Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

#LiteraryCrew : There are 3 questions posted for today‘s discussion. They can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag.

We had a tie for the #BuddyRead list this year; I didn‘t want us to miss reading this book. I chose today for the discussion because in the US it‘s a day to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. It‘s a good day to remember those who continue to speak up for their rights in any way they can.

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mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, julieclair, AllDebooks, Lkempf

Librarybelle ⬆️⬆️⬆️ Our next discussion is January 31st for Hester, pictured in the graphic. Our February book is Villette by Charlotte Bronte—we‘re venturing into the classics for that one! I‘ll post a February graphic soon! Thanks for reading with me! 14h

tpixie @Librarybelle both great choices this month! Villette is one of the few Brontë novels I still need to read! Can‘t wait for February!! 14h

Librarybelle @tpixie I‘ve not read Villette either, so this should be fun! 14h

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tpixie @Librarybelle 🥳 13h

julieclair I didn‘t get to this one, but I‘m looking forward to our Hester discussion. 😉 2h

Librarybelle No worries, @julieclair ! I think the Hester discussion will be great! 2h

38 likes6 comments

Librarybelle

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

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3. How would you present this book to a teen? Would you recommend it to a young person to read? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

CatLass007 I would recommend this to a young person to read. But I believe there would be attempts to ban this book from classrooms, school libraries, and public libraries. And, unfortunately, most of those attempts would be successful. When did “woke” become a dirty word? I‘m not quite sure how to present this book to a young person. I know if I were in the target age group I would consider a book that people don‘t want others (cont)⬇️ (edited) 14h

CatLass007 to read to be just the kind of book worth reading. There are too many outside forces trying to tell others how to think. 13h

AllDebooks This should be compulsory reading in schools. Unfortunately, it will be banned. Which is why it's important to shout about it and encourage everyone to read it. It's full of engaging characters, dealing with everyday difficulties in our contemporary world. How is that not relevant to our young adults? They'll keep the historic white guy dominance on the curriculum instead. I'm passionate about giving children books they can relate to and learn ⬇️ 13h

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AllDebooks From. By all means read the classics but a growing mind needs a diverse and challenging library. It's how we learn to empathise and understand life experiences outside of our own. If only we could ban/cancel the book banners. 13h

Librarybelle Yes, agree that this would be banned, @CatLass007 @AllDebooks . And it‘s so sad! But, I think it‘s a good read for a YA audience. 13h

CatLass007 I wish there was a constructive way to get banned books into the hands of young people everywhere. The Brooklyn Public Library has an anti-censorship program called “Books Unbanned” that makes ebooks accessible throughout the country. The New York Public Library offers a Teen Banned Book Club. New Jersey and a few other states have “Right to Read” laws which makes book banning illegal. (edited) 12h

Librarybelle I know, @CatLass007 ! 12h

CatLass007 All those things are great, but it‘s not enough. I grew up in a small town in West Virginia and now live in a bigger small town in Tennessee. I was blessed with a Mom who let me read whatever I wanted. My Dad wasn‘t a book reader. He read the newspaper every morning but he never really paid much attention to what I read. As backward as East Tennessee is, I‘m grateful not to live in Florida. (edited) 11h

Pogue I would recommend this to teens. I am sneaky and would have the audiobook playing in the car or at home. I have done that with other books that I wanted my son to read, and for him the audiobook worked. As a companion book I would also have the teen read Why Are You So Serious about micro aggressions. (edited) 9h

Librarybelle Nice, @Pogue ! 6h

tpixie @Pogue great tactic! 49m

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Librarybelle

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

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2. In her January 19, 2025 Letters from an American, Heather Cox Richardson discusses heroes, those who may not hold a fancy title but are average individuals who take a stand. I'll link to today's letter in the comments--you can read it without subscribing, just click “not now“ to avoid giving your email address--in case you wish to read this.

How are the characters in the stories heroes? Are they heroes? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Librarybelle Here is the link to today's letter: https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/january-19-2025?utm_campaig...

Her letters are very informative, though she does show her political leanings at times, so fair warning on that. However, as a political historian, she uses facts to back up her narrative. I've found her words to be very helpful of late, and I love her use of history to talk about the topic of the day! 15h

CatLass007 I believe that the main character in every story behaves heroically. Anyone who doesn‘t respect themselves can‘t expect to be respected by anyone else. By respecting themselves they can and do command respect. Maybe others don‘t understand the actions or the reasons behind the actions our heroes take but no one has control over what anyone else thinks, says, or does. We are responsible for setting boundaries, we are responsible for (cont)⬇️ (edited) 14h

CatLass007 respecting the boundaries set by others. We have no responsibility for anyone‘s feelings, thoughts, or actions except our own. 14h

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AllDebooks I agree with @CatLass007 All of the characters were heroic and positive role models. 13h

Librarybelle Completely agree, @CatLass007 @AllDebooks ! The first step is to respect oneself and set boundaries and then do amazing things from there. 13h

Pogue The characters in the book are hero‘s. It is difficult to stand up for yourself, it is difficult to learn where your boundaries are and to set them. 9h

Librarybelle So true, @Pogue ! 6h

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Librarybelle

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

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1. This collection of stories represents a diverse group of young adults, each facing a difficult situation. Which story resonated with you the most?

