Thirsty, Jas Hammonds
Thirsty, Jas Hammonds
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Thirsty
A Novel

Author: Jas Hammonds

Narrator: Alaska Jackson

Unabridged: 8 hr 10 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/14/2024


Synopsis

From Jas Hammonds, award-winning author of We Deserve Monuments, comes a gripping read about a girl willing to risk it all for the chance to join an underground sorority with her wealthy best friends—perfect for fans of Euphoria and Girl in Pieces.

It’s the summer before college and eighteen-year-old Blake Brenner and her girlfriend, Ella, have one goal: join the mysterious and exclusive Serena Society. The sorority promises status and lifelong connections to a network of powerful, trailblazing women of color. Ella’s acceptance is a sure thing—she’s the daughter of a Serena alum. Blake, however, has a lot more to prove.

As a former loner from a working-class background, Blake lacks Ella’s pedigree and confidence. Luckily, she finds courage at the bottom of a liquor bottle. When she drinks, she’s bold, funny, and unstoppable—and the Serenas love it. But as pledging intensifies, so does Blake’s drinking, until it’s seeping into every corner of her life. Ella assures Blake that she’s fine; partying hard is what it takes to make the cut . . .

But success has never felt so much like drowning. With her future hanging in the balance and her past dragging her down, Blake must decide how far she’s willing to go to achieve her glittering dreams of success—and how much of herself she’s willing to lose in the process.

A Macmillan Audio production from Roaring Brook Press.

About Jas Hammonds

Jas Hammonds was raised in many cities and between the pages of many books. They have received support for their writing from the Highlights Foundation, Baldwin for the Arts and Art Omi. They are also a grateful recipient of the MacDowell James Baldwin Fellowship. Their bestselling debut novel, We Deserve Monuments, won the 2023 Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award for New Talent. She lives in New Jersey.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Marieke

The first chapter is a mishmash of thoughts of biracial, lesbian, party girl Blake, aka Big Bad Bee, and immediately, a band tightened around my chest. Jas Hammonds's story pulled at me like a magnet and didn’t let go until the end. Drinking. It’s so normal. Partying and getting drunk and maybe getti......more

Goodreads review by Nev

Man, Thirsty was an excellent and, at times, uncomfortable read. The story follows Blake Brenner during the summer between her senior year of high school and first year of college. Her, her girlfriend Ella, and best friend Annetta are all spending the summer trying to get chosen to be part of the Se......more

Goodreads review by Provin

Blake Brenner is a nice and normal 18-year-old with big plans for her future. She and her girlfriend, Ella are college bound and hope to join the Serena Society to ensure their future goals come to fruition. The biggest thing standing in their way is Blake’s drinking. See, when Blake drinks, she tur......more

4.75 stars! Told over the summer before freshman year of college, Thirsty tells the story of Blake Brenner's experience pledging an exclusive sorority, her relationships with family, friends and dating PLUS alcoholism. There are many themes in the book that stood out to me, but the most impactful......more

Goodreads review by Mallory

I loved We Deserve Monuments so I knew I was going to need to read this one. While the tone of this book is very different the relationships between the characters are so real and live I was drawn into the story. I will say with this book I didn’t love the main character. She was hard to like, but t......more


Quotes

“A sensitively wrought and gorgeously written exploration of a young woman's hard-won journey back to herself. Hammonds is a formidable talent whose unflinching vulnerability and empathy will inspire the same of their readers.”—Courtney Summers, New York Times bestselling author of Sadie and I’m the Girl

"Jas Hammonds remains one of literature's most electric voices. Breathtaking and courageous, Thirsty will change lives. Blake Brenner's story challenges our social norms, perception of addiction, and expectations for all kinds of love. I was dazzled and devastated by every page, and ultimately left profoundly moved." —Jen St. Jude, author of If Tomorrow Doesn't Come

"Thirsty
is the first lungful of air when you’re drowning. An astonishing, compassionate, and deeply complicated novel about addiction, friendship, and loyalty that will leave your heart singing. Don’t miss this!" —Mark Oshiro, New York Times bestselling author of Into the Light

"A vibrant, affirming look at addiction, resilience, and what it means to take charge of your own life.” —Rebecca Barrow, author of And Don't Look Back and This Is What It Feels Like

"
A brilliant display of electric dread, Jas Hammonds's Thirsty perfectly balances the dizzy joys of youth with a stark understanding of the complexities of addiction. A riveting addition to any collection built with care for our indispensable community of children." —K. Ancrum, award-winning author of The Weight of the Stars and Darling

"Vulnerable, tender, heartbreaking, and so full of hope. Thirsty is a compelling exploration of interiority that feels universal by a profound and incredible author." —Sara Farizan, award-winning author of If You Could Be Mine and Dead Flip

Thirsty is an undeniable force. A knockout with nuance. This stunningly crafted story tugs at the reader with breathless pace and sharp insights that ultimately delivers the hope of recovery.” —Cory McCarthy, bestselling author of the Stonewall Honor-winner Man o’ War

"A revelation. In this stunning, messy-hearted, soul-soothing novel, Hammonds gives readers a means to examine, confront, and be curious about what alcohol can mask and destroy within us. This book will save lives, I have no doubt." —Mariama J. Lockington, Stonewall Honor Author of In the Key of Us and Forever is Now

"
A story of love, longing and belonging, Jas expertly tackles addiction through showing not only abuse of the body, but of relationships, self-inflicting wounds and the lengths you'll go to feel accepted. But most important, Thirsty ends in hope and wholeness. A must read." —Ebony LaDelle, author of Love Radio

“Utterly consuming and tenderly poignant, Thirsty is a fearless exploration of toxicity, addiction, rage, and healing. A transformative novel that readers will cling to long after the final page.”
—Julian Winters, award-winning author of Right Where I Left You

"Poignant and gutsy. Thirsty is a brilliant exploration of girlhood and desire and what it means when we haven’t been taught to love ourselves. With the promise of hope and hard-fought insight, Blake’s journey is both compelling and confronting. A must read.” —Stephanie Kuehn, award-winning author of We Weren't Looking to Be Found

"
Visceral and engrossing, Thirsty by Jas Hammonds plunges readers into the glittering world of country clubs and luxury boats–a world Blake is desperate to be part of as she battles crippling anxiety and self-doubt with one more round. This book is astounding in its searing authenticity and tenderness." —Alexandra Villasante, award-winning author of The Grief Keeper

"Readers will be gripped from the very beginning. A gut-wrenching story"—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Hammonds expertly weaves explorations of class, family, queer identity, race, and substance reliance into a glittering, harrowing narrative that is compulsively readable, gorgeously written, and intricately crafted."Publishers Weekly, starred review


Awards

  • CPL: Chicago Public Library Best of the Best