pickHow can Angie Thomas's books just get better and better? So glad I listened to this as an audiobook. It has all the vibes, all the depth and all the pain. Honestly, I, once again, felt ashamed to be born as a white person. Seriously, there's so much going wrong in this world, but this book still sends out a huge message of hope.
pickI enjoyed this coming of age novel about an aspiring teenage rapper. I love the characters in this book. I also enjoyed the "thought process" behind writing the raps. The edition I read also had a playlist from the author, which is pretty darn good, too.
“Problem is, I wasn‘t playing. That‘s what I‘ve become.”
“Eleven hours, twenty minutes. Still no word from Aunt Pooh.”
Well, my colonoscopy got canceled (luckily before I started the prep) because the provider couldn‘t make it. So an unexpected day off to enjoy a sandwich and blended latte and start a new book.
#Bookspin
I read absolutely nothing in April, so I am keeping the same choices.
Is this book interminably slow or does it just seem like it because I‘m listening to it as an audio book?
Just grabbed the tagged audiobook on Libby. It's been on my TBR since I read The Hate U Give, but I keep putting it off, waiting for the right mood. I'm hoping the audio version will help suck me in since it revolves around hip hop music. Also, yeah, sneaking in a cute pic of my son cause it's kinda on theme 😅
pickAngie Thomas is so incredible. She has a way of making her teen characters so relatable & deep—even for this middle-aged person. (And how great are her adult characters?) A solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for this extraordinary book.
Another great book adapted for the screen.
#page2screen
pickAngie Thomas writes great YA! I loved The Hate U Give, and now this one too. I‘ll definitely read more by her.
pickThis was another read from April (still lots more catch up posts left). I got this as an ARC years ago and I can't believe I waited until this year to finally read it. WORTH ??THE ??HYPE?? If you liked "The Hate U Give" you'll love this. I finished in just a few days, it was so good. Would make a good audiobook because of all the music throughout. Fun fact: the movie adaption will be available on Hulu tomorrow?! ? Can't wait to watch!
pickI loved the characters. They seemed relatable and messy. Loved the nods to The Hate U Give. Important themes. Did find the writing style not as good as the first book.
pick24 Apr-4 May 2022 (audiobook)
The story of Bri, an aspiring hip hop artist, growing up in the Garden battling with the legacy of her father, poverty, eviction and gangs.
An interesting book but it suffered a little from being read so soon after Concrete Rose, which I loved. This felt a little less real.
pickWhile this one was different than the other two in the series, it tackles the serious issues of race, authority and what it takes (and doesn‘t) to make your dreams come true… powerful and timely and won‘t soon leave your heart.
pick(2019) This was author Thomas's follow-up to the terrific "The Hate U Give"; it riffs on similar themes, but focuses on a talented teenager trying to shape her own identity and relationships while also dealing with social pressures and prejudices, and trying to break into a predatory music industry. I found it powerful.
Also, if any audiobook publishers happen to be dropping by: keep hiring Bahni Turpin please and thank you.
#bookspin #doublespin @thearomaofbooks
I have decided that I never read enough to do the Bingo board, so here is to reading for fun this year!
pickOh my stars!! This books pulled me in and kept me pulled in the whole time. I loved that this book takes place in the same timeframe and place as The Hate U Give - it added something extra knowing what else had gone on in this town. Bri is a strong, knows what she wants type of girl, who is also trying to figure out who she is when the world is trying to push her into being what they make her out to be. Highly recommend!!
🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤
I found these $2 yesterday at the thrift store!! Are any of these on your Santa list?! 📚🎄 🎅
#LitsyLove
pickGreat follow up to “the hate u give” which I read earlier this year. No need to remember the plot, btw. Very on point, easy to understand discussions abt poverty, education, family expectations, friendship. Solid YA contemporary fiction 🖤
Here is my October wrap-up post, finally! I finished five books, including my #bookspin (though not my #doublespin…). $9.13 for #pennyperpage.
so-soI might be a little hard on this book due to THUG comparisons and taking several days‘ break in the middle but 🤷🏻♀️ I liked it, didn‘t love it. I never fully connected with Bri. While in theory I understood the choices she made I didn‘t really GET them. The ending didn‘t really come together for me.
My #bookspin came up as “library hold” and this was the first one to come in, so I guess this is October‘s pick!
pickThis YA novel was a definite ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me. Loved the diverse, authentic characters. Need this to be a TV series now!
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫This was a reread for me for my Novels at Night book club, and I remember really enjoying it the first time I read it, and I think I liked it even more this time around! Angie Thomas is a must-read author for me, and I highly recommend this book! The audiobook was great, especially to hear the raps instead of just read them. There is also a Spotify playlist that Thomas made for this book which is definitely worth checking out!
pickThis author is so so good. Her brand of YA is realistic & believable — the kids feel like real kids. Hoping there will be a sequel to Bri‘s story.
pickSo I loved this book. I have to admit that I decided to listen to an audio book for the majority of this book, and it helped me enjoy the book a lot more. I‘m not usually one for audio books, but hearing the lady use different voices for different characters made me love it that much more. Such a good story. If you loved her book the hate you give, I recommend this one as well.
About to start this book. Super excited, as I loved the book The Hate You Give.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book #25:
I loved The Hate U Give, and wasn‘t ready to dive back into this one until this week - but it was worth having on my audio tbr pile until then! I loved the characters, the complex relationships, the way Bri‘s art, words, pain & dreams mixed with her culture, racial oppression, & her coming-of-age. Her rap / poetry is visceral & Thomas‘s writing just wraps you up in the story‘s flow.
(photo cred: insta user @ kellyblack.writer)
#bookspin #bookspinbingo @thearomaofbooks
I am super excited for the way this bingo card laid out, and my bookspin and doublebookspin books.
pickStarting off Black History Month right with this book! I listened to the audiobook of this and I love that the narrator did rap and I am just floored!!! More reasons why, you should also consider listening to the audiobook!
pickAngie Thomas just knows how to write people. Even when they‘re doing wrong you root for them. Loved this book.
#bookspin @thearomaofbooks
Here is my February List. I decided that it would be great to try this every month, and if I don't read something, it stays on my list until I read it.
I made one exception to that from Jan. I did not get my bookspin or #doublebookspin book read, and took them off, but still plan to read them.
I can't wait for February, as a few of these books I am super excited to read.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ • I wasn‘t as into this one as I was THUG, but still good.
A heads up for anyone who has a Libro.fm account. On the Come Up is on sale for $5.99 ($4.19 if you‘re a member).
Day 9 - September
My favorite was On the Come Up, excellent read, by an excellent author.
#12Booksof2020 @Andrew65
#bookspin @thearomaofbooks
Here is my January list of book.
I know I won't do as well as this month w/ 16 books off my #bookspinbingo, a couple to finish this week.
pickI really enjoyed this one. It was inspiring and realistic. The characters were relatable and the plot was well. The moral of this book is to never give up on your dreams no matter what life hands you.
When I saw this swap yesterday, I got excited and started filling out the form, listing my favorite Black authors...then had to face the harsh realization that I have read SO few books by contemporary Black writers. That gave me even more motivation to sign up for this swap. I‘m really excited to get exposed to new books by Black authors and expand my horizons! Thanks @Chelleo ! #blitsyswap
Not a bad book so far. I am not the biggest hip hop fan but this is actually pretty enjoyable..
On the Come Up | 
I am American and American Indigenous with other heritages of Mexican Indigenous and Spanish.
The Spanish has a lot of negative history with the whole “invading and conquering.“ Yet the heritage is part of me, and there is beauty there that should not be denied.
💝💝💝💝. 32m