Engaging, un-putdownable a very vibrant and intoxicating read….
Nikki May is so great at writing stories that will get you riled up and interested in Engaging, un-putdownable a very vibrant and intoxicating read….
Nikki May is so great at writing stories that will get you riled up and interested in the characters and it is the same with this book. In The Motherless Land we are taken to Nigeria where we meet Funke and her family. She lives an idyllic life in Nigeria, with her mother, father and brother. Her father is head over heels in love with her mother and they are still happy after years of being together. Even though their relationship meant her mom was ostracized from her family in England. They’ve lived a happy life until tragedy struck and Funke is sent to live with family members she’s only heard bad things about, in a place that her mother describes as boring, grey and cold.
Funke arrives in London overcome by grief and is met with a chilly reception from her family, except for her cousin Liv. Live decides that her sole purpose will be to make Funke happy and enjoy England as much as possible. They become inseparable from childhood into adulthood, a safe space for each other, that is until a major misunderstanding happens and tragedy strikes again.
I love that the book was set in the 70s, 80s and 90s in London and Lagos and told from the perspective of the cousins. We got such an in-depth look into their characters and their motivations. Nikki did an amazing job of exploring generational wrongs, forgiveness, sisterhood and grief. I thoroughly enjoyed Funke and Livs characters as it felt so refreshing seeing them fall into an easy friendship. I did get a bit annoyed at Liv’s mom and I felt her character got too much air time because she was so annoying.
A very real look at what it is like going through a break up
The book opens with Kate and Finn, a couple whose been together for years going through A very real look at what it is like going through a break up
The book opens with Kate and Finn, a couple whose been together for years going through an intense fight. This is nothing new, they’ve been fighting a lot for the last few years but Finn finally said the words that pushed them over the edge, “I do not like you any more!”. With those words before them, they must now decide how to move forward. The decision is they will break up, no contact… ish, and they will share the house they have a lease on for the next 12 weeks. Kate gets the house one week and Finn the next and they alternate until the lease ends. This plan makes sense… that is until Kate comes back every Sunday and is reminded that her life is not where she thought it would be and the person she thought she would spend the rest of forever may not be the one.
What an amazing read! I absolutely loved this book and I think it hits differently because the main character is in her thirties and I feel like we don’t read a lot of break up stories with people in their thirties. A lot of what Kate goes through is real, she’s got her friends who tells her Finn is not good for her, she may know this but starting over is hard.
There are so many amazing parts of this book but what I love most is how Kate really goes through the motions. If you’ve been through a break up or if you are going through one, I highly recommend this read. ...more
Another Person opens with Jina checking social media to see what people are saying about her after she made a very public post about being sexually Another Person opens with Jina checking social media to see what people are saying about her after she made a very public post about being sexually assaulted at work. Jina is unable to just “turn it off” as her friend suggests so she spirals knowing that no matter how brave she was in confronting her assaulter she will always be victim blamed.
The book follows Jina as she comes to terms to what is it like being a woman in Korea, how she must conform and what happens when she does now. She tries to piece together what happened to her, how she became a victim, all while trying to find out who is writing these things about her. Jina goes back to her University town to see her friends, and tries to piece together her life and the life of a friend she lost tragically.
I really enjoyed this book, it is a short read but it moves fast and it is very impactful. The author does a great job of taking us into the world of Jine and showing us what she is going through. I loved that there were different POVs throughout the story because it make it more layered and engaging.
Christina Sharpe makes the ordinary feels extraordinary
I don’t think there are words I can use to accurately describe what is like reading this boo Christina Sharpe makes the ordinary feels extraordinary
I don’t think there are words I can use to accurately describe what is like reading this book. It is a collection of “ordinary notes” but it is more than that. It is an exploration of what it is like having a Black experience, moving through the world and the author losing their mom. A lot is explored in this book, and it is done in a powerful way. I am not lying when I say, I think I underline the entire book because so much of these notes struck a chord and I felt seen in so many ways.
I recommend reading this slow, taking your time to fully engage with what the author is showing you, leave the book and come back to it.
This is my first book by Sharpe and now I must read her entire cannon. ...more
Janice Lyn-Mather tackles a very difficult topic, but one that is necessary
In Where Was Goodbye? Karmen, a teenage seeks to get closure after her Janice Lyn-Mather tackles a very difficult topic, but one that is necessary
In Where Was Goodbye? Karmen, a teenage seeks to get closure after her brother dies by suicide. Her seemly perfect family crumbles under the weight of the guilt and grief. Karmen retraces her brother final days to get some insight on what happened? Could she have done anything? Was it her fault? Were there signs?
