Lies We Tell Ourselves

This is a really intense read–Talley's end notes say she read a lot of memoirs and oral histories from black students who integrated historically white schools, and I think that shows in how intensely she portrays the day-to-day life of Sarah, a black high school senior, as she's one of 10 kids integrating a white high school, how the name-calling, pencil-poking, and other small aggressions add up to be nearly unbearable.

I was less interested in Linda's POV...I think it's a tricky line to walk, to get into the head of a racist segregationalist and show how her views come from her parents, etc etc etc...but, for a teen reader (particularly a white one) it might be a little more eye-opening and self-reflection-inducing. I think Talley is also pretty consciously drawing parallels between the civil rights movement and the LGBTQ rights movement.

I love that this is an interacial, historical, queer romance–I think it's important to give teens an example that there were lesbians Back in the Day. Particularly for Sarah, to see how her identities intersected. I will say that I didn't...totally buy their romance? Particularly why Sarah would like Linda?! I think I'd be interested to read a sequel further developing those two after high school.