Conde’s ability to take you on a journey is unmatched!
In Maryse Conde’s latest release we meet blue eyed Black people, we are taken to Mali, Guadelou Conde’s ability to take you on a journey is unmatched!
In Maryse Conde’s latest release we meet blue eyed Black people, we are taken to Mali, Guadeloupe, Palestine, Canada, and Haiti. A truly immersive read that you will not be able to put down.
In Waiting For The Waters To Rise we meet Babakar originally from Mali, he ends up living and working in Guadeloupe as a doctor. One night he is woken up and taken to a shack where he finds a dead mother and her recently birthed child. Babakar made the impromptu decision to take the child home and adopt her, not taking into consideration that the mother’s dying wish is to have her child taken back home to Haiti.
While in live improves significantly with the addition of the child to Babakar’s household, he feels complete and loved. One day a mother of the child shows up and convinces him to move back to Haiti so the child can be with her family- they journey to Haiti together. Nothing could prepare them for what would happen in next.
This story is well crafted. I love how Conde allows us to meet people, hear their backstory and how they end up where they are. I think for me, I love how we hear from a Palestinian who ends up in Haiti, a Haitian fleeing to Guadeloupe and the xenophobia that they face, Babakar who journeys from Mail to Guadeloupe… all of these people from all over the world meeting in Haiti. I love a book that is set in Haiti and it is not often I read about characters journeying to Haiti to settle and I enjoyed that.
Yes, some parts were a bit slow but overall I really enjoyed this one. The ending though… wow!
Merged review:
Conde’s ability to take you on a journey is unmatched!
In Maryse Conde’s latest release we meet blue eyed Black people, we are taken to Mali, Guadeloupe, Palestine, Canada, and Haiti. A truly immersive read that you will not be able to put down.
In Waiting For The Waters To Rise we meet Babakar originally from Mali, he ends up living and working in Guadeloupe as a doctor. One night he is woken up and taken to a shack where he finds a dead mother and her recently birthed child. Babakar made the impromptu decision to take the child home and adopt her, not taking into consideration that the mother’s dying wish is to have her child taken back home to Haiti.
While in live improves significantly with the addition of the child to Babakar’s household, he feels complete and loved. One day a mother of the child shows up and convinces him to move back to Haiti so the child can be with her family- they journey to Haiti together. Nothing could prepare them for what would happen in next.
This story is well crafted. I love how Conde allows us to meet people, hear their backstory and how they end up where they are. I think for me, I love how we hear from a Palestinian who ends up in Haiti, a Haitian fleeing to Guadeloupe and the xenophobia that they face, Babakar who journeys from Mail to Guadeloupe… all of these people from all over the world meeting in Haiti. I love a book that is set in Haiti and it is not often I read about characters journeying to Haiti to settle and I enjoyed that.
Yes, some parts were a bit slow but overall I really enjoyed this one. The ending though… wow!...more
It is no secret Tiphanie Yanique can write and she showcases this in this collection. I absolutely loved the story that was the title of the book- HoIt is no secret Tiphanie Yanique can write and she showcases this in this collection. I absolutely loved the story that was the title of the book- How to Escape from a Leper Colony . It is not every day I pick up a book that gives a historical look about Chacachare in Trinidad. I thoroughly enjoyed what life could have looked like back then.
What I found interesting is how the author took a slice of Caribbean life and made an entire narrative around it was really great to read. If you are looking for a great Caribbean read, this is it! ...more
An insanely intense and beautiful book that I still cannot stop thinking about. A beautiful collection of poetry that is like a love letter to Black GAn insanely intense and beautiful book that I still cannot stop thinking about. A beautiful collection of poetry that is like a love letter to Black Girls everywhere. This book made me feel seen and nostalgic. An instant must read.... a book I will visit again and again. ...more
I think at some point you just have to call an author quits and that is what I am doing after reading this bo I read this book, so you don't have to.
I think at some point you just have to call an author quits and that is what I am doing after reading this book. This is my second time reading Morrow and my second time being thoroughly disappointed. The entire time I was reading this book I kept thinking:
Where is this going? Where is the editor? How did this get published?! Seriously, what is this book actually about?!!!
Honestly, save yourself the time and mental energy, skip this one. ...more
If you are in your 20s or late 30s I highly recommend you read this book. There's so much pressure to tick boxes to show you are "adulting" right.... If you are in your 20s or late 30s I highly recommend you read this book. There's so much pressure to tick boxes to show you are "adulting" right.... this is a reminder you don't have to!...more
If you love anything written by Sally Rooney, you will eat this one up!
Honestly, this had a strong 70 pages but then after it got so boring. Lack of If you love anything written by Sally Rooney, you will eat this one up!
Honestly, this had a strong 70 pages but then after it got so boring. Lack of conversation is NOT a plot driver and I am so over it. BUT in true Sally Rooney style, that is exactly what this book does and I am sure it will have all the hype.
