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A review by torishams
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
emotional
4.0
This book was a really sweet exploration of rekindling teenage love. It did, in fact, have me freaking out at the end -- I was very worried about what would happen and I think that's a testament to how strong the characterization was. I often get frustrated with pop culture references in books, so that was one thing I didn't love (particularly when it came to the scenes with Audre), but I also recognize that middle school is a very cringey time, so they did make sense.
There were some beautiful moments of dialogue and I really enjoyed this book! My absolute favorite quote: "Girls are given the weight of the world, but nowhere to put it down."
* And I remember that I’m not lonely. I’m alone. When I’m comatose from writing and mothering, when I’m hurting too badly to cook, talk, or smile, I curl up with ‘alone’ like a security blanket. Alone doesn’t care that I don’t shave my legs in the winter. Alone never gets disappointed by me. (23)
* By virtue of being a woman, she’s stronger. Girls are given the weight of the world, but nowhere to put it down. The power and magic born in that struggle? It’s so terrifying to men that we invented reasons to burn y’all at the stake… (61)
* If Shane spoke her new name, then she stopped being a memory. She became tangible. And he’d have to confront what was real. Which was that Eva Mercy was unspooling him, as slowly and surely as if she’d tugged a thread. (151)
* Religion. Hmm. I guess it’s like fire. In good hands, fire can be used to do positive things, like keep you warm. Make s’mores. In bad hands, it can burn a witch at the stake. Lynch a black body… When used for good, religion’s cool. (260)
* You know what I read? A tree grows its branches out until it touches the tips of the next closest tree. And they’re linked forever. Because if they’re really close, their roots grow together. They’re so intertwined underneath that no matter what happens above ground, they stay connected. (271)
There were some beautiful moments of dialogue and I really enjoyed this book! My absolute favorite quote: "Girls are given the weight of the world, but nowhere to put it down."
* And I remember that I’m not lonely. I’m alone. When I’m comatose from writing and mothering, when I’m hurting too badly to cook, talk, or smile, I curl up with ‘alone’ like a security blanket. Alone doesn’t care that I don’t shave my legs in the winter. Alone never gets disappointed by me. (23)
* By virtue of being a woman, she’s stronger. Girls are given the weight of the world, but nowhere to put it down. The power and magic born in that struggle? It’s so terrifying to men that we invented reasons to burn y’all at the stake… (61)
* If Shane spoke her new name, then she stopped being a memory. She became tangible. And he’d have to confront what was real. Which was that Eva Mercy was unspooling him, as slowly and surely as if she’d tugged a thread. (151)
* Religion. Hmm. I guess it’s like fire. In good hands, fire can be used to do positive things, like keep you warm. Make s’mores. In bad hands, it can burn a witch at the stake. Lynch a black body… When used for good, religion’s cool. (260)
* You know what I read? A tree grows its branches out until it touches the tips of the next closest tree. And they’re linked forever. Because if they’re really close, their roots grow together. They’re so intertwined underneath that no matter what happens above ground, they stay connected. (271)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Self harm