Reviews tagging 'Outing'

All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson

82 reviews

erich617's review against another edition

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reflective fast-paced

3.0

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katie0528's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

An exploration and memoir of Johnson's life growing up both Black and queer. While his family is incredibly accepting, he still faces homophobia from his schoolmates and others. Johnson discusses personal issues such as being molested by a cousin and how not having queer role models caused him to suffer from his own internalized homophobia and feeling as if he doesn't belong. He writes specifically to other young queer people, specifically those of color, trying to be the role model he never had.
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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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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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brookes95's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative lighthearted reflective sad

5.0

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mostlykenny's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted sad tense fast-paced

5.0

This book had me stressed (lol) but I was very connected to it from my personal experiences growing up. I definitely recommend to read this !! It’s powerful and it makes a lot of
great points about our society. ⭐️
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melist6's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.5

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maestro_cerrotorcido's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

This book has been on my radar for years now. George's life experience is quite different from mine, but there was still some relatability there being a queer man. I am really glad I read it, and I am glad this book exists.
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bubblybelle's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective medium-paced
i’ve decided to stop giving memoirs a star rating, but i do have some thoughts on this one. i think it is generally well written and telling extremely important stories about topics that people are often too afraid to discuss. however, in my opinion, the phrasing of the content warnings downplayed the graphic nature of some of the discussions had in this book- specifically surrounding sexual assault. the way it was worded to me implied that there would be discussion of the topic and its effects, but not graphic depictions like there were. as a result i did have to skip portions of the book, and generally found myself on edge for the remainder of the read.

this isn’t to say that i think that chapter (chapter 11: boys will be boys) shouldn’t be in the book. i think it is an important part of the author's story, and is a conversation that more people need to be willing to have. i just wish that there was more care taken in the phrasing of the content warnings so that readers, myself included, would know what to expect and be able to protect our mental health. 
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theverycraftyvegan's review against another edition

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reflective fast-paced

4.0

A great look into the life of a black queer man and hearing it narrated in George’s voice was wonderful. 
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