Georgia on My Mind

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We Deserve Monuments is a knockout debut from Jas Hammonds. The story shows has racism reverberates through generations, and how it can have a dramatic impact on relationships. The story starts with Dr. Zora Anderson packing up her family and moving them down to Bardell, Georgia, where she grew up, when she finds out that her mother is dying from terminal cancer. Mama Letty, her mother, is no ray of sunshine. When her Ray was murdered, she lost the love and light of her life, and made life miserable for her daughter. Now, Avery is trying to take the opportunity to connect with a grandmother she's never known, which isn't easy. Making life a little easier, however, is an immediate connection with next-door neighbor Simone and her life-long friend Jade. But in the small town south even that runs into complications, as Simone explores her sexuality and all three deal with the repercussions of Jade being the product of three white men who rule the town with no consequences. The most powerful thing Hammonds does in this book is explore relationships, both within Avery's family and with her friends. They don't focus heavily on racism in current times, and I love how instead they show how insidious it can be with how it impacts people and families over time. The other thing I really loved was how Avery is out and both she and her parents are comfortable with it, and it gives Avery, as the protagonist, the opportunity to help Simone process her feelings. Finally, Hammonds also provides a lighter touch from completely different ends of the spectrum with Avery's easygoing dad and Mama Letty's no-filter prickly, barbs. These moments help keep the book from getting too weighed down with intense emotions and sensitive subject matter. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.