Shirlene's Updates en-US Thu, 06 Feb 2025 04:30:12 -0800 60 Shirlene's Updates 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg ReadStatus9032877211 Thu, 06 Feb 2025 04:30:12 -0800 <![CDATA[Shirlene wants to read 'The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie']]> /review/show/7295656992 The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley Shirlene wants to read The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley
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GiveawayRequest652916390 Tue, 03 Dec 2024 20:01:16 -0800 <![CDATA[<a href="/user/show/66444502-shirlene-obuobi">Shirlene Obuobi</a> entered a giveaway]]> /giveaway/show/392440-blood-over-bright-haven Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang ]]> ReadStatus8703086506 Tue, 03 Dec 2024 20:01:02 -0800 <![CDATA[Shirlene wants to read 'Blood Over Bright Haven']]> /review/show/7055514087 Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang Shirlene wants to read Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
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PollVote81636278 Fri, 29 Nov 2024 18:17:37 -0800 <![CDATA[ Shirlene voted in the 2024 Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Choice Awards: Readers' Favorite Nonfiction ]]> /poll/show_vote/81636278 It's Not Hysteria by Karen Tang Shirlene voted for It's Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (But Were Never Told) as Readers' Favorite Nonfiction in the 2024 Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Choice Awards. ]]> UserFollowing305056990 Wed, 12 Jun 2024 08:48:22 -0700 <![CDATA[#<UpdateArray:0x000055558f98ee70>]]> ReadStatus8030408805 Tue, 11 Jun 2024 12:43:04 -0700 <![CDATA[Shirlene wants to read 'Curvy Girl Summer']]> /review/show/6578734460 Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen Shirlene wants to read Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen
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Rating737344608 Tue, 11 Jun 2024 12:31:25 -0700 <![CDATA[Shirlene Obuobi liked a review]]> /
Between Friends & Lovers by Shirlene Obuobi
"Between Friends and Lovers by Shirlene Oboubi

I had heard great things about her debut book On Rotation, so when I saw this offered to be read on Net Galley I jumped at the chance, and I'm glad I did. The writing took a chapter or two to get into because the style is unique. It was like wading into a cool pool and all of a sudden realizing you are warm. Jo has been friends with, and in love with Ezra forever. The night she tries to tell him and he minimizes her feelings, she mets Mal, an author, and decides to try to date him. Mal is a bit intimidated by Ezra once he realizes what neither Jo or Ezra do, that he is in love with Jo.

First, these characters jump off the page. They are deeply nuanced and authentic. I loved Jo, Dr. Jojo, her protectiveness of herself and others, her blunt way of talking, her compassion. And Mal, such a deep man. As a therapist, it was great to see men's mental health taken so seriously, especially black men, because there are so many barriers to treatment and so much stigma. Anxiety, trauma, depression, suicide, and addiction are all treated honestly, openly, and accurately.

This book also so elegantly illuminated the intersections of race and privledge with how the characters were seen and treated in the world, by others, and by themselves.

At first, I thought, " How could Jo like Ezra? He is so vapid and obtuse about so many things, but most notably the differences because of race and privledge between he and Jo." I was like,"This choice is easy, Mal is an amazing man and a great book boyfriend." But Oboubi slowly revealed why they choice may not be so easy and that Ezra may be more than he seemed.

This book was so deft in creating its world and narrative. There were no clichés, no third act contrivences. The way love was shown, and how Jo grew to allow herself to love herself and others so totally, was brilliant. I loved this book. It is a must-read for anyone! 5 stars. Thanks to Net Galley and Quercus books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review."
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ReadStatus8024940657 Mon, 10 Jun 2024 04:05:36 -0700 <![CDATA[Shirlene wants to read 'Husbands & Lovers']]> /review/show/6574823740 Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams Shirlene wants to read Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams
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Rating736534646 Sun, 09 Jun 2024 06:51:40 -0700 <![CDATA[Shirlene Obuobi liked a review]]> /
Between Friends & Lovers by Shirlene Obuobi
"seriously mark your calendars currently top read of the year so far 🥰 "
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