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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Deacon King Kong by James McBride

    Reading Wednesday

    March 10, 2021
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    Deacon King Kong

    It’s been probably 7 or 8 years since I read McBride’s novel “The Good Lord Bird” and it remains a favorite read of mine. So when my husband suggested I read this latest novel by McBride I was anxious to. Here is my book review Deacon King Kong by James McBride.

    Deacon King Kong

    I had a lot of distractions going on in my personal life while I was reading this book. Some days I didn’t have time to even pick it up…other days it was a great little retreat for me at the end of a crazy day. McBride’s writing is superb, and in fact even better in Deacon King Kong than in The Good Lord Bird. One of the reasons this book has enjoyed so much acclaim and awards.

    The year is 1969 and the place is the “projects” in Brooklyn New York. A rundown neighborhood slowly becoming a drug capital. We are introduced to the men, women and children of the ‘hood, whose lives revolve mostly around each other and church. The majority are black from the South, some Puerto Rican and some Italian. The protagonist is Deacon King Kong who, we will learn, goes by many other names as well. A widower, a deacon, a gardener, an umpire, a coach, a janitor and a drunk. This is the story of Deacon King Kong and all the versions of his life, and all the people in his life and how the story is set in motion on the day he shoots a young drug dealer in the neighborhood.

    Three Things I Loved About This Book

    1. Multiple storylines, each one fully developed and engaging, culminate beautifully in the end of the book.
    2. Spectacular character development. There are numerous characters and McBride is brilliant in this area. You truly are rooting for all of these people to make it and to come out happy on the other side.
    3. And the narrative setting of Brooklyn in the tumultuous 1960’s plays out so well in the writing as the multiple storylines follow cops (both good and bad), race and racism, mobsters and drug dealers, poverty, community and faith.

    McBride shows us in this book how things may not always be what they appear, how lives can be entwined in ways we may not understand, and how compassion and gratitude can change lives beyond our own time on this earth. This book is about faith. I hope you enjoyed my book review Deacon King Kong by James McBride

    *****Five stars for Deacon King Kong

    Read last week’s book review of Oona Out of Order here.

    My current read Simon the Fiddler

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore

    Reading Wednesday

    March 3, 2021
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    Oona Out of Order

    I was on the waitlist at my local library for this book for what seemed like forever. So I had high expectations. But it started kinda slow for me, and I was initially dissapointed. But I’m glad I stuck it out because I really began to enjoy it in time. Speaking of time…this book is about time. Here is my book review Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore.

    In hindsight I might have struggled in the beginning of this book due to the fact I had just finished The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (which I loved, see the review here) which is a little bit about time travel. And indeed so is Oona Out of Order, coincidentally. But the concept and plot is very different.

    On New Years Eve 1982 at midnight, which is also Oona’s 19th birthday everything changes. That is the day that Oona begins living her life out of order. Unlike most people on their birthdays who become a year older, Oona is transported at the end of each year to another time in her life. From 19 years old to 52 years old to 35 years old etc. It’s a jumbled up life full of questions and problems.

    There are only two constants in her life, each helping in their own way to keep Oona safe as she jumps around her life. The first one is her mother, who is always there until she isn’t. The second is a young man who is never there when she jumps to early years but is always there later in Oona’s life.

    Sounds crazy? Yep it is, but Montimore does a bang up job keeping the reading in line with the developing mixed up plot even while Oona often doesn’t know where she is or how old she is. Sometimes sad and frightening, but also funny, sweet and poignant, it’s a lovely story about family, love and perseverence.

    This is another book I expect to be a movie, it’s perfect for the big screen and special effects. I vote for Sandra Bullock as Oona. I hope you enjoyed my book review Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore.

    ****Four stars for Oona Out of Order

    Read last week’s review of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue here.

    My current read Rabbits for Food

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review The Cold Millions by Jess Walters

    February 3, 2021
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    It’s been about seven years since I read Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walters and it remains one of my all time favorite books. So when I saw he had a new book, I snatched it up not even knowing what it was about. Here is my Book Review The Cold Millions by Jess Walters.

    In the Cold Millions, Walters takes us to his own hometown of Spokane, here in the State of Washington where I live. But he takes us back to the early twentieth century, a time where Spokane was a hard-scrabble industrial town. It’s a changing time in America, a time where the rich are trying to keep their power over the poor as workers rights and women’s rights are coming to the forefront.

    Walters creates a magical collection of characters, including brothers Rye and Gig who are caught up in the unionization turmoil and the police brutality and corruption that accompanies it, as they try to make a better life for themselves. The story includes real life characters, like feminist activist Elizabeth Gurley-Flynn who is placed in this fictional story that also includes some true life historical events.

    If you liked This Tender Land or Peace Like a River you will like The Cold Millions. I enjoyed this book very much, especially learning some history about this era in Spokane that I was not familiar with, but more than anything enjoying Walters writing and character development.

