June BOTM - With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

[Tanya, Founder & Moderator]

Hello Everyone!
Hope you are all safe and well!

Here is the discussion thread for this month's BOTM:

Book: With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
Theme: a #ownvoices book

If you love cooking as much as I do, I'm sure you will appreciate Emoni's love for cooking and the recipes that are sprinkled throughout the book! It also has very short chapters, which I love!

Have you started it yet? What are your thoughts?

[Hasna]

I've finished the book 2/3 days back. I love character driven books, so I really liked it. The author shows teen pregnancy in a positive way and different from the books that mainly focus on the struggles one goes through during the pregnancy, rather it shows life of that teen mother after the child is born. The audiobook is great as well. Elizabeth Acevedo narrates it herself. I hope you enjoy it. 😊

[Tanya, Founder & Moderator]

Hasna wrote: "I've finished the book 2/3 days back. I love character driven books, so I really liked it. The author shows teen pregnancy in a positive way and different from the books that mainly focus on the st..."

I am so sorry for the late reply! I actually ended up finishing the book with the audiobook - and loved it!

I really enjoyed this book and it actually made me quite emotional at some points!

[Tanya, Founder & Moderator]

So, now that we are at the end of the month, here are some discussion questions to get us started!

(** Answer to earn badges for the The Cosy Bookish BOTM Challenge, if you want!)

Discussion Questions: ( Bronze Badge** )

- Emoni works hard to keep her head up and makes difficult decisions every day for Baby Girl and Abuela. Could you relate to any aspects of her life?

- How would you describe Emoni's relationship with cooking? Do you have something in your life that you feel the same about?

- If the book was being made into a movie, what actors would you cast?

Bonus:

★ Share a song or playlist that you would associate with this book ! (Silver Badge**) ♫

★ What snack/beverage would you associate with this book? (Gold Badge**)

[Tanya, Founder & Moderator]

1 - I really admired Emoni’s attitude throughout the whole book. She was so strong and I never felt like she had a whiny “why me” attitude (stubborn yes, but not whiny). I felt like she had the attitude of somebody who had to grow up quick, but with glimpses of immaturity still there - and that, I could relate to! I loved reading about how much she loved her family and her friends, it was so sincere and real!

2 - Emoni’s relationship with cooking is not just about sustenance - it’s about creativity, individuality and her heritage. It reminded me of when I read “The year of Yes” by Shonda Rhimes, where she talks about how she gets the “hum” when she writes, when she is in her zone. I felt that that’s what Emoni felt like when she was cooking. - I was so envious!!
Although I am no where near as creative as Emoni (I wish!!), cooking for me is also my way of showing affection. If somebody I care about is upset, I will make them their favourite meal/cake. I might now always be the best at saying how I am feeling, but I will gladly get up at 6am on a weekend and make you a full lasagna split into individual freezable portions!!

3 - That is a very good one, I am still thinking about it. But, for Emoni’s father, I kept picturing either John Leguizamo or Benjamin Bratt

Bonus questions!

I actually regret not listening the “In the Heights” soundtrack in the background whilst reading this! I just love how both the book & the musical are so proud of their neighbourhoods, I never had that! And I love how hearing Spanish!

For the snacks/beverages, definitely one of Emoni’s recipes that are in the book! Is anybody else planning on making them?