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lsparrow's review against another edition
3.0
What I particularly loved about this book was the second half where she explored her own ancestors and ideas around ancestry.
mellabella's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I don't think I can articulate how much I liked this book. It resonated with me for so many reasons. I admire the way Raquel pulled no punches when talking about her parents (or anything really). She didn't sugar coat anything. The way she described NYC, her upbringing, her classmates, the way hip hop spoke to her (we are from the same generation), her journey to finding out who she was. I cringed when she described the abuse she and her mother endured at the hands of her mothers boyfriend. And, at the abuse she endured from her father. It takes a strong person to reconcile with someone after that. I'm sorry I waited so long to read this. But, this is probably the right time. I got my mothers DNA tested at the end of last year. I didn't realize that DNA played a major part in the book at first. I'm now a fan of her writing. I already love her podcast.
I don't think I can articulate how much I liked this book. It resonated with me for so many reasons. I admire the way Raquel pulled no punches when talking about her parents (or anything really). She didn't sugar coat anything. The way she described NYC, her upbringing, her classmates, the way hip hop spoke to her (we are from the same generation), her journey to finding out who she was. I cringed when she described the abuse she and her mother endured at the hands of her mothers boyfriend. And, at the abuse she endured from her father. It takes a strong person to reconcile with someone after that. I'm sorry I waited so long to read this. But, this is probably the right time. I got my mothers DNA tested at the end of last year. I didn't realize that DNA played a major part in the book at first. I'm now a fan of her writing. I already love her podcast.
zellm's review against another edition
2.0
This feels like two books in one- a memoir and a historical/ancestry exploration. I felt that the memoir part lacked exploration or acknowledgement of the awful child abuse depicted, and the latter part lacked an emotional tie in for me. I'm sorry, but this wasn't a hit for me.
cathsgraphs's review against another edition
5.0
I couldn't put this book down. What a life! What a journey and what words to accompany. The amount of racial violence this author faced through most of her childhood is shocking. In my mind, I think of NYC as a VERY culturally diverse city- one where I thought there would be more tolerance and acceptance- WRONG. While I have always been a minority as Latina, I haven't experienced the racial violence this author describes and MUCH of it from her own family.
I could relate to so much of what she wrote about not being X enough and not being Y enough. If I'm neither of those (which is my dna and my geographical home) then what/who am I?? I bookmarked loads of pages in here. Ms. Cepeda has further intensified my curiosity about my own background. She's an exquisite writer and I can't wait to rent her film "Some Girls" that is linked to this book.
I could relate to so much of what she wrote about not being X enough and not being Y enough. If I'm neither of those (which is my dna and my geographical home) then what/who am I?? I bookmarked loads of pages in here. Ms. Cepeda has further intensified my curiosity about my own background. She's an exquisite writer and I can't wait to rent her film "Some Girls" that is linked to this book.
k8iedid's review against another edition
3.0
The part covering Cepeda's childhood was very difficult to read (TW: abuse), but I'm so glad I stuck with it. It's incredible what she overcame in her childhood and I loved the rest of the book that covered her search for identity and that she's used her own experience to help other Latina girls in NYC
imanreads's review against another edition
4.0
I connected with this book alot, especially with being a first gen Dominican-American. Ever since my father died, I've been thinking more about where I come from...and what makes you, you. This book helped me feel seen.
karibaumann's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked hearing Raquel's story and now I better understand why she said on her podcast that she checks all the boxes when it comes to race. The DNA stuff was fascinating. I also want to recommend that you listen to her podcast, which is called About Race.
curlzymas's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the format of the book, the first half was the author's background story and the second half focus' on her journey in finding herself and her DNA roots. I enjoyed it very much!