Books for Change discussion

Here we discuss our January BOTM- The Hate U Give!

Great! Sorry I accidentally made a thread at the same time as you, so I just deleted it haha.

I'll be the discussion leader this month.

We'll be posting questions related to the book every two days. The questions would be opinion based. Everyone can answer based on their opinions. You are also allowed to ask your own questions for others to answer.

This BOTM discussion, we would be giving points to members according to this:

Answering a question: 5 pts
Posting a question: 3 pts
Any other comments: 2 pts

The member with the highest points at the end of the month would be declared the "Reader of the Month"

We request members to avoid giving spoilers in their comments. If it's necessary, make sure you hide the spoiler.

I think it's all clear, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask right away!

I read this last year and it was very good and eye opening

i’m going to order this one today!

Anushka wrote: "I'll be the discussion leader this month.

We'll be posting questions related to the book every two days. The questions would be opinion based. Everyone can answer based on their opinions. You are..."

When are the questions going to start?

If they start immediately before everyone gets the book or starts reading it then maybe some people would miss out on earning points if they choose to do it at the end of the month? Or will their points be counted anyway no matter when they answer? :O

I have the book already, but I wanted to finish a few others before starting it maybe so that's why I'm asking.

Questions will start day after tomorrow, on the 5th.

Points will be counted regardless of when you answer. You can read at your own pace and answer whenever you're done with that part. You can also ask questions whenever you want, points would be always counted.

The first questions would be based on the first 50 pages, then on the 7th we'll post questions from the next 50 pages, and so on.

Anushka wrote: "Questions will start day after tomorrow, on the 5th.

Points will be counted regardless of when you answer. You can read at your own pace and answer whenever you're done with that part. You can als..."

Okay, thank you <3

♥Milica♥ wrote: "Anushka wrote: "Questions will start day after tomorrow, on the 5th.

Points will be counted regardless of when you answer. You can read at your own pace and answer whenever you're done with that p..."
Welcome! :)

Question 1: What do you think about the brutality shown by the police in this book ? How should this behavior be dealt with ?

Answer this question and earn points to win the 'Reader Of The Month' title! Also post your questions to earn bonus points!!

Any other comments would also earn you points, so keep posting!!

Anushka wrote: " Question 1: What do you think about the brutality shown by the police in this book ? How should this behavior be dealt with ?

Answer this question and earn points to win the 'Reader Of The Month'..."

I think the police brutality is disgusting and awful and so completely messed up. I think police officers who have that behavior should be fined, go to jail, and/or be kicked from being an officer

Anushka wrote: " Question 1: What do you think about the brutality shown by the police in this book ? How should this behavior be dealt with ?

Answer this question and earn points to win the 'Reader Of The Month'..."

The behavior is absolutely horrendous and despicable. It's horible because so many people depend on police officers to "take care of" homeless people or people in "ghetto" neighborhoods, when they don't even care about us. It hurts my heart to see so many of my people being killed (when there is clear evidence of who committed the crime) and the police officer is dismissed of any crimes and they're free to go. I just want them to be held accountable since I know not all police officers are "bad", there are just some who don't care about POC.

Lanae Anne wrote: "Anushka wrote: " Question 1: What do you think about the brutality shown by the police in this book ? How should this behavior be dealt with ?

Answer this question and earn points to win the 'Read..."

I agree! Police is meant to protect us, not kill us. They are supposed to be impartial towards all citizens. If educated and learned people like cops don't understand the need for equality, I don't know who will...