This is a really a book about grief and searching for answers and I think the author did a great job of taking us into the world of a teen who is struggling and seeking answers....more
A book that is centered on music, heritage and love…
Set in the 70s in London we meet Yamaye who is from Jamaican heritage. She goes out partying withA book that is centered on music, heritage and love…
Set in the 70s in London we meet Yamaye who is from Jamaican heritage. She goes out partying with her friends on a weekend to an underground club called The Crypt. They get to whine, and grind and meet other people, but also The Crypt is a way for them to let go of all things that holds them down and escape for a bit. During a night at The Crypt Yamaye meets Moose, a furniture maker from Jamaica and they fall madly and deeply in love. For them, their relationship is an escape, a safe space, a place for them to feel whole.
Unfortunately, they don’t get to live out their romance because of police brutality that sends Yamaye spiraling. Everything changes, Yamaye is heartbroken, she wants to help find justice in anyway. Added to that she must now come face to face with her history, her mother dying at a young age, her father not being entirely present, never really knowing where home is. Yamaye finds comfort in the wrong places and people and ends up paying the consequences.
I wanted to love this one so much, I was engrossed at the beginning! I felt that the book started very strong, it the music elements that I loved. It was explored so beautifully. I think Yamaye’s character development was very much on point and I liked her journey. The middle of the book DRAGGED and was too chaotic I wish that was edited down. Too much was going on. The ending of the book I loved, her being back in Jamaica was top tier.
Honestly, I think my heart just broke for the character who died and I ended up not wanting any part of the book after. Their romance was so tender. ...more
Chika Unigwe’s novel The Middle Daughter centers a wealthy Nigerian family. The father owns a prin A heartbreaking read in every sense of the word…
Chika Unigwe’s novel The Middle Daughter centers a wealthy Nigerian family. The father owns a printing business, the mother is a doctor in the public health system and they have three daughters- one is currently in America studying and the other two attends a private school in Nigeria. They are a very happy family, filled with hope and happiness for the future… that is until one night they get a call from America that changes the trajectory of their family and upends life as they know it.
The novel focuses on the middle daughter Nani, but is told from the perspective of the other daughter as well so you get a layered look into what is happening with the family. With dead circling the family, Nani grieves and thinks her mother and sister is not hurting because of how they decide to “move on with life”. She meets and forms a friendship with a Ephraim, a guy who is deeply religious, quotes the Bible and has a very verbose vocabulary that he loves to show off. What started off as a bit of a joke, morphs into something dark.
First let me say- I was warned twice before reading this book that is was very heavy and covered dark themes that will leave your soul aching. I am not sure I was prepared enough because in reading this I got very angry. The writing of this book will have you feeling a lot of different ways and I guess that is the mark of a good writer.
I am going to go ahead and say this, yes I believe women- but I feel like this was not believable Nani did not explore ALL her options and I think that is what left me feeling so MAD and ANGRY with her as a character. She just went right with it- didn’t talk to her Aunty, her sister anyone. Yes I get that there was a lot of shame- BUT for her to fall into that other option it just didn’t seem to make sense to me. Maybe it is not for me to make sense of this. I also felt that the book wrapped up entirely too fast and the author needed an additional 75 pages to really end the book properly.
Overall, is just heartache, pain, sadness and darkness....more
Having read and LOVED Open Water I was a little nervous picking up Small Worlds because I had really high expectations and I didnt want to be disappHaving read and LOVED Open Water I was a little nervous picking up Small Worlds because I had really high expectations and I didnt want to be disappointed.
Small Worlds is a brilliant book, I enjoyed it way more than Open Water. It is not often we read a book that centers on father-son relationships and I think the th author did a phenomenal job of showcasing that. Of course, he writes beautifully, I was blown away by the writing and I think you will do.
It is not every day you pick up a book and the writing is makes your chest constrict which leads you to taking many breaks in reading WOW! Visceral
It is not every day you pick up a book and the writing is makes your chest constrict which leads you to taking many breaks in reading because you feel like you are constantly holding your breath. Cecile Pin’s debut novel Wandering Souls opens with a Vietnamese family currently in Vietnam getting ready to take their journey to America. Their Uncle went previously and writes back to let his brother know that he is in the land of milk and honey. With Vietnam currently war torn, their only way is to try and get to America to meet up with the uncle. The family decides to send ahead the three older siblings and the remaining family members will follow.
