“Trauma has a funny way of showing up in our lives during the moments when we least expect it”

•

Before I begin I just wanted to put the usual trigger warnings in place, which are highlighted throughout the authors note, expressing that sexual assault, homophobia (and homophonic language), racism (and racist language) are noted throughout.

This was a really powerful memoir, I think George is absolutely amazing writing his story, not only to shed light and increase further awareness of the utterly repulsive and abhorrent ways black people, particularly LGBTQIAP+ black people, are conjectured to violence of both emotional and physical nature. This is such a vital piece of literature for everyone to read, particularly those from marginalised groups or anyone whose struggling with their sexuality, or who are anxious and scared and feel alone in what they’re managing. This book is like a warm hug from a best friend, it is honest and explains the pain and abuse you may encounter in your journey to openly being yourself and finding who you truly are, but is also full of comfort, compassion and love.

This memoir was really thought provoking, I’ve read a few books by black authors on their lives and this one really hit me in a different way. George has written his pain and trauma down in a way that hits home and is deeply moving.

Throughout George covers so many important topics and as such, I really feel like this memoir is so important for everyone to read. In particular this book could be such an important addition to anyone growing up in the LGTBQIAP+ community and are struggling with bullying or repressed trauma. The empowerment in his words is palpable and poignant.
It’s full of such vital lessons to take away, this memoir is so incredible and would be so beneficial to anyone who feels alone, stuck or hopeless. It’s provides comfort, warmth and solidarity.

I really cannot recommend this book enough, it’s so educational and inspiring and couldn’t be more grateful that I got the chance to read this wonderful book in advance last year.

5 ⭐ this book should be mandatory, thanks

I don't tend to review non-fiction, especially not memoirs or autobiographies, but this book was such a journey! I laughed, I teared up, I got angry, I swooned. George's writing transports you to Plainfield, where he grew up, to Virginia, where he went to Uni, with all the important people and things he met and did in between. As someone who was incredibly close to her grandma, I love his relationship with Nanny and I can't say enough good things.
This is an important book for all queer young people, for young people of color, but also to everyone else!

'All Boys Aren't Blue' is very beautifully written. It was such a powerful read!! I highly recommend it.

This book is a phenomenal read about the author's experience at the intersection as a queer, black man for younger people. This piece of non-fiction explores the author's experience as a queer, black man in America through a retelling of George M Johnson's experiences as a queer, black person, going from childhood, adolescence, college, and growing up from there. He retells his stories with reflection on how growing up in the duality of being black and queer and why and how his experiences growing up have affected the person he is today.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and found myself laughing and crying at different points. It was so heartfelt and honest and I feel that all people, particularly the younger generations, should read this book to gain a better understanding of what it is like to live with the duality of being black and queer. I also think this book is an incredibly important book for debunking the unnecessary gendering of so many things, whilst also exploring the way in which people enforce gender on their children.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC of All Boys Aren't Blue, in exchange for an honest review!
⚠️ Content Warnings: Sexual Assualt, Racism, Homophobia, Bullying. ⚠️

I haven't read many non fiction novels before but this was fantastic and it has made me want to read many more.

It's a story of coming of age, sexuality, family, finding yourself and it's written so beautifully. The words were written right from the authors heart and as the reader you could feel his pain in the hard moments of his life and the joy in other parts too

This is worth the hype that it has gotten on YouTube, great writer

All Boys Aren’t Blue - a YA memoir by George M Johnson.

Wow. This book made me laugh and it made me cry. Johnson has a captivating way of telling his story of growing up, it is so honest and raw.

I particularly enjoyed the chapter about Nanny, a representation of unconditional love.

I hope that this book will continue to find its way into the hands and hearts of so many more readers! Thank you Net Galley & Penguin Random House for the e-arc.

"I was five year old when my teeth got kicked out. It was my first trauma."

