*2.5 stars Part memoir, part stream of consciousness, part historical this book was kind of a mess. I had some high hopes for this book, but I was a bi*2.5 stars Part memoir, part stream of consciousness, part historical this book was kind of a mess. I had some high hopes for this book, but I was a bit let down! Wideman shuffles back and forth between his own childhood and the shady history of Emmett Till and his mostly unknown father Louis. He waxes lyrical about the French coast, his fathers barbershop and a bunch of dead jellyfish. At points it was hard to follow the story. He does bring up good points about the group in power, (in Louis Till's case-the military) will use certain parts of a story to their advantage to put someone away, or cause their death. He delves a bit into the indomitable love that a woman has for their child and the man she chooses to marry, in spite of that mans faults. Some bright spots, but too all over the place to give any higher of a rating. ...more
A great young adult book about the forced desertion of Malaga Island off the coast of Maine. In the early 20th century the people of Phippsburg, MaineA great young adult book about the forced desertion of Malaga Island off the coast of Maine. In the early 20th century the people of Phippsburg, Maine wanted to take over Malaga Island from the Nativr Americans that lived there. They wanted to build a retreat there to help with tourism. And they succeeded. This is a fictional story of a young boy, who has newly moved to Phippsburg and befriends a young girl by the name of Lizzie Bright Griffin. She opens his eyes to the things right in front of him. He tries to change the ways of the town, and make the world a little bit better. A good book! ...more
This is a very lovingly written book. Joseph Beck writes the story of his fathers most publicized court case, when he defended a black man against an This is a very lovingly written book. Joseph Beck writes the story of his fathers most publicized court case, when he defended a black man against an alleged rape allegation. In the book, he draws parallels between Harper Lee's fictional Atticus Finch, and his all too real father, Foster Campbell Beck. His research is pretty throughly done. It is obvious that this is a subject very close to his heart. I love the idea that there were real-life Atticus Finch's in the South, who, despite popular disapproval, followed their moral compass. I good book! ...more
Another good installment in the Scotland Yard Murder Squad series. In this one, we are introduced to two new villains; Jack the Ripper and someone calAnother good installment in the Scotland Yard Murder Squad series. In this one, we are introduced to two new villains; Jack the Ripper and someone called The Harvest Man. An old nemesis comes back as well. Detective Day and his stalwart companion Hammersmith must race against the clock and round up four murderers who have escaped from jail. But was this jailbreak an accident, or a coincidence? A good read! ...more
Action, adventure, secret characters, a love triangle. What more could you want? The saga continues as Candy tries to free herself from an old wound. Action, adventure, secret characters, a love triangle. What more could you want? The saga continues as Candy tries to free herself from an old wound. She is still stuck in the Abarat, and the list of bad guys is getting longer and longer. The good guy list is also getting a bit longer. A great continuation of the story. How long will I have to wait for the next installment?! ...more
I love it. I love it. I love it. I could only picture Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch the ENTIRE TIME. It. Was. Glorious. No wonder this is thI love it. I love it. I love it. I could only picture Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch the ENTIRE TIME. It. Was. Glorious. No wonder this is the only Sherlock Holmes series that has a stamp of approval from Conan Doyle's estate. Fast action, edge of your seat plot twists, witty banter, and the occasional imagery of Martin and Benedict. What more could you ask for. Please, sir-Give me another!...more
Woah! The second installment in the Abarat series. Candy is still in the Abarat, running from villains left and right. The most notable (and scariest)Woah! The second installment in the Abarat series. Candy is still in the Abarat, running from villains left and right. The most notable (and scariest) are Christopher Carrion and his grandmother Mather Motley. We meet some new characters, and some of our favorites come back together again, to fight dragons, and rescue Candy from life-threatening situations. We also travel back to Chickentown, to check in with her family. There are a few secrets revealed in this book that were nice to know. I think I liked this one better than the first, probably because I know the characters. It didn't fall into the "sequel slump" that many books do! I believe it carried the story really well! Clive Barker doesn't disappoint with the artwork! It is absolutely amazing!! His imagination is a crazy place!! And boy, can this guy write a suspenseful ending! I can't wait to read the next one. ...more
