Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson

254 reviews

eegrasse's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

3.0

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heathersnerdyworld's review against another edition

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informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

2.75

Really slow at times. Some useful tie ins with statistics, however I am not the audience this book was written for. 

Unfortunately, I thought this was going to be more fact based with statistics with memoir woven in. In actuality it is the complete opposite. This is of no fault of the author or book itself. I expected something different and that's on me. 
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wendyk's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

This was a very fascinating and eye-opening memoir. Really enjoyed it.
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maireebrown's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

This book covers a lot of ground in such a short span. I love how this serves as the media the author needed when they were younger. It’s heartfelt, real, and full of compassion. 
Keep the tissues close by, though, because you will probably cry (and that’s okay). I also highly recommend checking out content warnings, because there are a few chapters with tough subject matter that you should be aware of before reading. But it is worth engaging with, even when it’s uncomfortable.
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moreadsnrambles's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

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nerdbrarian's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

5.0

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wanderlust_romance's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

All Boys Aren’t Blue is filled with bravery, unflinching honesty, and emotional vulnerability. This was written as a memoir for young adult audiences-specifically those who are Black and queer. Washington is such a compelling storyteller that from the very first essay I was engaged and educated by the way they relayed their lived experiences and reflections. This book doesn’t shy away from discussing challenging topics related to comp-het, gender, performance, shame, and racial identity. And at the same time, Washington relays the unconditionally supportive and loving family they had growing up that helped enable these honest reflections. Everything about this was excellent.
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alica2's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Very poignant memoir...I was really touched by the author's vulnerability in sharing so much of themself with the world, but also felt many times where the book served as a mirror to reflect on my own self as well. I loved how much of the book focused on the author's family and all the ways their various family members supported them. It was such an honest depiction of what it was like for them growing up Black and queer, both the challenges and the joy in being able to live authentically, and is definitely a book that will stick with me for a long time.
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bashsbooks's review against another edition

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informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

Young adult memoirs are a fickle and difficult genre. It's kind of niche, and YA in general is subject to what adults think teens want, not what teens actually want. (Not that I know what teens want, either, but I can postulate about some things they might not want.) I think for the most part, Johnson recalls being a teen better than most adults, and he's franker with teens than most adults are willing to be. I respect this honesty and directness from him, I like that All Boys Aren't Blue tackles CSA, sexuality, gender, abuse, racism, homophobia, death, and toxic masculinity without shying away from them, and with empathy and nuance without making excuses for abusers. At times, he does come off a little stiff and lecturey, but he's above average for the genre. And his anecdotes are well-chosen and well-connected.
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bseigel's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.5

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