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My Life Is All I Have
Packed with suspense and vivid descriptions of some of Los Angeles' toughest streets, My Life Is All I Have tells the gripping story of a young girl who will do anything to leave her troubled past behind her.
Leesha Tyler is about to commit robbery when memories from her past start to consume her. Leesha looks back on her life and remembers the chaotic household she lived in—with her mother and herself always at odds. Thoughts of the death of her grandmother and other untimely events only sadden Leesha further and make her more determined that the only solution to her problems is to get out of Los Angeles. And the only way to do that, or so she thinks, is to commit armed robbery.
My Life Is All I Have is a timely piece of fiction that paints a candid, upfront portrait of a section of Los Angeles known as "The Jungle." West Coast readers will welcome the familiar settings and others will enjoy a realistic slice of Los Angeles life. With echoes of The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah and Warmest December by Bernice McFadden, this novel shows how decisions one individual makes can alter many lives—a perfect blend of contemporary fiction and street lit flair.
Leesha Tyler is about to commit robbery when memories from her past start to consume her. Leesha looks back on her life and remembers the chaotic household she lived in—with her mother and herself always at odds. Thoughts of the death of her grandmother and other untimely events only sadden Leesha further and make her more determined that the only solution to her problems is to get out of Los Angeles. And the only way to do that, or so she thinks, is to commit armed robbery.
My Life Is All I Have is a timely piece of fiction that paints a candid, upfront portrait of a section of Los Angeles known as "The Jungle." West Coast readers will welcome the familiar settings and others will enjoy a realistic slice of Los Angeles life. With echoes of The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah and Warmest December by Bernice McFadden, this novel shows how decisions one individual makes can alter many lives—a perfect blend of contemporary fiction and street lit flair.
336 pages, Paperback
First published March 21, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 8, 2009
I'm In Control
What initially begins with details of a robbery turns into our 25-year-old protagonist, Leesha Annette Tyler, placing those plans on the backburner while she details the pangs of her adolescence.
As an only child, Leesha and her mother live in Los Angeles, in the jungle. She's not too far from her Grammy, but far enough that she can always go to her Grammy's house to flee. Basically, Leesha has had to be the responsible one. Making sure she got to school, ate and kept herself from harm's way. Leesha is destined to free herself of her mama's household and vows to never be anything like her foolish mother, who allows her life to diminish as the result of a man.
Leesha is a beautiful young woman. Though she isn't as social as the other girls her age, she is content with her schedule of school, home and Grammy's. Leesha is privileged enough to meet two real live standup dudes. Scottie "Blaze" Franklin, a local hustler who always has some knowledge to share, the two instantly connect. Leesha wrestles with her emotions of being more than a platonic friend to Scottie, but she learns that with a friend like Scottie she could never go wrong. Treyvon "Trey" is a young talented brother destined for greatness. Although the attraction for Leesha isn't strong, she does realize that he would die giving her the world.
Determined to get far away from California, Leesha decides that she has a master plan to get her enough cash to go. The problem now becomes will the love Leesha has for Scottie and Trey be changed, challenged or condemned because of it?
My Life Is All I Have is a coming of age story that rehashes Leesha's life and the choices she makes while looking for an escape. In doing so readers see first hand how her decisions affect those around her as well. I really enjoyed Grammy and Scottie. Unlike the others who've read and recommend this book, I didn't feel the same. It was slow and dragged on and on and on. I was desperate for scenes with Scottie and Grammy and once I finished the book I can only count twice where my interest was really piqued with the drama.
What initially begins with details of a robbery turns into our 25-year-old protagonist, Leesha Annette Tyler, placing those plans on the backburner while she details the pangs of her adolescence.
As an only child, Leesha and her mother live in Los Angeles, in the jungle. She's not too far from her Grammy, but far enough that she can always go to her Grammy's house to flee. Basically, Leesha has had to be the responsible one. Making sure she got to school, ate and kept herself from harm's way. Leesha is destined to free herself of her mama's household and vows to never be anything like her foolish mother, who allows her life to diminish as the result of a man.
Leesha is a beautiful young woman. Though she isn't as social as the other girls her age, she is content with her schedule of school, home and Grammy's. Leesha is privileged enough to meet two real live standup dudes. Scottie "Blaze" Franklin, a local hustler who always has some knowledge to share, the two instantly connect. Leesha wrestles with her emotions of being more than a platonic friend to Scottie, but she learns that with a friend like Scottie she could never go wrong. Treyvon "Trey" is a young talented brother destined for greatness. Although the attraction for Leesha isn't strong, she does realize that he would die giving her the world.
Determined to get far away from California, Leesha decides that she has a master plan to get her enough cash to go. The problem now becomes will the love Leesha has for Scottie and Trey be changed, challenged or condemned because of it?
My Life Is All I Have is a coming of age story that rehashes Leesha's life and the choices she makes while looking for an escape. In doing so readers see first hand how her decisions affect those around her as well. I really enjoyed Grammy and Scottie. Unlike the others who've read and recommend this book, I didn't feel the same. It was slow and dragged on and on and on. I was desperate for scenes with Scottie and Grammy and once I finished the book I can only count twice where my interest was really piqued with the drama.
August 28, 2011
This was a depressing fictional book about a girl growing up in a bad area of LA with a mom who didn't care about her, no friends except one guy she met a few blocks over, fending off her mom's boyfriend... Depressing in those ways doesn't necessarily make it bad. There wasn't one good thing that really happened in the whole book, but the worst parts were that i didn't like the main character, leesha, and i didn't find the writing style engaging. in fact, i thought the writing was bad... Not sure why i struggled through the whole thing, the ending wasn't worth it at all, it was even more depressing. i understand leesha was such a user type person because of the life she saw around her, but not everyone was like that, particularly her grandmother who tried her hardest to influence the girl in a positive manner. i dunno, i just didn't like this book.
July 9, 2016
This is a great book. I loved this book. A must read
September 12, 2009
I was not impressed....too predictable and the ending was muddled.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews