All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M Johnson / relevant and important to be read

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M Johnson

Thanks to the last few weeks, I’ve added many interesting books to my tbr, and this book was one of them. Confession: I didn’t know that this book was a memoir until I started listening. And I think it being a memoir makes this book even more of a must read. At the end, when I was done with the audiobook, all I could think was that every teenager should be reading this book, poor and rich. This book needs to be made accessible, for anyone but especially for teenagers who struggle with their sexual identity.

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SYNOPSIS

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 Bluecovers 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. 

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M Johnson

MY THOUGHTS

This book is another MUST READ that opens eyes, tells experiences most of us readers won’t be able to understand until we live them.

Which makes this book incredibly powerful.

And the author’s message needs to be heard.

I love that the book and its message is directed towards queer Black boys. But also to anyone who is struggling with their identity. The message is clear: There is hope. You are not alone. There are people who went through the same. You are seen!

Overall the audiobook was a quick read for me. It’s only 5 hrs and 12 mins long, and it didn’t read like a traditional memoir, at least for the most part. It read like a compilation of different stories of the author’s life. And he even calls it story telling. Stories about his youth, his family and his journey of finding his identity, and sexuality.

And as expected it was fascinating, and I loved how incredibly candid, and open the author was. Because the openness is what will help teenagers find their own path.

And he doesn’t sugar coat anything. The overall voice of the book is one of a teacher, a guide, and he puts all the information out there to be read by teenagers who struggle with sexual identity. He wrote a book that he wished someone would have told him about when he was young. That’s incredibly powerful and moving.

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And if interested, here is an interview with the author ‘Give Them The Damn Information’: Questions For George M. Johnson.

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Goodreads •  Amazon • Author’s Twitter

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All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M Johnson