this book gave me a new perspective that i had never come across before: a queer indian woman raised in west virginia.

when you think of appalachia, people's first thought are usually "hillbilly" white people, the author states, but the purpose of her book is to really get into the nuance and juxtaposition of growing up surrounded by racism/prejudice while also becoming accustomed to the neighborly love of the southern states after her move from india to the west virginia mountains and all the conflicting feelings/experiences that entails (an instance being when who she calls her "adoptive grandparent" starts sharing trumpie posts on facebook and she's not sure what to do with the big feelings she carries within as a result of that discovery).

throughout the book, avashia dives into topics such as gun violence in america, gender disparity, racism, beauty standards, social media, religion and more from a unique perspective.

through detailed anecdotes that have you fully-immersed in her memories, avashia opens your mind to her lived realities and implores you to expand your thoughts about the people living in the south.

i really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it to anyone intrigued by it! it's very well-written and avashia's voice is such an important and powerful one.

oooof 🚬

disclaimer: i'm pretty fresh to sport-based storylines and i am Not a sports person at all so all that basketball talk knocked the rating down for me....

BUT despite this, i have to say that this was such a journey and i'm happy i buckled in for the ride!

PLEASE do NOT read this without checking the CWs thoroughly because there is a big mixed bag of heavy topics and scenes represented in this book!

i love a sapphic, coming-of-age, litfic book and this is surely that! if you, too, love those things + the rough navigating of sexuality and first experiences and wanna check out a book that will gut-punch you by showing you such vulnerable, raw prose, this one is for you!