What Did I Just Read?

They Could Have Named Her Anything by Stephanie Jiminez

Sometime this past summer, this came up as an Amazon First Read. Apparently, it was the best that was on offer that month, as this was the one I chose. I'd put it out of my mind until I saw it was on the final nominations list for the 2020 TAYSHAS list. Since it made that list, I thought it was likely a good book. I just finished it, and although it would give me a notch on the list, if you will, I hope it doesn't make the list. The writing isn't great, and neither is the storyline.

Maria is seventeen and lives in Queens. She attends a fancy girls' school on a scholarship, but because of her family's financial situation, doesn't feel like she has anything in common with the girls she goes to school with. She has a boyfriend, Andres, who has sex with her but treats her like crap, and she takes it for reasons I don't really understand.

One day, Maria and Rocky, another girl from her school, become friends. She spends the night at her Manhattan apartment, and encounters Rocky's dad, who she is attracted to. Oh, and Rocky's dad is attracted to Maria as well. Maria goes on vacation to Las Vegas with Rocky's family, and spends some time with Rocky's dad. It's clear they want to have sex, but Maria asks that they wait until they get back to New York.

Once they are back in New York, Maria starts and quits a job, and her brother becomes involved with Rocky. Finally, Rocky's dad calls Maria, and they finally have sex, but Rocky and Maria's brother walk in on them. Mayhem ensues.

I am sorry, but I don't think this is the most appropriate subject matter for young adults, but that's my opinion.

Not A Sequel, But Related, Kinda

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

I have been wanting to read this for a while, and when I forgot to take a book to read at school, I downloaded this one. While this was a good book, I think Ms. Thomas is pigeon-holing herself. This was well written, but the story takes place in the same place as her last book, and isn't all that much different in terms of content either.

This is the story of Bri, who wants to be a rap artist. Her father was a rap artist who was killed when Bri was very young. It was gang members who killed him. When she was five, her mother left Bri and her brother with their grandparents because she was too into drugs to take care of them.

Just like in Thomas' previous novel, Bri lives in the projects but goes to a good school that is some distance from her house. Additionally, gangs are an issue, albeit a smaller focus.

Like I said, good book, but too similar to the previous offering of this author.