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Didn't Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta
Didn't Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta | James Hannaham
27 posts | 20 read | 33 to read
The raucous, irreverent, and harrowing story of a transgender woman's reentry into life on the outside after more than twenty years in prison, over one eventful Fourth of July weekend in Brooklyn--from the author of the PEN/Faulkner Award winner Delicious Foods. Carlotta Mercedes has been misunderstood her entire life. When she was pulled into a liquor-store robbery gone wrong in her early twenties, she still went by Dustin Chambers, the name she grew up with in her Brooklyn neighborhood of Fort Greene--before it gentrified. But within a year of going to prison, she took the name Carlotta and transitioned. Prison authorities rejected this embrace of selfhood, and Carlotta served twenty-two years in an all-male cell block, abused by both inmates and guards, and often placed in solitary. But in her fifth appearance before the parole board, Carlotta is at last granted conditional freedom and given a bus ticket back to a New York City that has changed as much in the intervening decades as she herself has changed to those who knew her before she was sent away. Can she reconcile with the son she left behind and reunite with a family reluctant to accept her as Carlotta, all while complying with near-impossible parole restrictions and doing everything in her power to stay out of jail? Written with the same mischievous verve and astonishing freshness in Delicious Foods, which dazzled critics and readers alike, Didn't Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta sweeps the reader through seemingly every street of Brooklyn in a whirlwind Fourth of July weekend. The novel sings with brio and ambition, offering a fantastically entertaining read and a cast of unforgettable characters even as it challenges us to confront the glaring injustices of a prison system that continues to punish people even after they've been freed.
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review
GerardtheBookworm
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Pickpick

Raw and honest, this is an urbanized fictional perspective of an individual who grew up in the rough streets of Brooklyn, New York. Afro-Latina and trans protagonist Carlotta is released from prison on probation and tries to assimilate back into her community. However, her new identity ostracizes her from everyone as she attempts to navigate while dealing with themes of family, crime, gender, queerness and the threat of gentrification.

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charl08
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It's like I been away so long that motherfuckers all done learnt a different language from me, an every time they get a second to theyself, they start messin round with that phone. Motherfuckers useta talk to motherfuckers, now ev'body be a zombie trapped in they own li'l world, watchin some apples blow up on a li'l portable TV.

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charl08

She crossed the street and studied the building closely-no LIVE NUDE REVUE, no xxx movies, nothing Is this where it was at? Yes, definitely. The place had become a haunted house; the sign read TIMES SCARE Huh? So what is it now, like a dead nude revue?

review
Ruthiella
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Pickpick

What a voice! This is an unconventional novel told mostly in first person and in Black American vernacular about a trans woman‘s 48 hours after being paroled. I felt Hannaham is riffing on Joyce‘s Ulysses, putting his own spin on it. There is minimal punctuation, stream of consciousness, switches from 1st to 3rd person in the same paragraph...one has to read it carefully. I found it surprisingly exuberant despite the dark subject matter.

BkClubCare 👏 such a fun listen. 13mo
Ruthiella @BkClubCare You gotta love Carlotta! 13mo
Suet624 I feel as if this book hasn‘t received enough love. It was so good. Great review. 13mo
See All 8 Comments
Ruthiella @Suet624 Thanks! I wish it had been on the ToB shortlist. I think it was on the longlist and that‘s how I came across it? 🤔 13mo
Suet624 I think you‘re right. 13mo
Megabooks @Suet624 agree! Fantastic review! And it was on the tob longlist. I loved the audio too @BkClubCare 13mo
Ruthiella @Megabooks Thanks! I‘m also proud that I read it mere months after purchasing it in February! 😅 13mo
BkClubCare @Ruthiella - Absolutely 💯 13mo
65 likes1 stack add8 comments
review
BarbaraBB
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Bailedbailed

