Honestly, this might be a DNF for me. I try to read widely, and especially read contemporary fiction, but a lot of this feels drafty. It doesn’t feel thought out. It feels like the author has the full story and we only are getting a whisper of it. The writing doesn’t feel developed. The characters feel like they’re almost fully formed, like the author thinks she’s conveying a fully formed character but it’s just not translating that way. I’m 40% in and I really could care less about this story.

"People who are understandably impatient for large scale change often want to believe that there’s a shortcut. That one group, movement, or demographic is the truth and the way, and that merely cheering on that contingent will spur a revolution. This places undue pressure on whatever group or demographic is being fetishized as a savior troop."

Such an incredibly important message that needs to be shared. Yes we should absolutely be following the lead of those who are being harmed the most, but not looking to them as the One Voice of Truth. Marginalized voices must be amplified but we must also ensure that we are working just as hard, if not harder, to bring about change. We cannot demand solutions from the people we are trying to help, nor can we place them on a pedestal only to later demonize them when they make inevitably make a mistake.

I finished the last book of the four needed for the challenge and for some reason I’m not getting my badge. Does anyone know why?

I was just wondering if its ok to check off a book if we only read the book but didn't see the movie, or do we have to have done both the qualify for checking it off the quest list? (alas there are a few that I never watched the movie for, and some I never read the book, so Im adding the book to my to read list.)

I’m loving the switch between second and third person POV. It’s making for such an intriguing story, especially since Holland’s chapters seem to be one of Professor Kim’s myths told in Folklore 517. We’re both being told the story and a part of it at the same time.

Also, as someone who works in banking, if I have to read “safety deposit box” one more time I may put my eyeballs in a blender.