50/50 Friday is a meme hosted by Carrie @The Butterfly Reads and I and focuses on the opposite sides of books (best/worst, differing opinions, etc). Every week will have a new topic and several advance topics will be listed in the tab labeled 50/50 Friday!
Today's Topic: Best/Worst Book Read in March
Best:
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Standalone to date
Released: 2/28/2017
Rating: 5 stars
Review: To come!
Blurb:
"Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.
Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil's name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.
But what Starr does or does not say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life."
Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil's name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.
But what Starr does or does not say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life."
So I know I'm a little late to the party with this book but if you haven't read it yet, I HIGHLY recommend it! It's such a heart-wrenching story with very real, very deadly, real-world implications and basis. With the current media situation, sometimes the wrong details can become distorted and can change the narrative in an instant which is absolutely horrible. This book was just so touching and awful and wonderful.
Worst:
I'm not going to list a book for this category because every book I read in March was either 4 or 5 stars! I have three 4 star books and I couldn't choose between them because they were all so good. They are Trumpet, Strange the Dreamer, and Beneath This Mask.
Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? How was your March reading? Make a post and link up below!
Next Week's Topic: Favorite/Least Favorite Short Story
So happy you loved THUG. I have yet to find someone who dislikes it and the fact that it has remained on the NYT bestseller list for so long is incredible! I can’t wait for Angie Thomas’s new book :)
ReplyDeleteSame! I can't believe it took me this long to read it! It's so fabulous. I'm on the look out for it, too! Thanks for stopping by, Emily!
DeleteI need to read this book! We’re reading it for book club in a few months if I don’t get to it sooner. I had a great reading month in March too. No bad books. April has been so busy I have hardly read anything.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it. Oh no! I hope that trend doesn't continue through the rest of April for you! Thanks for stopping by, Jenny!
DeleteI still need to read THUG- I've yet to acquire it for my TBR, but I'd think they may have it at my library. I'm glad you had such a great reading month, Laura!
ReplyDelete~Litha Nelle
You must read it! I didn't get it when other people told me but now I completely understand; it's such a fabulous book! I hope you enjoy it when you can get your hands on a copy, Litha, and thanks for stopping by :)
DeleteI am glad that all the books you read were rated so highly! Mine was kind of similar as well. I think in March I only rated one book less than 4 stars. Also, I cannot wait to finally read The Hate U Give.
ReplyDeleteHaha me as well! I can't wait to hear what you think about it :) I hope your April is just as good, Olivia!
DeleteI'm so happy you read THUG and that you loved it, Laura! It is such a great, powerful and well-needed story <3
ReplyDeleteIt is! I didn't get why everyone was raving about it but now I completely understand :) Thanks for stopping by, Marie!
DeleteStrange the Dreamer had excellent world building. Taylor has the gift for it!
ReplyDeleteThe Hate U Give is on my TBR list, I need to make time. Glad you loved the book so much!
I thought so too! I love all of her writing! I've previously read Daughter of Smoke and Bone and absolutely loved the world.
DeleteI hope you love it as much as I do! I look forward to hearing your opinion on it :) Thanks for stopping by, Dani!