All Boys Aren't Blue features a collection of anecdotes, essays and letters written by George M. Johnson, following their life and how they discovered, acknowledged and accepted their sexuality.

Whilst I feel like Johnson only nodded at some important topics, ABAB gave me an insight into the struggles that Johnson experienced whilst growing up in the 90s/00s. It is an incredibly powerful story to tell, and I believe that it will be a significant read for those that might be in Johnson's position as a teenager.

Trigger warnings for: homophobia, transphobia, sexual assault, physical assault, death.

ALL BOYS AREN’T BLUE caught my eye with its beautiful cover and description as a “memoir-manifesto.” In a series of essays, this book details the author’s experience growing up Black and queer. They explore identity, gender and sexuality, framing their life events as a guide for the readers - especially Black queer youths - to navigate their own journey. They examine society’s gender expectations, toxic masculinity and the fear of coming out. The narration is honest and clear, not shying away even during the toughest moments.

While some of it is hard to read, I love how the book is also a celebration of Black joy. It shows that there is no right way to live, that friendships can come from the unlikeliest of places, that you get to choose who you want to be. This book is aimed at younger readers but I think adults would learn something as well. A tender, poignant and hopeful memoir.

CW: sexual assault, racism, homophobia, bullying

What a great memoir, George allows us here to have small insight into their lived experience as a queer black non-binary individual, and that isn’t something owed to anyone by anyone, but in sharing it conversation happens, language blooms, understanding can be thorough and free, though if you don’t already understand everyone deserves to live and thrive then you need more then this book.
.
Gender/sex isn’t linear, social issues are intersectional, culture, race, eras, they all all play a part in problems and progress, George touches on all this and I am receptive too all that thinking, I am already on board, this short book explores and affirms it all.

Thanks to NetGalley fo my ARC.

A raw, touching and powerful memoir from someone who, I feel, we will see a lot more of in the future.

This memoir / manifesto follows Johnson's life, mainly focusing on them between the ages of 5-25. They talk about their experience as a Black and Queer individual and how that impacted / influenced different decisions in their life.

Johnson is clearly a very clever and insightful individual but I think the most touching parts of this book for me were the relationships Johnson has with their family and friends, especially their Nanny. I very much relate to the closeness of a Grandma and I also related to Nanny herself in some ways.

This book is heartbreaking and empowering and educational and should be required reading for everyone, but especially teens.

CW: homophobia, transphobia, racism, death, sexual assault, incest, drug use

"Symbolism gives folks hope. But I've come to learn that symbolism is a threat to actual change - it's a chance for those in power to say, 'Look how far you have come' rather than admitting, 'Look how long we've stopped you from getting here.'"

All of us have different stories. Stories that deserve to be heard and acknowledged. Those who invalidate others' struggles never really understood life for what it is: a palette with colors on hold to make a masterpiece.

'All Boys Aren't Blue' is the memoir-manifesto of a gay black man who took a long time to recognize and acknowledge himself. His story is one of happiness, grief, anger, and most importantly, acceptance.

This book is written as a tribute to his friends and family; the people who never doubted him for who he was.

Deep thoughts about sexuality and masculinity make a huge headway here; so this book can be considered a handbook for black queer teens.

George.M.Johnson's life is one of resilience and love, one that is very hard to come by for a person deviating from the norm. I dare say, he used his privilege of having a support system in his life to write a book for those who don't. You're not alone.

It's a story of inclusivity that I highly recommend you read.

Described as a memoir manifesto, the journalist and activist writes a series of chapters exploring growing up as a young, queer, black boy. It deals with toxic masculinity, gender identity, consent, family and race.

So, I'll admit that I wanted to read this because it had a great cover. Unfortunately I didn't love it. It didn't get particularly deep and I felt like massive themes were kind of nodded to rather than delved into. I also really can't stand the whole hazing fraternity thing. But then, it is a YA book and I am definitely not the target audience. I'm sure that for a lot of young people looking for affirmation or to help them become better allies, this would be great.

