The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah

This is not a 'happy ending' book, but I couldn't put it down. I don't usually read books that are 'too real' and 'negative'. I read for enjoyment, this book is not enjoyable. So again, be warned, this is a gritty, overall sad story.  At first I appreciated the language, told in first-person slang by a ghettofabulous hood rat. Sister Soulja is good at describing the present-focused, get-mine mentality that many people from low socioeconomic status possess. Winter, the protagonist, is the daughter of a big-time Brooklyn drug dealer, so although she is from the 'hood, she is accustomed to show-casing wealth. Her dad is arrested and she loses everything, she has no problem using and conning anyone into helping her acquire cash so that she can keep up her image. She has no real respect for anyone, no moral guidelines, and ultimately no self-respect. I kept waiting for her to learn some sort of life lesson or develop some sort of connection with another person, but as the book dragged on she remained a conviving, selfish, money-hungry, bitch. She meets some good, genuine people who try to help her throughout the book and with each one she burns another bridge by lying and stealing. Sister Soulja enters the book as a character who wants to empower women and unify African Americans so that they can rise above their situations and incite change within their communities. I kept thinking she would reach Winter, but interestingly enough Winter is immune to her teachings. This book utilizes profane, sensitive themes including drug addiction, promiscuity, prostitution, abortions, guns, gang violence, and homophobia to teach the reader that you cant depend on money.