sgarner0407's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
kaylia_marie_m's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
hulttio's review against another edition
3.0
This was a compelling and enjoyable memoir of Johnson’s life so far. From his early childhood happiness and traumas to his growth and coming-into-being as an adult, he shares with the reader deeply personal and intimate moments. It feels like skipping the awkward, small-talk phase of a friendship and having those hours-long 3 AM conversations with a close friend about your lives. While I enjoyed and am grateful to have shared in Johnson’s life and his story, the memoir does read like a debut work and is probably more enjoyable to its target audience.
Many of the themes in the book resonated with my own experience, and I laughed and (figuratively) cried with Johnson as he takes us through everything, not sparing the reader any words. The themes of repression, loss, trauma, self-acceptance, and others are very much relevant not only to Johnson’s intended audience of young, queer, Black readers but also to people who fit none of those labels. Because of that, I suppose most people would find some point of commonality in this memoir, though perhaps those who share some or all of Johnson’s identities would find it more meaningful. I do, and found it both relatable but also a bit frustrating. While the memoir is deeply personal, it also feels quite raw in the emotions and relationships that Johnson portrays. He loves his Nanny and mother, and both are pivotal to his life; though I was glad that he had positive and supportive figures in his life, I also felt empty at how much my family is the exact opposite. I’m not sure if this aspect of the book will feel as hopeful to some young readers, especially those dealing with painful familial struggles. It was tough to read the interludes of personal letters to various family members, since he was fortunate to be surrounded by loving and supportive family. It felt like a sharp contrast to my own experience, and Johnson doesn't really give much time talking about this potential disconnect readers may feel.
The manifesto element of the book was also a bit unclear. Johnson tells us snippets and moments from his life in a mostly chronological manner, and then analyzes them and spells out some profound statements at the end. The statements themselves may be worthwhile, but this method became repetitive and felt vague at times. As one other reviewer put it, there is too much telling and not enough showing; Johnson could trust his audience to infer some of the conclusions he explains to the reader. Reading a book is not one-sided. The reader is free, and indeed often, imparts their own meanings and inferences to the story (whether fictional or not), and this may or may not align with the author. I certainly disagreed with some of Johnson's statements, but this is reflective of the fact that no community or minority is a monolith that will always agree.
This is a significant and important work, and I applaud Johnson for writing this. It took a lot of effort, bravery, and introspection to publish a book that details not only your heroic family members but also your most personal traumas and embarrassing experiences.
It has been a week of the new year, and this is my third book read so far. The pandemic and lockdown might have disrupted my reading rhythm last year, but I have a good feeling about getting back into the swing of it now, even though it feels like it is still March 2020. Or maybe I tend to be really into reading more books in the beginning months of the year… we’ll see.
“The boy who had struggled to find friends for so long finally had a whole group of people he could call his brothers.”
Many of the themes in the book resonated with my own experience, and I laughed and (figuratively) cried with Johnson as he takes us through everything, not sparing the reader any words. The themes of repression, loss, trauma, self-acceptance, and others are very much relevant not only to Johnson’s intended audience of young, queer, Black readers but also to people who fit none of those labels. Because of that, I suppose most people would find some point of commonality in this memoir, though perhaps those who share some or all of Johnson’s identities would find it more meaningful. I do, and found it both relatable but also a bit frustrating. While the memoir is deeply personal, it also feels quite raw in the emotions and relationships that Johnson portrays. He loves his Nanny and mother, and both are pivotal to his life; though I was glad that he had positive and supportive figures in his life, I also felt empty at how much my family is the exact opposite. I’m not sure if this aspect of the book will feel as hopeful to some young readers, especially those dealing with painful familial struggles. It was tough to read the interludes of personal letters to various family members, since he was fortunate to be surrounded by loving and supportive family. It felt like a sharp contrast to my own experience, and Johnson doesn't really give much time talking about this potential disconnect readers may feel.
