A review by noellelovesbooks
Yesterday Is History by Kosoko Jackson

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

 
Trigger & Content Warnings:

Homomisia

Racism discussed

Familial estrangement

Alcohol consumption

Physical injury

Hospitalisation

Organ transplants & surgery mentioned

Terminal cancer


I stumbled on the summary of this book after falling down a hole on GoodReads. Honestly, one of my favorite things is looking at books for a few hours and seeing where I end up. Typically I end up with a ton of books added to my TBR and a good feeling about all of them. So after having this on my TBR for a few months and then running across it on the Libby app I knew it was time.


Going into this book I thought it would be a sweet lighthearted YA rom-com with the added twist of time travel, which it was, but it was also so much more. We have the discussion of class, wealth, race, and sexuality. Andre is a young queer black man that just received a life-changing liver transplant, life-changing in more ways than one.


Imagine six months after a liver transplant you’re all of a sudden transported into the past. I’ve always been deeply fascinated by the idea of time travel but, as a WOC, also scared of it. There are tons of places in America, currently, where it’s not safe to walk around while being brown, or queer, so the idea of being transported back in time is scary.


From the start that was sweet, cute, and full of random horror movie references [which I love!] to the middle and end that were deeper and full of more emotion I loved this entire story. We get a beautiful story of love, time travel, and finding where you fit, and though we are always aware of the trauma a young queer black man may face, we’re able to see and share in his joy and happiness without scenes of discrimination or hate.


I am so happy that I stumbled upon the summary of this book and look forward to buying myself a copy to re-read, annotate, and use to convince more people to read this beautiful story. 

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