Book Review: Things I Hoped For by Sandy Brown Lindstedt
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From the beginning, Things I Hoped For captures the innocence and uncertainty of a young girl blooming into adulthood and ready for an adventure. The vibe of this book reminds me of To Kill a Mocking Bird with a whimsical twist, but it is about a young girl from Southside Chicago who ends up at her grandmother's house in rural Texas, where she experiences her first love. Author, Sandy Brown Lindstedt writes with a keen and astute perspective, capturing so much of the historical context, local lingo, Southern cultural references, and a sense of familiarity that makes you feel like you have met Sandy's family. I particularly enjoyed the protagonist's relationship with her sister Glory, who reminded me of my own love for reading and murder mysteries. Not long after their arrival at Grandma Minnie's, the kids encounter a real magical mystery of their own and Sandy is left to question everything.
Sandy gets in trouble when she starts a love triangle with two local boys, both of whom are smitten by her beauty, but things get sticky as she tries to juggle two relationships at once, which is a lot for a girl who is having her first relationship with a boy ever. Sandy is realizing her feminine power while seeking adventure at every turn, or at least as much fun as she can have under her grandmother's watchful eye.
This coming-of-age novel is a cozy read that harkens back to an earlier innocence from childhood and a teenage rollercoaster of thoughts, hormones, and awkward growth. Give Things I Hoped For a try if you want to escape into a rural Texan time capsule where magic still exists, even if it's just a firefly in your tummy lighting the way.
I would recommend this book for teenagers or grown-ups looking for a light escapist read with a touch of magical realism and Black Southern nostalgia.
Reviewed by Rowana Abbensetts-Dobson, a Guyanese-American writer, mental health advocate, and founder of Spoken Black Girl, a publishing & media company that promotes mental health and wellness among Black women & women of color by amplifying emerging voices.
