Solo – Kwame Alexander & Mary Rand Hess – #20booksofsummer

This is my 7th book for the #20booksofsummer challenge hosted by Cathy at 746books.

Blurb:
Blade never asked for a life of the rich and famous. In fact, he’d give anything not to be the son of Rutherford Morrison, a washed-up rock star and drug addict with delusions of a comeback. Or to no longer be part of a family known most for lost potential, failure, and tragedy, including the loss of his mother. The one true light is his girlfriend, Chapel, but her parents have forbidden their relationship, assuming Blade will become just like his father. 

In reality, the only thing Blade and Rutherford have in common is the music that lives inside them. And songwriting is all Blade has left after Rutherford, while drunk, crashes his high school graduation speech and effectively rips Chapel away forever. But when a long-held family secret comes to light, the music disappears. In its place is a letter, one that could bring Blade the freedom and love he’s been searching for, or leave him feeling even more adrift. 

My Thoughts:
This book follows Blade Morrison as he faces time and time again his father being drunk or high. Blade doesn’t want to be followed by the cameras and the papparazzi but he finds solace with his girlfriend Chapel, who’s parents have forbidden her to see him because of Rutherford, Blade’s father.
One day during a massive argument Storm, Blade’s sister, shouts the family secret that brings Blade’s world crashing down around him. The majority of the story follows Blade as he tries to come to terms with what has been said.

This book is beautiful and sad I found myself laughing and crying along with the characters. Kwame Alexander has written this book so perfectly in the form of poetry, and it just works so incredibly well. One of the most beautiful things about this book is the songs. Kwame himself both wrote and sings the songs in the audiobook verison and they perfectly sit within the storyline.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Rutherford and Blade, it’s difficult and raw, but it’s real. They grow together and they heal together.

Instead of me recommending people to read this book I advise people to listen to this book because of the rhythm and pace at which Kwame reads it. There is so much power in the way it is read I think it’s absolutely stunning. I found myself listening to the songs over and over because I absolutely love them!

Amazon affiliate link: Buy Solo Here