In order to keep up on more reviews, I’m going to start doing bite size reviews! This won’t be every Thursday necessarily, but maybe once a month? I have yet to decide. Since I haven’t been able to review every book that I’ve read, I think this will be a good way to keep up with some of the books that fall through the cracks.
Three seems like a good number to use for these bite size reviews, right? That way, the post doesn’t become too bogged down with too many reviews. I feel like this is a great way to emphasize some great books that I won’t be able to necessarily write full reviews for. I do review every book I read on Goodreads, though! All book covers also taken from there.
Bite Size Reviews
Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson
Jade’s journey to find her own voice is so inspirational in this book. It focused on how these opportunities that students of color are given aren’t necessarily tailored to them; they’re more tailored to the image that those creating the opportunities have. I also enjoyed that this wasn’t set in New York. I feel like these kinds of stories are quite often set in New York, and setting them in a different place can make them more relatable. Everything about the way that Jade moves through her life, from confronting her teachers about their racial bias to working through racial bias with her friend Sam, feels realistic and authentic.
Yes Please by Amy Poehler
The writing in this feels like someone is just telling you a story, with all the jumping around and such. Amy’s voice definitely shines through, and the book overall is funny and uplifting. I particularly liked the part about Parks and Rec where Amy discusses her favorite scenes and memories with each person on the set. This is probably because Parks and Rec is what I know her best from as well. But this style permeates throughout the entire book, which made it a great first nonfiction read for the year. Not only is she funny, but Amy also gives some great advice. Here’s to (hopefully) more to come! I was definitely thoroughly entertained throughout the entire book.
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Ever since reading The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas has become one of my auto-buy authors. Yes, after just one book! Thomas does it once again with On the Come Up, this time tackling racism rampant in the hip hop world with teenage rapper Bri. I basically read this in one sitting on the way to Florida, and I definitely wasn’t disappointed. Like in The Hate U Give, there are so many important conversations that happen within this book that should make you think about the stigmas that may exist in your own life. Also loved the nods to other YA books included in here! They were great.