Sonia Patel’s Gita Desai Is Not Here to Shut Up follows Gita Desai during her tumultuous first year at Stanford University. Haunted by painful memories, Gita is on a slow path to self-destruction, turning to partying and hookups as a means of escape.

The story does not shy away from difficult topics, including sexual assault, self-loathing, and family dynamics that often demand silence and compliance. Patel’s narrative is unflinchingly honest, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in stories about finding one’s voice and the strength to confront the past and stand up to one’s family.

This novel is a must-read for those seeking a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of trauma, resilience, and the journey to self-empowerment

DNFed a few pages in, Did not gel with the writing style in this one. Found it hard to get into with all the cringe language,

Gita has started her first year at Stanford despite her traditional Gujarati parents’ wish for an arranged marriage. She has always studied hard and learned to chup-re (shut up) and fade into the background. Until memories begin to resurface and lead to partying and hookups.

I tend to forget how serious and meaningful young adult books can be and this was a reminder of that. This deals with some very heavy topics and in a very relatable way. I loved Gita’s experience of college after growing up in a strict household. It takes place in the nineties as is full of cultural references. While a difficult read with triggering topics, the addition of supportive friends and family softens the pages.

“The more pain I lock up, the more I hurt the people I love with it.”

Gita Desai Is Not Here to Shut Up comes out 9/10.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster, one that I could not get off and still cannot shake from my mind. It's that raw, real, powerful, emotional and moving. Gita is starting her freshman year at Stanford with all intentions of focusing on her studies so she can heal others as a doctor. But when one night of drunken sex turns into another and another, Gita starts to unravel. Told both in the present and in the past, Gita starts to uncover memories that were pushed down and silenced from years ago as she unknowingly reenacts them in the present day. Honestly, this book was hard for me to read at times as it was filled with such emotion, such shame, such questioning and such abuse. But please don't let that stop you from reading it. The undercurrents of family, friendship and worth were so strong and the transformation that takes place is worth the emotional ride. No more chup re.

This book was a lot on top of a lot on top of a lot.
Starting out, I thought the prologue was a information dump---the explanation of the characters was all at once, and I felt like it should have been spread out a little and not entirely in the prologue.
Now onto the chapters. Those first few chapters were messed up. I thought it couldn't get worse, but it did. Like the uncomfortableness.
Because of the nature of the story, this didn't feel YA to me.
Regardless of everything I said here, GITA DESAI IS NOT HERE TO SHUT UP was emotionally riveting. I hated that Gita felt alone, and I found myself tearing up as I read. This book isn't for everyone, and readers should be aware that it could be triggering because this is not for the faint of heart.

Gita Desai Is Not Here to Shut Up by Sonia Patel fails to deliver a compelling narrative, with its plot feeling disjointed and its characters lacking depth. The novel's attempts at tackling important themes come across as superficial, making it difficult to connect with or invest in the story. Overall, the book misses the mark in engaging readers and providing a meaningful experience.

Eighteen-year-old Gita struggles to balance her traditional upbringing with her desire for independence as she navigates her first year at Stanford. As she confronts her family's expectations and unresolved past traumas, Gita begins to break free from her silence and embrace her true self.

Wow. This book is powerful in so many ways. First, Gita’s struggle to know herself personally and intimately is so relatable. Her past trauma really did a number on her, especially with what she repressed. The constant shame, the fear of disappointing or upsetting her elders, her sadness over being looked past by guys she was interested in… it hit me in the heart. I have been (and still sometimes am unfortunately) the person who is on the outside looking in, who is passed over, who feels shame. That is a hard feeling to get over and one that is so incredibly easy for me to relate to.

This book tackles so many tough issues and does it well. I loved Gita’s relationship with Jane and Marisol. I adored Sora. I loved her closeness with her older brother and how much they care for each other. Her willingness to forgive her aunt was so brave and she had a lot of strength to do that. Her fear of telling the ones she loved broke my heart. I’m so glad they were supportive.

Don’t miss the author’s note.

I really liked this one. I would suggest looking up content warnings as well.

*I received a digital ARC of this book for review by the publisher, all thoughts are my own.*

i had such a hard time getting through this book and it wasn't because it was bad, but because it made me uncomfortable. which is the point. filled with conversations that are hard to have but need to be happening. hit especially close to home because i read it while staying with my nieces and nephew over the summer

This was such a great look into how family tradition can really shape your behavior, and how breaking out of the mold can be both difficult and freeing.

