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mybestfriendisabook's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
after finishing the When They See Us series, which was so so well done and moving, and seeing that Yusef was a published author, i had to check out his work and was glad to see he wrote a memoir! i picked it up the next day. it was great to continue the story through one of the actual people, to learn about Yusef as a person before and after being incarcerated. it takes a lot to remain that hopeful throughout your entire life. he emphasizes trusting that you have a purpose despite whatever obstacles you are given and how the prison complex system is built to destroy Black bodies, a modern day cotton field.
it was very heartwarming to see the photos he included. it made me happy to see him happy. my favorite chapter was the one on meeting his wife and his struggles with romantic relationships after being released.
it was very heartwarming to see the photos he included. it made me happy to see him happy. my favorite chapter was the one on meeting his wife and his struggles with romantic relationships after being released.
hannahsuemiller's review against another edition
5.0
an achingly powerful memoir full of hope, love, and moving insights. my favorite part of this is that it is not simply a story about his jail time/exoneration- yusef paints a portrait so that we can truly see him and see ourselves in his shoes. of course the trial, the jail time, the exoneration are discussed and it is very powerful to hear his personal account. but beyond that, we are given insight into his childhood, his mother, his relationships, his faith, all of the things that paint a complete portrait of a man who has conquered so much and come out on top. yusef is a master of words, i cannot recommend this book enough!!!
glittery_toad's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Yusuf tells his lived experience and the importance of racial justice and healing. Highly recommend!!!
jwinchell's review against another edition
5.0
Read Punching the Air instead of To Kill a Mockingbird and then follow it up with this incisive memoir about the racist precision of the prison industrial complex and Salaam’s dedication to himself and his religion to pull him through the horrors of 7 years unjustly in the system. Talk about owning your own power. A must read.
franciewilson's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
I am really glad I read this book. I thought it was very well written and easy to read. It was also super cool to have heard Yusef Salaam speak while in undergrad and added another layer to the book. I felt like this book gave me a more positive outlook while encouraging me to look more introspectively.
rustedpages's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 ⭐️s
Better, not Bitter’ is a memoir by Yusuf Salaam, one of the exonerated ‘Central Park Five’, who were wrongly convicted of rape. Rather than retelling the events of the conviction in detail, he focuses on what that event meant for Black people and America, along with recounting his emotional state and spirituality, and critiquing America’s justice system.
Oh how I love hearing people talk about how Islam saved them in their most difficult times. I am always in need of the inspiration. I would have liked it if he wrote about that in a little more detail, though I know it’s his choice how much he chooses to share about his spiritual journey. Other than that, I did notice that there was quite a bit of repetition throughout. But the book is cathartic, and an essential story to be told, in order to hold America accountable.
‘But I believe that there comes a time when the pain of remaining the same is far greater than the pain of trying to do something different.’
Better, not Bitter’ is a memoir by Yusuf Salaam, one of the exonerated ‘Central Park Five’, who were wrongly convicted of rape. Rather than retelling the events of the conviction in detail, he focuses on what that event meant for Black people and America, along with recounting his emotional state and spirituality, and critiquing America’s justice system.
Oh how I love hearing people talk about how Islam saved them in their most difficult times. I am always in need of the inspiration. I would have liked it if he wrote about that in a little more detail, though I know it’s his choice how much he chooses to share about his spiritual journey. Other than that, I did notice that there was quite a bit of repetition throughout. But the book is cathartic, and an essential story to be told, in order to hold America accountable.
‘But I believe that there comes a time when the pain of remaining the same is far greater than the pain of trying to do something different.’
stmchester's review against another edition
4.0
This is the story of one of the Exonerated Five (formerly called the Central Park Five). He is an inspiring and passionate young man. His experience will make anyone who cares about justice very angry.
This is a solid addition to the many books I have read about the experience of living in America while Black or Brown. (Hint: Systemic racism.)
This is a solid addition to the many books I have read about the experience of living in America while Black or Brown. (Hint: Systemic racism.)
literaryk's review against another edition
5.0
This has been the most powerful, insightful book I've read in a very long time.
I pre-ordered this book because the Central Park Five story influenced a very pivotal year in my teaching career. It was the nonfiction aspect of my Monster (Walter Dean Myers) unit, the first unit I ever designed solo. I couldn't wait to see what Yusef had to tell the world.
I'll admit that I hesitated at the first chapter. He is a very dedicated man to his faith, and as a "not quite atheist, but far from spiritual" individual, I worried that his story would simply be a PSA to lean on God to get you through. But this book is so much more than that. He moves through so many ways of thinking, and really lays out how his experience taught him so much despite it being a traumatic and devastating injustice. He has a unique way of being extremely relatable, no matter your faith, experience, or background.
I appreciated how he brought in so many other books and people to outline his thoughts. His voice is calm and welcoming on the pages. In many ways, this book felt refreshing and almost healing.
This book will be one I reread and suggest to anyone who will listen. I believe everyone can get something from this book.
I pre-ordered this book because the Central Park Five story influenced a very pivotal year in my teaching career. It was the nonfiction aspect of my Monster (Walter Dean Myers) unit, the first unit I ever designed solo. I couldn't wait to see what Yusef had to tell the world.
I'll admit that I hesitated at the first chapter. He is a very dedicated man to his faith, and as a "not quite atheist, but far from spiritual" individual, I worried that his story would simply be a PSA to lean on God to get you through. But this book is so much more than that. He moves through so many ways of thinking, and really lays out how his experience taught him so much despite it being a traumatic and devastating injustice. He has a unique way of being extremely relatable, no matter your faith, experience, or background.
I appreciated how he brought in so many other books and people to outline his thoughts. His voice is calm and welcoming on the pages. In many ways, this book felt refreshing and almost healing.
This book will be one I reread and suggest to anyone who will listen. I believe everyone can get something from this book.
bookerwormly's review against another edition
4.0
Yusef has a story of power, hope, and forgiveness - one that needs to be told. I would recommend this book to anyone who feels lost in their life, or anyone who has even a remote interest in race + the justice system.
abergland7's review against another edition
4.0
Listened the the audiobook narrated by the author.
Beautifully written memoir that talked about not only Yusef Salaam's prison time for a crime he did not commit but also dove deep into the change that needs to happen in the United States today.
Beautifully written memoir that talked about not only Yusef Salaam's prison time for a crime he did not commit but also dove deep into the change that needs to happen in the United States today.