"Outside a dog a book is man's best friend, inside a dog it is too dark to read!" -Groucho Marx========="The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid." -Jane Austen========="I don’t believe in the kind of magic in my books. But I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book."-JK Rowling========"I spend a lot of time reading." -Bill Gates=========“Ahhh. Bed, book, kitten, sandwich. All one needed in life, really.” -Jacqueline Kelly=========

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Friday Quotes: ON THE COME UP

Book Beginnings on Friday is hosted by Rose City ReaderShare the opening quote from the book.
Th
e Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's VoiceFind a quote from page 56.

The book I just finished reading (with a short review)...

Title: ON THE COME UP by Angie Thomas

Book Beginnings: 
I might have to kill somebody tonight.
Friday 56: 
I stop. The crowd is going bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S!
Summary: Bri wants to be a rapper like her late father who didn't quite make it big before he was murdered. She's like to make it great or at least get out of her neighborhood which seems like a big dream. Then her mother loses her job, they have to get food from a food pantry, and the heat and lights have been turned off. Now Bri wants to make it big to help her family. To begin with she has to get invited to compete in the Ring. The quote from book beginnings is Bri daydreaming that she gets that invitation to rap in the ring that night, but she hasn't got the call, yet. The Friday 56 quote shows the crowds reaction after she finishes her rap. They go bananas. This is only the beginning of what Bri hopes will be a big career in rap.

Review: Angie Thomas burst onto the YA lit scene two years ago with her book THE HATE U GIVE. She is a phenomenal writer and gives the reader a realistic view of life in an impoverished community where most of the people are people of color. In both books I felt like I was reading about another culture, it was so foreign to me. Thomas brilliantly lets her readers experience the hopes, joys, and challenges of Bri and her family without blinking. At one point in the story Bri's mother exclaims that she is being accused of being poor, as if poverty is a sin. That really hit me since so often people living in poverty are treated as if they are sinners. Bri is a very flawed character, but what teen isn't a mess of maturity and immaturity? Sometimes I just wanted to shake her for the decisions she made. And the language, oh the language. Be prepared for lots of swearing and slang.

On the Come Up has earned six starred trade reviews, which is almost unheard of. I think it deserved all the hype though as the dialogue is so authentic, the plot so realistic, and the character growth appreciable. Several reviewers have criticized the book for trying to tackle too many topics (poverty, drugs, family dysfunction, gang affiliation, school issues, profiling, rap music, friendship problems, and sexual orientation.) Reading over the list, it does sound like a lot but I think it is very possible that a high school student might have to deal with a whole plethora of issues every year. I recommend the book highly.

-Anne

21 comments:

  1. I've been meaning to read On The Come Up. I've heard a lot of good things about it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am so glad you recommend On the Come Up, Anne. I absolutely loved The Hate U Give and was wondering about this one. It does sound like the author takes on a lot of topics here, but, as you suggested, it sounds realistic. And these are issues many young people face. I hope you have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This book seemed to be the book everyone was talking about earlier this year because Thomas's first book was so good. I wasn't disappointed in this one in the least.

      Delete
  3. On The Come Up sounds like a fascinating story that shows the challenges faced by underprivileged youth. I love the opening. Who hasn't felt like that sometimes? Thanks for introducing me to a book I otherwise probably wouldn't pick up.
    Also thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment.
    Sandy @ Writing With a Texas Twang.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Glad I didn't see your review before I went to the bookstore yesterday, because I bought too many as it was. Sounds intense and must read!

    ReplyDelete
  5. So glad you also liked this one. Angie Thomas really is doing great things with YA literature!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I better head over to your blog to see what you wrote about this book.

      Delete
  6. I haven't read anything by Angie Thomas yet. I do have a copy of The Hate U Give on my Kindle but it just hasn't grabbed me when looking for another book to read. This week I am spotlighting Stolen Things by R. H. Herron from my review stack. Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You must read THE HATE U GIVE. It explains so much about the imbalance of justice in this country.

      Delete
  7. I've been curious about this one and am so glad to hear you enjoyed it. Hope you have a great weekend! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've been meaning to read this author. I loved the Netflix movie The Hate U Give.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll look for the movie. The book is pretty intense, I wonder if the film capture that tension?

      Delete
  9. I have been feeling that BB for the last two days! I'd love for you and your readers to check out mine. https://lisaksbookthoughts.blogspot.com/2019/08/its-cozy-food-friday-that-means-its.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Kill" here isn't literal. In other words she wants to destroy her competition on the stage.

      Delete
  10. Glad you enjoyed this one so much! It can be strange to pick up such a hyped book.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I hope you are enjoying the book! Thanks for stopping by Colletta's Kitchen Sink :)

    Colletta

    ReplyDelete
  12. The production of the audiobook is brilliant as well. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Probably not one I'd reach for, but I am glad you enjoyed it.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sounds wonderful, and I have heard great things. That's quite the beginning too!

    ReplyDelete
  15. It sounds like it covers critical issues and in a perceptive way.

    ReplyDelete

I look forward to your comments and interactions! Join in the conversation.