Ordinary Girls Audiobook By Jaquira Diaz cover art

Ordinary Girls

A Memoir

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Ordinary Girls

By: Jaquira Diaz
Narrated by: Almarie Guerra
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A fierce, beautiful, and unflinching memoir from a wildly talented debut author

While growing up in housing projects in Puerto Rico and Miami Beach, Jaquira Diaz found herself caught between extremes: as her family split apart and her mother battled schizophrenia, she was surrounded by the love of her friends; as she longed for a family and home, she found instead a life upended by violence. From her own struggles with depression and sexual assault to Puerto Rico's history of colonialism, Ordinary Girls vibrates with music and lyricism. Diaz triumphantly maps a way out of despair toward love and hope to become her version of the girl she always wanted to be.

©2019 Jaquira Díaz (P)2019 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books Caribbean Creators Dysfunctional Families Dysfunctional Relationships Parenting & Families Relationships Memoir

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Editorial Review

There is nothing ordinary about this memoir. Ordinary Girls is a coming-of-age tale that pulls no punches and holds nothing back, tackling everything from sexism to mental illness via everything in between. Difficult? Yes. Vital? Absolutely yes.
Don’t let the title of Jaquira Diaz’s stunningly powerful memoir fool you. There is nothing ordinary about the heroes at the heart of Ordinary Girls. Beautifully narrated by Almarie Guerra, Ordinary Girls is a story about extremes; of a mother locked in a violent battle with schizophrenia, of the love that a tight-knit group of friends can provide, of youthful depression and adult violence and sexual assault. It isn’t an easy listen, but the best memoirs rarely are, and Puerto Rico’s Jacquira Diaz has created something special in Ordinary Girls.
A childhood bouncing between Puerto Rican housing projects and the hustle and bustle of Miami Beach with a dedicated Mami and an absent Papi presents its own struggles, and this debut memoir from Humacao-born first-time author Jaquira Diaz faces them head-on, not a flinch found. Ordinary Girls is so much more than the retelling of Diaz’s life’s worth of experiences; this is a deep dive into Puerto Rico’s history of colonialism mixed with vibrant lyricism and spellbinding phrasing, a coming-of-age tale that tackles mental illness, girlhood, sexism, and more. Diaz’s resilience is the central theme, although Ordinary Girls: A Memoir touches on a wide range of ground.
At the heart of it all is a fantastic audiobook from a precociously skilled writer, one that allows Diaz’s story to shimmer with energy and excitement. Ordinary Girls is an absolute must-listen for young women, young men, young everyone, and older listeners too, a searing memoir that dives deep into the traumas and celebrations that punctuate millions of lives worldwide. —Audible Latino Editor.

Powerful Memoir • Honest Storytelling • Engaging Narration • Relatable Experiences • Inspiring Journey
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There is a lot of sadness in this book. A lot of hard lessons as well. I had to stop several times ... perhaps because memories I had long stored away came back to the surface. Perhaps also because I wondered how she made it through.
Glad I finished it and didn’t leave myself wondering.
A heartfelt book and stories Im glad she shared.
We are all Ordinary Girls.

Hard book to hear ...

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The author definitely had a traumatic life. it's surprising when someone can go through all of those things and still become a productive successful person. I wish her continued success in her life. Thank you for sharing.

Such resilience

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I really loved this book. the author bounces back and forth through different places and times, but brings it together perfectly.

unexpected

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"For all the girls that never thought to see themselves in books" Jaquira Diaz" A courages and honest story of living and growing up under extreme, yet all too common circumstances. I love the way the story weaves in and out almost like thoughts that pop up while telling a story. It is so real and so raw. The reader does a wonderful job.

Courage

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I listened to ORDINARY GIRLS by Jaquira Diazvob Audible

I don't read a lot of biography or autobiography, so when I noticed that 2 of the 3 books I was working on were memoirs, I was surprised. I also made a huge error in my choice of books. All 3 books involved, to some extent, violence, abuse, and rape. All three books involved race. Hence, I had to remind myself what I was reading because I got a bit confused at times. Fortunately, I usually listen on a long car ride or while spending an afternoon knitting, so it does not take me long to remember the storyline.

Ordinary Girls begins in Puerto Rico with the larger part taking place in Miami. Jaquira's father is Black, her mother, White. The family struggles with food, housing, drugs, and alcohol. Both her mother and her maternal grandmother are addicts, and her mother has mental health issues. Her father favors women, drinking, and sometimes criminal activity. It's a lot to listen to, and it often makes me cringe with discomfort.

I learned a bit about the US treatment of Puerto Rico, and once again, I am ashamed of our country.

I recommend this book because of its gritty telling of the effects of poverty on a family. I give no one any pass for their behavior. It is worth your time.

Now, my biggest problem with the book is the chaotic storyline. Jaquira's life was chaotic, of course, but her storytelling was so chaotic I sometimes wondered whether the author had gone back to a previous event or moved ahead in time. It was very hard to tell.

Her obsession with a particular criminal was oddly placed in the book, and often, the history of Puerto Rico unnecessary; although I did not mind it at all.

A chaotic life story

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Ordinary Girls is a teleological masterpiece, providing insight to the daily life stressors and struggles of the main character from childhood, through adolescence, and into adulthood. This heart wrenching story offers hope and encourages perseverance for a generation of young women often suffering in painful silence.

An extraordinarily remarkable narrative of tragedy, trauma, and triumph

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Amazing. For a Puerto Rican woman that was born there than raised in New York. I felt like an ordinary girl again.

Couldn’t have been better

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I truly enjoyed this book. I love listening to a story that I can connect to. Especially being Puerto rican like the author.

Wonderful book

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What a wonderful story!!!! So real written with pure love and heart! Can’t wait to read more books from her.

Pure Heart

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This was such a page turner, I loved how the narrator brought her words to life. Great Read.

Best Book in Years

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