As many as 180 children are said to go missing in India every day. Do you read that? 180 children are said to go missing in India EVERY DAY.
What an As many as 180 children are said to go missing in India every day. Do you read that? 180 children are said to go missing in India EVERY DAY.
What an important but thoroughly engaging and entertaining read. This is what atmospheric feels like. Deepa Anappara knows how to weave a story that is well written, has a character voice that feels like he is speaking directly to you. I loved how she was able to write about an important, harsh reality while not making it trauma porn.
Frequently, when speaking with men and white women, I am reminded of how difficult and time-consuming it is to have to reinvent the pencil every time Frequently, when speaking with men and white women, I am reminded of how difficult and time-consuming it is to have to reinvent the pencil every time you want to send a message
This is my first time reading Audre Lorde and man..... I am kicking myself for not getting to her essays sooner. I learned so much, she speak of things that frustates me that I can't seem to put into word, and I'm shocked and not really surprised that the things she wrote about now are still plaguing us today.... *sigh*
I particularly LOVED the essay about Moscow and Grenada- I feel a lot of people don't know about what was done to Grenada and I am so happy to see it written down a documented. ...more
WARNING: DO NOT READ THIS WHILE BACKPACKING WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND THROUGH CENTRAL AMERICA
When I read the premise of this book, my first thought was WARNING: DO NOT READ THIS WHILE BACKPACKING WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND THROUGH CENTRAL AMERICA
When I read the premise of this book, my first thought was INJECT THIS IN MY VEINS! Two best friends traveling in Chile, kills a man and return to their lives. One is wrecked with grief and the other is pretty nonchalant... what could possibly go wrong. The answer: Everything.
This is my second book by Andrea Bartz, I remember reading The Herd and being underwhelmed by it's execution, but thinking, "I would read something she writes next..." and guess what I did. Bartz knows how to write single white female and she shows this off in We Are Never Here. I ate it uppppppp! Yes, there were some points I thought, come on now... you cannot believe this girl is your friend, but... hey, thats good writing for you.
I did think the ending was a little cluncky, especially the last 3 sentences just negate the entire book but that may just be me......more
He was by nature cautious, wanting new things but held back by a vague mistrust.
It was easier for his parents to accept that he was in love with a MuHe was by nature cautious, wanting new things but held back by a vague mistrust.
It was easier for his parents to accept that he was in love with a Muslim girl than it was to accept that he was in love Islam
Maybe this is what getting older means, becoming disappointed in our own selves.
People, I am sure, had said to you, "I devoured your novel," bit your novel devoured me.
What an exceptionally brilliant, cohesive, intelligent and well written short story collection. Lelila Aboulela's ability to distill worlds in 10 pages or less makes her a brilliant story teller. I did not finish any story feeling like I was short changed or wondering "what just happened" the characters, their lives and current problems were well thought out, nuanced and deeply impacting.
These 13 stories, follows the lives of characters who long for home in some way. There is a sense of unease, longing, regret and deep loss in how their stories are told, but handled so beautifully. We meet a man who marries for green card, a girl falling in-love with a Kebab maker, a man visiting home without his family because his white wife refuse to step on the continent of Africa.. all wanting a piece of home.
I particularly LOVED the story Pages of Fruit as a reader, I have been down the rabbit hole our protagonist goes down and it was nice to see how that played out from her and the writer's perspective. What a well written book!
Honestly, if you loved Manchester Happened and How To Love A Jamaican you will LOVE this. ...more
My only complaint is how short this book is. This is an intelligent look into the life of a 75 year old woman whose lived a very full life. I cannot gMy only complaint is how short this book is. This is an intelligent look into the life of a 75 year old woman whose lived a very full life. I cannot get enough of books written from the perspective of older women who are still living their very best lives! Honestly, too often we read books about older women and they are dowdy, grandmothers filled with regrets... this is the opposite of our main character.
While she is almost 75 she's lived a full life, she's got a lot going for her, independent, and spunky without being a stereotype. This is such great story, written with care, love and intelligence. If this is not on your reading list... IT SHOULD BE!
Deep down, I know that my desire to return home comes from nostalgia than genuine longing to return.
I no longer organize by books alphabetically, or arrange them by colour of spine, which was what I used to do. Now the books are arranged according to which characters I believe ought to be talking to each other. That's why Wide Sargassi Sea sits directly above Jane Eyre. The latter used to sit next to each other but then I thought it best to redress the only colonial imbalance and give Rhys the upper hand- upper shelf. ...more
When you meet your love, you are meeting all the people who ever loved them or who were supposed to love them but didnt love them enough or, hell, di When you meet your love, you are meeting all the people who ever loved them or who were supposed to love them but didnt love them enough or, hell, didnt love them at all.