This book, in Johnson's own words, is an exploration of two of his identities--Black and queer--and how he became aware of their intersections within himself and in society. And let me just tell you this. Read this book. After reading about 6%, I already knew I'm going to love it. It's personal, and beautiful, and sad (at times), and relatable. It's honestly competing for the number 1 spot on my favorite memoirs list, but I really don't want to let Alan Cumming's Not My Father's Son go, so I don't know what I'm going to do. 


Johnson recounts his life from the earliest memories of having his teeth knocked out to his family members passing away. He talks about trauma that stays with you for your entire life, and about moments that shared him and made him realize who he is. This book is also a love letter to all the people who shaped him, his transgender cousin, his mother, and his grandmother, as well as a way of dealing with sexual abuse he experienced from the hands of people he trusted. The language was lyrical, but also quite modern at times (the author uses, like, lols sometimes). 


I definitely recommend it, even if reading a memoir written by someone so young feels a bit odd.

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson - 5 ⭐️

[AD-PR COPY]

“Love who you want to love, and do it unapologetically, including that face you see every day in the mirror.”

Review ⭐️ - WHAT A BOOK!

All Boys Aren’t Blue, is George M. Johnson’s memoir of his upbringing and the difficulties he faced growing up - It’s such a raw account of the good, the bad and the heart breaking truth! The support of his family, shone out of these pages - and made me smile throughout.

I’m not sure how to put into words, the feelings I felt reading this book - let alone write a review that does the book any justice! Simply though, YOU SHOULD READ THIS! It’s an education, and it’s such an important read. At so many times throughout the book, I found myself speechless - I couldn’t believe the heartache that George M. Johnson has felt throughout his life, just because of his race and sexuality! I know, I’ll never understand how it truly feels to be judged by either the colour of my skin, or my sexuality but it’s important that we keep educating ourselves to be better!

Thank you for the advanced copy net galley - this is a book I’ll be adding to my bookshelf the next time I’m in a bookshop!

Quote 💌 - “Navigating in a space that questions your humanity isn’t really living at all. It’s existing. We all deserve more than just the ability to exist.”

This was a beautiful, moving read that quite clearly comes from a place of heart and honesty. I loved it!

I’m not normally a huge fan of memoirs or non fiction in general, but this was so so good. I enjoyed every second and really connected with George on many levels. Whilst I don’t connect with his experiences of racism I do however connect with the struggles he had to hide his sexuality and everything that comes with it. I cannot wait for his next book!

It’s hard to review a memoir but I learnt a lot from this book and I think it’s a really necessary read for YA!

I found some of Johnson’s book shocking, some of it heart-warming and some of it heart-breaking. A range of emotions and really beautifully written.

This is such an emotional memoir aimed at younger readers but one that all ages will get something from. All Boys Aren’t Blue is Johnson’s story of growing up black and queer and he details his experiences of the things he went through and had to deal with. Through the book there is exploration of race, sexuality and gender, each handled so well and whilst not pulling any punches it is appropriate to its audience. I found this book heartbreaking at times; it’s horrendous to read what Johnson has been through in his life, but it’s also inspiring to read of the way he has come through their struggles and found peace in who he is. I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to everyone.

All Boys Aren't Blue is a book that will make you feel so many emotions as you read it. It's a very honest memoir, brutally so in some parts. But an exceptionally good and interesting read.

All Boys Aren’t Blue is a beautiful young adult memoir that is perfect for (Black) LGBTQ+ teens that might need some help navigating topics like gender, identity, (toxic) masculinity, loneliness and homophobia.

Johnson is a natural born storyteller. Like he writes at the very beginning: he made me laugh, cry, and feel so many other emotions in between.

His love for his family was inspiring, he made his struggles feel real, and he was very open about all the different things he experienced and the choices he made - both good and bad.

I highly recommend All Boys Aren’t Blue.