Forever Is Now

By: Mariama J. Lockington

Narrated by: Angel Pean

A poignant and lyrical young adult novel-in-verse about a Black teen coming of age in an anxiety-inducing world, from the author of For Black Girls Like Me and In the Key of Us.

I'm safe here.

That's how Sadie feels, on a perfect summer day, wrapped in her girlfriend's arms. School is out, and even though she’s been struggling to manage her chronic anxiety, Sadie is hopeful better times are ahead. Or at least, she thought she was safe. When her girlfriend reveals some unexpected news and the two witness a violent incident of police brutality unfold before them, Sadie’s whole world is upended in an instant.

I'm not safe anywhere.

That's how Sadie feels every day after―vulnerable, uprooted. She retreats inside as the weeks slip by and relies on her phone to stay connected to the outside world. When Sadie’s therapist gives her a diagnosis for her debilitating panic―agoraphobia―she starts on a path of acceptance and healing. Meanwhile, Sadie's best friend, Evan, updates her on the protests taking place in their city. Sadie wants to be a part of it, to use her voice and affect change. But how do you show up for your community when you can’t even leave your house?

I can build a safe place inside myself.

That’s what Sadie learns over the course of one life-changing summer, with some help from her family, her best friend, an online platform for activists, and a magnetic crush she develops for the new boy next door.

From critically acclaimed author Mariama J. Lockington comes Forever is Now, a powerful young adult novel-in-verse about mental health, love, family, Black joy, and finding your voice and power in an unforgiving world.

Fantastic Story

The story is absolutely beautiful and it pulls you in within minutes. What a gorgeous story and storyline. Amazing

Love everything about this book.

This first YA book from one of my family’s favorite middle grade authors. As with Lockington’s first two books, Forever is Now gently and wisely handles complicated questions about what it means to grow up in America. Mental health, race, social justice, living safely as a queer teen, and relationships with family and peers are all major subjects of this gorgeous and heart-forward book. There’s a little more “language” and frank conversations about racialized violence in this book than her middle grade novels, but it’s all things teens hear everyday. I love the tools Lockington offers readers for managing some of the toughest (and also sometimes most wonderful) realities of our times.

Beautifully written and delightfully narrated. This book is an absolute gem.