Ta-Nehisi Coates is a widely published author and this book, Between the World and Me, is the first of his works I have read. One of those we are all familiar with that he wrote is the Black Panther series of Marvel comics. Between the World and Me is a letter to his son. A letter to try and prepare him for the world he will grow up in. This book is well-written, almost poetic at times. It also has an angry tone or at least it did to me. I would never pretend I could understand the trials and tribulations that a Black man in our country has had to live through, still must endure. Some of this is powerful and hurtful. It was difficult for me to admit I live in a society that could be guilty of such things. On the other hand, I’m a solutions person, a problem solver. While I know we can’t make racism disappear overnight, I guess I was hoping the letter would be a document of Coates instructing his son about how he had the opportunity to change things. This is not that. It does not have an uplifting tone. It is the story of a Black man and what he had to live through. While it might not have been what I was expecting or even what I wanted to hear, I know it was a valuable read. originally posted at long and short reviews

This book was written in a way that highlights a perspective of individuals and our country in a completely different manner from anything else I'd ever heard or read before. This perspective, and the deep dive into it, were very powerful and cause anyone who reads it to think about things in a different way. It is a short book, but it is not a quick read because every few sentence seems to pack its own unique impact as the stories and thoughts are told for the reader and the author's son. I think Coates and Wright Thompson are two of the best writers at providing connections to society and the past and each time I read their books, I feel as if I've been challenged, awakened and changed and I would highly recommend this book to everyone regardless of your background OR your preference in the genre of book you typically read.

This book is intense. It should be required reading in high school. In some way it reminded me of I know Why The Caged Bird Sings. It really underscores the importance of even our slightest actions. The reverberation of Jim Crow continues today. Very highly recommend this book.

I’m disappointed in myself for putting off reading this book for so long. As someone who has long considered herself an ally, I’m also ashamed to admit that there was quite a bit in here I never thought about before or realized. But I’m learning. And I’m grateful for everything that the beautiful poetic prose in this book (a heartfelt and heart wrenching letter to the author’s son) delivers. Though it has a somber and resigned tone throughout a lot of it, it’s still laced with so much hope. And the beauty that pours out of this is unmatchable. I’m usually someone whose eyes immediately glaze over descriptions and “flowery” language, looking for dialogue, I appreciate the way this book forced my eyes to slow down and absorb everything in front of it. This is one book I’ll not only be recommending to others (not that there isn’t already a choir of voices recommending this one), but also one that I will be sure to return to.

Ta-Nehisi Coates does his job. He tells his story. He personalizes the experience of growing up and living as a black man in late 20th-century and early 21st-century America. He tells us what it’s like to live in a constant state of fear and how he’s managed to use that fear as a tool to survive and succeed. His experience is uniquely his own, yet it is all too familiar. Coates writes with power, insight, and honesty. He does his job brilliantly, and we as readers must do ours—listen and try to understand.

Compelling writing and strong message. It leaves you thinking and hopefully growing.