"People want so badly to believe racism is buried beneath the layers and layers of history, 'ancient history they say', but it's not."
Title: We Are Not Like Them
Authors: Christine Pride & Jo Piazza
Publisher: Atria Books
Genre: Fiction
We Are Not Like Them is a very unique book because not only is narrated back and forth by alternating prospectives of a Black and white character; it was also written by a Black author and white author who are friends.
Main characters Jen and Riley have been friends since they were in Kindergarten. At an age when you don’t really pay attention to things like race, wealth, and other social issues. So they don’t ever talk about race. Even now as adults. They’ve always remained close even throughout personal struggles. Jen struggling getting pregnant and Riley working to pursue her childhood dream to become one of the first top Black news anchors.
But now that connection and friendship and lack of communication has come to a head. Jen’s husband, a city police officer, becomes involved in an unarmed shooting of a Black teenager.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I was really excited for this book but also extremely nervous that is would be a flop and the characters would come across as cliche’s and caricatures. Nope, the author’s nailed it. I really, really enjoyed this book. It’s a book full of hope. It’s a book that is a conversation starter. It’s a book that belongs in book clubs. I hope that you will read it or consider it for a book club if you are in one!