We Are Not Like Them - Christine Price & Jo Piazza

Started: Sunday 10th July 2022

Finished: Wednesday 13th July 2022

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I had a bit of a book-hangover from Orphans of the Storm so this one took a little longer to get into but We Are Not Like Them was such a powerful read, I'm glad I stuck with it. It only took me around 60 pages to be hooked and launch myself full into this version of the world that very much exists.

I've always struggled with Non-Fiction books - whilst I've read a few over the years I find them difficult to take in, for that reason I am making a concerted effort to understand social issues through Fiction works, taking time to understand that authors are drawing on their own experiences to educate and inform readers of how the world really works.

Set back in 2019, We Are Not Like Them is based in Philadelphia, a young black teen is shot by police after being mistaken for the criminal. The story focusses on two perspectives - best friends since childhood, Jenny and Riley are now sat on opposite sides of the fence and it's throwing everything they understand about their cultures and friendship into question.

Through revisiting their childhood memories, we see the micro-agressions that Jenny has turned a blind eye too and Riley has locked away and the impact it has. The classic "I'm not racist but," arguments are explored through the story - "But I don't see colour" and "I can't be racist, I have a black friend" being the ones that stuck out for me.

Comments

The Shadows Between Us - Tricia Levenseller

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I wanted a wholesome New Years based read to finish 2022 with, and This Time Next Year delivered! I originally added this to my list back at the beginning of 2021 and I found it on Apple Books for just £3.99 so decided to go all in. Minnie and Quinn were both born on the 1st January 1990. Born in the same hospital, to strangers, they meet again on the morning of their 30th birthday after an eventful New Years Eve. This book reminded me a lot of One Day - the way the story is laid out - flashbacks to New Years Eves of years gone by, showed where each of the characters were at the varying points of their lives. With interwoven stories throughout the years, the two begin a friendship that neither of them quite have the time or inclination for. This was the perfect cosy read for the end of the year and I sped through it in one evening.

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