Okay #unpopularopinion. You all loved it but I am halfway through and calling it quits. It probably is the language. I have to read out loud to make sense of what I‘m reading. It‘s been taking me forever that way and it leaves no room to enjoy the story. So it‘s me, not the book but I just lost patience and want to read something I actually like to read 🤷🏻‍♀️

#Booked2023 #wronglyincarnated

Cinfhen At least you tried! Hopefully you love your next book 🤞🏼 1y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I really did. But I felt like an idiot, reading slowly aloud, trying to make sense of what I read. Next up is 🤞🏽 1y
squirrelbrain I can imagine it was difficult to read, so don‘t beat yourself up about it. I found a lot of the language strange and struggled to understand, particularly to start with, and I was reading in my first language. BQ will be better! 😁 1y
See All 21 Comments
sarahbarnes I'm sorry this one didn't work for you! I loved Bandit Queens and hope you enjoy it! 1y
TrishB Hope you enjoy your next 🤞🏻🤞🏻 1y
dabbe These reviews are just as important as the picks. I value your opinion; therefore, I'm not reading it! You're doing us a favor you know! 😍😘🤗 1y
BarbaraBB @dabbe Thank you for trusting me 🩵 I have to add that English isn‘t my first language so that might me the reason I had such a hard time with the book 🤷🏻‍♀️ 1y
Suet624 I remember when I reviewed this book that I was concerned it might be tough for you. Your English is fantastic but this took time to get into the swing of the language. You‘ll love BQ. 1y
dabbe @BarbaraBB What is your first language, if you don't mind my asking? (because I would have NEVER known!) 🤩😍🤗 1y
BarbaraBB @Suet624 @dabbe Thank you both for the kind words ❤️❤️ My first language is Dutch, Denise! 1y
dabbe @BarbaraBB How cool is that? I can't speak it (unfortunately), but my ancestors on my mom's side are from the Netherlands: their surnames are Pastoor and Van Dyke. 💙💚💙 1y
Megabooks Yeah, this really worked for me because I went audio, but even then it was very colloquial and slang-heavy! 1y
BarbaraBB @Megabooks Thank you, that is definitely reassuring 🤍 1y
BarbaraBB @dabbe wow, those are real Dutch names for sure although we write Van Dyke as Van Dijk! 1y
dabbe @BarbaraBB I was trying to remember how to spell my great-aunt's last name: phonetically it was Vanvuctaveen. I never knew her, so the name spelling escapes me! #smallworld 🩵🤍🩵 1y
BarbaraBB @dabbe That name must have evolved over the years, it doesn‘t ring a bell. The only Dutch surname I can remotely think of is Van de Veen 🤔 1y
dabbe @BarbaraBB I texted my sister for the name. Boy, was I way off! It's spelled Vugtaveen. Is that closer? 1y
BarbaraBB @dabbe I googled it and you are right. It‘s not a very common surname but I found plenty of people called Vugteveen (with an e instead of an a)! 1y
dabbe @BarbaraBB Thanks for doing that! I need to dig more and learn about my Dutch heritage (and obviously learn how to spell better!) 🩵🤍🩵 1y
BarbaraBB @dabbe You‘re doing great! 1y
dabbe @BarbaraBB 🤩😍🤗 1y
82 likes21 comments
blurb
BarbaraBB
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#WeeklyForecast 21/23

I have started the tagged book, and I have a hard time getting used to the language and style. I have heard so many good things about it though, that I‘m not giving up. Next it is time to start The Bandit Queens for #CampLitsy23, excited about it. If there‘s time I also like to start The Regrets!