For me, it was the “homecoming“ story--what a terror the MC had to face, and why did her crush think this was the coolest way to ask her out??? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

CatLass007 Yes! That‘s the story that hit me the hardest. I thought the “practical joke” was such a horrific experience for this young woman to endure. This story is a strong reminder that it‘s not just young Black men who have to be hyper-vigilant about encounters with the police. That everyone who participated in and observed what was a mental assault didn‘t realize what they were doing is beyond my comprehension. The police officer who put (cont)⬇️ 14h

CatLass007 his hands on her was guilty of professional misconduct and battery. 14h

Librarybelle @CatLass007 I know I kept gasping aloud as I read that one! It‘s beyond my comprehension too that everyone who participated had no clue that this would be traumatizing. And the police involved too! Ugh! And yes, a good reminder of those who have to be hyper-vigilant. 14h

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AllDebooks Homecoming completely stood out above the rest, good as they were. It was a shocking, enlightening read about such a simple, should be lovely experience turning into such a traumatic event. It deftly shows how we take our liberty and rights for granted. 13h

Librarybelle Yes, @AllDebooks . I keep thinking about that story! 13h

Pogue Homecoming does stick with me because of the cruelty of the story. The connected story‘s that Darcy Little Badger wrote made me say “Yes, you go girl!” 9h

Librarybelle Yes, @Pogue . That was another good story! 6h

tpixie @Librarybelle Homecoming was so crazily insensitive! That shocked and agitated me the most! 53m

Librarybelle @tpixie Yes! 40m

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Librarybelle

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

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Everyone can make a difference. Even a small step against an injustice makes an impact.

This #Anthology of fictional stories for a #Teen audience shows characters from diverse backgrounds standing up for themselves, sometimes loudly and other times quietly. It takes lots of courage to do what some of these characters did to support themselves and their communities. A great book for a YA discussion group!

#LiteraryCrew : discussion on Monday!

Librarybelle #LitsyAToZ #LetterT @Texreader 2d

Librarybelle #BBRC @LibrarianRyan 2d

CatLass007 Looking forward to the discussion on Monday. 2d

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LibrarianRyan Nice 2d

tpixie @Librarybelle this book was done very well with lots of great voices! 2d

Librarybelle Yes, @tpixie ! This should be a good discussion, @CatLass007 ! 2d

CatLass007 Okay, new year, new brain fart. I can‘t remember. Do you tag us when the discussion starts? 2d

Librarybelle @CatLass007 Yes. I tag everyone when the questions are posted. 2d

CatLass007 Thank you. 2d

Librarybelle Your‘re welcome, @CatLass007 ! 2d

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CatLass007

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

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#Read2025 January 2025 #LiteraryCrew There is some powerful story telling in this book. I look forward to discussing it with the group on the 20th. If you care about civil rights, if you care about human beings, I urge you to read this book!

DieAReader, Librarybelle

Librarybelle Hooray! Glad you liked this one! My library copy finally came in, so I can finally dive into it. 1w

CatLass007 @Librarybelle It‘s terrific! A great selection for #LiteraryCrew! 1w

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tpixie

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

Great series of short stories of differing groups that feel marginalized.
Thanks! #LiteraryCrew @Librarybelle

Librarybelle Yay!!! Glad you liked it! 2w

tpixie @Librarybelle yes, more than I thought I would. I‘m not a real fan of short stories, but these were well written! I listen to the audiobook, which was very good. Thanks! 2w

48 likes2 comments

Deblovestoread

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

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Book 2/175

I really liked this short audio book and the messages portrayed. I think it would be an excellent book for a family to read together. I‘m rarely a fan of short stories but these worked for me. Read for #LiteraryCrew discussion 1/20. #52Bookclub25 #MultipleNarratorsAudiobook 3 squares #JanuaryISpy

@Read4life @Librarybelle @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2w

Read4life Fantastic!! 💙🎆💙 2w

tpixie I also usually do not like short stories, but these were well done, and with many different voices represented. 2w

Librarybelle Awesome! Still waiting for my library copy…hopefully it arrives before the 20th! 😱 2w

62 likes4 comments

Pogue

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

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This book would be a good companion read with Why Are you So Sensitive by Billie Lee and Gina Torino.

#LiteraryCrew #buddyread

Librarybelle Yay!! 2w

36 likes1 comment

PageShifter

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

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I really enjoyed this anthology: even though stories were written by different authors and characters varied characters felt fleshed out.

Stories were about bravery, about persons who are making their voices heard. They were uplifting to read.

These stories were interesting and worth reading.

#LiteraryCrew #Read2025

DieAReader, Librarybelle

Librarybelle Yay!! 3w

DieAReader 💖💖💖 3w

kspenmoll I just starting reading-thanks for encouragement! 2w

24 likes3 comments

LitsyEvents

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

Repost for @Librarybelle

#LiteraryCrew : We have two books this month!

