Last week, I was drawn to Anne of In Residence’s Black Lives Matter booklist. I am white and admittedly completely clueless about racism, certainly as it applies to Black people. I however immediately decided to download a few books off this list onto my phone. The first book I got to read, obviously, was one with a medical aspect to it, because that’s what I’m most interested in: Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett.
Summary
In a community that isn’t always understanding, an HIV-positive teen must navigate fear, disclosure, and radical self-acceptance when she falls in love–and lust–for the first time. Powerful and uplifting, Full Disclosure will speak to fans of Angie Thomas and Nicola Yoon.
Simone Garcia-Hampton is starting over at a new school, and this time things will be different. She’s making real friends, making a name for herself as student director of Rent, and making a play for Miles, the guy who makes her melt every time he walks into a room. The last thing she wants is for word to get out that she’s HIV-positive, because last time . . . well, last time things got ugly.
Keeping her viral load under control is easy, but keeping her diagnosis under wraps is not so simple. As Simone and Miles start going out for real–shy kisses escalating into much more–she feels an uneasiness that goes beyond butterflies. She knows she has to tell him that she’s positive, especially if sex is a possibility, but she’s terrified of how he’ll react! And then she finds an anonymous note in her locker: I know you have HIV. You have until Thanksgiving to stop hanging out with Miles. Or everyone else will know too.
Simone’s first instinct is to protect her secret at all costs, but as she gains a deeper understanding of the prejudice and fear in her community, she begins to wonder if the only way to rise above is to face the haters head-on…
My Review
When I bought this book off Apple Books, I had next to no idea what this book was about other than the main character being Black and HIV-positive. Having an excuse to read a medical novel under the guise of supporting Black lives felt good though (yes, I know that makes me pretty oppressive). I had no idea this book was so good though.
Not only does it talk about HIV in much more depth than I ever was aware of. I mean, I almost immediately felt the shame come back to me from when we were presented with a problem case in college in which a fictional workplace was disrupted by stigma surrounding one worker’s HIV-positive status and I pretty quickly jumped to conclusions by saying the coworkers might want to be tested. My instructor immediately called me out that you don’t get HIV from drinking out of the same cups as someone who’s positive. I mean, I knew this much, but still objected that fear might guide the coworkers to get tested anyway and I’d understand that. How horrible!
It was totally liberating learning about not just HIV, but sex and sexuality in a broad perspective too. Several characters are openly queer. I loved learning about diversity like this.
Then there’s the race aspect. I didn’t learn too much about that from this book, as it assumes you already know a bit about Black culture, but I bet Black people can relate to some of the things being discussed.
The book is more plot-driven than character-driven, but I happen to love that. The characters are still really well-portrayed.
Overall, I totally loved this book and as such gave it five stars on Goodreads.
Book Details
Title: Full Disclosure
Author: Camryn Garrett
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: October 29, 2019
Full Disclosure sounds like a really eye opening read. I’m definitely going to look out for it, it sounds like an interesting storyline.
#ReadWithMe
LikeLiked by 1 person
It for sure was an eye-opening read for me indeed. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
This sounds really good – it’s ringing a bell, I think I’ve read about it before. One to look at for me 🙂
#ReadWithMe
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that’s interesting that you’d heard of it before. I only heard about it last week. Thanks for commenting though and I hope you’ll read this book.
LikeLike
Great premise. Maybe I’ll check it out, have read a few duds lately…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for commenting. I sure hope you’ll check this book out.
LikeLike
It’s really nice when you get a book that is a winner, especially when you didn’t know all that much about it up front.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, so true. Thanks for commenting. 🙂
LikeLike
I’ve seen this one around but never read it. Glad you enjoyed it!!
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much.
LikeLike
I adored this book when I read it, eye opening and full of emotion. Definitely one for the times we live in #readwithme
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely! I’m glad you enjoyed the book too.
LikeLike
This definitely sounds like something I would enjoy reading. Adding it to my TBR list #readwithme
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you think you’ll enjoy this book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So cool.
These student times reveal a lot in us.
And Ms Garrett was a teenager when she started publishing and writing. Wow!
“It was totally liberating learning about not just HIV, but sex and sexuality in a broad perspective too. Several characters are openly queer. I loved learning about diversity like this.”
#weneedmorequeerbooks
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds like a really good read. I like a book which helps me to learn about something I’m not familiar with and obviously even better if it has a good plot!
#readwithme
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I agree, this one has a great plot. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
Sounds incredibly interesting, one I’ll be looking out for.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you think this book will be interesting. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike