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This is a discussion topic for the February 2025 Book of the Month, "They Love You Until You Start Thinking for Yourself" by Monica Omorodion Swaida.

What did you like least about "They Love You Until You Start Thinking for Yourself" by Monica Omorodion Swaida?

I expected a book pure of the author's journey from a humble African village girl to a successful woman in a foreign country. But I hit some chapters about politics in the USA. The connection didn't sink in me.

I did not like this book at all. The author was all about her accomplishments and nothing about what her life was really about. It felt like it was all I, I, I, me, me, me. She had a baby, but what happened to him? The second half was all about her opinions on racism, politics, and Trump. I don't really care what she thought about those things.

I found myself amazed about her life, childhood, coming to the U.S., and her resilience of taking care of herself. I enjoy books like this, real people and their lives. The only thing I would say I liked the least that she said she had a child with no explanation. I thought that shouldn't been said at all, if she made a mistake, she should have said so and go on.

"Know the Enemy" by Jodi Velazquez is a mixed review, with some finding it uninteresting and others finding it fascinating due to its focus on the author's life and self-care.

I didn't like that she mentioned she had a child but she mentioned nothing further on that arc. Wish it was explored more, or, if this was deliberate, the fact should have been omitted. That's my personal opinion.

The way Monica weaved everything together – her personal journey, her entrepreneurial spirit, her perspectives on society – that's what made it so compelling. So, even trying to find something I disliked is hard because the book, for me, was just so well-rounded and engaging. It really delivered on everything it seemed to promise and more. So, truly, there wasn't anything I disliked.

What I liked least about They Love You Until You Start Thinking for Yourself was that at times, the book shifted from personal storytelling to strong political opinions, which felt a bit heavy-handed. While I appreciated Monica Omorodion Swaida’s passion, I sometimes wished for a more balanced perspective that allowed readers to form their own conclusions rather than being guided toward a specific viewpoint.

I expected more from the author, but she didn't dive into her life and how her choices made her established. The influence this has on her child and family. The author spoke a little about vital things.

As much as I enjoyed reading the book, I didn't like how scattered it was. The author started the book with a narrative of her humble background and how she gradually climbed the ladder of excellence. However there was no continuation instead I got a jarring plunge into her political opinions and just when I was about to make sense of it, boom! We delved back into her life, but not where she stopped, a totally different phase I was never prepared for.

The author didn't take time to craft her adulthood like she did her childhood. It was like she was in a rush to get the book over with and it made me feel detached. Like the author wasn't being honest with the readers.

Overall the book was an inspiring read, I just didn't like how scattered it was.

I didn’t like the fact that she left her family as a teen and travelled to a foreign land all by herself without letting her family be aware of such a bold step. This isn’t something that teens should learn about, especially how unsafe the world now is. And at that tender age, she ought to be with her family and enjoy her teenage years instead of rushing into adulthood. Also, some aspects of the book were not fully portrayed.

I disliked how disjointed this book seemed to be. There did not seem to be an order to the chapters and the stories that the author told. The timeline of the book skipped repeatedly and jumped backwards in time, which was confusing. I thought this book could have been edited with greater intent in order to rectify this issue. The skips in timeline also led to some contradictions in the author's mindset that made reading her opinions confusing. Her views change a bit over the course of her life, but the order of the book chapters make her political and societal opinions contradictory and almost nonsensical.

Monica Omorodion Swaida's memoir, "They Love You Until You Start Thinking for Yourself," offers an inspiring narrative of resilience and determination. However, some readers have noted that her strong opinions on societal expectations and cultural issues may feel more personal than universal, potentially limiting broader relatability.

The moment she began to discuss US politics, I found myself drifting away from my initial interest in the book.