We Are Not Like Them: A GMA Book Club Pick
by Christine Pride, Jo Piazza
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A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK
Named a Most Anticipated Book of Fall by People, Essence, New York Post, PopSugar, New York Newsday, Entertainment Weekly, Town & Country, Bustle, Fortune, and Book Riot
Told from alternating perspectives, this "propulsive, deeply felt tale of race and friendship" (People) follows two women, one Black and one white, whose friendship is indelibly altered by a tragic event.
Jen and Riley have been best friends since kindergarten. As adults, they remain as close as sisters, though their lives have taken different directions. Jen married young, and after years of trying, is finally pregnant. Riley pursued her childhood dream of becoming a television journalist and is poised to become one of the first Black female anchors of the top news channel in their hometown of Philadelphia.
But the deep bond they share is severely tested when Jen's husband, a city police officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager. Six months pregnant, Jen is in freefall as her future, her husband's freedom, and her friendship with Riley are thrown into uncertainty. Covering this career-making story, Riley wrestles with the implications of this tragic incident for her Black community, her ambitions, and her relationship with her lifelong friend.
Like Tayari Jones's An American Marriage and Jodi Picoult's Small Great Things, We Are Not Like Them takes "us to uncomfortable places--in the best possible way--while capturing so much of what we are all thinking and feeling about race. A sharp, timely, and soul-satisfying novel" (Emily Giffin, New York Times bestselling author) that is both a powerful conversation starter and a celebration of the enduring power of friendship.
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9781982181048
- Binding
- Paperback
- Authors
- Christine Pride, Jo Piazza
- Publisher
- Atria Books
- Published Date
- August 2, 2022
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 336
- Physical Info
- 8.19 in L x 5.33 in W (0.56 lb)

I would have given it 4.5. It is a sad commentary on the world we live in while the same time showing there is kindness and duality in most situations. You can never truly know what someone else is thinking or feeling.
This author is very good at creating true real life characters. This story was very tense the whole way thru. And so true. I loved it.
No human will ever have the exact experiences as any other! There will always be male and female, straight and guy, black and white, Jew and gentile, the “haves”and the “have nots”…. The challenge is to recognize this, open our minds and feelings and do whatever we can to listen, and if not understand, to accept.Powerful fictional story that is happening every day.
This was a beautiful written story of two friends and how something as simple as the color of your skin and drive a wedge in your friendship. You see the years of friendship between Riley and Jen unfold in a way that adds so much depth to the story. It highlights how important it is for everyone to work together to overcome racism but also the importance of listening to each other and letting other people see your world even if they don’t have the same experiences.I personally feel the Riley had more growth than Jen in this story but I also feel like that might have been the point.The opening with Justin’s POV and ending with his mother’s POV. Was a beautiful way to complete this story.
This a poignant and powerful story about racism and a mother’s grief over her murdered son. I cannot even imagine what this mother has experienced. I learned some things from this book, and hopefully others will as well.
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