is nonfiction the new ya?

lately, as I’ve slowly made my way back to the gym, I’ve been trying to expand my “gym playlist” to things beyond praise music, leaked Normani songs, and my favorite rap girls. I wanted something that’s more than your typical true-crime podcasts and “how-to-get-a-man” audio shows. I wanted something more… something I could actually learn from.

then it hit me that I haven’t finished my audiobook on setting boundaries, which led me back to hooplaDigital, my online library/streaming service provided by my local library. (if you haven’t reaped the benefits of a public library, I need you to reevaluate your life immediately).

hoopla has so much for me: books, movies, music, tv shows, magazines, and audiobooks. all things to keep me both entertained and focused on long rides/walks, fitness time, or day-to-day activities. lately, on hoopla, I’ve been really diving into the world of audiobooks, specifically nonfiction audiobooks.

now anyone who knows my taste in books may feel shocked by this. simply because EYE have been a YA (young-adult) girly since like… ever. (okay probably 8th grade, but the point still stands.) so to see me switch from the magical life-manifesting world of YA and fiction to something as real and raw as nonfiction is… different. not only that, but I haven’t been wanting to just read the books, I wanted to experience them through the lens, emotions, and voice of whoever’s story it is, and I couldn’t do that by just reading, which is why I chose audiobooks to hear it instead.

over the last three months, my nonfiction audiobook experience has been both heartbreaking and eye-opening. the books that i have experienced placed me into a world that is not of my own and allowed me to witness it with the storyteller. there was no closing the book or skimming ahead to see what was next. there was just you, the storyteller, and the words spoken. you had no say as to what happened next, all you could do was listen.

now with ya/fiction, I purposely chose books that were meant for me. books that centered on my experience or the experience that I want to have (see: seven days in june, black girls must die exhausted, etc). I also focused on being connected to the identity of those who wrote the books (because we love to support black women authors around here). but with nonfiction, there is no choice. it is what it is and you had to experience it with the storyteller. also, I needed to experience someone else being the main character so I can grow in understanding people more.

the three books I want to talk about today have all helped me grow in my newfound enjoyment for raw + real nonfiction storytelling. the words aren’t just floating in the air like a beyoncé song (lookie there), but they are now imprinted on my heart for people and my heart for stories. let’s dive in:

DON’T CRY FOR ME

Listen, I don’t care what the title says, I cried listening to this book. masculinity and fatherhood are not something I have ever ventured into when reading, but I’m so glad I came across this one. admittedly, I fell for the title and the cover. it pulled me in for a couple of reasons (racial identity is one of them). but the synopsis really brought me in. I knew a black father accepting his son’s identity would be a hard listen, but I never knew how much mental olympics both the son and father would experience. listening to this book was heartbreakingly beautiful because I could resonate with both the father's and the son’s experiences. spoiler: I could understand that Jacob’s reservations about his son’s identity were not rooted in homophobia, but more so in fear of how the world will respond to his son. This is based on what he witnessed when he was younger.

I believe no matter what side of the belief you are on, this book should be approached with an open mind and heart. Not to be dismissed because of conflict, but instead, be embraced because of conversation.

igmmd

I’m pretty sure i was on the waiting list for a good three months for this book. As soon as it became available for me, i immediately put all other books to the side and just listened. I listened intently and I listened expectedly. And although I’ve seen the interviews with Jennette, I’ve read the reviews, I can’t say I was fully prepared for her story.

As someone who likes nostalgia and celebrity culture & stories, this feels like it is far from it. This book, this real-life trauma, feels like it is the consequence of idolizing nostalgia and celebrity culture. It spooks me that people - no, parents, would sacrifice their own child’s soul for a life that they simply want to be adjacent to.

This doesn’t just go for parents of kids in the entertainment industry, but this same concept could be applied to parents who push their kids to be doctors or lawyers or professional athletes - not because of what they see in their children, but how they want their child to be seen therefore making them seen. And no, i’m not saying your parent shouldn’t have their own dreams for you - My mom wanted me to be a newscaster - but those “dreams” or “goals” should not be the only option.

Clearly, Jennette McCurdy did a fantastic job in her honest storytelling. She went there multiple times throughout the book and did not hold back on how she felt.

somebody’s daughter

somebody’s daughter left me in reflection mode for a while. There were so many moments in the book where I saw myself and some close family members in the story. There were times where I wanted to shout because I felt seen and times where I wanted to cry because I felt exposed. I’ll be honest and say I’m not finished with this book yet - I think my heart needed an emotional rest - but I can’t wait to see how Ashley comes out of this. Through her pain, she has produced powerful garden of growth and I’m just happy that she’s invited us to learn from her.

Like many other nonfiction stories, this book was difficult at times, but appreciated for the honesty and the storytelling.

this sudden bug for nonfiction storytelling is the perfect transition out of my ya stage.

now don’t get me wrong, i could never give up the ya genre altogether. it’s all about creating balance. making room for the young and fun, while also allowing myself to briefly experience and learn from the stories that reflect and affect my peers of today.

my next step in nonfiction is going towards the self help and educational areas (#smartgirlsummer). i already have some hoopla wishlist faves that are already going to be some great picks. check them out below!

cultish: the language of fanaticism by Amanda Montell

boundaries by Henry Cloud

5 am club: own your morning. elevate your life. by Robin Sharma

pushout: the criminalization of black girls in school by Monique W. Morris

atomic habits by James Clear (#currentlyreading)

i am so excited to explore this list this summer while also still reading both ya and fiction. if you want to keep up with my book-ish journey, i’m also on Goodreads, so follow me there! And I want to know, what are you reading this summer?