THUG is almost equivalent to To Kill A Mockingbird for me mainly because it was these two books that told me how the world was deeply divided between race.
At 13, To Kill A Mockingbird showed me Atticus and Scott fighting for what they believed in, fighting for the right thing. At 15, I saw Starr Amara, a girl who had to watch her best friend, her childhood crush being shot by a white cop. And for what? That’s the problem, Khalid didn’t do anything!
Did I know the things blacks suffered? I did. But what I didn’t know was ‘how much’ they did.
THUG made me see it. Starr is walking a thin line between her hood and her mostly- white school. Her doubts of fitting in with the crowd, her identity as a black teen in a white school, her friends, one who’s white, and says snide remarks (although Starr doesn’t realize it at first), made me think deeply about my identity. I mean, I am an Indian, I am brown. What do I have to suffer in the future because of my skin colour?
I know I will suffer, but what can I do about it? The same thing that Starr and her parents did, raise their voice. Raise our voice.
It’s high time we did that. No matter what your identity, or gender is, I want you to speak up.
Maybe nobody hears you at first, but soon they will. Because what you say matters and you deserve to be heard.

I know this was long, and if it didn’t match your expectations I apologise. But this is what THUG taught me, and I expressed my thoughts honestly. I hope you will do that too.

If you are interested in reading my thoughts on racism more, try to read my review of Dear Justyce by Nic Stone. (This was not a fishing attempt at my part, please don’t misinterpret).

Hoping everybody read and enjoyed THUG, if you haven’t heard, THUG’s predecessor, Concrete Roses is hitting the shelves next week!! Stay tuned!

Happy Reading!

Ink &Paper

Anushka wrote: " Question 1: What do you think about the brutality shown by the police in this book ? How should this behavior be dealt with ?

Answer this question and earn points to win the 'Reader Of The Month'..."
The police in this book is actually a depiction of the injustice against blacks in various countries. Khalid didn’t do anything, but what happened to him was an act of cruelty and prejudice from the part of the cop.
What he should have done is calmly check the car in case he was doubtful. Also he should have talked to both of them in a less frightening way. But nothing happened accordingly.

It’s high time for cops to realise that people aren’t defined by their skin colour.

Ink&Paper wrote: "THUG is almost equivalent to To Kill A Mockingbird for me mainly because it was these two books that told me how the world was deeply divided between race.
At 13, To Kill A Mockingbird showed me A..."

This is a great post! I'm reading THUG right after I'm finished with the book I'm reading right now. I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

Question 2: How do you think racism can be done away with in our society?

I'd like to hear your opinions! Also, post your own questions for bonus points!!

Now this is a really tough question. Efforts are being made all over the world to end racism. I think people of color should talk more and try to make whites understand that we aren’t any different from them. The only way we can achieve anything is by being kind to the ones who are trying to destroy us. I would suggest at first talking kindly to racists and if that doesn’t work raise our voices.
I suggest everyone read the poem, No Men Are Foreign , it is a beautiful look at humanity.

Let’s make change, but it will only be possible if we’re all in this together.

Ayla wrote: "Ink&Paper wrote: "THUG is almost equivalent to To Kill A Mockingbird for me mainly because it was these two books that told me how the world was deeply divided between race.
At 13, To Kill A Mocki..."
Thank you Ayla!!!

I would like to suggest a few books for those who have already read THUG:
1. Concrete Roses by Angie Thomas
2. Dear Martin by Nic Stone
3. Dear Justyce by Nic Stone

Question 3. What would you have done if you were Starr ?

I am not posting this question in hope of earning points, I am just curious about what you would have done.
Please don’t misunderstand.

I am excited about Concrete Rose, it's coming out tomorrow!!

@Ink&Paper, I will answer your question once I finish reading THUG completely. It's a nice question, so I'll definitely answer!

Anushka wrote: "I am excited about Concrete Rose, it's coming out tomorrow!!"

Yeah! Me too!

Anushka wrote: "@Ink&Paper, I will answer your question once I finish reading THUG completely. It's a nice question, so I'll definitely answer!"

Thank you! Hope you love THUG
Happy Reading!

Hi

I came back with another book rec:
On The Come Up by Angie Thomas ( It is as good as THUG)

Hope everyone will read it.

If anyone needs more book recs, feel free to contact me!

Ink&Paper wrote: "Hi

I came back with another book rec:
On The Come Up by Angie Thomas ( It is as good as THUG)

Hope everyone will read it.

If anyone needs more book recs, feel free to contact me!"

