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Not That Bad
Not That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture | Roxane Gay
Edited and with an introduction by Roxane Gay, the New York Times bestselling and deeply beloved author of Bad Feminist and Hunger, this anthology of first-person essays tackles rape, assault, and harassment head-on. Roxane Gay is the brilliant girl-next-door: your best friend and your sharpest critic. . . . she is also required reading.People In this valuable and revealing anthology, cultural critic and bestselling author Roxane Gay collects original and previously published pieces that address what it means to live in a world where women have to measure the harassment, violence, and aggression they face, and where they are routinely second-guessed, blown off, discredited, denigrated, besmirched, belittled, patronized, mocked, shamed, gaslit, insulted, bullied for speaking out. Contributions include essays from established and up-and-coming writers, performers, and critics, including actors Ally Sheedy and Gabrielle Union and writers Amy Jo Burns, Lyz Lenz, Claire Schwartz, and Bob Shacochis. Covering a wide range of topics and experiences, from an exploration of the rape epidemic embedded in the refugee crisis to first-person accounts of child molestation, this collection is often deeply personal and is always unflinchingly honest. Like Rebecca Solnits Men Explain Things to Me, Not That Bad will resonate with every reader, saying something in totality that we cannot say alone. Searing and heartbreakingly candid, this provocative collection both reflects the world we live in and offers a call to arms insisting that not that bad must no longer be good enough.
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BookMack
Pickpick

Not That Bad is a powerful, unflinching collection of essays on sexual violence and survival. Edited by Roxane Gay, it brings together voices that reveal the heavy, often invisible toll of rape culture. Raw, brave, and essential—this book is a must-read for anyone willing to confront harsh truths and listen deeply.

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ChaoticMissAdventures
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing! 2y
25 likes1 comment
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Faith3
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Pickpick

Very, very insightful and enlightening. Addressing ageism, racism, homo/transphobia, and of course sexism powerfully in one fell swoop. It‘s one of those books everyone should read. As enjoyable a book as there can be on such a grim subject.

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rather_be_reading
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Book 44

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Annie1215
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Pickpick

A expertly compiled book of essays on rape culture. This covers several different types of experiences grounded in the same principle.

This will be highly relatable for many women (and some men) and a good portrait of the female experience for men (and/or any non-survivors) interested in reading about it.

Definitely straightforward narration - so read with caution if this is a triggering topic for you

#bookspinbingo free spot

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 3y
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Karmapen
Pickpick

Sometimes I am amazed that women haven‘t set the world absolutely and totally on fire.

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BekaReid

"I know these conversations are uncomfortable and difficult and painful. But they are necessary. Addressing misogyny, toxic masculinity, and rape culture is necessary. Addressing what should and should not be deemed consent is necessary." -Gabrielle Union, Wiping the Stain Clean

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bibliocurl
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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cdreincarnate
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Pickpick

This audiobook is as tough to listen to as you would think, but so necessary. I appreciate that each author read their own essay for the audiobook and that they had a range of experiences and came from diverse backgrounds: different races, income levels, and a few from the LGBTQ community.

Now I have to go read something light, fluffy, and life affirming.

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sprainedbrain
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Pickpick

I‘m late to this book, so I‘m not going to say anything groundbreaking here... this is an important, difficult read. Essays from a diverse group of authors dealing with their very personal stories and feelings about rape, misogyny, abuse, violence, and various other horrors that contribute to the patriarchal rape culture we are living in. The audio is great: each author reads their own story.

It IS that bad, and we should all be angry.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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cleoh
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• City of Bones and Serious Moonlight
• I really love art and history, so I go to a lot of museums and galleries
• Not That Bad and How to Be A Woman

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

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natalieebloom
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Pickpick

I am Roxane Gay‘s biggest fan, so I had this anthology on my to-read list for a while. If you enjoyed Bad Feminist or Hunger, you‘ll want to read this too. As anyone may have guessed by the subject material, it was hard to read, but necessary.

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ChaoticMissAdventures
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Pickpick

Excellent and necessary. But not easy.