Cinfhen I LOVED Carlotta and BQ but I listened to both on audio and I think that helped. I hope you find your rhythm with Carlotta because I do think you‘ll enjoy 😊 1y
5feet.of.fury I loved Carlotta but I too audiobooked it. I‘m reading Bandit Queens but kinda meh about it. 1y
BarbaraBB @5feet.of.fury oh really? I‘ve heard good things about it. Can‘t wait to find out what I‘ll think! 1y
69 likes3 comments
review
5feet.of.fury
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Pickpick

I really liked this. Carlotta went to prison 21 years ago & now re-enters society. She navigates the new New York (no subway tokens? No twin towers? Gentrification) life as a woman (she transitioned in prison) & family connections (grown children, aging relatives etc). It was really humorous & entertaining even while dealing with traumatic circumstances & didn‘t make a joke of Carlotta herself.
#20in4

Andrew65 Sounds an excellent read. Well done 👏👏👏 2y
40 likes2 stack adds1 comment
blurb
5feet.of.fury
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#20in4
Goal is to clear out the current reads before the month‘s end Death of Mrs Westaway for #authoramonth RingMaster is the only nonfiction I am reading for April. Astrid & Carlotta are due back to the library imminently so they gotta go.

& maybe start a couple new reads

review
TrishB
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Pickpick

Bordering on a pick/so-so for me. I loved Carlotta, she was an amazing MC. Full of humour to cover the awful life she‘s had in prison. And there was some laugh out loud thinking from Carlotta.
It was the writing that moves it down a bit for me. The dialect was fine- you got into the rhythm- though there were very long passages. The switches between 1st and 3rd person irritated me so much and ruined the flow. Just stick with Carlotta!

Cinfhen I did audio and I think that REALLY ELEVATED my experience 2y
TrishB @Cinfhen I think this is one of the few times I was thinking audio would work so much better here 👍🏻 the constant internal dialogue probably sounded brilliant. 2y
See All 17 Comments
Cinfhen @TrishB 💯🤗 2y
Ruthiella I bought this in hard copy on a whim and am looking forward to reading it. But I‘ll keep your critique in mind. Sometimes knowing that stuff going in helps me. 2y
BkClubCare Audio!! So good. At least try a sample 😃 2y
TrishB @Ruthiella I think@it does help 👍🏻 2y
Cinfhen Look what Trish wrote @BarbaraBB 1y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen Yes! Trish describes exactly what I‘m struggling with but I will stick with it! Thanks 🩵 1y
Cinfhen I had a feeling that might be how you were feeling @barbarabb good luck 🍀 1y
TrishB @BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I nearly gave up a couple of times! 1y
BarbaraBB I am a 100 pages in and still not really drawn in 🤷🏻‍♀️ 1y
TrishB @BarbaraBB you know how I feel about bailing 😁 1y
BarbaraBB I just did 🤣 1y
TrishB @BarbaraBB 👍🏻 too many books too little time! 1y
BarbaraBB Exactly, this one just frustrated me! 1y
84 likes17 comments
review
Soubhiville
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Pickpick

Carlotta is a trans woman who was wrongly convicted and spent 21 years in prison. Most of this book takes place in 2 days when she is released on parole, as she tries to figure out how to fit back into the outside world while following all of the rules of her release.

Tackles hard subjects with surprising humor, I couldn‘t help loving Carlotta.

Do this on audio if you can, I loved the narration.
#booked2023 #wronglyconvicted

61 likes3 stack adds
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Addison_Reads
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Pickpick

I wish this book had been picked for the #tob23 shortlist. I loved it.

The characters are so rich and diverse, set against a dysfunctional family background making this an emotional, often times funny read that I couldn't stop reading once I started.

Some might be put off by the language, but to be honest, after a few chapters I really didn't notice.

This is one of my favorites this year.