Yes, I've heard of this book.

Question 4: This book is inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. Do you support it? Why/Why not? Have you done anything to show your support?

I totally support BLM, and I would love to hear from you too!

Anushka wrote: "Question 4: This book is inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. Do you support it? Why/Why not? Have you done anything to show your support?

I totally support BLM, and I would love to hear ..."

I totally support BLM, but sadly I haven’t done anything to support it except reading and reviewing books by POC authors

Ink&Paper wrote: "Anushka wrote: "Question 4: This book is inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. Do you support it? Why/Why not? Have you done anything to show your support?

I totally support BLM, and I wou..."

That's not a problem @Ink&Paper. Atleast you're reading about it and forming your opinion. And you're sharing it with us!

I came across BLM last year only. Due to COVID, I couldn't take part in protests or any other kind of activism, but I would love to do so once it's safe to be among crowds. I did think of activism through social media, but I sadly don't have any social media, nor will my parents let me have it soon.

I would like to ask you guys one thing. Is it just me, or is the cussing in the book too much? It may be just me. I just feel that there is too much cussing. I know that it's not that much of a concern, seeing the message that the book gives, but I just want to ask.

I think maybe it’s you. I didn’t feel disturbed by it and that might be because I have read books with far more cussing. So yeah, I didn’t feel anything. But feeling that is totally fine too.

Ink&Paper wrote: "I think maybe it’s you. I didn’t feel disturbed by it and that might be because I have read books with far more cussing. So yeah, I didn’t feel anything. But feeling that is totally fine too."

I am not particularly disturbed, but yes I do think it's a lot. Probably that's because I haven't read books with a lot of cussing. I am kind of new to YA, so yeah. I'll perhaps get used to it soon...

I just finished this book last week!

I have to say, it was truly amazing. I think that everyone who isn't aware of how serious racism, police brutality, and other issues surrounding this are needs to read this.

Starr Carter is a girl, with her life divided in half. It's heartwarming but heartbreaking at the same time, about a black teenager learning to find her voice and speak up for what's right. What happened to her friend, everything that happened to her, was not right. But what's worse is that this happens in real life. This is a real issue, and many people aren't taking the action to stop it.

This is why this book is necessary.

This is why people need to read it.

It's because this happens often. Way, way too often. And it's not okay. Innocent black people are shot and killed because of the color of their skin. This book will open your eyes if they aren't already, and empower you if they are.

The most inspiring thing is Starr. She's such a relatable character, yet so strong. She has been through so much in her life, but she's still fighting. At first, she's scared - and she has every right to be. Who wouldn't, if they witnessed two of their best friends killed right before their eyes, in only 16 years of living? And when they're innocent, even more so?

But she learns. And she grows. And eventually, she finds the power to speak up. Speak out. She understands the effect that one single voice has, and she uses it.

There are also themes of family, friendship, and doing what's right.

Starr's 'friend,' Hailey. When you read this book, you're bound to hate Hailey. She was a terrible person throughout this book, but what makes her important in this story is that many people, without knowing it, make racist remarks. Even if they don't intend to. If you read this, you'll understand that you have to be careful of what you say. If you're oblivious, it can be dangerous.

All in all, it was a great book. Inspiring, powerful, and a must-read for sure.

(I posted this in THUG thread as well!)

i have read this book twice before and i love it! one of my favourite family dynamics ever (so naturally i'm beyond ecstatic to read maverick's prequel book)

also its ofc one of the best books surrounding police brutality i've read so far. the way it showed how society and news reports portrayed the victims of police brutality as deserving of it is so heartbreakingly accurate.

while we are talking about THUG though, i think the discussion of how many people just read this book and think their work of educating themselves on racism in america and listening to black voices is done. i've seen it happen a lot in the book community but i've only ever seen one other person talk about that.

Sorry I'm one day late. I read too many books last month but I'm glad I read this book! I believe it's one of those books that everyone should read at some point. It's real, it has a great message, and there are many lessons to be learned from this book.