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ChaoticMissAdventures
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Audio version of this intense book.

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ilyssa.g
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Pickpick

Such a phenomenal anthology! All the essays are very emotional. It opened my mind up to a lot of different perspectives on rape, misogyny, feminism, and society at large. I think this is a pivotal read for anyone who wants to learn more about rape culture.

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Lindy
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Another deserving book that was recognized at the Lammys yesterday. 🎉🎉🎉 #LGBTQ

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Andrea313
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Megabooks
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#Violations was probably my first introduction to rape, & I think, at 11, I was too young to understand it.

When I rewatched the series at 25, this was one of the harder episodes for me to watch. I still don‘t watch it often.

I read Missoula a couple of years ago. It was hard also, but no longer shocking. I want to read Not That Bad, but I have to be in the right mindset, & I just haven‘t been there yet.

Curious to see what other Trekkies think

GlassAsDiamonds Not at all tempted by the Gay (wasn‘t a fan of anything other than the Bad Feminist essay in Bad Feminist, for all that that one essay was spectacular) but devoted Trekkie. I‘m conflicted over the episode - You always knew they‘d push the boundaries where possible so it‘s often not “mindless” entertainment... but it was a well done episode. Hmm 🤔🤔🤔 6y
Megabooks @GlassAsDiamonds I am a big fan of Roxane Gay‘s nonfiction. I liked Bad Feminist, and I loved Hunger. I think this was definitely a boundary-pushing episode as far as what they‘d put on TV, but I think it‘s also very 90s as well. The conversation about consent, etc. has changed so much in 30 years. 6y
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tournevis @GlassAsDiamonds It was well done, true, but I'm never watching that epi again, which means not seeing the great Keiko scene, but there you go. 6y
Megabooks @tournevis @tournevis The Keiko part was definitely the best part! 6y
tournevis @Megabooks Such a good scene! 6y
GlassAsDiamonds @tournevis yeah, I won‘t be rushing to re-watch it either (but Keiko forever!!!!!!!!!). I‘m impressed on reflection that the victims weren‘t “just” female, especially for the age of the show. @Megabooks I don‘t mind that the conversation has changed (but I‘m an avid reader of 1800‘s pulp fiction & a tad obsessed with context). I am a little concerned that just how ground breaking it was could be lost on a 2019 audience using a 2019 lense? 6y
tournevis @GlassAsDiamonds Good point about the gender of the victims, although 2/3... And you're right about consent. Troy is the only one to explicitly say no don't in this. I'm just tired of Troy and O'Brien getting abused and assulted. It was rape Troy and torture O'Brien. Could they not find another story to tell? 6y
GlassAsDiamonds @tournevis Troy does seem to be the sacrificial lamb for a good number of storyline‘s doesn‘t she.... 🤔🤔🤔🤔 I cant remember enough of the O‘Brien storyline‘s! 6y
tournevis @GlassAsDiamonds PTSD on top of PTSD on top of near death experiences on top of prison torture. 6y
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Billypar
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Pickpick

I'm going to echo what a lot of reviews have said: absolutely essential reading for anyone who isn't a survivor of rape. There's a haunting similarity in the accounts of how others respond when the authors described sharing their stories. Many reactions are cruel or callous, but others are well-intentioned and it's important to hear why those responses are not the support survivors need.

Leftcoastzen Nice review.An essential read. 6y
jveezer Reading her Difficult Women right now. Will have to check this one out too. 6y
Billypar @jveezer I haven't read that one yet- or any of her fiction for that matter: I have An Untamed State on my shelf. Looking forward to it based on how great her nonfiction is. 6y
47 likes3 comments
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Mem_ugh
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I started listening to this one while at work and had to turn it off after an hour, the stories told were heartbreaking and made me angry. Angry at the state of the world, angry at our patriarchal society, angry at people who think they can lay claim to our bodies. Just anger.

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Jeannineth
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This book!!! This book is a collection of short stories about the rape culture. It is hauntingly reminiscent of what we women have come to endure. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ this is a must read for all young women and men .