The manifesto element of the book was also a bit unclear. Johnson tells us snippets and moments from his life in a mostly chronological manner, and then analyzes them and spells out some profound statements at the end. The statements themselves may be worthwhile, but this method became repetitive and felt vague at times. As one other reviewer put it, there is too much telling and not enough showing; Johnson could trust his audience to infer some of the conclusions he explains to the reader. Reading a book is not one-sided. The reader is free, and indeed often, imparts their own meanings and inferences to the story (whether fictional or not), and this may or may not align with the author. I certainly disagreed with some of Johnson's statements, but this is reflective of the fact that no community or minority is a monolith that will always agree.
This is a significant and important work, and I applaud Johnson for writing this. It took a lot of effort, bravery, and introspection to publish a book that details not only your heroic family members but also your most personal traumas and embarrassing experiences.
It has been a week of the new year, and this is my third book read so far. The pandemic and lockdown might have disrupted my reading rhythm last year, but I have a good feeling about getting back into the swing of it now, even though it feels like it is still March 2020. Or maybe I tend to be really into reading more books in the beginning months of the year… we’ll see.
“The boy who had struggled to find friends for so long finally had a whole group of people he could call his brothers.”
emilyann15's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
A beautiful, intersectional story of teen and young adult life told by a beautiful soul. I listened to the audiobook on Libby which was fantastic. A queer must-read. Read banned books!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Violence
mrspenningalovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I chose this YA memoir for Pride month, and I am grateful for the dialogue he opens surrounding coming of age as a Black, queer male. The memoir is arranged in parts, thematic to his childhood, his family, teen years, & college. He brings up so many parts of society where he felt isolated or uneducated in the complexity of his identity and marginalization. Despite an incredibly supportive family & history of queer family members, he shows the fear of rejection and his quest for masculinity that took him years to truly come out to his family and friends. He also addresses reproductive health in schools and how they can be more inclusive and educational for all people to help promote safety and wellness for all. I learned so much, and it is a well-written memoir focusing on marginalized teens, who he hopes to help feel not as much alone or rejected. He also addresses the differences in education based on the population of a school & how representation matters.
“Are you teaching people how to swim or are you letting them drown?”
“Being queer is a journey. One that is ever changing as identities that were once in the dark and come to light. As relationships that once needed to be hidden come to a place of greater visibility.”
“How do you just trust someone with the biggest secret in your life.”
“Love who you want to love and do it unapologetically, including that face you see every day in the mirror. I deserved that kind of love. We deserved that kind of love.”
“Are you teaching people how to swim or are you letting them drown?”
“Being queer is a journey. One that is ever changing as identities that were once in the dark and come to light. As relationships that once needed to be hidden come to a place of greater visibility.”
“How do you just trust someone with the biggest secret in your life.”
“Love who you want to love and do it unapologetically, including that face you see every day in the mirror. I deserved that kind of love. We deserved that kind of love.”
annikamanika's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
2.75
I make it a practice to read banned books. This book is necessary in the space, but clearly was not written for me. I rated it poorly, not because of the content, but because it was so poorly written and the narration made it worse. Honestly, I felt like I was listening to a 5th grade book report. I feel like it was important to finish it, however, to hear this story from a first hand experience. The author provides trigger warnings at the start so you know what you’re getting into.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Cursing, Dysphoria, Homophobia, Racism, and Racial slurs
Minor: Cancer
hansenmr42's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
immovabletype's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Bullying, Cancer, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Homophobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Outing, Transphobia, Racial slurs, and Deadnaming
Minor: Alcohol
salomewysocki's review against another edition
4.0
So many aspects of this author’s experiences I could relate to, and I believe that everyone, whether you are a Black queer kid or not, will have something to take away from this book. I especially liked the author’s story about their name, highlighting how they play such an important part of queer identities. Their writing also does such a good job at depicting the complexity but also beauty of intersectional identities through their lived experience as a Black gay and GNC person.