Love, Hate, & Other Filters (Book Review)

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If you checked out my Library Book Haul last month, you already know I had some pretty high hopes for this one.

I’m trying something a little different with this review, so please let me know what you think. There also may be a few minor spoilers in the later half, be warned.

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5 Problems with Tyler Johnson Was Here (Book Review)

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I was debating making this an actual book review because I didn’t finish this book. Truth be told, I did even finish the first hundred pages. Despite that, I had such strong feelings about it and I just needed to let it out.

Tyler Johnson Was Here Book Cover Photo
I was so excited to use this photo, then I started reading it.
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Two For Tuesday: Spring has Sprung

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If you’ve been keeping up with this month’s Two for Tuesday, you already know the gist. If not, Two for Tuesday is a weekly tag I host on this blog and encourage others to take part in. I have a fun time creating themes and picking books that fit them.

This week’s theme is Spring has Sprung. With spring comes color, so make sure to pick out two colorful covers for this week’s prompt. If you’re interested in joining Two for Tuesday, be sure to comment down below.

I decided to pick two books I haven’t read for this prompt. They’re both on my GoodReads TBR and I definitely need to go buy them. The reviews are looking great so far.

Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams

Genesis Begins Again

*Goodreads Synopsis*

This deeply sensitive and powerful debut novel tells the story of a thirteen-year-old who is filled with self-loathing and must overcome internalized racism and a verbally abusive family to finally learn to love herself.

There are ninety-six things Genesis hates about herself. She knows the exact number because she keeps a list. Like #95: Because her skin is so dark, people call her charcoal and eggplant—even her own family. And #61: Because her family is always being put out of their house, belongings laid out on the sidewalk for the world to see. When your dad is a gambling addict and loses the rent money every month, eviction is a regular occurrence.

What’s not so regular is that this time they all don’t have a place to crash, so Genesis and her mom have to stay with her grandma. It’s not that Genesis doesn’t like her grandma, but she and Mom always fight—Grandma haranguing Mom to leave Dad, that she should have gone back to school, that if she’d married a lighter skinned man none of this would be happening, and on and on and on. But things aren’t all bad. Genesis actually likes her new school; she’s made a couple friends, her choir teacher says she has real talent, and she even encourages Genesis to join the talent show.

But how can Genesis believe anything her teacher says when her dad tells her the exact opposite? How can she stand up in front of all those people with her dark, dark skin knowing even her own family thinks lesser of her because of it? Why, why, why won’t the lemon or yogurt or fancy creams lighten her skin like they’re supposed to? And when Genesis reaches #100 on the list of things she hates about herself, will she continue on, or can she find the strength to begin again?

*My Thoughts*

I wish this book was around when I was in middle school. I struggled with so much anxiety about myself and how others felt about me. I had a lot of self-hate at the same time. I wish I’d seen more stories like this with main characters who looked like me and had struggles I could relate to. I’m so thankful for this movement toward more inclusive stories and I plan on adding this book to my shelf soon.

The Revolution of Birdie Randolph by Brandy Colbert

The Revolution of Birdie Randolph

*Goodreads Synopsis*

Dove “Birdie” Randolph works hard to be the perfect daughter and follow the path her parents have laid out for her: She quit playing her beloved soccer, she keeps her nose buried in textbooks, and she’s on track to finish high school at the top of her class. But then Birdie falls hard for Booker, a sweet boy with a troubled past…whom she knows her parents will never approve of.

When her estranged aunt Carlene returns to Chicago and moves into the family’s apartment above their hair salon, Birdie notices the tension building at home. Carlene is sweet, friendly, and open-minded–she’s also spent decades in and out of treatment facilities for addiction. As Birdie becomes closer to both Booker and Carlene, she yearns to spread her wings. But when long-buried secrets rise to the surface, everything she’s known to be true is turned upside down.

*My Thoughts*

I’m excited for this to come out in the summer. It sounds like a more real take on the old girl meets boy trope. Having the influence of family should makes things pretty interesting and I love how it seems to be discussing real issues of addiction.

What are your favorite colorful covers?

Do you plan on adding these books to your TBR?

What are you currently reading?

Let me know in the comments, let’s chat!

Two for Tuesday – New Year, New Books

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Happy New Year! We’ve successfully made it into 2019 and to rein in the new year, I purchased more books. New books also mean new pictures, so here is a shot I took right after I opened my package.

I’ve decided to treat myself, especially since these books were in my TBR for so long and I couldn’t stop thinking about them. These two should be great follow ups to The Education of Margot Sanchez.

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