Reviews
Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration by Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts
bhhemphill's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
mrsdragon's review
4.0
Somehow I had gotten the idea that this book was a collection of essays by a variety of folks. It was not. This was not inherently bad, but it took me several essays to get into the swing of things. Once I did, I found much to ponder. This is not a book written to pump you up with toxic positivity or reassure a white audience that everything is just fine, racism is not a problem. But it's also not a bleak book. It's a collection of reflections and ruminations--about how the Black experience is circumscribed and shaped by racism, yes, but also about self knowledge, personal growth, community, shared experiences, healing, and family. It embraces a rich and nuanced life. A "yes and". A frank and personal conversation.
nic55's review against another edition
This book was just so warm. Idk how else to describe it. The writing was not only gorgeous, it was also reflective and vulnerable and so so compassionate. I can tell Tracey wrote this with a lot of care and it really allowed me to sink into the pages. I thought an essay collection about Black joy could run the risk of being repetitive but Tracey did a great job of exploring that concept from so many different angles while also weaving in personal anecdotes as well. The autobiographical elements were probably my favorite part of these essays. I really got to see how Tracey's trauma informed her insistence on making time for joy, how she worked through the need to perform for others to gain approval, how her healing journey affected her parenting, and so many other meaningful moments. Although I wouldn't say this book had super high highs or gave me any totally new revelations, a lot of this book really resonated with me. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of being swept away in Tracey's words.
----------
Reading this for my first ever adult book club irl, so excited!
----------
Reading this for my first ever adult book club irl, so excited!
bobstrad's review
4.0
I didn't know what to expect going into it, but I ended up enjoying it. The flow between ea essay deff created momentum, but I think a lot of these can be read separately. I liked how joy was depicted with duality and I identified with the parts about self worth, being in relation with nonblack ppl, touch as a healing modality, the list goes on..
at a point, i was skeptical that this would have a lot Christianity weaved into it, but it read more spiritual. Walking away I'm feeling affirmed.
at a point, i was skeptical that this would have a lot Christianity weaved into it, but it read more spiritual. Walking away I'm feeling affirmed.
shannanh's review
5.0
Black joy is something that can be hard to find, especially if you look to others to fulfill it. This was such an inspiring and powerful book That will have you wanting to come back to read it over and over again. This was very uplifting and encouraging.
I received a copy of the book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest reveiw of my own thoughts and opinions.
I received a copy of the book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest reveiw of my own thoughts and opinions.