Favorite Reads of 2017

Some of these, I am sure you will be able to guess because they were extremely hyped but here goes nothing. Also, I will link the ones that I have already reviewed and look forward to seeing others.

The Hate You Give ~ Angie Thomas

There was a lot of hype surrounding this book but it was so well deserved. She put out an incredible debut novel with social justice filling the pages. It was amazing. 

milk and honey ~ Rupi Kaur

Rupi Kaur's debut poetry collection got me back into poetry. I'm currently reading her second one and I am loving it so very much. I really love that she includes sketches, as well.

American Street ~ Ibi Zoboi

This is a novel that I read right after I read The Hate You Give and I was pleasantly surprised that it had just as many social justice messages in it, but those messages were pertaining to very different issues. It gave amazing insight to immigration. 

Moxie ~ Jennifer Mathieu

I just finished this and have yet to write a review on it. Once it is published I will try and remember to link it to this post. However, this book is incredible. The main character reminds me a lot of myself and the messages that she and those who participated in Moxie were making, were incredible for young feminists to read.

Girls Like Us ~ Rachel Lloyd

I was assigned this reading for my class at University focusing on Human Trafficking and I am so glad that I read it. Rachel was a victim, who became a survivor, who became a surviving leader and she is helping others do the same. She gives amazing insight to her experiences and the mindset of those in the life as well. 

What Happened ~ Hillary Clinton

I was nervous to read this for many reasons but I am so glad that I listened to it. It gave great insight to her life and she gave a great perspective on the campaign and the first few months afterwards as well. 

Everything, Everything ~ Nicola Yoon

This was such an intriguing young adult contemporary novel. It dealt with family lies, love, fear, dreaming. It was just beautifully written. I really want to watch the movie. 

Turtles All The Way Down ~ John Green

This is John Green's best book yet!! He presents mental illness in such a real and raw fashion that I actually felt like I was experiencing some of my own anxieties as I read it. I cried when it was over just because I didn't want it to end. 

American Street ~ Ibi Zoboi

On the corner of American Street and Joy Road, Fabiola Toussaint thought she would finally find une belle vie—a good life.

But after they leave Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Fabiola’s mother is detained by U.S. immigration, leaving Fabiola to navigate her loud American cousins, Chantal, Donna, and Princess; the grittiness of Detroit’s west side; a new school; and a surprising romance, all on her own.

Just as she finds her footing in this strange new world, a dangerous proposition presents itself, and Fabiola soon realizes that freedom comes at a cost. Trapped at the crossroads of an impossible choice, will she pay the price for the American dream?

Book Review:

After reading The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas (my last post), I really wanted to read something else that had a strong sociopolitical plot. American Street was a great choice. It deals with a US born daughter being split from her Haiti-born mother as they attempt to move back into the US. Fabiola has to live in a new city, in a new country, with family that she barely knows, while her mother is held in detention. She starts school, faces a dangerous situation, and even falls in love. 

With the current political climate, immigration is very up in the air, no one can predict where the process is headed, good or bad. I felt that this gave a unique perspective on the situation and still included those YA tropes that I believe still make a novel interesting. What I really enjoyed is that the main character, who happened to be born in the US but was raised in Haiti, is rediscovering herself through this new land but does not stray from her culture and values. I love that we, as readers, get to watch as she discovers love and fear. 

I also really enjoyed that Zoboi chose to write such a profound immigration story from a non-Spanish speaking nation. I feel that it is important, especially at this point in time, to remind people that not all immigrants come from Mexico or are terrorists. 

Pages: 336                                                                                                                                Rate: 4/5 

Favorite Quote:

"When she turns on the light, the first thing to greet me are the shelves and shelves of books and more books. I want to stop and hug her and give her a big kiss on the cheek. With this many books I can make this place my home." 

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