heypretty52's review against another edition

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funny informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

nickscoby's review

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4.0

Using Chekhov's Gun

There's an old saying often (misattributed to Shakespeare) that writers should never show a gun in the first act that isn't fired by the final act. Or something like that. In other words, don't bother giving a detail or introducing a theme unless you plan to do something with it later. Otherwise, you are just navel gazing and being kind of a show off.

Crucet takes this advice to heart making these collection of essays feel like parts of a greater whole. She introduces herself as a first-generation college student right at the beginning. Describing what is was like for her family to come (and stay) with her throughout new student orientation although at Cornell from Florida. And from there she moves on to other themes that on first pass may seem only tangentially related, but close readers will see that the author's identity as "first-gen" (to college and to the US) drives everything that comes afterwards. Crucet writes in the tradition of Laura Rendon who acknowledges both the blessings and the curses of being first in the family to go to college (unlike Richard Rodriguez who only writes about the burdens). And yet, as the author confesses, many things come with a price. (Paying a price is another theme that comes up later, unexpectedly and heartbreakingly). She is not quite sure if she made the right decision to attend Cornell instead of taking the "free ride" at the University of Florida. She leaves that to the reader to decide.

It's a tough call, but I think my favorite section is "Say I Do," especially when she discusses the nuances of wedding DJs in Miami. It was reminiscent of a Richard Blanco's storytelling (he's also name checked here!) and just downright hilarious. I think the people next to me on the plane thought I was crazy.

There's tons more I can say, but I will let other folks discover them. I can't wait to read more from this writer.

h0llyr00th's review

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fast-paced

4.0

I enjoyed the writing. I think a worthwhile read, for sure

addy_rose's review

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challenging emotional informative inspiring fast-paced

4.75

Reading this book was a very interesting introspective experience. There is so much to learn about white privilege and the allowances I accept as daily life that is not universal, and this book is a great reminder of that. I really enjoy the author's writing style and it flowed very well, while still delivering ideas that are painful and carry a lot of guilt, it felt easy to read and enjoyable nonetheless. I highly recommend for everyone to read this, it's truly an necessary eye opener. 

katie_archer's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective

4.0

kerstan's review

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5.0

My Times Among the Whites by Jennine Capó Crucet: I think what I most love about books is the ability to slip into another’s skin and walk around for a bit. This author gives us a series of essays about what it is like being a first generation American and first generation college student. We get to see what it’s like to navigate America whilst being seen as the Other by the dominant culture around her. She goes from her comfortable Cuban-American community in Miami, to college, and finally to a tenured teaching job in Nebraska and she is utterly candid and unguarded about all aspects of that journey. It’s an amazing narrative filled with laughter, love, pain, poignancy, fear, loss, and triumph. I love how forceful and vulnerable the author is. I look forward to reading more of her work. Five stars!

bookrantreviews's review

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5.0

If any white person wants to deny white privilege exists -- or simply doesn't understand what it means (exactly), I encourage them to read books written by people of color, such as this one. Jennine Capo Crucet is a first generation American born to Cuban immigrant parents. "My Time Among Whites" is basically a series of essays about her life as a Latinx woman in a very white America.

While some books I've read focus on bigger racial issues, like systemic racism, this book shone light on the smaller things I've never thought about. Imagine a word processing program always putting that red squiggly line under your name, because it's not a 'white' name. Imagine trying to look 'more white' so a landlord will rent to you. Imagine keeping your heritage a secret, because someone you're forced to deal with hates the true you. Imagine having to consider how white people will feel about an event you host (such as a wedding) if you incorporate too much of your culture. White people don't have a culture, so to speak. The while culture is the standard. It's the norm. We, as white people, have never given it a second thought -- or considered if our ways of doing things would make someone of color feel uncomfortable. It's another manifestation of white privilege.

I'm grateful I got to read this book. I'm grateful the author shared details from her life so frankly and poignantly. I feel as if books like this open my eyes a little more with each one I read. "My Time Among the Whites" is a powerful book, but it's sad that in 2020 a book like this needs to be written.

jessicaps's review

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4.0

4.5 stars, maybe 5 when I reread. This is a book worth revisiting. Crucet does not shy away from difficult and uncomfortable topics, especially involving her own privilege.

ajnsmiths's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Beautifully crafted collection of essays about growing up in this country as the child of immigrants and the first in her family to attend college. Read by the author it is at times laugh out loud funny, other times deeply painful, but always fearlessly written.

katie_esh's review

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5.0

This collection of essays was smart and engaging, and made me laugh out loud several times. These stories of her Cuban-American upbringing, college years as a first-generation Latinx student, and adulthood navigating the world of academia gave a lot of insight into the non-white American experience in the little ways that aren't often explored in non-fiction (for example, making yourself appear more white when meeting a prospective landlord or Microsoft Word not recognizing your name as a word). I highly recommend this book as well as her debut novel, Make Your Home Among Strangers!