Book Review: The Poet X And Clap When You Land (both) by Elizabeth Acevedo

Book Review

Photo taken by me

(The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo | Ratings: 4.8/5)⁣⁣⁣

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Photo Credit: Taken by me
Okay guys, before anything I want to ask an important question. When were you guys planning on recommending this to me!!! 😭.⁣
This book is so good please.⁣
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If you love a female protagonist with determination, passion, strength and raw emotions. Then this read is for you.⁣
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The Poet X is a coming-of-age / YA contemporary novel, written in a first person point of view that tells the story of a multi-racial (African x Latina heritage) girl Xiomara Batista, who despite feeling unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood, was still able to work through the tension and conflict in her family and society by writing poetry.⁣

With the themes ranging from race, sexuality, harassment, self-acceptance, homophobia, bigotry, (Religion- rejection, rebellion and liberation).⁣

This is my first time reading a book from Acevedo and girl, I want to badly read all other novels written by her (send help😭).⁣
I listened to the audio version of this read, via scribd app and in as much as I loved it and felt it's a read more enjoyable when you listen to it. I'm still seeing myself dieing to own physical copies of all her books.⁣
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Xiomara story is one in which I was able to personally relate with on some aspect. I grew in a religious home (both Catholic/Pentecostal belief), had issues, questioned and struggled with it. Attended all the catechism class not of my own will.⁣
I still feel unheard and can't do anything about it when it comes to attending church activities.⁣
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The Poet X is a book that's worth all the praises for me, and I highly do recommend you read this. ⁣

Also

(Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo | Ratings: 4/5)⁣⁣⁣

Photo Credit: Taken by me

Clap When You Land is a novel lyrically written in verses and two alternating point of view, that tells the story of two half-sisters, in different continents who lived their separate lives and shared same father together.
Then comes the aftermath of a tragedic event which leds to the discoveries of secrets as it all comes unfolding.

First of all, Acevedo never seems to stop amazing me with the way she writes beautifully and poetically. This read has themes centering around family, grief, empathy, secrets, loss, love, sexual assault, cultural identity, class & privilege, and sisterhood.

This novel felt like one of those stories were men comes up, make a mess and the next thing is, his gone. Leaving those in relation to him to deal with the mess.
The story line in Clap When You Land was lovely, the characters were interesting. I did enjoy the read in general but at the same time it felt flat.
Like, her other books did hit me well, but this didn't.

Notwithstanding that, Clap When You Land is a recommended read for me, especially the audiobook (listened to it via scribd app).

And as usual Acevedo didn't fail to deliver on both books aspect.
Both reviews can be found on my Instagram

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