Daniel Black put into words the weight black men and women carry, the burden to conform to strict gender roles, and the fear that is felt when someone steps outside of those roles. He also shows the hope for freedom from this burden and fear. #blitsy #lgbtq #queer #family #epistolary

The story dragged a little at some points and I didn‘t like any of the characters, but the ending left me wanting more. #thrillers

I would have listened to this in one sitting if I had the time. I‘ve read enough thrillers to have guessed some parts of the ending, but I was entertained from start to finish. #thrillers

Full cast audiobook. One of my favorite middle grade books. An authentic representation of how it feels to go through the awkward middle school years. #shannonhale Thanks to #librofm for the advanced copy. #middlegrade #memoir #graphicnovel #audiobook

Too many POVs. The twists were predictable and unrealistic. The first chapter hooked me in but the ending didn‘t live up to my expectations. I‘m sure some people will enjoy it but it didn‘t work for me. #psychologicalthrillers #thrillers #bookswithatwist

I didn‘t like this one as much as her others, but I hope this isn‘t her last adult book.

I was super excited to read Elizabeth Acevedo‘s first adult book, but I‘m about 80% of the way through and its not working for me. I‘m still going to finish it.

I wanted to like this more. I wish inclusion could be more organic. While this book is about enjoying reading without trauma and that was accomplished, it would have been better if the some of the authors weren‘t so heavy handed with the social commentary.

Dystopian short stories that focus on themes of race and class and much more. I couldn‘t help but think of Black Mirror while listening to this. I would love to see these stories adapted to television. #blitsy #shortstories #dystopian

#shortstories #blitsy

Raw and emotional. I listened to this audiobook and had to keep rewinding to hear phrases that were packed with meaning. I loved the narration. #poetry #ownvoices #novelinverse

“I‘ve always been an honor roll student so maybe that means one day I‘ll be an honor roll worker.” #ya #novelinverse #poetry #ownvoices

Beautiful library #stlouispubliclibrary #libraries

#jamesbaldwin #blitsy

I enjoyed listening to this collection of feel-good #blacklove stories. Thanks #librofm #blitsy

“It's a heat stroke kind of day. One where bad stuff happens. Tensions matching the temperature make people do stupid things in a city full of millions.“ #tiffanydjackson #blitsy #blacklove

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

I appreciate authors that can write authentic stories dealing with heavy topics for young readers. I put off reading this story because of the subject matter, and for good reason. At times this story is heartbreaking; I cried more than once while reading it. But it is also funny, sweet, and engaging from start to finish. So far, it is the best middle-grade book I‘ve read this year.

#middlegrade #abuse #trauma #realisticfiction

Still relevant after almost 50 years. #blitsy #blacklitsy

“I look at myself in the mirror.”
#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

A cute and touching story with a fairytale-like feel. I love this magical queer romance. #graphicnovel #lgbt #love

I can see why this was popular when it was released in 1999, but it hasn‘t aged well. #blitsy #feminism #womanism

Stamped for younger readers. The author does a good job of taking the source material and presenting it to a younger audience. #antiracism

This book covers a lot of different issues from a black female perspective. Although I wish it had gone deeper in some areas, I appreciate that this is an uplifting book about and for black women. #blitsy

Another ripped from the headlines story based on the R Kelly scandal told in verse. This was a more of a dramatic retelling than a unique story. I hope the next author inspired by the R Kelly scandal will write an authentic story about young black female victims of sexual abuse instead of focusing on the sensational. Unfortunately, there are far too many examples that do not involve famous people. Those stories need to be told. #blitsy

Glad to have a commemorative copy of such a powerful moment for our country. This young lady is a true inspiration. #poetry #representationmatters #blitsy

I wish there were books like this when I was a teen. I hope to see more from this author. #ownvoices #blitsy #novelinverse #comingofage

Loved this collection of short stories. #blitsy #religion #blackwomen #sexuality

#readharderchallenge Read a memoir by someone from a religious tradition (or lack of religious tradition) that is not your own. #representationmatters #blitsy #memoir #muslim

I‘m really not a poetry person, but this brought tears to my eyes. And I appreciate the hopeful ending. #blacklivesmatter #blitsy #poetry

No words were wasted. Powerful. Loved the narration. #ownvoices #representationmatters

I did not enjoy this as much as Dear Martin. The story seemed too lighthearted for a book addressing such dark themes. However, I think it‘s an important story and conversation starter. #blitsy #ya #representationmatters

#scarystoriesforyoungfoxes

THE SUN WAS only just peeking over the peachleaf trees, but the heat was already crisping the leaves and steaming the creek and making the dying fields too bright to look at. #FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl #scarystoriesforyoungfoxes

These are the books that got my middle child excited about reading. Now I‘m reading them with my youngest child. I love this series. It‘s so fun to read aloud. #readers #mowillems #picturebooks #elephantandpiggie

#readharderchallenge Read a play by an author of color and/or queer author. #play #blitsy #blacklitsy #religion

Loved the narration. Loved the representation, but overall it was just okay. Maybe fans of Pride and Prejudice will enjoy it more than I did. #blitsy #blacklitsy #representationmatters #canon #classics #prideandprejudice

“It‘s a truth universally acknowledged that when rich people move into the hood, where it‘s a little bit broken and a little bit forgotten, the first thing they want to do is clean it up.”
#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

The illustrations add a realness that made reading this more emotional for me. I am very pleased with this adaptation. Highly recommend it. #graphicnovels #longwaydown #diversereads

My library request arrived! 🙌🏾 I‘m thrilled to read the graphic novel adaptation of one of my favorite books. I already love the artwork. #representationmatters #diversereads #libraries #jasonreynolds

I loved the protagonist, the diverse characters, and the artwork. I haven‘t read the original book, but it‘s probably a better format for readers to get more character development and insight. The graphic novel touched on a lot of issues, but didn‘t give enough details.

Tfw one of your favs is narrating. Elizabeth Acevedo #retelling #prideandprejudice #representationmatters #diversereads

This book brought tears to my eyes. It is about a teen boy that is questioning his sexuality. It is for anyone that has felt ashamed of being “different”. #loveislove #lgbtq #graphicnovel

Reading an ARC of the graphic novel adaption of #JulietTakesaBreath Thanks #NetGalley

I‘m trying to read more sci-fi. I‘ve only heard good things about this trilogy.

Tfw you know the book you‘re reading is going to be good. #ownvoices #ya #netgalley #audiobook

Jacqueline Woodson is the best at tackling real life issues at the middle grade level. #libfm

I appreciate what the author is doing. We need more stories that humanize young black girls. I wish the story was more focused. The author tried to make too many points. Also, once the story moved into thriller territory, it lost something.

Listening to Grown by Tiffany Jackson. #netgalley #arc #ya #ownvoices #blm

A distressing but necessary read. #blm