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ClareR (5674 KP) rated Becoming in Books

Jan 30, 2019  
Becoming
Becoming
Michelle Obama | 2019 | Biography, History & Politics
9
8.9 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
Non-fiction isn't usually my 'cup of tea', so I started this with an element of trepidation. I needn't have worried. It's like listening to a more experienced friend telling you what they've done with their life (it would be a long chat, obviously).
From Michelle Obama's poor start in life, via her mother and father's interventions (actually, more her mother's) in her education and the sacrifices they made to give her the best education they could afford, to meeting Barack, getting married, having children, supporting his political life, all the while working herself. And she enjoyed her work. She's a strong woman. She gives an insight to the difficulties for black men and women in daily life, at academic institutions, and in work - especially those which are white dominated (which appears to be the majority).
She just comes across as an extremely likeable person. It was a fascinating book, and I really enjoyed it.
  
Such a Fun Age
Such a Fun Age
Kiley Reid | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry
4
7.2 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
This book had a topic that had drawn me in and I had high hopes for. Halfway through the book it seemed as if I had started reading an almost entirely different book. The dialogue and parts of the story had seemed to fall apart.

The only character I cared about only partially was Emira and her charge Briar. They had a cute relationship that did seem to grow. That however is the only part of the story that had growth. Alix had a white savior complex that was shown again and again leaving me feel disgusted while reading. After accusing her ex boyfriend from high school and Emira's current boyfriend of fetishizing black people and culture. The story then became about a successful women throwing everything away to get back at her high school boyfriend instead of the topic in which the book started out with.

In the end it just left me feeling gross, and sad for how these people had acted.
  
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Beth Ditto recommended ASouthBronxStory by ESG in Music (curated)

 
ASouthBronxStory by ESG
ASouthBronxStory by ESG
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"They're so great. I've heard this, and I don't know if it's true, but they are one of the most sampled bands in hip hop. They are so fucking ahead of their time too. They're still together too, that's so cool. What is there to say? Innovative. Ahead of their time. Powerful. From The Bronx. Three black women, a family affair. It was punk. They were one of those groups respected by everybody and could acknowledge that they're one of the most groundbreaking bands for them. They really changed the sound of things. Without them I don't think there would have been a bass-driven punk, new-wave scene. I like to think of people in the New York punk scene going to see ESG shows and thinking it was really good. At dance parties if you put on an ESG song people will lose their fucking minds. It's one of the best things to watch ever. "

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