Candy is a young girl living in Chickentown, Minnesota. Her mother seems dissociated with reality and her father is a drunk. She feels as though she dCandy is a young girl living in Chickentown, Minnesota. Her mother seems dissociated with reality and her father is a drunk. She feels as though she doesn't belong. One day, after leaving school grounds, when she was supposed to be going to the principal office, she takes a walk that will change her life. She ends up calling a sea (the Sea of Isabelle) to save a young thief called John Mischief and his brothers. She narrowly escapes a henchman, and rides the waves of the Sea of Isabelle into a different place called Abarat. In Abarat, she meets many different species and animals, some kindly, some unsavory. She is launched into a series of adventures to get away from Lord Carrion and his underlings, and in the process meets a few new friends. She starts to feel as though Abarat has always been her home. And so begins a great series. ...more
Alex is returning to Berlin after World War II having been invited by the SMA. He is originally a writer, who is using his influence to be a double agAlex is returning to Berlin after World War II having been invited by the SMA. He is originally a writer, who is using his influence to be a double agent. He's a little green though, and finds himself in over his head. Old flames appear, memories surface, and he is forced to take matters into his own hands. The writing style is pretty choppy, which leads me to believe it might have been translated. The story is very much fictional, but the post-war Berlin is very much real. I felt like Berlin was almost another character. A good read if you like historical fiction that centers around World War II...more
This was a pretty good follow up to The Yard. Inspector Day and his Sergeant have been called to a small mining town to find a young family. Once theyThis was a pretty good follow up to The Yard. Inspector Day and his Sergeant have been called to a small mining town to find a young family. Once they get there, the town seems on edge and jumpy. The innkeeper is superstitious, and there are strangers among the villagers. They are faced with many twists and turns in their pursuit of the truth. For awhile, you are unsure of where the family is, but then everything falls into place. A good read. ...more
White Rage looks back at all of the legislation and changes to our constitution to help make our country more socially responsible. She examines how hWhite Rage looks back at all of the legislation and changes to our constitution to help make our country more socially responsible. She examines how history has upended any progress we think we have made with civil rights and black progress. She begins with Reconstruction, and the idea that blacks who were no longer slaves, were (in theory) allowed to vote, and own property. Sharecroppers, plantation owners, legislatures, and even presidents would have none of it. They watered down the thirteenth and fourteenth amendment so much, that they almost became null and void. She methodically goes through almost every piece of legislation from reconstruction, to Brown v Board of Education (which up until very recently, has not been fully implemented), to the Voting Rights Act, and the blocking of African American's right to vote. And even most recently, our president receiving death threats and our Congress blocking legislation from him to prove some kind of "better than you" ideology. It's messed up. Her point is that any time there has been some sort of gain for blacks in America, there has been white rage. This white rage has taken hold, and pushed blacks down. Held them in poverty, bad educational systems, run down neighborhoods, with the feeling that they can't break free. Their voices cannot be heard, they are being jailed, and being killed on our streets. She says we need to do something. We need to rise up and look for a better tomorrow. Stop spreading the ideology that one race is more advanced or better than the other. African Americans need to attend better schools, have better housing, have a chance at a better job. Have lives, where they aren't worried about going out by themselves, or being pulled over. I am inclined to agree. An amazing book. ...more
I really liked this book. It is the story of Jende Jonga and his wife, new immigrants from Cameroon. They think that living in New York will make all I really liked this book. It is the story of Jende Jonga and his wife, new immigrants from Cameroon. They think that living in New York will make all of their dreams come true. But life is not what they expected. The American Dream is very different. There are struggles and hardships. It doesn't end the way you think it will!
