Like others, I first heard of Raquel when her microphone was cut off at the Women’s March. Other than that, I knew absolutely nothing about her.

I usually stay away from memoirs by people in their thirties as I sometimes think a memoir by someone in their thirties is unnecessary, but I think this is necessary and so well written.

Raquel takes us through her childhood to teenage agents when she came out as gay and to college when she came out as transgender. Her multiple jobs are inspiring and her work to make others heard is much needed.

I recommend this on audio.

This was a deep, important memoir of a Black transgender woman navigating social justice and safe space in the United States in the time of the rise of Trump. The alternating narrative and letters to transgender women who have died provided a wonderful perspective into not only Raquel's expereinces, but the real fears she and many other transgender women of color experience. I felt thsi was a unique read and perspective that can only be shared by the author.

This book! This book gave me so many feels. It has such wonderful depictions, and put me through a range of emotions. I will definitely be recommending this one!

I loved this book, it gave me everything I wanted as a reader and more. I am a sucker for a cover and fell in love with the storyline and characters. Well written and kept me engaged :)

There is something to be said about telling your truth with your entire essence and not being afraid of how people might perceive you, especially after years of never feeling like that would be something you could do. Or rather, it’s all about the risk Raquel Willis took to watch herself continuously bloom. The Risk It Takes to Bloom is a read that will transport your mind through a myriad of feelings, time periods, places, and levels of hopelessness and excitement. Willis shows you the innermost bits of her soul and asks you to accept all that she has been through and will continue to offer. She shows you a level of life that most people will never endure and tells you that while it may not be your experience or truth, it is hers and many others, so accept it and learn from it. Liberation is a journey that Willis takes you on with letters to transwomen who are no longer with us, snippets of love gained and lost, and the complexities of her life from the young child she was to the woman still learning herself today.

Thank you to the author Raquel Willis, publishers St. Martin's Press, and SMPInfluencers, for an advance digital copy of THE RISK IT TAKES TO BLOOM. All views are mine.

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. I love that the author talks about the term "queer" and the queer community's efforts to reclaim the word.

2. I think one of the most important things she discusses is straight spaces and how queer people don't belong in them, are actually made to feel unsafe in them.

3. Raquel Willis Offers such grace and love to to the people who hurt and reject her. She is completely grateful for every drop of grace she receives in return at all stages of her journey. It is wonderful to read about such a courageous person!

4. The story of Raquel, having transitioned fully, seeing her grandmother, who had dementia, and whom she hadn't seen in a long time, is so heartwarming and fulfilling! Loc. 1731

Three (or less) things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. I did not like the abrupt switch to second person epistolary style in Chapter 6. This style doesn't achieve the intended intimacy, but rather, sentimentality. These critiques are true for the other sections that follow the same style. All would have been better in first person.

Rating: 🪷🪷🪷🪷 slowly blooming flowers
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: Nov 14 23
Format: Digital arc, Kindle, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🗣 memoirs
🪞 stories about identity
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 family stories, family drama
👩🏿‍🤝‍👨🏾 women's coming of age
🌈 queer literature

I am speechless! I wish I could come up with the words for how this book made me feel, it is just something you have to experience!

Having finished the first part of this autobiography, Budding, I love the insights Raquel offers in the growing up and discovery side of transness. Getting to see her home life, and then her explorations in uni, it was particularly strong in her reflections. How isolating it is to be compartmentalized by others, and to be nested into so many boxes. And even within queer community to be further disregarded, as the section concludes. A strong, beautifully written memoir.

I first became aware of Raquel Willis during her speech which was cut short at the Women's March. After that I started following her journey on social media. This memoir is very thought provoking and timely due to the rash of discrimination, misinformation and crimes towards the transgender community. I highly recommend this book. #NETGALLEY #THERISKITTAKESTOBLOOM