Jeannineth Highly recommend the audiobook. 6y
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MsLeah8417
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Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟

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MsLeah8417
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...because my angry vagina rendered me mute.

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youneverarrived
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Pickpick

I‘m glad I listened to the audio but I think I‘ll be purchasing a copy of the book too. Some essays resonated more than others but every single one is important, heartbreaking and infuriating 😔 Something needs to change and soon. The last essay just says it all.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Leftcoastzen You summed it up well . This is an important book. 6y
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SamAnne
Mehso-so

Listening to women‘s stories is important. Some essays in this collection are both powerful stories and phenomenal writing.

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EleniKara
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Pickpick

This was a hard read, but incredibly well put together. A series of essays by various contributors who have all been victim to a form of sexual assault.There doesn‘t need to be a lesson or moral in each chapter, these stories don‘t exist for our pity, they are here for these women to tell their stories and for someone to listen. That is all there is to it and that in itself is important.

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youneverarrived
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An hours walk yesterday by the river and 20 mins in town today. The pub is called The Artful Dodger 👍 #animal #nameinabook #litsywalkers

Kaye Very cool ! Great job. 6y
youneverarrived Thanks @kaye 😁 (edited) 6y
58 likes2 comments
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youneverarrived
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Another hour and a half walk to town and back, and a bit wander around the shops.

This book is just making me angry and sad 😔 #litsywalkers #flag

Kaye Good job 👍🏼🌟 6y
TrishB It made me angry and sad too 💔 6y
RinaBrahmbhattBarot Beautiful high street pic :) 6y
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Kalalalatja I feel you! 💔 6y
hilded What a nice street 😊 6y
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youneverarrived
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An hour and a half walk round town today and went to the book sale at the library. Love this little independent bookshop 🍏 #litsywalkers #greenitem

Avanders That store looks amazing... 6y
Cathythoughts How gorgeous 💚💚💚 6y
Kaye Great job. Cool@place to walk Good job on the green item. 👍🏼 6y
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julesG ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
hilded What a sweet shop 😊 6y
DarcysMom Awesome! A nice, long walk and a book sale! 6y
MemoirsForMe 😍😍😍 6y
Libby1 Beautiful! I hope you‘re well. 💕 6y
IamIamIam So cute!!! 6y
Linsy What a cute little shop! 6y
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EleniKara
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This quote really stood out to me seeing as I went to a college just like this and it is so painfully real.

Megabooks It is! 6y
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SamAnne
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LOL. A little pointed levity while reading a heavy book.

Suet624 I just cut that out of the magazine to tape on to the envelope of my outbound letter! 😀 6y
26 likes1 comment
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Hollie
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Pickpick

The audio version of this book is phenomenal, with each poignant essay read by its author. The essays cover rape and rape culture from a wide variety of experiences. It will piss you off and make your heart hurt, but it is an important read. I would recommend, as long as you‘re emotionally ready and willing to check in with yourself throughout to provide self care if triggered. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Julsmarshall
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I didn‘t hit 24 but I finished 2 books and made a big dent in 2 more and had a blast! I do ❤️💕❤️ a Readathon! #24beforeMonday #24in48

erzascarletbookgasm Great job! 6y
sprainedbrain Woohoo! 🎉🎉 6y
GypsyKat You did great! 👏👏👏 6y
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Kalalalatja Well done! 6y
Megabooks 👍🏻👏🏻👍🏻👏🏻🎉🎉 6y
Librarybelle Great job! 6y
hes7 Nice! 🎉 6y
61 likes8 comments
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Hollie
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I started this one on audio this morning for my commute and though I‘m only 3 essays in, I know this one is going to be heart wrenching and difficult.

Cinfhen Are the essay‘s read by RG?? 6y
Hollie @cinfhen She reads the intro and her essay but so far each essay is read by the author of that essay (edited) 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Is your tbr list up to date 🧐🤔 6y
Hollie @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks yes, I think so! 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Hollie 🙌🏻📚💗 6y
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TrishB
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Pickpick

Made me very sad and very angry. Well done to all the contributors for being able to speak out. Truly f in awful that all this still happens in any society.