BarbaraBB Another raving review for this book! I couldn‘t resist any longer and purchased a copy 🤷🏽‍♀️😀 2y
RebelReader I was surprised this didn‘t make the shortlist. 2y
45 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
Jas16
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Pickpick

Why on earth didn‘t this make the #tob23 shortlist? Carlotta‘s attempt to reintegrate into her old life after two decades in jail and also follow all of the rules of her parole was thought provoking, funny, and so damn sad all at once. Carlotta is not a character you will soon forget. #booked2023 #bookwithtransperson

BarbaraBB I‘ve heard so many good things about this one 2y
Cinfhen This one is SOOOOOO GOOD!!! Definitely worth picking up @BarbaraBB Honestly it‘s one of the BEST from that longlist - much better than the others who made the shortlist 2y
squirrelbrain I got this for Christmas and really looking forward to reading it. Great review! 2y
See All 6 Comments
RebelReader I can‘t believe this didn‘t make the shortlist either. This one and 2y
Chelsea.Poole You make me want to read this one even more now! 2y
Suet624 I think I might have said the same thing in my review, wondering why it wasn't on the shortlist. Such a good story. 2y
57 likes6 stack adds6 comments
review
Suet624
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Pickpick

Here's an example of a book that should have been on the #TOB2023 shortlist. A wild adventure. Playing with diction/thoughts/events in a captivating, endearing, and propulsive way. Carlotta, a trans woman, is released from prison after 21 years following a wrongful conviction. We follow her for just a few days as she tries to reintegrate into a life after prison and follow the rules of her probation. Had me chuckling quite a bit.

RebelReader I was surprised this didn‘t make the shortlist along with 2y
squirrelbrain Fabulous review! I‘m really looking forward to this one and hope to get to it soon. 2y
Ruthiella I definitely going to read this one as well! 👍 2y
See All 22 Comments
Hooked_on_books I‘m excited for this one. I picked it up on audio but haven‘t gotten to it yet. At least we have some good longlist finds despite the lackluster shortlist! 2y
Cinfhen This was /is amongst my favorites!!! Such a great character😁 2y
Cortg This looks fantastic! 2y
Suet624 @RebelReader I'm still waiting for my library hold on Cyclorama. 2y
Suet624 @squirrelbrain @ruthiella I think you'll like it. It's a fun surprise. (Except when Carlotta's talking about some things that happened to her in prison.) 2y
Suet624 @Hooked_on_books I think it would be really fun to listen to this on audio. 2y
Suet624 @Cinfhen Like I said, why didn't this move to this shortlist? It seems like such a typical TOB contender - surprising, uncommon, a fresh approach to a story. 2y
batsy This sounds so excellent! I haven't read it yet but I'm also wondering why it wasn't shortlisted. It seems so fresh and unique. 2y
BarbaraBB I‘ve read only good things about this one. Adding it to the wish list! 2y
sarahbarnes Yes! I really liked this one too and think it should have made the shortlist! 2y
BkClubCare The audiobook is a terrific way to experience this 🎧💗 2y
Suet624 @BkClubCare I kept thinking this would be a great audiobook. I may try to grab the audio from the library and check it out. I think it would be a completely different experience. 2y
Suet624 @batsy The humor is what made some of the really sad moments easier to handle. It's a great story. 2y
Suet624 @BarbaraBB I'm curious how it will be for you, considering the diction was sometimes difficult for me to catch. 2y
Suet624 @Cinfhen I still laugh when I think about some of the observations Carlotta made. Such a great character. 2y
BarbaraBB Thanks for warning me. That could be a bit of a problem indeed. 2y
Cinfhen Yeah!! Carlotta was HILARIOUS but also sad in so many ways!! I think you‘ll be ok @BarbaraBB your English skills are FANTASTIC 😘 2y
Cinfhen I did audio, which was AMAZING!!!!! 2y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen Thanks ❤️ it‘s not always easy though! 2y
70 likes3 stack adds22 comments
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Suet624
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Oh boy…I know folks with this look…and I always want to wrap them up in a big hug despite their protests.

