The Poet X (2018) by Elizabeth Acevedo is an award-winning YA novel-in-verse that just blew me away. The audiobook is narrated by the author, which I especially loved, as you hear the pacing and intonation as she intended. Xiomara (pronounced See-oh-MAH-ruh) lives in Harlem with her parents and twin brother. They are 15 and Dominican,Continue reading “The Poet X”
Tag Archives: coming of age
Maame
Maame (2023) by Jessica George was on my TBR list as soon as I read the description, and I was not disappointed. 25-year old Maddie is Ghanaian and lives with her father in the London area. He has Parkinson’s and she is is primary caregiver, along with a home health worker that comes in mostContinue reading “Maame”
When Women Were Dragons
I”m a little behind, as When Women Were Dragons (2022) by Kelly Barnhill, was a nominee for a Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Fantasy that year. I loved the concept, and have come to realize that I especially enjoy historical fantasy. Told from the perspective of Alex Green, who is recalling her childhood in aContinue reading “When Women Were Dragons”
Big Girl
I have complicated feelings about Big Girl by Mecca Jamilah Sullivan (2022). First, I am glad that a novel about the coming of age of a fat, black, young girl in 1990’s Harlem was written. The author did an amazing job with the story of Malaya and her family (her mother, Nyela, is a professor,Continue reading “Big Girl”
Tell The Wolves I’m Home
Tell The Wolves I’m Home (2012) by Carol Rifka Brunt was a achingly beautiful novel about grief, families, growing up, and being different, set in 1986-1987 in New York. The teenage narrator, June, and her sister, Greta, visit their Uncle Finn every weekend in the City so that he can paint their portrait. Finn isContinue reading “Tell The Wolves I’m Home”
Reading While Fat 