From the Bookshelf of La Crescent Public Library…

[close] This was our La Crescent Community Read for June and we had a rich discussion about the book's story, themes, and the writing.

Our book club discussion had a mix of interests and ideas about the book. A few found the Trinidadian dialect difficult to read, but everyone greatly enjoyed the book overall, especially the open ending. As a public library, we were happy to be able to provide access to the printed book, as well as digital books and audiobooks through the Libby app. We highly recommend the audiobook. The author is one of the narrators!

Using the book's provided discussion questions, we had engaging dialogue about queerness and identity, how the adults in Audre and Mabel's lives responded, and how these young women were forced to deal with larger questions of identity, friendship, love, and a life well lived given their fate.

We also spent time talking about incarceration and how race and poverty play a large role within communities - for example. who is more likely to be sentenced and how harshly. Members shared their own experiences of understanding this and what the book taught them through Afua's story.

All members really liked the writing style and found so many passages beautiful and encouraging for all ages, but particularly young adults who are struggling with finding themselves.