Title: The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams Publisher: William Morrow Verdict: 4/5 In a nutshell: The story switched back and forth between 1930’s and late 50’s – 60’s revolving around two ‘clans’ – The Islanders who were the inhabitants on Winthrop Island, and the ‘Families’, the summer vacationers on the island. Summer of 1969, Miranda…
What We Were Promised by Lucy Tan
Title: What We Were Promised Author: Lucy Tan My verdict: 3.5/5 In a nutshell: After years of chasing the American dream, the Zhen family – Wei, Lina and their daughter Karen, returned to China and joined an elite community of Chinese-born, Western-educated professionals. Drama enfolded Lina discovered that her ivory bracelet went missing, and Wei’s brother,…
So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Title: So You Want to Talk About Race Author: Ijeoma Oluo Verdict: 5/5 In a nutshell (Publisher): In this New York Times bestseller, Ijeoma Oluo offers a hard-hitting but user-friendly examination of race in America Widespread reporting on aspects of white supremacy–from police brutality to the mass incarceration of Black Americans–has put a media spotlight on racism…
The Journey Begins
Thanks for joining me! “That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.” – Jhumpa Lahiri in The Namesake
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
Title: The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai Publisher: My verdict: 3.8/5 In a nutshell: The Great Believers was set in two places – Chicago and Paris, portraying a group of gay friends, mainly focussing on Yale (whom I love and could relate to when he spoke of his childhood) living through the AIDS epidemic in Chicago in…
Circe by Madeline Miller
Title: Circe by Madeline Miller Publisher: Little, Brown and Company My verdict: 5 (Highly recommended only if you’re interested in Greek mythology) (Amazon) In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child–not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring like…
The Master & Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
Title: The Master & Margarita Author: Mikhail Bulgakov My verdict: 5 stars Highly recommended! In a nutshell: This classic was written during Stalin’s regime and was banned until many years after Bulgakov’s death. The Master and Margarita (TMM) alternates between 2 settings – Moscow in the 1930’s and Jerusalem; and it’s divided to 2 parts.Woland (Satan) and his motley…
There There by Tommy Orange
Title: There There Author: Tommy Orange My verdict: 5 stars Highly recommended! In a nutshell: 12 Urban Indians. 1 big event. 1 robbery gone wrong. Set in Oakland, California, the story revolves around the 12 individuals and how they and their families have been treated by America throughout the years; how it affects and have affected them. These…
Happy Birthday, Malala!
HAPPY 21st, MALALA! You’re only 21, yet your achievements and accolades can fill a whole phone book! Thank you so much for all that you do especially education for women and young children. What you did and are still doing is an inspiration for us all. Thank you for your bravery, your courage, your intelligence…
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Ok. I’m back! Again 😛 (Sorry been caught up with motherhood..) Title: An American Marriage Author: Tayari Jones My verdict: 4 stars Highly recommended! Synopsis (From the book cover): Newlyweds Celestial and Roy are the embodiment of both the American Dream and the New South. HE is a young business executive and she is an…
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