Nothing could prepare the siblings, Anh, Thanh, and Minh as they leave from Vietnam to Hong Kong. The siblings arrive safely in Hong Kong but their parents and younger siblings did not make it. They are left orphaned with Anh as their caretaker. Being orphaned so young, in a new place and nowhere to call home, they must cleave to each other as they carve out a life for themselves.
I am truly blown away by the writing of this book. The story felt deeply personally and one that needed to be told. Wandering Soul captures what it is like to face the unknown, time an time again, to get your choice ripped from your and constantly wondering what your future holds. I cannot recommend this book enough. ...more
A page turner, with a cast of characters you want to hear more from
Wiz Wharton Ghost Girl Banana goes from the 1966 during the “Chinese Windrush” A page turner, with a cast of characters you want to hear more from
Wiz Wharton Ghost Girl Banana goes from the 1966 during the “Chinese Windrush” and 1997. During the 1966 we meet Sook-Yin who leaves Kowloon to go to London for a better life. Her family sends her off to restore their honor, make more money and help them at home. Sook-Yin must make a life in gloomy London, while being exposed to racism and trying to find community. She started her training as a nurse but things go south very fast.
Fast forward to 1997 we meet Lily who never got over the death of her mother. She goes through a rough patch during university and her bigger sister is constantly trying to protect her from everything. One day she receives a letter saying she has an inheritance but she must return Hong Kong to collect it. Of course she thinks it is a scam because nothing like this ever happens to her. With some digging Lily decides to go to Hong Kong to find out more about her past. What she finds, out shakes her reality.
I really enjoyed the storytelling in this book. I do have thing for alternating POV, especially when it is during different time periods. I loved how the author handled mother-daughter relationships and the theme of grief, loss and regret. I thought the ending was very rushed but overall, I did enjoy being in the pages of this book. ...more
Peace Medie is born storyteller, who you cannot help but remain in awe of! I absolutely loved HIS OWN WIFE so when I saw she wrote a second book I Peace Medie is born storyteller, who you cannot help but remain in awe of! I absolutely loved HIS OWN WIFE so when I saw she wrote a second book I was excited and I wasn’t disappointed…that much!
In Nightbloom we are taken to Ghana where we meet two families who are bonded together by the mothers friendship which spills over to the daughters becoming inseparable. We meet Selasi and Akorfa, who grew up very close, their mothers were best of friends so it was inevitable they would be friends.
Akora was the shy one, always observant and taken to reading her book. Selasi was the more outgoing and fun one who Akora followed around. Akora’s parents ensured she got the best of everything especially in education- not matter the cost, it also helped that they had the financial means. Selasi did not go well in school but her parents ensured she was given the best. In a twist of events Selasi loses her mother and everything goes downhill from there. The friendship she thought she had with her friend, turned sour and their lives went in different directions. What will it take to bring them back together?
Told from the perspective of Akora and Selasi, we get layered look into motherhood, friendships, mother-daughter relationships, grief, sexual assault and being Black in America.
You can tell a Peace Media book from anywhere, the prose is layered, starts of slow and builds to a crescendo and that is exactly what happened here. I loved that we hear the stories from each character POV and I think that’s what made the book so good. There were certain parts where the book dragged and it felt very preachy, I also feel the battle with Selasi and the minister could have been shorter to make space for the friendship.
Stunning, deeply-moving, affecting, and filled with hope! Eleanor Shearer’s debut novel is a testament to mother’s love, a redemptive story!
River Stunning, deeply-moving, affecting, and filled with hope! Eleanor Shearer’s debut novel is a testament to mother’s love, a redemptive story!
River Sing Me Home is a sprawling debut novel set during the 1834s that takes us to Barbados, British Guiana (now Guyana) and Trinidad and Tobago. The book opens with Rachel, an enslaved mother, running away from Providence plantation in Barbados. The Emancipation Act of 1834 was announced and declares they are no longer enslaved, but the slave master has other plans for them. Rachel decides she will never be free, unless she runs. Rachel wants to find her five children who were taken from her in the most gruesome way.
By some miracle, Rachel makes finds safety, and is taken to the capital city of Barbados to search for her children. She has no clue where they are, if they are still in Barbados but she is resolved to find all of her five children. Will she find them? Will she find them alive? Will she die trying to find them? Will they remember her? All of these questions plays out in Rachel head as she goes from Barbados, to the deep interior of British Guiana, and finally, sailing to Trinidad and Tobago. Will she find her five children?
