e-Audio, 07:15:59
Narrated by: Angel Pean
Release Date: May 23, 2023
Published by: Books on Tape
Read from: May 3-9, 2023
Stand-alone
Source: PRH App
TW: Police Brutality, Mention of some of those killed by Police Brutality, Anxiety Spirals, Parents who don’t listen (Anxiety or LGBTQ+ wise)
For Readers Interested In: Romance, LGBTQ+, YA, Sparkly Covers, Mental Health Rep (Anxiety & Agoraphobia), Novels in VerseA poignant and lyrical young adult novel-in-verse about a Black teen coming of age in an anxiety-inducing world, from the author of For Black Girls Like Me and In the Key of Us.
I’m safe here.
That’s how Sadie feels, on a perfect summer day, wrapped in her girlfriend’s arms. School is out, and even though she’s been struggling to manage her chronic anxiety, Sadie is hopeful better times are ahead. Or at least, she thought she was safe. When her girlfriend reveals some unexpected news and the two witness a violent incident of police brutality unfold before them, Sadie’s whole world is upended in an instant.
I’m not safe anywhere.
That’s how Sadie feels every day after–vulnerable, uprooted. She retreats inside as the weeks slip by and relies on her phone to stay connected to the outside world. When Sadie’s therapist gives her a diagnosis for her debilitating panic–agoraphobia–she starts on a path of acceptance and healing. Meanwhile, Sadie’s best friend, Evan, updates her on the protests taking place in their city. Sadie wants to be a part of it, to use her voice and affect change. But how do you show up for your community when you can’t even leave your house?
I can build a safe place inside myself.
That’s what Sadie learns over the course of one life-changing summer, with some help from her family, her best friend, an online platform for activists, and a magnetic crush she develops for the new boy next door.
From Stonewall Honor-winning author Mariama J. Lockington comes Forever is Now, a powerful young adult novel-in-verse about mental health, love, family, Black joy, and finding your voice and power in an unforgiving world.
*MY THOUGHTS*
I knew when I saw that Lockington had a YA book coming out that I needed to get my hands on it. And then the blurb and cover were released and I knew then that I had to move hell and high water to get a copy. Because let’s be real, I NEEDED THIS BOOK. lol
Ok so immediately the first thing that stood out to me was the type of book it was. I was a little scared that it was a novel in verse. I am usually not a fan, but adding in the rest of the factors about this book, I knew I had to give it a chance at the very least. And sure enough, it did it for me. This was ok I think because not only was it a novel in verse, but it was a mix between verse and prose. That was a new one for me, but it made the verse part easier to digest. (Not that it wasn’t good!) Finally I got used to the verse part and it didn’t even bother me anymore after awhile.
What I saw while reading was the amazing rep it had! Starting with the anxiety and agoraphobia. I can say with absolute certainty that this book was accuate and felt hella real. Why? Because i have experienced everything that Sadie did. I’ve always had anxiety, but after 2020 I was terrified to go outside. I don’t remember leaving the house. I got my groceries delivered etc. Then I got pregnant and found out I was having a boy. A little Black boy. And then George Floyd. By then, I didn’t want to go out for anything in fear that something could happen to me or my baby boy. (Because who knows when he’ll become a threat.)The whole world was scary and I hated feeling like I was trapped in my own house. Sadie mirrored my feelings exactly. I’m so glad she had someone to talk to. The LGBTQ+rep was also really good, as this was an own voices novel.
The other rep that I found amazing was the Black rep. I loved how real this was. Especially the way mental health is seen in the Black household. A lot of times they don’t view it as real. Idk, they say just get over it or act like it’s a phase. I really enjoyed getting to see Sadie’s mom change in this one. It was refreshing that someone finally used that perspective. Other people don’t know the struggles Black people go through when we talk about mental health issues to our parents and grandparents. Hearing “Just pray about it” all the time is disheartening. Especially when anxiety isn’t something you can just pray away. Seeing her struggles with her and her mom wasn’t great, kinda heartbreaking really, but it was real and I loved it. Her mom didn’t really understand and it was ok to highlight her learning just as much as Sadie.
The relationships were the other aspects of this book that stood out to me. The romance that came up was super cute! And I loved that neither of their issues were solved by the other. They both had to work things out on their own. It was just so much more real. And then there was Sadie’s bestie. I LOVED them! They comforted her and let her be scared when she needed to and brave when she felt like it. I was so happy she had someone in her corner. With a family who doesn’t understand and some of them borderline selfish, it was a treat to see her be so loved by just her friend. Now her ex? GTFOH is all I’ll say. She really pissed me off lmao Don’t be doing that because you see she don’t need you! lol
This book was definitely what Dr. Rudine Bishop would call a “mirror” to me. I related to so much of this book. If I had had something this close to what I was going through when I was a teen, I don’t know if I would have been so scared of therapy. I might have known that people like me do this and they’re fine. I would have felt like i wasn’t alone. Which I think Lockington was going for. Or so that’s what I got from the interview with her! If you’d like to make your own decisions, look down below!
Overall, I give this