Kalalalatja Yep. It is horrifying 6y
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TrishB
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Train reading today. Family meet up in York to visit son 😁 This is not light reading!!
Got my list of bookshops that I may be able to persuade people to visit from the lovely @squirrelbrain

jhod Ooh @squirrelbrain could you pass that list to me please? I go to York every couple of months for work! Have fun Trish!! 6y
rockpools Have fun! 6y
AmyG York! What a lovely place. Enjoy. 6y
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JennyM Ee-bah-eck, enjoy Trish! ... give the minster a wave 😘 6y
youneverarrived Have a good time 😁😘 6y
LeeRHarry Have fun in lovely York - @JennyM 🤣 6y
Kalalalatja Have fun! And no, that book is definitely not light, but so good! 6y
Amandakay Heavy but great read! 6y
Tanisha_A Fun times! 😎 6y
squirrelbrain Have fun @TrishB - hopefully you‘ll get to visit at least one or two! @jhod I‘ll photocopy the list at work tomorrow and send it to you.... 6y
jhod Amazing @squirrelbrain thank you! X 6y
batsy Sounds like a lovely day 💕 6y
TrishB @jhod @RachelO @AmyG @JennyM @youneverarrived @LeeRHarry @Kalalalatja @Tanisha_A @squirrelbrain @batsy had a lovely day thanks 😘 nearly home now and remembering I need to do all the get ready for work stuff..... (edited) 6y
squirrelbrain Never mind getting ready for work, we need to know if you made it to any bookshops?! 😜 6y
Caroline2 I hope you have a lovely day! 💖 6y
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samjmitchell
Pickpick

Roxane sheds light on rape culture by letting others tell their story. She acknowledges that there are so many other books at this time documenting the same subjects, but hopes that as we look back on this time, her writing is part of what is to be sure a bigger movement. 4/5

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ElizaMarie
Pickpick

This was such a hard book go read. A lot of what these writers said resonated with me on a deeply painful level.

They were able to articulate thoughts and feeling I thought I only had. Because of this... I encouraged my husband to read it as well (he starts it tomorrow).

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TieDyeDude
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Pickpick

It might be a bit strange, but this concept affected me the most...

DivineDiana Makes me want to take a night stroll! 6y
42 likes1 comment
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ElizaMarie
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ElizaMarie
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ElizaMarie
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First book for my challenge for 2019 is Not That Bad

But I‘ll be reading other books in between and during this challenge.

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ClairesReads
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Pickpick

A challenging, confronting, critically important collection. Required reading.

CoffeeK8 Beautiful photo 6y
Redwritinghood Lovely place to read. 6y
ClairesReads @Redwritinghood it‘s a delight 6y
ClairesReads @CoffeeK8 thank you! 6y
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ClairesReads
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True

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ClairesReads
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“How is the (un)dead raped child supposed to write, even if she survives?” - So Mayer

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ClairesReads
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An essay anthology #readharder2018

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Lauren.Archer
Pickpick

Thanks again @irre for this recommendation. One of the most important books any person can ever read. These essays were so moving and I appreciate their bravery with telling each of their stories. #NewYearWhoDis

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dawn-pInk
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Pickpick

If you have any basic understanding of rape culture, you can already guess that this would be a rough one. An amazing of array of personal essays, some exceptionally poetic, from diverse pov on the many varied negative impacts of rape culture. An important read for anyone who feels we can use more empathy, and awareness of the way our culture views consent and sex, which I think is all of us. 5 out of 5 on GR

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Lauren.Archer
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Have the day off and have a couple of hrs to start this one. Thanks @irre for the recommendation, looking forward to reading this one.
#NewYearWhoDis

ErikasMindfulShelf It‘s great but I had to break it up in small chunks. Not easy reading. 6y
Djspens I love Roxane Gay 😘 6y
Christine11 Not pleasant but such an important book. It was pretty harrowing but these stories are so eye opening - I wish everyone would read this book! 🙂 6y
TrishB It‘s on my please Father Christmas list! 6y
nikirtehsuxlol I liked this collection. Must read for me. 6y
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