This is not an easy read - for me, that was in part because I'm no longer accustomed to having to think deeply about what I'm reading, sometimes re-reading sentences a few times to really (mostly) understand them. But also, this book makes it clear how truly different and challenging it is to grow up African-American in the United States. The sections about Prince Jones really resonated with me. I agree with those who say this should be required reading. 
 Edit: A week later, and I'm finding that how Coates talks about the body, and how fragile it is, and how we spend so much effort raising children with lessons and manners and it can be taken away so easily - that's what is sticking with me.