Megabooks This book 💯💯💯 should‘ve made the shortlist!! 2y
45 likes2 comments
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Suet624
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My first chuckle of the day. I have to slow down when reading this book. The one-liners are so good I have to savor them.

sarahbarnes Yes!! 2y
56 likes1 comment
review
RebelReader
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Pickpick

End of week four. Slower week for me with family holiday time. Ocean State was audio.
Total books for the challenge so far: 18
#WinterReadathon

Andrew65 Christmas week is always a busy week. Well done on what you did achieve. 2y
40 likes1 comment
review
BkClubCare
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Pickpick

Had just burned my #audiobook credit on this when the #TOBshortlist #TOB2023 was announced. I *almost* turned it back in but the terrific reviews told me to listen to it anyway. Glad I did. Carlotta is just too lovable and it humbles me to realize that I need to open my heart and love more. God bless the Carlottas in this blasted world. Bless the down and out, the strivers and the thrivers for being true and positive and lovely.

Megabooks Glad you loved this too! 2y
Cinfhen I loved this one, too! 2y
Reggie What a great review! 2y
50 likes1 stack add4 comments
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MicheleinPhilly
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Heads up British TOB-ers!!!

Cinfhen STEAL!!!!!! 2y
MicheleinPhilly This one is also 99p. 2y
MicheleinPhilly @Cinfhen I literally said “YES!” out loud. 👏🏼 2y
See All 7 Comments
MicheleinPhilly @squirrelbrain You‘re the only one I can think of right now. ☺️ 2y
squirrelbrain Gah! I just asked for the hard copy of this from hubby for Xmas…. Never mind! Thanks for thinking of me though. 2y
MicheleinPhilly @squirrelbrain I‘d just be like, “Babe, I have a substitution to make!” 😇 2y
squirrelbrain Lol Michele, I think he may already have bought it, so I‘ll just keep schtum…. 😁 2y
43 likes7 comments
review
Megabooks
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Pickpick

As he did in Delicious Foods, which I loved, Hannaham takes a very dark situation, a trans woman wrongly convicted and held in a men‘s prison for 21 years, and gives it humanity and even humor. #toblonglist FTW again!

Carlotta has just been released on parole, and we follow her first days in the free world as she suddenly navigates a world of new technologies and tries to fulfill her parole conditions while dealing with the trauma of her stay.

Cinfhen Excellent review!!! I think this might be my favorite from the list ❣️ 2y
Suet624 Can‘t wait to find this one!! 2y
See All 25 Comments
Linear That title tho 🤣 2y
BarbaraBB Five stars for you too? 2y
sarahbarnes So glad you liked it!! I also really liked Delicious Foods. (edited) 2y
RebelReader My library has it! Hold placed! 2y
squirrelbrain I‘ve asked hubby to buy me this for Christmas! 2y
Megabooks @squirrelbrain oh I hope he does! 2y
Megabooks @RebelReader yay! Enjoy! 2y
Megabooks @sarahbarnes such a fantastic book. I liked DF more, but both are excellent! 2y
Megabooks @BarbaraBB DF blew my mind and was 5⭐️. This is a solid 4.25⭐️. Still a high rating from me and a great book! 2y
Megabooks @Linear it‘s fantastic! She has such a distinctive voice as a character. 2y
Megabooks @Suet624 I‘m excited for you to read it! 2y
Megabooks @Cinfhen it‘s an outstanding book and audiobook! 2y
Megabooks Sorry I missed tagging you on this @Hooked_on_books 2y
Megabooks Missed you too @Ruthiella I was just out of it this morning. I only got 2.5 hours sleep so maybe that‘s it. 🥱 2y
Ruthiella No problem! 😉 I definitely want to give this one a go. 2y
Hooked_on_books I‘m very excited for this one. I just have to figure out what format to read it in. 2y
BkClubCare @Hooked_on_books - yes! That is often my struggle, but usually I select “first available” (and then get bummed when I find out the audio is amazing. #sigh) SO hard to track but I hope to when the short list is announced. 2y
Megabooks @Ruthiella for sure! I‘d say this one is a must-read! 2y
Megabooks @Hooked_on_books I will say the audiobook is awesome if you can get ahold of it! 2y
Megabooks @BkClubCare like I said to Holly, if you want to read this, it would be good in either format, but I just loved the narration. And yes, I‘ve had that problem of choosing the less good format too. I got this from the longlist on audio and it didn‘t work for me. 2y
BkClubCare @Megabooks - Noted. And, thank you 📚 2y
Hooked_on_books Good to know—I think I‘ll do just that! 🎧 2y
89 likes3 stack adds25 comments
review
Cinfhen
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Pickpick

