you??? How are your parents doing??? 1y
See All 13 Comments
Reggie There is a passage about a sofa in here and what it means to that family that I always think about. It‘s a rough book but my god, her writing! 1y
CarolynM We‘ve had a hard few weeks, but today was a good day. It‘s an emotional roller coaster💙❤️ 1y
Cinfhen 💯 @Reggie and I know the passage you are referring to. Can‘t believe this was her first novel!!! 1y
Cinfhen @CarolynM thank God for the good days ❤️ 1y
TrishB I‘ve yet to get to this one! 1y
TrishB @CarolynM sending virtual hugs ❤️ 1y
CarolynM Thank you Trish. I need them today💙. @TrishB 1y
Cinfhen It‘s really a difficult read @TrishB but im glad I finally picked it up. 1y
TrishB @CarolynM ♥️ it‘s so hard. Thinking of you and the family. 1y
Centique This is the most brutal book ive ever read but i do think an experience like that needs to be captured by an amazing author - and Morrison is exactly the right author to make it horrifying but also human. 🙌 1y
78 likes2 stack adds13 comments
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Cinfhen
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Another book that seems fitting to read for #BannedBooks #TitlesAndTunes #Blues
#LetFreedomRead #BannedBookWeek

@BarbaraBB please add Beautiful Scars by Merry Clayton to our playlist

BarbaraBB I will! And I‘ll share it later today! 1y
dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 1y
55 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Michael_Gee
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison

It never occurs to her that, if in her sleep, her hand hangs over the edge of the bed, something will crawl out from under it and bite her fingers off. I sleep near the wall, because that thought has occurred to me.

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KinaReads
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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library haul :)

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DHill
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Why? Why have I waited so long?

Beloved on audio, read by the author, was staggering. One of the most emotionally impactful works I‘ve experienced. This one is no less.

TheBookHippie One of my most favorite books. I love it everytime I read it! 2y
staci.reads The last few paragraphs about marigolds...one of the most perfectly written passages ever. ❤️ 2y
KathyWheeler I ugly cried when I read this book, and that rarely happens. 2y
47 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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kera_11
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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this book is absolutely gut-wrenching. Morrison shows the vulnerability of children so well, and aims (I think) to show the psychological complexity of humans, and how we‘re driven by motivations, sometimes self-less, misguided, or just cruel. She doesn‘t aim to humanize the horrible people in this book, just explain their existence. I feel so emotionally heavy after reading this. Please please PLEASE look up trigger warnings for this book

11 likes1 stack add
review
bio_chem06
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Mehso-so

Not my favorite Morrison, but I love just reading the words she puts together.

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avien.ernieta
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Pickpick

This book follows Pecola Breedlove, a young black girl, as she nears puberty during the 1940s in Lorain, Ohio. With her newfound friends Claudia and Frieda, she learns the truth behind her poverty, 'ugliness' and misfortunes in life. If you enjoy books that explore themes of beauty, conformity, race, gender etc. you will enjoy this book. A theme in this book is how external forces affect internal struggles, because the girls battle-

avien.ernieta with society's exclusive idea of beauty, which prompts them to believe they are ugly.

2y
MissYaremcio Beautifully done Avien! 6/6 2y
9 likes2 comments
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SanjanaGhosh
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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How can a book break you in just the first two pages?

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CleverGirl
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Reading through the books currently being challenged at my local library. All these wanna-be book banners are doing is expanding my TBR pile.

SamAnne I'm grateful that book bans are a non-starter in my community, but the Banned Book list has certainly prompted me to read books on my long TBR, including Bechtel's Fun House and the March graphic novel series done with John Lewis. And it prompted me to reread your tagged! 2y
CleverGirl They aren‘t getting a ton of support here, but they are making a lot of noise and going after individual librarians by name. Now they‘re starting on school librarians. Fun House is one they use to stir ppl up. It‘s not even available in our libraries 🙄🙄🙄 2y
Leftcoastzen I will always believe that this is one of the most significant books I‘ve ever read .Powerful. 2y
12 likes3 comments
review
keepingupwiththepenguins
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Pickpick

Morrison wrote The Bluest Eye because she was “interested in talking about black girlhood”. It seems sadly inevitable that it would end up a foundational text about the impact of Euro-centric beauty standards and self-loathing. She also said her ‘job‘, as she saw it, was to “rip that veil drawn over proceedings too terrible to relate”, which she certainly achieved. Full review: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/the-bluest-eye-toni-morrison/

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DisneyFan
Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Mehso-so

One of the saddest books I‘ve read in a long time. Read as part of Banned Book Challenge.

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Leftcoastzen
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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📖The Bluest Eye
🖋Charles Bukowski
📺Barney Miller
🎤David Bowie
🎼Blitzkreig Bop -The Ramones
#manicmonday #LetterB @CBee
Everyone play! My Monday has been a bit manic .😀

vivastory Have you seen this Blitzkrieg Bop video? It's a fave. I hope things calm down for you soon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gCWOb7V-b0
2y
Leftcoastzen @vivastory I hadn‘t seen it ! So funny! 2y
CBee Great answers! Hope Tuesday is better for you 😊 2y
peanutnine Oh my god I love Blitzkrieg Bop! 2y
eeclayton I almost picked Blitzkrieg Bop, too, so good! 2y
39 likes5 comments
review
JenniferEgnor
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Pickpick

Another intense, deeply emotional story from Tony Morrison; the first she told to the world. The heart of the story is something that still happens and you don‘t have to look far to see it. A story of poverty, class, abuse, white supremacy and how all these impacted one little girl forever. A story true, yet banned. Read it, pass it on, and uplift Black girls and Black womxn. Black is beautiful. Black is to be celebrated.

19 likes1 stack add
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LeaKell
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
Pickpick

I did not know writing until I read Toni Morrison for the first time. Ms. Morrison encouraged all of us to read and learn from her books and while I‘m just beginning to discover the talent and the power of Ms. Morrison I am haunted and enchanted by her characters and their lives.

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ChaoticMissAdventures
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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Pickpick

Reading my way through Morrison this year. This was her first published book. I appreciate how her themes both evolve and stay grounded in the same topics. Her writing is much easier to understand the deep meanings now that I have read a few of her works.

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Kempfme
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
Pickpick

The Bluest Eyes is Toni Morrison‘s first book. It‘s about a girl in Ohio that wishes her eyes to be blue like the blonde haired white girls because they are beautiful, and clean unlike how she feels. It was very moving and emotional. There are some triggering topics that were a little uncomfortable to read, but still a good read.

14 likes1 stack add
review
Evita
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
Mehso-so

3 out of 5. Good prose but how is this a literature book for middle and high school students?! I think its too traumatic for young minds.

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TheKidUpstairs
The Bluest Eye | Toni Morrison
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#OnThisDay in 1931, Chloe Morrison was born in Lorain, Ohio. When fellow students at Howard University had trouble pronouncing Chloe, she took a nickname based off her baptismal name "Anthony", and went by Toni from then on. One of the first Black editors at Random House, she championed the work of other Black Authors before releasing her own work and becoming the first African American recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature #HistoryGetsLIT

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I love the name Chloe ❤️ 3y
58 likes1 comment