pickIsaac‘s Song, by Daniel Black (2025)
Premise: A Black gay man tasked with writing the story of his relationship with his estranged father uncovers inconvenient truths that upend his assumptions.
Review: While I don‘t think that for me this hit quite as hard as his previous book, this is still an incredible and powerful work of art. Cont.
I tagged my favorite and it was also my first read of this grid. I‘m glad I don‘t compare until I read all 9 books because that could prove disappointing.
5* = Loved It, want to shout out loud about this book! I do/will own/keep a physical copy. A+
4*= I liked it, would love to discuss. Solid B
3*=Meh, no need to discuss. Avg C
2*=Nope D
1*=DNF F
pickBook 2 of this family hooked me as hard as the first. No matter Isaac‘s journey to manhood the path of this confused, effeminate, sweet man would have been eased by accepting parents. What I thought turned this book to a beautiful piece of literature was Isaac learning to look inside himself for the truths to accept and forgive his parents‘ flaws that molded their lived experiences .
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I think my hopes were a little too high for this one after reading Don‘t Cry for Me, by the same author, but I enjoyed hearing Isaac‘s point of view.
Overall a good book and not necessary to read the first to follow the story.
#BlackHistoryMonth
#lgbtqia2025
#BOTM
Apparently it‘s not reading time! It‘s attention for Hazel time!
#catsoflitsy
#littenkitten
#WhereAreYouMonday
I‘m in Chicago in the 80‘s. Reading this after I loved Don‘t cry for Me by the same author. So far it‘s good! I hope my high hopes don‘t let me down.
#BOTM
pickSome books are just plain inspiring, and this is one for me. It‘s the companion to Don‘t Cry for Me. In DCFM, Isaac‘s father writes about his parenting mistakes as a traditional Southern Black man in the 1970s raising an effeminate son. Here, Isaac explores the ways his father supported him that he didn‘t realize and appreciate during his father‘s lifetime. It‘s a really beautiful companion set of stories. Highly recommend! ⬇️
Isaac's Song (Original) | 
Bookish Pair: For another great book about racism‘s constant reinvention, Yaa Gyasi‘s Homegoing (2016)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
👦🏿 Black History
🌈 Queer Characters
👨👩👦 Complex Families
Medium: Audio (edited) 3w