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book! ...more
Berlin was a phenomenal storyteller. Her short stories chronicle her life, her loves, her descent into addiction and her rebirth as a writer. Some of Berlin was a phenomenal storyteller. Her short stories chronicle her life, her loves, her descent into addiction and her rebirth as a writer. Some of her stories are easy to relate to. I enjoyed the ones about her sister and her job as a nurses assistant. A few were so honest and raw during her alcoholism, they were difficult to read. She truly hit rock bottom. I'm glad that towards the end of her life she was able to get help, and be happy. There is no question that she is a beautiful storyteller. ...more
An interesting, although disjointed read. There is a nameless narrator, who informs the reader of Haitian politics, through the voices of the characteAn interesting, although disjointed read. There is a nameless narrator, who informs the reader of Haitian politics, through the voices of the characters he meets in Haiti while writing a book. Haiti is a heartbreaking country full of the kindest, poorest, most resilient people in the entire world. The poverty is staggering and heartbreaking. There is so much corruption, and so many middle men that Haitian people are literally starving to death. Many places are only accessible by walking or riding a donkey. There are few roads. Because there is a lack of infrastructure and therefore, roads, trade is very limited. This fictional account tells the story of Terry White, who is sent to Haiti to help train peacekeepers. He befriends a judge, and persuades him to run for senator, against the incumbent Maxim Bayard. The plot moves at a steady pace. At times you root for the Judge. But I felt disconnected. The story felt disjointed. And there were no real, honest characters that I could root for. ...more
This book was great! Fiction mixed with real people. Someone is killing police officers in the year after Jack the Rippers rampage. The murder squad tThis book was great! Fiction mixed with real people. Someone is killing police officers in the year after Jack the Rippers rampage. The murder squad that is part of Scotland Yard must work against the clock before another one of their ranks is targeted. A mix of suspense, great historical facts, and great characters. You can't help but get sucked in. It moved at a fast pace, and was honest in its portrayal of London in the 1880's. A great read! ...more
I don't even know what this book was about. It was a survival story, I think? Luz and Ray are living in California after the water has run out. There I don't even know what this book was about. It was a survival story, I think? Luz and Ray are living in California after the water has run out. There is a giant sand dune in the middle of the country, and they are moving across the dune in search of water. They come across a band of misfits who are living in the middle of the dune, who are led by a crazed dowser. This book was so strange and disjointed. I couldn't find a single redeeming quality. So strange. ...more
Another guilty pleasure. The story continues, and of course there are new characters, new twists and turns that keep you guessing. Clary must help herAnother guilty pleasure. The story continues, and of course there are new characters, new twists and turns that keep you guessing. Clary must help her shadow hunter friends ally with the downworlders to defeat her evil father Valentine. I can't help it. These books are addicting. Pass me another. ...more
This book is a cross between The Mist and The Stand, with a little Walking Dead-type story elements thrown in. What a wild ride! The world has been thThis book is a cross between The Mist and The Stand, with a little Walking Dead-type story elements thrown in. What a wild ride! The world has been thrown into chaos. Anyone who looks outside at some hideous creatures or beasts (no one really knows) are instantly crazy, and go on a homicidal rampage. A small group of people have come together in a house, and try to survive. No one can go outside without a blindfold. Flash forward one of these survivors is trying to leave the house with her two small children, while the creatures lurk around them. A very well-told story that capitalizes on the fear of the unknown. I could not put it down. Loved it! ...more
What a cool series of stories, some connected, some not, but all lived by this honest author. Heidi Julavits doesn't seem to sugar coat the hard timesWhat a cool series of stories, some connected, some not, but all lived by this honest author. Heidi Julavits doesn't seem to sugar coat the hard times in her life. Through her diary, she writes about long impromptu car rides with misogynistic strangers, losing track of friends, self improvement, therapy, and the people house she and her husband bought it Maine. A refreshing look at the large and small life lessons gleaned from a daily diary entry. ...more
Violet and Kate Shramm are identical twins; they also share psychic senses about their future, and the future of their family. One day they both get aViolet and Kate Shramm are identical twins; they also share psychic senses about their future, and the future of their family. One day they both get a sense that there will be an earthquake. Violet, who embraces her gift fully, goes on national television to warn the world of the impending doom. Kate worries herself sick, and in the process alienates herself from her sister more and more. I felt the first half of the book was slow, and I kept waiting for this earthquake to happen. It was obvious that Kate did not embrace her "senses" and as a result, was less likely to be spontaneous. She was always worried about the family, and keeping up appearances. I felt the writing was mediocre, I didn't feel like it focused on the sisters relationship. It seemed it focused on Kate and her many relationships within her life. Not super impressive, but I can see it as a good beach read. ...more