Carlotta Mercedes needs to hold her shit together, no matter what. Even though life hasn‘t been kind to her, nothing is gonna keep her down. After 20+ years of being wrongfully incarcerated, Carlotta is back in Brooklyn but the free world she left is not the same place she‘s returned to. And despite her determination to play it clean, the world seems destined to mess with her. Carlotta has spunk & sass 👇🏽

Cinfhen and the best inner monologues I‘ve read in years!!! Definitely go audio - it‘s fabulous!! But be warned***LOTS OF F-BOMBS*** and some painful truths about prison life (i.e. rape) #ToB23 2y
Cinfhen Thanks for tagging me @sarahbarnes I don‘t think I would have picked this up without reading your review and I LOVED this book!!! 2y
See All 20 Comments
sarahbarnes Yay I‘m so glad you loved it, too! Heartbreaking and hopeful all at the same time. ♥️ 2y
BarbaraBB Fantastic review! Very curious about it! 2y
Jess Just used one of my audible credits on this one after that review. Thanks Cindy! Sounds good. 2y
Hooked_on_books I‘m really looking forward to this one! 2y
Cinfhen Yay @Jess !!!!! I hope you love it as much as I did. Like @sarahbarnes said heartbreaking & hopeful!! It takes a few minutes to get comfortable with the tone and the constant switching from third person/ first person pov but once you get going it‘s a wild ride. 2y
Cinfhen LMK if you pick it up @Hooked_on_books im so curious to see more reviews!!! I think you‘d like this one @BarbaraBB 🫶🏼 2y
Suet624 Sounds 💕 2y
Megabooks Just bought the audiobook! I forgot he was the author of this which I loved! 2y
Megabooks I picked this up on audio!! I forgot that he was the author of this, which I gave 5⭐️ a long time ago! 2y
Cinfhen Audio is outstanding @Megabooks !!!! But your parents might be put off by the language- it‘s FULL of mother f#%#kers and other profanities but I LOVED IT!!! 2y
Cinfhen See my above ⬆️ comment @Suet624 - I think you can handle the “urban street talk” 😉 2y
Megabooks Two words: beats earbuds! By far the best earbuds I‘ve owned and my favorite bf purchase from last year. I can listen without bothering anyone! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 2y
Cinfhen Hahaha - I may need to add those to my wish list @Megabooks 😁 2y
Suet624 Haha. You got that right. 2y
Cinfhen I had a feeling my fellow crab 🦀 @Suet624 xxx 2y
Suet624 I‘m on page 4 of this book and cannot believe the smile that is on my face. Each paragraph is a gem. 2y
Cinfhen Ahhhh!! This was SUCH an awesome book!!!! Im so glad you‘re enjoying it @Suet624 (edited) 2y
75 likes2 stack adds20 comments
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Cinfhen
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I wasn‘t joking @sarahbarnes when I said I wanted to read this right away😉Here we go! And so far, I‘m LOVING the tone ( narration is fantastic) LOTS of f bombs for those who don‘t like foul language. #ToB23 longlist

