NerdFighters Book Club discussion

Hello hello!

What did you think?! I admit it's not really the kind of book I would usually read, but damn that's some great characterisation.

I really liked this book. Loved how you got such a great feel for the contrasts in her life and neighborhood, both the good and the bad things, gangs and poverty but also community and identity. She did a great job of making you feel the loss of identity she felt at her school, where to fit in she had to hide parts of her true self, to a point where she felt like she didn't belong in either place. The story was heartbreaking, but illuminating. And underlying all of it was just a teenage girl trying to be a girl in the midst of a life that most people only view through a filter of stereotypes and TV and the worst news stories.

I like it a lot and I'm going to give it five stars when I actually write a review... I was surprised that I enjoyed it so much, particularly because YA books are usually hit or miss with me (and the more well known YA books are usually misses). But yes, I agree that the characterization is very good and I also love the importance of family in this book. Overall, I believe that it is a very important read and it is certainly very revealing. This may be cliche, but I learned more about myself (particularly my own prejudices) from reading this book. I recommend it to anyone and everyone.

I am gonna be that cheat who had read it before this month but still join in for the discussion.
I think that this book genuinely deserves to be on the New York Times Bestseller list for 51 weeks! I gave it 5 stars: I loved how easily I connected with the book and the characters, I loved how involved the family was in the plot (doesn't happen in a lot of YA). Its message is also great and is just a great example of why representation in media and books is so important. Really excited to see what Angie Thomas has in store next!