I haven't seen it discussed too much aside from the dancemoms sub, and I don't want to get eaten alive by posting my thoughts about it there, but I really haven't been impressed by this book. I see so many people that watched Dance Moms raving about it, and it's getting very good reviews, but I couldn't help but find it to feel pretty childish in its writing. It seems like it was purely an outlet for Nia to talk about her experiences (which is fine) rather than showcase her writing or engage in any kind of deeper conversation about race and class.
I almost feel like it would've been suited for a podcast episode or something similar, rather than a full book. The writing just feels so simple and elementary that it's hard for me to get into it and take it seriously. She writes very literally, as if she's talking to a friend, and I feel like there were so many missed opportunities that could've made it a really impressive memoir. She had a very unique experience by being the only black girl on her dance team, and there were so many deeper discussions that could've happened in her book, but instead she seemed to just go the very literal route of explaining everything that happened in a very simple, surface level way that doesn't go beyond her own personal experience being on a reality TV show.
I understand it was likely a very healing experience for her to finally write her story and share it in a way that felt empowering to her. But I don't think it will maintain much relevance outside of the people that still keep up with the Dance Moms cast. It had the potential to be a thought provoking memoir that could appeal to a much wider audience but it just felt like she played it very safe and kept it pretty surface level. I know she's so intelligent and accomplished and I guess I just expected a little bit more
by whoisthismahn