squirrelbrain Ooh great spot on #booked2023! I think I‘ll get this to read next year. 2y
See All 10 Comments
Cinfhen @squirrelbrain this book is definitely making my top 5 of 2022 - I really recommend if u are able to find the audio - narration is fantastic 🙌🏻🎧❤️ 2y
BarbaraBB Your top 5? Wow! 2y
Cinfhen The inner voice of Carlotta is SO hilarious and you know it‘s really tragic, all the shit she‘s dealing with, but Carlotta refuses to be seen as a victim- she‘s so damn likeable @BarbaraBB even when she‘s totally effing up. I didn‘t realize this is the same author as 2y
sarahbarnes Glad you‘re liking it so far! I agree her inner voice is priceless. And yes, I didn‘t realize until I started reading that he also wrote Delicious Foods. 2y
Cinfhen It just turned darker than I anticipated @sarahbarnes and it‘s not really as funny anymore, just heartbreaking now but I‘m still smitten 🥰 2y
squirrelbrain Of course, there is no audio in the UK 🤷‍♀️ but I‘ll keep my fingers crossed it might appear somewhere soon! 2y
Cinfhen I‘m sure it will @squirrelbrain 2y
70 likes10 comments
review
sarahbarnes
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Pickpick

This book has you trying to catch your breath the whole way through. The narrative voice is stunning and a glimpse into the mind of Carlotta, who is equal parts tough as nails and vulnerable, and who never gives up fighting for her place to live as her authentic self. A fantastic book. #ToB2023

Megabooks I am 💯 afraid it would break me to read this. Fantastic review! 2y
squirrelbrain I thought this one sounded wonderful and your review confirms this - thank you! I can‘t get this at the library or on Scribd - it sounds like it‘s worth paying for though? 2y
BarbaraBB Such a convincing review! 2y
See All 12 Comments
sarahbarnes @Megabooks I so understand that! It is definitely heart wrenching, but at the same time full of so much hope. 2y
sarahbarnes @squirrelbrain I think so? I‘m trying to think of something to compare it to and I‘m coming up short. It‘s heartbreaking and funny and hopeful all at the same time. I‘ll be interested to hear your thoughts if you decide to get it. 2y
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB I‘ll be interested in what you think if you read it! 2y
Ruthiella Great review. I am very much interested in reading this one! 2y
squirrelbrain Thanks Sarah…now to decide if I wait to see if it makes the shortlist, or just buy it anyway! 🤔 2y
Hooked_on_books After reading about this one on the long list, I‘m eager to read it. Glad it‘s as good as it sounds! 2y
Tonton On my To Buy list; will buy! 2y
Cinfhen Excellent review- you make me want to read it right away!! 2y
batsy Great review! I'm super keen to read it. 2y
41 likes12 comments
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Sophronisba
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“Two decades and change into her beef, Carlotta Mercedes braced herself for audition number five with the New York State Board of Parole.“

#FridayReads #FirstLineFriday

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psalva
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Hello, Group L. Do any of these look interesting to you for the #lmpbc ? Bloom is a graphic novel. Two are hard-boiled mysteries, and the tagged book is a new-ish release about a trans woman reentering society after being in prison. Are these too heavy? Do we want lighter reads? I have other options I was considering, but I limited it to these four unless we prefer other choices.

Michael_Gee Oo! Great recs. My vote would be for Simple Justice. 2y
Reggie Peter, I haven‘t read any of them and am good with whatever you go with. 2y
Marmie7 I haven't read any of these either. They all sound good! I'm ok with whatever. 2y
psalva Awesome! Thanks, all, for your responses. I‘m looking forward to this. (edited) 2y
13 likes1 stack add4 comments
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parasolofdoom
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Human, stop leaving your things where I nap

17 likes1 stack add
review
Eggbeater
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Pickpick

This book was hilarious and brutal at the same time. Carlotta Mercedes is a Black, Latina, trans woman who is released from prison on parole after being incarcerated for 22 years. Her past comes with all the horrific details you might expect under those circumstances, but what stands out is her absolute zest for life and indomitable spirit. I really loved this book!

TW: rape

42 likes2 stack adds
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FelinesAndFelonies
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Picked up new books at Parnassus. The tagged book is one I hadn't heard of before but was displayed as being written by a local author so I grabbed it.