Hello LGBTQIA+ peeps and allies,

How’s it going? My life is hectic as ever with grad school and work, but I’m looking forward to the holiday weekend and even took an additional day off so I can spend some serious time on the alpha read of The Ruins. Good things are coming! Anywho, back to the post at hand. It’s book review time!

This time I read All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson.

If you know this blog well, you know I rarely read nonfiction or memoirs for that matter. But I couldn’t help but want to give this one a go since it’s a popular banned book and I’ve never intentionally read a banned book. I was curious to see why so many would ban this book from their communities.

All right, let’s get this review started!

Blurb

In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys.

Both a primer for teens eager to be allies as well as a reassuring testimony for young queer men of color, All Boys Aren’t Blue covers topics such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent, and Black joy. Johnson’s emotionally frank style of writing will appeal directly to young adults.

GoodReads

Amazon

***Brief disclosure***

I am an Amazon affiliate and earn a tiny commission for purchases made through the Amazon links in this post at no cost to you. It’s a great way to help me keep things running on my blog if you’re already intrigued enough to make a purchase. 

The Review

This heartfelt memoir for young adults by George M. Johnson chronicles his early years as a black and queer individual. From a young age, George always knew he was different, and as he grows into an intelligent young man he discovers his true identity.

However, in a society where queer and black individuals are victimized for simply existing, George struggles to find a way to cope and thrive in such an environment. Along his journey he finds love and acceptance from friends and family while reflecting on important points that any young adult, queer or not, can learn from to improve their own circumstances in life.

This memoir was both inspiring and educational.

In this audiobook the author himself narrates, and for that it is more effective in its storytelling. You can hear the emotion in his words as he recalls the confusion, joy, and sometimes heart wrenching events of his early life.

I especially enjoyed the depiction of his immediate family and other relatives. They felt so real and three dimensional, and the dialogue made me laugh in spots at certain snarky comments or shade being thrown.

The structure of the book was unique. While this is essentially a collection of essays, they are interwoven in a chronological fashion that creates a full and effective story of a young black queer man coming of age as he faces enormous obstacles, many that teens today still experience.

There are plenty of important themes in this book: bullying, sexual identity, found family, and acceptance are just a few he covers. There are darker themes in this book as well, but it important that he covers them, as they are a real part of his life and many others growing up. By refusing to see his coming of age through rose-tinted glasses, Johnson illustrates just how difficult it can be to find a place where one belongs when they are outside of society’s boxes.

That’s A Wrap!

Well that’s it for this book review. I hope you enjoyed it!

Have you read this book? Are there other similar books you’ve read that you simply have to gush about? Feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to start a conversation!

Have a great day!

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