This a love story, but not your usual love story. We meet the two lovers after meeting their entire family line and getting a look at how they both ended up where they are... meeting each other in New York City in 2021. This book is a great mash up of Homegoing, The Vanishing Half, Open Water and Transcendent Kingdom
Tiphanie Yanique's writing is impeccable, I was immediately pulled into the story about Fly and Stela, specifically their back story. As reader, I LOVE the backstory about our main characters and that is exactly where Yanique took this love story. You get to see how and why they behave they do and if they are perfectly suited for each other. I will say, because of this technique I was more invested in the back story than the actual love story. I wanted to know more about the father and why he insisted on having his ex white girlfriend photo on the family wall. I wanted more information on Stela's mom second husband and her life after Martin.
So much is explored in this book, racism, religion, immigration, love, forgiveness, marriage, unfaithfulness and regret. I really enjoyed how religion was dealt with, we see Evangelical dating taking place, how growing up in the church changes you and how you change after leaving the church.
I think the novel could have benefitted from be more direct, it felt a bit all over the place in certain parts. The ending was a bit "what the..." why was that even included... however, overall I think it would be a great read, especially because its a book I cannot ever remember reading. ...more
Ridiculous, absurd, hilarious and un-put-downable! Get ready for a treat!
First, you must have some knowledge of what Slack is or used it, that is t Ridiculous, absurd, hilarious and un-put-downable! Get ready for a treat!
First, you must have some knowledge of what Slack is or used it, that is the only way this book will make any form of sense... and even then, it is still absurd.
In Several People Are Typing we meet Gerald who's consciousness is uploaded into Slack, his body is in the real world and he cannot seem to convince anyone to believe him that he is IN SLACK. In all seriousness, would you believe him?
The book is structured through slack channels and that's how the author moves the plot along, introduce us to characters and what life is like working for a PR firm. How the author played with structure and story telling was fresh and very engaging. It's like you are literally learning about these people from their conversations and it is beautifully done. I found myself laughing out loud as how realistic the office setting was... I believed it and I see my co-workers in so many of these characters: The office gossip The weird boss The couple who is dating but wont let you know The office cliques The cool crowd The new hire
Give Calvin Kasulke is flowers because this was a big risk structure wise but it paid off! Such a great, fresh and captivating read! I WANT MORE! ...more
The entire time I was reading this book I was thoroughly immersed. The writing is so well done, I was so invested WOW! Talk about a well written book!
The entire time I was reading this book I was thoroughly immersed. The writing is so well done, I was so invested in everything the narrator was telling me and I truly didn't want the book to end. Love how this sci-fi was written in such an intriguing way. If this book isnt on your radar it should be!...more
The magic that is this book is unexplainable.... WOW!
Zoraida Cordova writes a convincing book, it's genre bending and will leave you wanting a lot morThe magic that is this book is unexplainable.... WOW!
Zoraida Cordova writes a convincing book, it's genre bending and will leave you wanting a lot more. I am generally not someone who enjoy books that takes me all over the place but I wanted to go everywhere Cordova took me. Imagine getting a letter from your grandmother telling you she is dying and you need to come and get your inheritance... UMMM YES PLEASE! Only to show up and your grandmother is a tree (yes, you read that right... tree). That's just the beginning, it gets more crazy (in a good way).
There is so much happening in the book, at times it can get overwhelming. I also felt the family tree did not help and it was sooo hard to keep up with all the characters but I felt the author's ambition undertaking paid off. I was entertained, I loved reading about Ecuador, the mysticism and the magic. Yes, there were draw backs but if you are looking for an escape, the life of Orquidea Divina is definitely worth reading! ...more
Ok ok ok... come through Lisa Jewell... you did it with this one. I literally read the entire book in 4 hours because I HAD to know what happened and Ok ok ok... come through Lisa Jewell... you did it with this one. I literally read the entire book in 4 hours because I HAD to know what happened and where this story was going. Well crafted and entertaining. If you are looking to come out of a reading slump this book will definitely do it for you!...more
Prepare to get enraged within the first three pages of this book. Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women gives us a deep dive into different sociaPrepare to get enraged within the first three pages of this book. Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women gives us a deep dive into different social areas women are constantly having to work harder, smarter and be better than their male companions. We see how male privilege women hurt women in dating, raising children, knowledge, medicine and the law. I mean the fact that the dummies they use to test seatbelt effectiveness are built like men.... come on!
A lot of the books Kate Manne references have been ones I thoroughly enjoy reading including The Second Shift, All The Rage... . Kate Manne drops bombs of wisdom and leaves you feeling furious. Well researched and presented. ...more
I love a great collection of essays. I think Quinta does a great job of telling interesting stories that thoroughly grasp your attention. Some of the I love a great collection of essays. I think Quinta does a great job of telling interesting stories that thoroughly grasp your attention. Some of the essays I got into the the others fell a bit flat but overall I think this is an ok debut novel. Get that money girl! ...more
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