Bookish Kingdom discussion

This buddy read will start on April, 22 (2017) and end on April, 30 (2017)

We'll read 50 pages a day.

Participants:
Hayli
Ayla

Schedule:
Sunday April 23 - read till page 50
Monday - read till page 100
Tuesday - read till page 150
Wednesday - read till page 200
Thursday - read till page 250
Friday - read till page 300
Saturday - read till page 350
Sunday - read till page 400
Monday - read till page 444

Page 50/444
The writing style/language is very different from other books. I know the name for it in Dutch, but not in English.
The storyline keeps me hooked and I like the main character.
(view spoiler)[The death of Khalil came kind of as a shock to me, since I didn't expect it to be so soon, at the beginning of the book. (hide spoiler)]
It's so interesting and I know I could fly through this book if I would've had more time :)

I actually wanted to join but my week is super packed and it sucks because I have this book and have been wanting to read. If you know anyone else who is doing a buddy read for this book, please let me know. And also another buddy read will be nice

Ilsen wrote: "I actually wanted to join but my week is super packed and it sucks because I have this book and have been wanting to read. If you know anyone else who is doing a buddy read for this book, please le..."

Hi Ilsen! Maybe you can try looking for a buddy in the group "YA buddy reading corner". I believe that's what its called :) Too bad your week is so packed :(

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
This is the link. They have so many buddy reads there and it's pretty well organised, so I hope you can find an upcoming buddy read for "The Hate U Give" :)

Page 50/444
I agree with you, Ayla. I don't think I've read anything with the characters speaking in this sort of dialect(?). (Maybe that was the word you were thinking of? I'm not exactly sure if it's right, though.)
(view spoiler)[ I was also really surprised by how soon Khalil's death came. I expected for it to happen sometime in the beginning of the book because that's what the book is about, but it happened before page 50. I almost feel like it wasn't enough time to get to know his character. (hide spoiler)]
I'm really interested to see what will happen in the next 50 pages.
(view spoiler)[ I'm especially interested to see what will happen when Starr goes back to her fancy, mostly white, school and how her classmates will react to her. Or if they'll speak to her in an ignorant manner without fully knowing what happened. (hide spoiler)]

Hayli wrote: "Page 50/444
I agree with you, Ayla. I don't think I've read anything with the characters speaking in this sort of dialect(?). (Maybe that was the word you were thinking of? I'm not exactly sure if ..."

It was not exactly what I meant, I meant to say "street-language". I think that's what its called :)
(view spoiler)[I agree with you: maybe we should've had more time to get to know Khalil more. On the other hand: it creates more of like a mystery. I'm also interested in seeing how her classmates will react! (hide spoiler)]

Page 100/444
I don't even know what to put into spoiler brackets, since it seems after you get past the initial synopsis (aka, Khalil's death) that if I talk about anything that comes after it, it could be considered a spoiler.
And, yes, maybe something like slang? I just don't read too many books with this much slang in it. Or any slang, really. Unless it's a newer book where text lingo is used, I suppose.
(view spoiler)[ I was a little underwhelmed by Starr's school friend's responses to what had happened to Khalil. But I forgot that they're (her parents and the police?) keeping Starr out of it for now. Plus the school is about 45 minutes from her home. So maybe her friends didn't hear about it yet or they're choosing to ignore it right now. I am interested to see how they react and if they treat Starr differently as a result of hearing of Khalil's death. (hide spoiler)]
But we got to meet her friends! Which was interesting. I'm feeling a little suspicious of her friend Hailey, though. I don't know what it is. There are just little things she says or how she acts. Also what Starr said about her, but that's a whole other thing.
I feel like I could say so much more about these 100 pages but I'll just leave it at this for now. :)

Page 100/444
I found the word for it, she mentioned it and it's indeed 'slang' like you said :)
Sorry for the late update... :(

(view spoiler)[I feel so sorry for Starr... She seems to be having a really hard time and I completely understand. I think her friends are nice people. But Hailey seems indeed a little bit odd. The way she unfollowed Starr after Starr posted that post to raise awareness on racism and violence.
It's very annoying how the police keeps asking if Khalil was a drug dealer, since it hasn't got anything to do with the police officer shooting Khalil. Khalil wasn't a threat, he was unarmed and the police officer shot him anyway. I see why this makes Starr angry. It makes me angry as well. I really hope there will be justice at the end of this book! (Probably not, since it will have more impact on the reader without.) (hide spoiler)]

Ayla wrote: "Page 100/444
I found the word for it, she mentioned it and it's indeed 'slang' like you said :)
Sorry for the late update... :(

I feel so sorry for Starr... She seems to be having a really hard t..."

