Welcome to Litsy!

Keah is an identical twin born quite prematurely and with CP; her sister does not have CP. Here she explores the reality of growing up then living independently as someone in a black, disabled body. I thought this was really good. Other reviewers have mentioned this is repetitive, which is true, but I think it serves a purpose. When one has always been treated in a particular way, repetition emphasizes this reality.

Eh…. I read this book for a book club that focuses on books by underrepresented authors/subjects and while she does make a point to discuss her intersecting identities of being a black and disabled woman who has had mental health challenges…. Some of the essays were a bit meandering and felt a bit immature. I‘d be curious to see her write a similar book in 20 years, with more life & writing experience.

I have this book but listened to it on audio since that seems to be the easiest way for me to get any reading done. The author started the #prettybutcute, which went viral. Her book discusses the importance of intersectionality in our society as a black, disabled woman. She discusses the need for more & positive representation of disabled people in the media but not as inspiration porn (ie stories of disabled people being prom king/queen…

2022 Read Harder Challenge
#23: Read a book by a disabled author

This is a hard book to rate! It has an important message and the author‘s bubbly outlook and introspection came across strongly. On the other hand, the essays were repetitive and seemed to miss having a point or topic, maybe just needed a different editor.

Factual: concerned with what is actually the case rather than interpretations of or reactions to it.

Keah Brown's memoir gives a #factual account of being Black and disabled; that is, the facts according to her lived experience! #FallFinds
@Eggs

The audio of this was read by the author which was fun. An engaging series of essays on life and pop culture and how being disabled and Black factor in. Content Note: There are some careful references to depression and suicidal ideation.

I really enjoyed this! Keah Brown is a very fun and entertaining writer. I look forward to reading more of her work!

Joining the 8 #ReadYourSign books I‘ll be reading throughout the month is my June pick for #ReadWithMrBook.

In this collection of Essays we discover that though Keah Brown loves herself now that was not always the case. She was born with Cerebral Palsy and at one time her greatest wishes were to be normal and to have a refuge from the steady stream of self hate that society had strengthened inside of her.

‪I think what I admire most about this book is how open and honest Keah is, not just about her struggles and triumphs, but about her joys, her flaws, her contradictions. It‘s something I aspire to in my own writing, and I appreciate her for it.

I absolutely adore Keah Brown and think her voice is just what we need. Funny, smart, and so informative, Keah educates the world on how to better treat disabled people as they should be treated while also being so entertaining. She‘s the best. She‘s the pretty one.

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A well-written essay collection about living as a disabled woman of color - how these intersections affect personal relationships, self-worth, internalized ableism, seeing one‘s self (or not, as is the case) in books, film, and TV, and mental health. She writes bravely about self-destructive thoughts and the plan to end her own life in a way we don‘t often “allow” in disability lit. She credits books by Sarah Dessen/Toni Morrison in helping her.