July 2023: Poet X

 Title: The Poet X

Author:Elizabeth Acevedo

Publisher: Quill Tree Books

Genre: Poetry

Pages: Audible: 3 Hours/3o Mins

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Summary:"Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking.

But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers—especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about.

With Mami’s determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself. So when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out. But she still can’t stop thinking about performing her poems.

Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent." Amazon Summary

This book was powerful, especially on audiobook. There were many times when I was moved to tears. Xiomara is a relatable character especially if you are a women who has grown up in a conservative/religious household. X pushes the limits and eventually is seen by her parents for who she is rather than who she expected to be. 

Memorable Quotes/Morals/Moments:  

• The moment X gets her period and she didn't know what to do, so she looked it up online, only to be shamed by her mom for using tampons.
• The moment Mami burns X's poetry book.
• The influence X's English teacher has on her and the way she is able to encourage X to express herself.
• X's and Twin's relationship. Both are counter to what is expected of them. They have an enviable sibling bond. 
• Twin's poem to X. 
• X's mami and papi at the end of the book when they are proud of her at the poetry competeition.
• The shame associated with dating and being around boys.

“Just because your father's present, doesn't mean he isn't absent.”
― Elizabeth Acevedo, The Poet X

“I only know that learning to believe in the power of my own words has been the most freeing experience of my life. It has brought me the most light. And isn’t that what a poem is? A lantern glowing in the dark.”
― Elizabeth Acevedo, The Poet X

“There is freedom in choosing to sit and be still
when everything is always telling you to move, move fast.”
― Elizabeth Acevedo, The Poet X

Links:

Started/Finished: Start 10/1 Finish 10/4