Boolean Logic

by Morgan Christie

Powerful and Lyrical Essays from a New and Noteworthy Poet and Fiction Writer Morgan Christie's book is in conversation with various themes including race, gender inequity, socioeconomic disparities, and others as questions regarding how experiences define us are viewed through a Boolean Logic lens, where sums do not always equal their parts. These essays intertwine sport, family, and community and other aspects that assist in shaping identities through lineage and the lessons we take from them. Literary Nonfiction. Essay. Family & Relationships. African & African American Studies. Women's Studies.

128 pages, Paperback

Published November 14, 2023

About the author

Morgan Christie's work has appeared in Callaloo, Obsidian, Prism International, Room, Hawai'i Review, Sports Literate, and other journals. She is the author of a full-length short story collection 'These Bodies', which was nominated for the Hurston Wright Legacy Award in fiction, and four poetry chapbooks. She is the winner of the 2022 Arc Poetry Poem of the Year Award, the 2022 Digging Chapbook Series Prize (Jan 2024), and the 2023 Howling Bird Press Book Award (Nov 2023). Her picture books 'I, Too, Am Here' (Second Story Press, 2024) and 'Counting Cho Cho' (Groundwood Books, 2026) are forthcoming. Morgan's work has been featured in such outlets as Buzzfeed, NBC News, Poets&Writers, LA Weekly, The London Post, Yahoo News, NY Weekly, Broadway World, the National Poetry Day exhibit, and others.

Reviews

[Ashlee Tharman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an eye opener. As a former high school women's basketball athlete, I could very easily relate to some of the injustices Morgan Christie faced. As a white woman, reading about certain perspectives I'll never face was powerful. Christie is an excellent story teller and I'm thankful for one of the most impactful books I've read in 2024 to date.

[Bianca Duthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short collection of essays. A few follow similar trains of thought, but mostly, it's a mish-mash of different topics.
A few of them, I think, as a Brit, were difficult to relate to, as they were very much about things a US citizen may experience. However, through many, there were themes of race, gender inequality, and discrimination, which is applicable to many cross-country.
They are written well, and each essay is relatively short, so it can be read quickly. I found myself reading one while waiting for the kettle to boil, for instance.
For those who like collections, short stories, and maybe are more prone to reading magazines and blogs, this is for you.

[Abi C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boolean Logic is a non fiction read. It is a collection of essays. This is an interesting and thought provoking read, and doesn’t take long at 128 pages. Definitely worth a read, very well written. I enjoyed it from the start with the essay about learning to sew with her grandma. And another essay about doing maths with her Dad. There is definitely something you can relate to.

[Joce_a_bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boolean Logic is a collection of short stories by Morgan Christie. One of the thins that caught my eye about this book is the way that it is described as "a book in conversation," and it certainly is. Dealing with themes of family, injustice and love, the stories are beautifully written, honest and vulnerable.

What I LOVED:
The style of writing! Each story felt easy to read, and left me thinking long after the page had turned. There is a possibility here of inhaling each one, of finishing the book rather quickly but I chose, instead, to read one story at a time, really letting them sit and digest and I'm glad I did because I found the lessons to be garnered from them really permeated. Christie's writing is impeccable, and for anyone who loves nonfiction, or short story collections, this is a must read for you!

What I Didn't:
I often struggle with short stories, which is why I chose to read it the way that I did, because I can get engrossed in one story and really fall in love with a character just to have to turn the page and start fresh. I think that reading it slowly was beneficial to really enjoy the stories that Christie created.

The Verdict:
Absolutely read Christie's writing!!

[Amorina Carlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I often don't notice writing unless it's bad, which is something I'm working on. But the prose in these essays stood out. There were lines that were so beautiful they just made me stop and pause. Those were intertwined with ideas and concepts that made me pause and tear up and the injustices and realities of being a woman of color growing up in this world. So many think this is a thing of the past, but this isn't the first book I've read to bring up these issues.

I appreciate the vulnerability the author brought up with these essays. It's never easy to open up to people and to do so on such a large scale is brave but so important. She brings many issues to light that will help so many people. The essays are beautiful, vulnerable, and enlightening. I look forward to hearing more from her voice.

About the Book

Powerful and lyrical essays from a new and noteworthy poet and fiction writer. Morgan Christie's new book explores current social themes of race, gender inequity, socioeconomic disparities. How do experiences define us when viewed through a Boolean Logic lens, where sums do not always equal their parts? These essays intertwine sport, family, and community and how identities are shaped through lineage and the lessons we take from them.

[Fatguyreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boolean Logic is very different to my usual reads, it being a collection of nonfiction essays, but I found it interesting and thought provoking, so I'm glad I gave it a go.

I found the essays to be very informative and well written. They cover many of the issues affecting a huge number of people around the world, including Race and Racism, Discrimination, Gender, Family and injustice.

Each essay is relatively short, so they can be read quickly and i flew through this book in one sitting. It's a book that is easy to dip in and out of though.

The essays are very personal, and some of the issues were things that I have never experienced, some will make you feel uncomfortable, but for good reason, as they should not be occurring.

Boolean Logic is great for all non-fiction readers and I give it a big four stars.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of essays focusing on the topics of gender inequality, race, and socioeconomic disparities. These are very important topics for everyone to be more aware of. The book is not very long at 128 pages but the messages extend from the page. There are 12 essays included so if you want you can skip around to a topic that catches your eye that day.

I love how clever the cover is. 1 + 1 does not equal 2. It is true that sometimes there is more than meets the eye and we have to look at things with an open mind to see everything. If this sounds like a book for you, I hope you enjoy it!!!

[kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and thought provoking set of essays that were well written, very informative and really brought a lot of the issues being experienced throughout the world by a lot of people, such as Race and Racism, Discrimination, Gender and the fight for equality, and Class and the inequalities around that.

Each on was very well written and really thought provoking. It really put the issues being spoken about under the lens and made you not only think about the issue or topic, but also yourself, how you think and feel about the issues. Some of the issues within the book were things that I have never experienced and I can't imagine how awful that is, especially if it is happening on the regular, however by almost forensically looking at it, it makes the reader look at it and almost makes you want to feel uncomfortable or have a visceral reaction, because that it is the reaction that should be had. These topics are uncomfortable, and for very good reason, because, they shouldn't be happening.

I really enjoyed it and would like to read more by this author in general.

[Shon Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

These essays are about family, injustice, circumstance, loyalty, and love. Not only do they range in theme and tone, they work as a harmonious chorus to an understanding of sums not equaling their parts. Last but not least, through the dedication and delicate hand in discussing him, Christie pens a love letter to a father whom she’s learned life lessons from, and unequivocal pieces of who she is. The essays challenge us to question the things that are, and mostly, why they are.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read many nonfiction books in my life and this one was a nice change of pace for me. I love the collection of essays, and it was a nice and easy read for sure. Plus it being a book on the smaller side it was able to be read rather fast. Christie words did cause me to think and I appreciate it for sure. I do recommended this book especially if you love non fiction, or even if you do not, I think you will love it.

[Lauren Couchman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boolean Logic by Morgan Christie contains a collection of short essays on various different topics.

The essays cover topics such as race, social and gender inequality and invite the reader to think more deeply.

The essays are only short so are easy to read and can be read one section at a time.

Great for all non-fiction readers

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't be fooled by the title and front cover of this one - it's definitely not a complicated, technical workbook - but it does contain some great informative, thought-provoking and puzzling social essays for us to mull over.

This is a very personal collection of non-fiction essays relating to issues within society today. Dealing with some sensitive topics such as racism, gender, family issues and discrimination, there are definitely some uncomfortable moments - but this is what's important about books that voice such topics.

Although I've not encountered many of these issues myself, in fact some surprised me still - but these are very real events that deserve to be brought to attention and talked openly about - I really do believe that great communication can solve so much.

I don't read non-fiction too often, but do like to keep stretching my genres - so this was a great book to dip in and out of in-between my fiction books.
Each essay was quite short and in fact the whole book could easily be read in one sitting if this is your favourite genre.

This was a really well written collection that makes you sit up and think.

[whatbookisshereading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying that this is most definitely a literary masterpiece in my opinion. It can be often difficult to discuss the topics of race, gender inequity and socioeconomic disparities. These essays cover those topics and did it in an eloquent way that would be easy to read if you don’t read or discuss these topics often.

[Mx Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morgan Christie’s personal essays reflect the world we live in today. Christie shares their viewpoints on racism, commercialism, branding in athleticism and false idols, profiling, misogyny, and the list goes on. Most of these essays are from a personal point of view with an anecdote from Christie’s own life and how it connects on a global scale.

I think Boolean Logic would be a great addition to any sociology class or English class for people to discuss and to be illuminated by life that they may not see to do their own privilege. Christie made me think and I have read a lot of books, but I am always eager to learn more and to check my own self at the door.

I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.