You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
tracithomas's Reviews (1.05k)
informative
sad
medium-paced
This book was fine. It did what it set out to do. I didn't find the storytelling to be particularly deep (I knew most of the info). Some of the writing (end of chapters) were irksome, the author was really holding our hands in a way that felt almost corny. It is a good overview book into the opioid treatment industry. Given the title I thought the book might go more into AA as well, but it is mostly about drug addiction. I liked the book fine but it isn't one I think will stick with me long term.
adventurous
funny
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I do not understand what the fuss is about for this book. I was bored by this one and found the voice super uneven, sometimes it was a boy talking and sometimes it felt like Barbara Kingsolver swooped in to lecture folks on "hillbillies" -- there is a line that includes "deplorables" spoken in about 2000, so odd. The whole thing was super predictable to me and really didn't have a lot new to say about the topics it covered. A big miss for me.
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A thrilling debut. It starts off witty and effortless, an easy portrait of a church and its people, and then slowly the ground shifts under our feet and the whole book has flipped before you ever really notice. I don’t want to say too much, but it really works. Citchens nails the alternating narrators and their voices. She taps into the ways desires, loyalties, and power dynamics are ever shifting, even imperceptibly so. She has a gift for evoking a whole person with one quick off-handed observation or bit of dialogue. The commentary on masculinity, hypocrisy, and the barriers to accountability are great. My favorite fiction of 2025 so far.
informative
fast-paced
This book is a fine self-help book. It is nothing special or extraordinary (though maybe it was when it came out). It is really just about finding your attachment style and communication with others. It is very hetero-normative and doesn't really take any intersectionalities into play which is always a red flag, but is also the nature of these types of books.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
I was so worried this book would feel trite or too cute, but it is actually really comforting and thoughtful. So many people rose to the occasion to contribute thoughts and reflections that felt like they mattered. Poems, essays, and art. So much more depth than I thought. Yes please.
informative
medium-paced
I was torn on this book. I think the writing was effective and clear. I was interested in the story and think it was told in a way that worked. I felt like the author was way too much a part of the book, she kept inserting herself in the story. I also found there to be an underlying anti-Chinese sentiment throughout the book. That the American way was better or more pure or good. I wished the author had questioned adoptions more and pushed back on some of the righteous talking points. I also found there was an exoticization of the Chinese people that wasn't great. So like interesting story, but maybe not the right person/way to tell it.
reflective
medium-paced
An attempt to highlight the extraordinary genius of Black folks in ordinary settings from education to celebration and beyond. This is a formidable debut, and I think Johnson has a real gift for the conversational in his writing tone. I love the concept behind Black Genius, calling to the front the myriad unsung moments of Black genius, and thought some of the essays and examples really lean into that central thesis. There were other parts of the book where he covered well trod cultural territory or din’t fully lock into his main points, and those essays felt flat. More than anything though, this book made me excited for whatever Johnson does next.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I liked this book a lot it is a great addition to the series, but it wasn't as great as the the early books. It dragged a bit in the middle and felt like it wasn't as sturdy in plotting or pacing. I appreciated the winks and nods to previous characters and moments, but found the storytelling to be a little clunkier than the others. What I did appreciate was the clear evolution of thinking from Collins on violence, revolution, and the abuse of children. There were so many moments where the language of abolition rang out clearly on the pages, an advancement of the political mission of the books. Sunrise on the Reaping also read as the bleakest in the quintet, a statement in and of itself. This is a very solid entry into the series, even if it wasn’t my favorite.
informative
slow-paced
I am from Oakland so I loved reading about my city. Anyone who gives time and consideration to The Town is thrilling to me. This book is interesting on a lot of levels, if not a touch confusing in spots. Its is ambitious but doesn't always land the plane, and I found myself confused at times. But overall I did appreciate the effort to craft a story about a place that incorporated race, industry, climate, tech, and so much more.
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
I knew basically nothing about Patti Smith going into this book. I was moved by the friendship between Patti and Robbert and found their drive to make art inspiring. It was very nostalgic for me and my 20s in NYC with my artist friends and falling in love with them and their talents and work (though much of the story is not like mine at all). It is a beautiful book and tribute to a bond, even if parts of it were a little slow for me.