    *****Five Stars for The Cold Millions by Jess Walters

    My current read Deacon King Kong

    Read last week’s review of The Rosie Project

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

    January 27, 2021
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    I’ve been reading some really amazing, but pretty depressing books lately. I recommend all of them, but indeed they were intense. So when I stumbled upon The Rosie Project I was gleeful. Here is my book review The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.

    This book has been around for a few years, published in 2013 it has come in and out of my consciousness but for some reason I never read it. Until now. And I’m so glad I did.

    This is the uplifting story of Don Tillman, an Australian Professor who has extreme difficulty with social interaction, because of his own autism. Don is a genetics professor, and leads his life with a very rigid schedule he doesn’t like to deviate from.

    Don has never had a serious relationship, and thinks his good job, intelligence and even financial status should make him an attractive mate. He believes the problem is with the women. So he embarks on the Wife Project, creating a list of criteria for the perfect women.

    This of course leads to a hilarious set of events, women and activities. Don finally meets Rosie, who defies all his criteria. But he enjoys her company. Of course you can imagine how things unfold.

    It’s a delightful book. Laugh out loud and sweet. An easy read. I’m so glad I found it.

    *****Five Stars for The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.

    Read last week’s review of A Burning.

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review A Burning by Megha Majumdar

    January 20, 2021
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    Astonishing and heartfelt, A Burning will grip you from the first page. Here is my Book Review A Burning by Megha Majumdar.

    There have been many books written about the difficult and sometimes horrific life of those who are born to live in the slums of India, including two of my all time favorites; A Fine Balance and Behind the Beautiful Forevers. This debut novel A Burning by Megha Majumdar deserves it’s place among these.

    Jivan is a young Muslim girl from the slums who desires to move up in the world, find a job and have a better life for her and her family. But so many circumstances block her path and then she is accused as a mastermind behind a terrorism attack. Did she do it?

    People around her, including a former teacher and a illiterate friend, find themselves caught up in the drama. They can disown young Jivan, essentially throwing her under the bus, to better their own sorry lives. Will they?

    The masterful writing by Majumdar had me up late with this page turner, at once riveting, sad, astonishing and emotional.

    *****Five stars for A Burning by Megha Majumdar.

    Read last week’s review of The Vanishing Half

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

    Reading Wednesday

    January 13, 2021
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    The Vanishing Half is the second book I have read by Brit Bennett. Her earlier work The Mothers was not one of my favorite reads, so I was hesitant to tackle The Vanishing Half. But I found a surprising story of family, race and identity. Here is my book review The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett.

    The Vignes sisters, Stella and Desiree, are twins growing up in the 1940’s in a rural southern town called Mallard. There hometown is known for being the place where fair skinned black Americans live. The people of Mallard shun their darker skinned ancestors but aren’t able to break into the white world where better jobs and futures await.

    Stella and Desiree are close and dream about the day they can leave Mallard. When they are 16 they run away to New Orleans. But then Stella disappears and Desiree is left wondering where her Vanishing Half has gone.

    Desiree marries a black man, but eventuallyleaves the abusive marriage. She returns to fair skinned Mallard with her ink black eight year old daughter Jude. Jude is looked down upon her entire life by the people of Mallard. Meanwhile Stella is living a life far away in California, putting her entire past and ancestry behind her, she has married a white man who believes she too is white.

    Eventually Jude arrives in California on a track scholarship and through a collection of events finds Stella there living secretly as a white women. The charade begins to unravel as secrets are revealed, lies are questioned and entire lives sit on the brink between two worlds; one black and one white. The Vanishing Half is a fabulously told story of race, family, emotion and the desire to be accepted for who we are. The story explores so many questions about choices we make throughout our lives and how those choices affect future generations.

    *****Five stars for The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

    Read last week’s review of The Girl with the Louding Voice

    My current read The Wild Things by Dave Eggers

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    Reading Wednesday

    Book Review The Girl with the Louding Voice: A Novel by Abi Dare’

    Book Review

    January 6, 2021
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    I waited a long time for this book from the library, and it was worth the wait. The critically acclaimed story of a Nigerian girl who never gives up. Here is my book review The Girl with the Louding Voice: A Novel by Abi Dare’.

    This is a story of neglect and triumph. Of heartbreak and inspiration. The story of a young Nigerian girl named Adunni, born poor and female – two strikes against her. Both work against her in a culture where men decide what happens to girls, and money is controlled by men.

    Adunni just wants to go to school. She craves learning. She craves a different life. She craves having a voice, a voice to speak up for herself and be somebody.

    This inspiring tale of young Adunni’s determination to break free from the poverty, violence and control she is born into. Despite every obstacle in her way she never gives up on her desire to learn and break free from the chains that bind her.

    The book is written in beautiful detail and you will be captivated by the characters. Not just those who befriend Adunni but those who control her. Even their sad state of affairs will touch your heart as Dare’ perfectly describes life in Nigeria for all economic levels.

    Adduni’s courage is an inspiration. I loved this book I hope you enjoyed my Book Review The Girl with the Louding Voice: A Novel by Abi Dare’.

    *****Five Stars for The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare’.

    Read last week’s review of Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart.

    My current read The Cold Millions by Jess Walters

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