Book Reviews

  What a beautiful memoir. How is it that a man can experience and suffer so much in so many ways and find a beautiful way to honestly and openly share his life without reservation. It’s really awe inspiring.  The memoir is written as if he is speaking to his mother and sharing all that’s inside him, all he’s ever tried to hide. 

  A sweet, young boy is telling his life stories at the front of the class. The narrator for the audio is a grown man telling family stories from his childhood memory (the language/mentality is of a young boy).  It made me chuckle quite a few times and who couldn’t use a few more smiles in their day? I also learned a few things about a young man’s view of being a grandson, son, refugee, and what it is to be different from the other kids in the classroom. Highly recommend this audiobook. The narrator happens to be the author, so his emotions while telling the stories are spot-on adding quite a bit of charm to story.

  This is a wonderfully honest memoir of family life. Life from the point of view of a young black boy whose father’s tough love and teachings seemingly go in one ear and out the other.  Ta-Nehisi overall is a good boy, his father however expects more from his son knowing he is capable. His mother is there to support his triumphs and defend his integrity when he stumbles. Through it all he finds his passions and makes his way into adulthood. It’s touching, it’s realistic and “the struggle is beautiful” just as the title predicts.  Thank you to #Netgalley, #Delacorte press, and Ta-Nehisi Coates for the opportunity to review this ARC adapted for youth in exchange for an honest review.

A Woman of Intelligence A Novel by Karin Tanabe.  The beginning of this story is a layout of the main character and her lifestyle through the years, which kept me thinking “I thought this book was about working for the FBI.”  It actually is a story about a woman who is unhappy, has a most horrendous day and then is approached and asked to work for the FBI. Working for the FBI turns out to be a salvation for Katharina Edgeworth, giving her a sense of accomplishment & success.  The storyline seems a little unbelievable, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad book. Have New Yorkers ever been approached on the street & asked for assistance from the FBI? It’s a fun idea. I very much appreciate Katharina’s desire to work outside the home and what it adds to her life. Don’t forget this novel takes place in an era when “a woman’s place is in the home” was, in some circles, the only accepted lifestyle.  Readers who enjoy descriptive detailing of New York society in the 1940...

  Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas is a great read especially for those who enjoyed “The Hate U Give.” Obviously it’s written by the same author so you can expect the same raw truth of the difficulties faced while living in Garden Heights.  The writing is powerfully & realistically displayed. Concrete Rose is listed as “The Hate U Give #0” so that means this book takes place in Garden Heights before the events that took place in the “The Hate U Give.”  It also leads me to believe there just may be a Garden Heights series, which is a good prospect. Maverick Carter is the main character who, overall is a smart/good teenager.  Unfortunately his father is in prison and once was the leader of the King Lords and had his son initiated into the gang for protection.  Maverick is in his senior year of high school, has a girlfriend, and is surrounded by friends.  Then his world is tossed upside down when a paternity test reveals he is the father of a baby boy.  ...

What a great book and I love how the cover cleverly ties in with the story!! If you’re looking for something a little different, a little edgy, somewhat sweet and occasionally heartbreaking this is the book to pick up! It will get you through the last cold days of winter. #TwoWhiteQueensandtheOneEyedJack begins with two innocent boys doing what boys do....playing & climbing a tree they’ve been warned not to climb. As Johnny (aka one eyed Jack) climbs the tree his best friend is on the ground goading him to climb ever higher. Johnny falls when the tree limb gives way and he is struck in the eye by a thorn bush. A life changing event for all the characters in the book, including some who haven’t met him yet. It’s truly impressive how author #HeidivonPalleske weaves these characters lives together and the character development is interesting and sometimes unexpected too. Read it, it’s a good story! This ARC was provided by #NetGalley via #DundurnPublishing in exchange for an honest re...

  Author: Sarah Penner debut novel coming March 2021 Media type: Audiobook  Multiple narrators: Lorna Bennett, Lauren Anthony, Lauren Irwin. All 3 narrators were superb in delivering personality to each character. The deep, scratchy voice of Nella brings to mind an sickly spinster woman draped in a dark cloak. Caroline’s narrator lends a voice which gives her courage to finally put herself first, carry-on, and once again find courage and independence.  Eliza’s (the youngest character) narrator reveals an adolescent coming of age voice who is an independent thinker with a curious mind and determination.  The story unfolds alternating between characters. Nella and Eliza are living in London during the 1700s. Nella is the female apothecary owner who has broadened her services dispensing natural ingredient poisons that cannot be traced back to the women who use these tinctures to eliminate men who have wronged them. Eliza is a 12-year-old customer who takes an interest i...