"We are not supposed to be proud. We are not supposed to love these things so hard...but I've never known anything else. These broken things all spell home to me." • My first read for December is this audiobook. It is part of #TheGreatBigRomanceRead by @therippedbodice and is my first Pride and Prejudice book (my only other P&P media is the 2005 movie). I’m glad I was able to join this worldwide group reading activity, and joined the #romanceclassXpride discussion on Twitter yesterday. • This is a very unique read for me bec I’ve never read a YA this deeply rooted to black culture, specifically Haitian-Dominican AND Bushwick hood cultures, and Zuri is such a fun and lovable character. I loved that she was allowed to make mistakes without taking away her kindness, and she grows and learns from them in the end. I also loved that the story reflected themes that I loved from the original(societal class divides, the Bennet/Benitez sisters’ dynamic, etc) and still be able to hold its own bec of its portrayal teenage life in this generation. • It was pointed out in the discussion that the romance was v light and Darius needed more scenes to level with OG Darcy and I agree. I loved the kilig in their enemies-to-lovers banter, esp since ZZ delivers the best comebacks, but I felt a disconnect with broody Darius in the beginning, to the social butterfly Darius somewhere in the middle. I still like the book, but it would’ve been better if we saw more from Darius’ POV or at least more scenes to show more of him and his intentions. • Lastly, kudos to Elizabeth Acevedo’s performance in this audiobook! She perfectly captured the essence of Zuri (her snarkiness towards the Darcys, her tenderness to Madrina and her family) and her delivery of the poetry parts was fantastic! I enjoyed this book so much bec of her and I would def listen to this again after I read the original. 😍 • Pride by Ibi Zoboi, narrated by Elizabeth Acevedo . . . . #bookstagram #bibliophile #booknerdPH #alwaysreading #bookstagramersPH #IGreads #PrideRemix #IbiZoboi #ElizabethAcevedo #diversebooks #diversereads #audiobook #Audible #ireadYA (at Meycauayan, Bulacan) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq9oGBwH2Rb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1cpuok2ha9jjd