We‘ll discuss Take the Mic on January 20th and Hester on January 31st.

Let me know if you would like to be added or removed from the tag list! #buddyread

Original post - https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2824253

Librarybelle Thanks for reposting! 3w

31 likes1 comment

Librarybelle

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

#LiteraryCrew : We have two books this month!

We‘ll discuss Take the Mic on January 20th and Hester on January 31st.

Let me know if you would like to be added or removed from the tag list! #buddyread

Librarybelle @LitsyEvents 3w

tpixie Thanks!! 3w

kspenmoll I‘m in. 3w

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Librarybelle @tpixie @kspenmoll 😁❤️ 3w

dabbe 🤩🥳🤗 3w

AllDebooks ❤️ 3w

Pogue I just got Take the Mic and am excited to get started on it. 3w

Librarybelle @Pogue I‘m still waiting for my copy from the library! 3w

Sargar114 Don‘t know if I‘ll get to Take The Mic, but have my copy of Hester! 3w

bumpinthenight I just got into a course I‘ve been waiting for so I‘m not sure I‘ll be able to read these this month 😅 3w

Librarybelle @Sargar114 I‘m really hoping my Take the Mic copy comes in soon at the library, but I have my copy of Hester ready! 3w

Librarybelle No worries, @bumpinthenight ! If you can join in this month, that‘s fine, and if not, that‘s okay too. Not everyone is able to read every month, so we‘re very low key. Good luck with your course! 3w

Karisa I lucked out! Both were available at my library. Hester is one I‘ve been wanting to read for a while (love the premise)— having a hard time getting into though. Never heard of Take the Mic but just a few stories in, and I‘m ready to buy a copy for my classroom. Wonderful so far! 3w

Librarybelle Yay, @Karisa ! 3w

Singout Do you have a pick for February? Sometimes it takes a long time to get a book here. 6d

Librarybelle @Singout We do! It is Villette by Charlotte Bronte. I‘ll tag you on the post that shows all of the titles, so you‘ll have the whole year. Let me know if you would like to be on the tagged list for the group or just specific titles. 😁 6d

Singout I can start with Hester and then wait till The Briar Club. 5d

Librarybelle Sounds good, @Singout ! 5d

52 likes18 comments

LitsyEvents

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

Repost for @Librarybelle

January is a busy month for #LiteraryCrew ! We will discuss two books, the tagged book and Hester.

Read each book at your own pace, with discussion for Take the Mic on January 20th and Hester on January 31st. #BuddyRead

See original post at https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2817929

Librarybelle Thanks for reposting! 1mo

42 likes1 comment

Librarybelle

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

January is a busy month for #LiteraryCrew ! We will discuss two books, the tagged book and Hester.

Read each book at your own pace, with discussion for Take the Mic on January 20th and Hester on January 31st.

If you like to be added to the tag list for this #BuddyRead , let me know!

Liz_M @LitsyEvents 1mo

kspenmoll I am in.😀 1mo

Librarybelle Yay, @kspenmoll ! 1mo

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julieclair Looking forward to it. 🙂 1mo

Librarybelle Yay, @julieclair ! 1mo

Lkempf Add me! 1mo

Librarybelle Yay! Welcome, @Lkempf ! 1mo

Sargar114 Hester came in the mail this week and will see if my library has the other! 1mo

Librarybelle Hooray, @Sargar114 ! 1mo

Sace Bought my copy when I was visiting my daughter in November 😁 4w

Librarybelle Yay, @Sace ! 4w

51 likes11 comments

kspenmoll

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

#Weeklyforecast

Have not started any book in row 1.
On p.33 of Book & Dagger, have not started the other 2.
Read 2 stories in Take the Mic, on p. 162 of Band of Sisters, read 2 more poems in A Cartography of Peace,
listening to ch13/60 in Don‘t Forget to write. Listening to Christmas music instead of my audiobook!
So, not sure how this week will pan out-work, life, busy. Hopefully I will get to my buddy reads.#sundaybuddyread #kareninaWinter

TheBookHippie, Librarybelle, AllDebooks

Librarybelle Good luck! 2mo

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shortsarahrose

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

so-so

I love the overall theme of this YA anthology - that resistance is an everyday act and sometimes just surviving is resistance. And some of the stories were excellent (“As You Were” by Bethany C. Morrow and “Ruth” by Laura Silverman), but the short pieces didn‘t work in the audio format. And while the description mentioned #DisabledAndCute, the disability rep in here basically amounted to a mention of that hashtag in a poem, which was disappointing

33 likes

Jen2

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

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Powerful!

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Zoe-h

Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance | Bethany Morrow

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I think this was the best short story collection I‘ve ever read. It had a brilliant mix of comics, normal short stories, and poems. There was only one thing in here I found dull, if even that. 5🌟

(The sticky notes in the photo are for a school project.)

8 likes