Hello Lovely People,
I can't believe that it is already 2017 and that I have started a new Goodreads Reading Challenge! My goal for 2016 was 42 books, but I ended up with reading 53 books! I am really proud of myself. I hope you all met or surpassed your 2016 challenge.
As it is a new year, my goal was to not only read many books but to diversify the books I read. I believe that the first book you read sets the tone for the new year. With that said, my first book for 2017 is If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo. This is a story that I picked up because I wanted to broaden my reading styles and be exposed to stories I wouldn't typically pick up. If I Was Your Girl was a recommended book on Ibooks, and I saw it as a perfect opportunity to meet my goal.If I Was Your Girl explores Amanda's story as she moves to a new town and falls in love. The biggest complication in her life and falling in love with Grant is that in her old town she went by Andrew.
Russo's story introduces the topics that people are commonly afraid to bring up but it is populating. I am fascinated by this novel because it sheds light on feeling like you are not alone and becoming familiar with being yourself. I praise YA novels for being a genre that is free enough to discuss these topics that adults are afraid of. It is stories like this that need to be read to appreciate a new perspective. Our world is growing and who are we to judge if we aren't brave enough to share these topics? Meredith Russo deserves a round of applause for being able to share a story that demands to be read. I am better for reading this story and you will be also!
As a sixteen-year-old girl I am not familiar with transgenders I have not experienced this situation, but when I opened up Amanda's story on page one I was fascinated by her tale. The chapters alternate between Andrew and Amanda. Amanda moves to live with her Father and it broke my heart at how uncomfortable he was with this transition. When he called her Andrew I could hear my heart cry. I mean you have a mentor and he has not accepted who you are yet has to be difficult. Amanda's new school is pretty good, but I felt the same panic that she did when she felt that people knew about her. As we learn more about Grant, I think she transitions smoothly and he is always so kind toward Amanda. I was not a fan of Amanda's friends, they were not helpful or interesting to me. They were too much of a mess for me to handle. Although I did not like Amanda's friends, I enjoyed the perspective on Andrew. I felt more sympathetic to the situation and was there with Amanda. The displays between Andrew, Amanda, and the Mom were insightful. Honestly, I can't explain my favorite parts because they were all so sad, but I learned so much.
This story needs to be read by people who want to appreciate literature and commemorate Russo's work. This is not a story for everyone but it is a situation that people need to become aware of. YA is growing to be a liberating genre that explores topics that others are afraid of. I love that we are the audience authors are writing to. We are the group that cares and wants to make a difference. I am elated to know that I am a person reading a work that is a difficult subject and I loved it! As YA people we need to expand these topics because our world will be better because of it.
Much Love,
Channy
