Xiomara Batista learns to speak her truth through verse in this powerful coming-of-age story.
Where was this book when I was growing up? X’s struggle with religion, with her family’s expectations for herself, and with her own struggles of identity resonated with me big time. It is excellent at creating discourse around tough topics without loosing the heart of the character or the momentum of the story. I cried and cheered when X goes to get Father Sean to help mediate conversation between herself and her family. I loved the ending – it’s not picture perfect or clear cut, but it’s full of hope and healing.
This is a book for listening, not reading. The author herself narrates the story, and her passion for the subject is inspiring. It’s a short listen too, clocking in at 3 hours and 32 minutes – perfect for getting in one additional book before the new year. Her second book, With the Fire on High, is on my TBR list.
tl;dr A quick, impassioned exploration of love, faith, and the spirit of self in this lyrically and moving coming-of-age story.