We Are Not Like Them: A Novel

This is a wonderful read. I would recommend this book to all book clubs and friends.

Lovedddd this book. Great conversations with the bookclub.

Abrupt ending. But good detail throughout. overall a good read. Would recommend to a friend.

Kinda predictable but still a good read about how dynamics of friendships can change and heal old wounds.

You know there's good writing involved when emotions from the reader are ignited! I actually shed tears, then I chuckled, maybe shed a few more tears, and was able to chuckle some more. It was all so poignant, real, and so relatable. The family history, relationships with people in general and much more. As intense as the beginning is I actually appreciated getting a peek inside of what it would possibly be like as an unarmed shooting victim. I don't think as a reader I've necessarily gotten that perspective before. I admittedly and sadly wonder what thoughts could go through ones mind in such a horrible moment when we hear about such tragic events or murders on the news. I found myself not as much rooting for the interracial friendship as much as I was rooting for Riley/Leroya finding her voice and using it going forward. Being able to not find herself, because she knew who she was but unfortunately she was not a woman comfortable in her own skin, which isn't necessarily a fault all on her own. Her character seemed to allow a lot of people and things to live rent free in her head. From her grandmother to her mother, to her brother to societal judgments of being too much as a woman. A Black woman. I loved watching the character grow and come into her own and again use the voice that had been bottled up for so long. She had been swimming through some conflicting and turbulent waters to get there. Thinking back there was some self reflection from Jen's character too. In that regard I guess she grew some as well. She made a lot of mistakes as there is no such thing as a perfect ally or friend. The book displayed that as well through her character. Considering how it ended I think it was more than just about friendship though. It had to be all things considered. The friendship was more of a guise to explore so much more from pregnancy, relationships, racial trauma, grief, how the system treats people with a record, self doubt, genuine ally ship, the blue line of the police as women, Black women, and simply humans. These are conversations that should go beyond book clubs. Ironically that was even touched on via the female Prosecutor, so I don't think the book was written for that sole purpose. It's focus revolved around all things humanity and of course empathy for one another. I would recommend going in with that mindset from my perspective.