No problem at all! I haven't read anymore yet recently because I noticed you hadn't updated. I didn't want to get too ahead of you and potentially spoil anything! (Plus it's a buddy read after all.)
(view spoiler)[ And I totally forgot about Hailey doing that to Starr! Yeah, when I first read that I thought it was kind of... I don't know what the word for it is... gross maybe? Maybe insensitive? She was being kind of insensitive to Starr trying to raise awareness of something that she cares about and affects her.
I also agree with you about Khalil. I was kind of dumbfounded when the officers turned their questioning around to asking if he was a drug dealer. Which was totally unrelated to the incident. It is frustrating to read about that from her perspective and watching as two other people try to pin the reason of the incident on something else. Yes, he was a drug dealer. But that has nothing to do with how or why he died. And unfortunately, this is a thing that actually happens.
I also hope that there will be some kind of justice for Khalil by the end of the book. But as you said, there would probably be more of an impact without. At this point I don't really know what to think. (hide spoiler)]
I'll try to get in the next 50 pages by tonight and update maybe tonight or tomorrow, if that sounds good to you. Whatever works best for you. :)

Hayli wrote: "Ayla wrote: "Page 100/444
I found the word for it, she mentioned it and it's indeed 'slang' like you said :)
Sorry for the late update... :(

I feel so sorry for Starr... She seems to be having a ..."

Ahhw you're so sweet <3
I'm at page 200 now, cause I didn't know you were at page 100 as well... But I'll wait for you to catch up then :)
I'll do the update once you've read it. I'm not going to spoil anything, but I can say there's a lot of things going on!

Ayla wrote: "Hayli wrote: "Ayla wrote: "Page 100/444
I found the word for it, she mentioned it and it's indeed 'slang' like you said :)
Sorry for the late update... :(

I feel so sorry for Starr... She seems t..."

Sounds good! Should I just read up to 200 and then just write up one update for those 100 pages?
I'm excited to get back into it now that you say that! Page 100 did leave off at a pretty interesting part! :D

Hayli wrote: "Ayla wrote: "Hayli wrote: "Ayla wrote: "Page 100/444
I found the word for it, she mentioned it and it's indeed 'slang' like you said :)
Sorry for the late update... :(

I feel so sorry for Starr....."

You can do what you prefer, an update for both 50 pages or for the 100 pages :)

Ayla wrote: "Hayli wrote: "Ayla wrote: "Hayli wrote: "Ayla wrote: "Page 100/444
I found the word for it, she mentioned it and it's indeed 'slang' like you said :)
Sorry for the late update... :(

I feel so sor..."

I'll try to go for the 100 pages tonight! So we are back up to pace again. :)

Hey, are you on schedule again? :)

Page 200/444
(Sorry it took me so long to catch up, I've been busy these past few says.)
I've only just noticed that Starr is really starting to become hyper aware of being one of the only black students at her fancy school. (Or maybe she mentioned it, I can't remember.) (view spoiler)[ And Hailey continues to say and do things to Starr, like making that fried chicken joke, that makes Starr like Hailey less and less. (I mean that joke didn't seem intentional, but still.) I don't really blame her. Sometimes it seems like she's supporting Starr, and then she does something like the protest. Oh, man. The protest at school. I was really dumbfounded when Hailey showed Starr the text for the protest. I thought it was really cool at first! Until I realized it was just an excuse to get out of class. And her friends referring to Khalil as just a drug dealer... They didn't even know the whole story, they just assumed that because that's what everyone was referring him as, that's what he was. I don't know, it made me feel really uncomfortable that Hailey would just walk out of class to protest for this "drug dealer" that she didn't seem to care about at all because she wanted to get out of doing classwork. And that Maya just followed her out like a meek little sheep. It's frustrating. That even though they both knew that Starr didn't approve, they did it anyway. (hide spoiler)]
Oh my gosh, and the statement the police gave about the incident. I mean, it didn't surprise me because the book has to go on but how they announced it made my jaw drop. They said that with the evidence and the statement by the witness (Starr), they see no reason to arrest 115. I thought that was crazy. I can't understand why in the world her report wouldn't be enough to get 115 in trouble.
(view spoiler)[ Because of what happened outside of Mav's store, I have a hunch that sometime soon that Starr will call or meet up with the woman she met at Khalil's funeral so she help her speak up for Khalil. Earlier she was blaming herself for the riots that were happening in her neighborhood and after what happened to her dad, I could see her standing up soon.
Also, I'm still kind of confused about that part at the end of the 200 pages. Were the cops doing that to Mav because of how he looked or because they knew his daughter was the witness? I'm a little confused on what that means for Starr, since the neighborhood apparently knows that she was the witness. I'm interested to see how that will turn out. But I'm thinking it might not all be good. (hide spoiler)]
Sorry this update is so jumbled. I have so many thoughts on this section and so many things happened.

Hayli wrote: "Page 200/444
(Sorry it took me so long to catch up, I've been busy these past few says.)

