I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, and I won a copy via a Goodreads giveaway, as always my opinions are my own.

I always find hard to to rate and review a biography or memoir because it feels weird to rate review someone's life experience. I want to be careful to not give opinions on the person's life and choices, but more about the writing style, personal enjoyment, and if I learned anything from the book and if I got to know the person the book is about. I will attempt to do that here.

I previously read 2 of Oak's short story collections and really enjoyed them. When I saw that they were coming out with a memoir I was intrigued, as most authors use their life experiences in their writing. This doesn't hold back and really lets you into Oak's life. There are some tough parts to get through but the author puts appropriate trigger warnings in the book so as not to harm the reader, should you need to skip a section to protect yourself due to your own experienced trauma. The author has been through some things, between having a rough (understatement) childhood, quite a few medical issues, growing up during a time and place where anything but heterosexual identity was acceptable, and so many more things (go read the book). I feel like I really got to know the author.

I actually really enjoyed reading this. Oak pours their heart into this book when they talk about their time as a teacher and the trauma they experienced throughout their life. Despite all of their hardships, Oak has still become a successful writer and a survivor. I completely related to the struggles they experienced with getting a diagnoses when it comes to a medical condition no one can figure out and being passed from doctor to doctor until you find a competent one who cares and actually knows what they are doing. I think there is something everyone can relate to in this book.

Voices Carry is written as a book of hope, of teaching, and of exposing issue of minorities. Raven Oak's memoir looks at her younger life (in a somewhat disorganized fashion but I may have missed the point of the way she spread out her childhood so far), your years teaching in Texas, and finding her footing in Seattle.
Reading about Teaching in the Red State was eye-opening. I have always known teachers are the least loved people in the world but damn man. It also focuses on her queer identity, as well as her disability. The goal is to ensure no felt alone. She had the same trouble with doctors that I had except she hasn't found those to help her yet which makes me sad.
There are several chapters where she expresses her rage. While nothing is wrong with female rage, she was yelling at the choir. Those who need to and understand these messages don't typically read these books. I skipped over much of it as it was healthy for my mental health.
Feeling seen is important and I hope Oaks feels seen as well as though they read this book.

The story within this book is definitely worth the read, but the voice and style that it’s written in was a bit difficult for me to finish. I think the footnote commentary took away from the flow of the story, but I could see how it would read better in a physical copy vs a digital one.

Ultimately, being a queer educator in any space is difficult, but especially in the south. The author does a great job at sharing the truth about what that looks like.

I received a digital copy of this book for free. This review is done voluntarily.

Memoirs are not normally my thing, but something about Voices Carry called to me. Reading about everything Raven has achieved, survived, and struggled with made me feel like I was looking at a version of myself in another timeline. My dream was to be a teacher, and the fact that I never had the opportunity or the right timing to make that happen has always been a significant source of sadness in my life. I also deal with chronic pain and mental health issues.


As I read about the frustrations and difficulties Raven faced while teaching, it had a healing effect on me. I do not doubt that if things had been different and I had become a teacher, my path would have been very similar. However, I don’t think I would have lasted as long in the profession. I have never experienced a book, especially non-fiction, that felt more like it was put into the universe for me to discover. So many of the things I currently struggle with or have in the past have their own chapters in Voices Carry. From issues surrounding body image to accepting yourself (and even just figuring out who that is), it's all here.


Raven’s unsent letters to people made me feel so seen. I find myself doing this all the time as I hate confrontation with others. I have done this since I was a child but have always thought it was probably just another “weird” thing I do. One quote that particularly resonated with me was after Raven described an event with her father. Her words, "Once you go into hiding, you tend to stay there. It’s easier. It’s safer," hit me like a freight train.


Raven’s journey is a powerful exploration of resilience and self-acceptance. Her story is not just about her struggles but also about the universal quest for self-identity and voice. I highly recommend Voices Carry to anyone dealing with chronic pain, mental health struggles, or anyone who feels their dreams have been deferred. Raven’s story offers solace and inspiration.


I know this review is a bit messy. This book left me with so many emotions, and I don’t know how to put it all into words. The most basic way I can express it is that I think I really needed this book. Raven Oak mentioned that she wanted to write this book as a way to gain back her voice. In doing so, she is going to help many others find their way to do the same. After reading Voices Carry, I felt more at peace with my own journey's progress.


Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5

This is a great read for anyone in education who does not fit the norms of educators. That being those who are not caucasian, heterosexual, christian and the like.
This is the book of someone who tried to overcome schools and upper management in schools in Texas. From what Raven Oak wrote, I never want to work in any schools in that state. There is some humor amidst the horror.
A very well written memoir that is very different from any other I have read.
I would recommend.