Seen at Bookish Antics! 
 The enforcement of Jim Crow Laws and segregation is one of the lowest, shameful points in American history and yet, it's something that's shied away from in historical fiction. I have read countless historical fiction novels and yet, I've never read a single book pertaining to segregation -- a fact that evaded me until I started Lies. Lies We Tell Ourselves is a powerful, essential novel about one of the most tumultuous times in US history. This is one of those novels that really pack a punch and is so raw and unforgettable. 
 Sarah Dunbar is one of the first African American students to integrate into the formerly all-white high school, Jefferson High. Integration is easier said than done and Sarah is throttled with racial slurs, threats of violence and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Nobody wants to work with the black girl and so, when her French teacher assigns Sarah to work with Linda, a white girl whose father is vehemently racist, the world suddenly turns upside. These two girls suddenly realize that what they've been telling themselves all along is just a mountain of lies. 
 Lies We Tell Ourselves shows the bitter, harsh reality that many African American had to deal with on a daily basis during desegregation. As Talley notes in the end of the book, some school integrations were much worse and others were relatively tranquil, but I feel that Talley truly recreated the process as truthfully as possible. Though no one could fully capture the horrors of this time period, Lies We Tell Ourselves comes pretty damn close. 
 Robin Talley really made a wonderful choice by meshing desegregation and LGBT elements because in some ways, the two are closely linked together. Racism and homophobia are two very real things that plague our society today, despite the fact that our society has drastically changed since 1959. People fear difference and sadly, people of different races and sexuality aren't still quite aren't accepted in the 21st century. I loved Sarah and Linda's romance and story because it was all about self-discovery, acceptance and opening one's self to the unknown. The romance in this one was superbly written and is quite groundbreaking because I don't think I've ever read an interracial romance ever (especially not a LGBT one). 
 Lies We Tell Ourselves is far from an easy read, there were moments while reading where I just needed to distance myself from the hate and racism that are prevalent in this novel. The 'n word' is frequently used and reading it was truly difficult for me, but I know it had to be in this novel to make it as authentic and true as possible. It would've been much easier on me emotionally if I had just put this novel aside, but this is such a necessary novel and readers shouldn't pass this one up. It's horrifying to read about racism, but it's something that existed, still exists and probably will always exist; we need to arms ourselves with knowledge, not ignorance if we want to have even the slightest chance of eradicating hatred and bigotry. The Civil Rights Movement has past, but we need to remember the impact and weight of such an event -- one that changed the lives of countless people. By reading Lies We Tell Ourselves, you're helping perpetuate the stories of millions and making sure that their struggle isn't forgotten. 
 The stories of Sarah and Linda may be fictional, but the heart and spirit of this novel is extremely real; Lies We Tell Ourselves is a novel that demands to be read and should emblazon the shelves of schools everywhere. Robin Talley is truly an amazing author and she truly has done an immeasurable deed by keeping such the narrative of so many people alive. Lies We Tell Ourselves is one of the most emotionally draining novels I've ever read, but it's also one of the most relevant and necessary novels out there.