It’s Friday linkup time. Today I’m starting The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, which I’ve been waiting for since October or November. So today I’ll give you a Six Word Summary, Book Beginnings (from Rose City Reader) and The Friday 56 (from Freda’s Voice). I’m sorry to those (I feel like) I’m teasing by continuing to talk about this book without yet having posted a review.

Teen witnesses friend’s murder. Community’s divided.

I shouldn’t have come to this party.

I’m not even sure I belong at this party. That’s not on some bougie shit either. There are just some places where it’s not enough to be me. Either version of me. Big D’s spring break party is one of those places.

Talking to Ms. Rosalie may be harder than talking to the cops, honestly. But I owe it to Khalil to pay his grandmother a visit. She may not even know I was a witness to the shooting. If she somehow does and wants to know what happened, more than anybody she has the right to ask.

Right out of the gate, Thomas sets up the idea that Starr Carter has at least two identities, and with neither of these identities does she feel like she’s better than anyone else (though I’m going to guess that some people have given her crap for it). I know from the dust jacket text that she attends a prep school in the suburbs outside her own neighborhood.

I think it’s interesting that Thomas uses “Ms.” instead of “Miss.” It seems so much more modern than I remember. It’s also more modern than I actually use (the woman at the doctor’s office is Miss Mary, even though I’ve been an adult for quite some time).

I’m almost reluctant to start this book because 1) I’m afraid of the feelings that this book is going to bring up for me, and 2) because I know it’s amazing and I can only experience that first read once.

I’m sure it’s going to be amazing.