That's okay! :)

Page 200/444
I agree with a lot of things you said.
(view spoiler)[I was so disappointed as well about the protest at school. Well, for its actual intention: just to get out of class? Really? I got kind of angry at this part. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I was hoping the police would do something after Starr told her story to them as a witness. The fact they did absolutely NOTHING is just so frustrating...
I really hope this woman Starr met at the funeral can help her.
And about the cops doing that to Mav... That was just ridiculous. What was this even about? Him having an argument with his neighbour? I believe Mav didn't even touch him! And then the cops handling Mav all rough, like he's a dangerous criminal... (hide spoiler)]

I'm looking forward to read more and see what happens next.
Is it okay for you if we read 60 pages from now on?
So:
Today (Monday) - read till page 260
Tuesday - read till page 320
Wednesday - read till page 380
Thursday - read till page 444

Sure sounds good! I'll get on that! :)

Hayli wrote: "Sure sounds good! I'll get on that! :)"

Okay :)

Page 260/444
(view spoiler)[Chris is just such a cutiepie (≧ω≦)
I was expecting the inevitable argument to end up worse.

And the revelation about DeVante made it even more clear how tough his life is/was. It's so sad that his family couldn't take care of him and his brother well enough. And all those revelations about Khalil... Oh man... PLEASE LET THERE BE JUSTICE

Well, Hailey is officially the bitch now. I can't believe she said all those things! I'm very glad Maya is on Starr's side now though, although it took her some time.
Also I didn't know Maya was Chinese until now. That's cool :) (hide spoiler)]

Page 260/444
(view spoiler)[ I KNOW. (To all of the above.)
I was shocked to learn that Hailey said racist things to her friends years prior to Khalil. I don't like how she jokes about that kind of stuff because it obviously really doesn't sit well with her friends. But she just doesn't understand for some reason. Or doesn't want or care to understand. Maybe it's because she is white whereas her friends are not so she doesn't understand the prejudices(?) against them. If that makes sense.
And Hailey defending the officer that killed Khalil. I mean, that interview did make the cop look really good but that doesn't mean it was true. (Which it wasn't.) Even going as far as saying "What's wrong with saying his life matters too?" in reference to 115. Which, I see many problems with that statement. First and foremost being that he killed a teenage boy.
Not to mention the whole thing with Starr's Tumblr. And Hailey saying she didn't want to see all that "black stuff" on her dashboard. At this point, I don't really understand why they're friends if she doesn't care about what Starr cares about. She just seems really exhausting and I hope they dump her soon.
But I'm so happy that Maya finally stood up for herself and Starr! :)
The interview with 115's father was so infuriating to read. I felt so bad for Starr as she mentally corrected all that he got wrong. (I'm also kind of surprised that Starr didn't let it slip at that time that she was the witness in the car when Khalil got shot.) They really made 115 look like he was the victim, showing photos of him and his family, talking about how scared he is to go outside his own home, and how he was physically and verbally abused. His employers really have to get rid of him or punish him or something. Especially if he can't handle something as simple as pulling a car over without killing an unarmed someone. (hide spoiler)]

Page 320/444
(view spoiler)[ Okay. I think I forgot to mention in my last update that I found it interesting to finally learn why Khalil was selling drugs in the first place. (To help pay off a debt to King incurred by his addict mother.) Also that Khalil wasn't actually a king lord and turned King down but him and the other king lords came to his funeral to save face. Which I thought was very interesting. Though it has obviously posed some problems because now just about everyone thinks he was a king lord and a bad guy.

And now back to the update for this section. :)
I was surprised that King was threatening Starr about "running her mouth" to the DA. I get that he didn't want her telling them certain things but she's sixteen years old. What is he going to do, kill her? I feel like that would only pose more problems for everyone.
But I'm so proud of Starr for speaking out, even if it's supposed to be anonymous. People are really starting to notice her statement and are siding with her! But, of course, there are those who don't agree with her. Such as the incident at the end of the 320 pages with the brick being thrown through the window at Starr's family's home. And since they didn't recognize the car, I'm guessing it could be some of the people that don't agree with her.

I thought it was really cute that Chris and DeVante are getting along! :) Now they are bros and they hang out and play video games. I think that's pretty cool. Given that DeVante wasn't too keen with Chris in the beginning.

And prom!!
I'm so glad that Starr confided in Chris (after he moped around about it, even though it didn't really have anything to do with him) about all that has happened thus far. I'm glad she finally has someone to talk to about everything that's going that isn't her family.
And besides the brief encounter with Hailey, which she was being totally rude about by the way, Starr seemed to have a really good time at prom with Maya and Chris and Maya's boyfriend. You know, after confronting Chris about why he was being so weird.
It was so cute that Chris rapped the theme song to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air for her. They're so cute together. Even though he doesn't understand what she's going through.
I'm also really glad that her and Maya are closer and I hope they become even better friends.