Fastest no I’ve ever given a book. The synopsis doesn’t give the impression that this book will be weird. But the first chapter ends with Gita creeping on her neighbors/friends(?) dorm room while she’s getting it on with a guy. Like I was disgusted to read that this girl was literally watching the whole thing and that she was getting turned on by it..not what I want to read about. Immediately DNF.

This YA novel is fearless! Sonia Patel has crafted a story to instruct young (and older) women how to be strong and stretch beyond the place society and culture sometimes place them. I enjoyed the peak into Gujarati culture and the growth each of the three friends made, together as well as separately during their freshmen year in college
This is not for the faint hearted, there is strong language and imagery of sexual acts that might be inappropriate for younger readers.
Thank you to #netgalley, the author and publisher for this ebook ARC to read. All opinions are my only own.

Unfortunately, the writing style really took me out of the reading experience and I wasn't really able to continue reading the book. I also think I didn't realize the content in the book and wasn't in the right headspace to experience that. The premise and summary was definitely enticing and I'm sure many readers would definitely enjoy this.

The thing I loved about this book is that it didn't sugar-coat the MC's struggles, and the fact that she was funny helped to get through the painful sections. Loved the development of Gita/Marisol/Jane's friendship. I couldn't put it down.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Gita Desai is Not Here to Shut Up by Sonia Patel is a first person-POV YA contemporary exploring sexual assault, trauma, and the dangers of holding things in. Gita Desai has wanted to be a doctor her entire life but her parents aren't as enthusiastic, believing she should get married and have a family as soon as possible. They agree to let her go to Stanford to get her medical degree but an arranged marriage is waiting for when she finishes. On a double-date with her roommate, Gita is assaulted by her date and things from the past start coming back to her as she tries to take control of her narrative.

The early 90’s setting really added to the story as not only do we get those 90’s references, such as TLC and Freddie Mercury, but Gita makes reference to safe sex and STDs, which were a really big topic at the time. Even readers who have had quality, comprehensive sex education could always use a reminder to practice safe sex and that STDs are transmitted in a variety of ways.

Chup-re, translated as ‘shut up’, is very often repeated by Gita whenever she gets close to coming forward and talking about what happened to her or asking questions about other people’s trauma. It becomes a manta in the narrative of ‘repress, keep it down’ instead of bringing ugly things to the light to finally start healing. Even Gita’s brother, Sai, does some chup-re of his own in relation to a family friend who hurt Gita and her aunt. Chup-re is meant to keep her quiet, keep her obedient, but acts as a double-edged sword because it stops her from telling her parents about what happened and protects her abuser.

As we go further into Gita’s past and the things she’s been holding in start demanding her attention, it can get really hard to read. Sonia Patel does not hold back in depicting the horrors of CSA, traditionalist views towards women, and how it impacts teenagers and adults years later. I cried several times and cried at the end when I read the author’s note. It’s a deeply powerful book that some people will absolutely need and will help teens and college-age students who are in a similar position see themselves.

Content warning for depictions of colorism, anti-Black racism, anti-Islam attitudes, and graphic depictions of sexual assault.

I would recommend this to readers looking for a realistic, hard-hitting depiction of the impact of sexual assault, fans of YA contemporary that explores difficult topics in candid ways, and those who need books like this in the world.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

Gita Desai is a funny, quirky Indian girl going to college to be a doctor. I really enjoyed that she was a flawed character, and definitely related to some of the college experiences. It was a deeper read than I expected, some family trauma is explored. I really enjoyed this story, the ending felt a tiny bit rushed, but overall worked.

Thank you Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Dial Books for the ARC!

i feel like this is just me and i don’t know why but the mc i do not like, the plot and writing i do like but i don’t know why i can’t form into words why the narrative voice of gita is unappealing to me.

Gita is such a fun, opinated mane character. This book is perfect for fans of The Half of It and Never Have I Ever or for anyone who’s ever been told they’re too much. I really loved that Gita wasn’t always perfect and that she has her flaws. However, she’s also likable enough that I wanted to keep reading. This book was a lot of fun!!