Overall these pages just made me smile a lot because I like to see Starr happy in those rare moments. (Okay, they might not be so rare.) I just feel really happy for Starr, okay!

I also love that Starr refers to her parents as her OTP. Even though they seem to fight frequently. They can be pretty cute too. And they're all moving into a new house in a safer neighborhood! Whoo! (hide spoiler)]
My updates are heckin' long. Sorry about that. :)

Hayli wrote: "Page 260/444
I KNOW. (To all of the above.)
I was shocked to learn that Hailey said racist things to her friends years prior to Khalil. I don't like how she jokes about that kind of stuff because ..."

I definitely agree with you! And that interview was so infuriating indeed...

Page 323/444

(view spoiler)[
Starr is finally fighting back! I'm so proud of her. Although she doesn't think so herself, I think she has a lot of courage.

And I'm glad Chris knows everything about Starr now. No secrets anymore. They're so cute together <3
And Chris and DeVante being bros now, that's so cool indeed!

I like that Starr and Maya have become such good friends. Maya seems like a genuinely nice person :)

And I'm so happy they're moving as well! It was starting to become too dangerous in Garden Heights for them...

I love all the Harry Potter references xD

About the incident at the end: I was really really scared they shot Maverick. Luckily they didn't. I don't know who shot the window. I assume it was King, not the police, since it would be too big a risque for them to lose their job. But again, I don't know for sure. (hide spoiler)]

And don't worry about your updates being too long! I like to read all your thoughts on this book :)

Page 380/444
wowowow
So many things are happening...

(view spoiler)[First of all: the grand jury day. Starr did so great and yes, she was brave. "Brave doesn't mean you're not scared Starr, it means you go on even though you're scared. And you're doing that."
And then Hailey. HOLY SHIT. This escalated quickly, but she absolutely deserved that punch in the face, Oh. My. God. What is she even? A soulless human?
But the ending of the chapter, page 349, was so funny xD
Oh and I defenitely ship DeVante and Kenya

And Starr's two worlds colliding, that was just so amazing and heartwarming <3
Until Isha came...
I agreed with Seven, although I agree with Starr as well: Isha is going through a tough time. But she should take care of her kids more and leave King, although it's a bit dangerous. It's so sad for the kids. And Seven crying his eyes out, that poor kid :(

But then, DeVante disappears... Please let him be fine...
I just want that happy ending pleaseee
(hide spoiler)]

Page 380/444
(view spoiler)[ Man, this really was a wild ride.
I think Starr did great in front of the grand jury! I don't see how they wouldn't be able to convict 115 based on all of that information. But I guess we'll have to see.

HONESTLY. Okay I was really, really pleased that Starr punched Hailey right in the face. She's been through a lot and to have someone that she thought of as a friend for all of those years tell her that Khalil didn't matter... I don't blame her at all for punching her. I am all for it. Is that bad?
But anyway.
I don't see why Hailey thinks Starr lying about knowing Khalil warrants an apology. It's really none of her business. (Especially since she went to the trouble to print out photos of Khalil, one of them being a photo from the news that made him look like a king lord. It makes me angry.) I mean, as Starr said early on, she didn't want to pity and people couldn't know she was the witness. As well as keeping her Garden Heights life and Williamson life separate. I understand why she kept it a secret. And the fact that Hailey is using that as an excuse to try to get an apology from Starr about her calling Hailey racist was unbelievable. Especially when Hailey can't apologize for the things she has said to the people that are supposed to be her best friends without making excuses. For example, saying "that was so long ago", or that it was just a joke, or that she didn't want to see "pictures of that mutilated kid" "because I didn't want to see that disgusting shit".
Maya and Starr were even trying to explain that what she says is hurtful! But she just keeps brushing it off as a joke and to get over it. And then she went as far as saying to Starr to get over the fact that Khalil was murdered and that someone was going to kill him eventually. I think that's pretty inexcusable. There's no coming back from that. I swear, Starr needs to drop her as fast as she can. Not that Hailey would exactly come scrambling back after Starr punched her. (Honestly, I could go on and on about how much I despise Hailey.)
It was nice that Seven came to the rescue too and punched Hailey's brother. I like that he's protecting his sister more now. :)

It was even cuter that Starr and all of her friends were hanging out for Seven's birthday. And that Mav didn't complain about Chris at all during that time.
Yeah, but then Iesha came and kind of killed the mood for a while. I get where she's coming from but Seven is doing really well where he is and she doesn't exactly seem stable.

Oh man, oh man, oh man. The end of that section... There are so many king lords there and King wants Starr dead and Chris and Seven and DeVante are there... It sounds like it's going to get really messy. I hope no one dies. :( (hide spoiler)]