Written with so much heart, the author did an amazing job of taking us into what is like to be a mother who had five of her children ripped away. I think what I enjoyed most was how Rachel traverse the Caribbean in search of her children. The bravery displayed all for love, really left me feeling hopeful.
In the Author’s note Shearer said her “aim in writing this novel was to bring to life a story about the Caribbean in the aftermath of slavery.” I think the author walked a very fine line in making a topic that is so oppressive, hopeful, she gave us a protagonist we could cheer for, cry with and who will remain with us for a long time.
This is a 2023 Read Caribbean release, keep it on your radar!...more
This book explores grief and what it is like to grieve in such a nuanced way.
The book opens with Cassandra who is twelve and her brother Wayne who isThis book explores grief and what it is like to grieve in such a nuanced way.
The book opens with Cassandra who is twelve and her brother Wayne who is seven heading to the beach to play. They do this regularly, just a normal day- until Wayne goes for a swim and his body is never found. Cassandra remembers trying to save him and a guy in a windbreaker assisting but the story just did not add up. With no body, and Cassandra not able to clearly let her parents what happened, her mother clings to the belief that Wayne is still alive. Her mother then starts an organization called Vigil with the hopes of keeping Wayne alive.
As Cassandra grows up, she lives with the ghost of her brother, she sees him everywhere and it shatters her world. She then meets a man who claims to be Wayne- but is this real?
He taught me that grief doesn’t choose its timing well; you never know when it’ll grip your neck.
I thoroughly enjoyed how the author portrayed grief and showcase how everyone grieves differently and that grief is never linear. I think sometimes we expect persons to “Get over it” after a certain time but this book showcases the opposite. I did think that the book lagged a little in getting to the point but overall, I enjoyed it. ...more
One thing about me, I love a book with an amazing title.
In We All Want Impossible Things we meet Edi who is currently in hospice care after battlingOne thing about me, I love a book with an amazing title.
In We All Want Impossible Things we meet Edi who is currently in hospice care after battling a terminal disease. Ashely is Edi's best friend and the one who is taking care of her while she is in hospice. We are taken into their friendship, how they are grieving what is currently happening, all while navigating life.
As much as this is a very sad book, there were some hilarious moments. I love that there was so much humanity in this book. ...more
Prepare to meet characters who will stick with you for a very long time!
Note: This is nothing like Sorrow and Bliss but at it’s core, Meg Mason co Prepare to meet characters who will stick with you for a very long time!
Note: This is nothing like Sorrow and Bliss but at it’s core, Meg Mason continues to write characters who are flawed but you cannot help but love them… and love them, you will. In YOU BE MOTHER we meet Abi who lost her father and sister at a very young age where she lives with her mother who is a hoarder. She doesn’t have a very strong family support, she’s never been in love and felt herself pretty, so it is no wonder she falls in love with Jude who is originally from Australia and came to the UK for university.
After hitting it off, Abi falls pregnant, decides to relocate to Sydney to start a family where Jude would go to school and provide for her and the baby. Nothing could prepare Abi for the loneliness of relocating to a place where she only knows one person. She tries to integrate but it is hard, that is until she meets her next door neighbor Phil. Phil is a widower and all her children lives outside of Sydney. Both women cling to each other… until secrets come to light.
Here is why I will always read Meg Mason… she knows how to write believable situation. She knows how to get you invested into characters and their relationships. I cannot recommend this one enough. ...more
One thing about Francesca Momplaisir, she is not afraid to write about heartbreaking themes.
In The Garden of Broken Things we meet Genevieve, origiOne thing about Francesca Momplaisir, she is not afraid to write about heartbreaking themes.
In The Garden of Broken Things we meet Genevieve, originally from Haiti she left at an early age to live in the US. She studied hard and started working as a therapist. While in school she met her husband and now father to her two sons. After years of philandering Genevieve finally decides to “leave” him but the pain remains fresh and she cannot seem to shake him. She should go to therapy for it, but do therapist go to therapy?
Added to her fail marriage, Genevieve’s son Miles starts acting out, in order to teach him a lesson she decides to take him to Haiti to show him what his life could be like if he doesn’t shape up. Nothing could prepare Genevieve for the decision that will shake the core of her life. While visiting Haiti she reconnects with family and friends, and tries her best to stay present even though she remains haunted by the things of the past.
I read Momplaisir’s first book and I made a note to read their sophomore novel and I can definitely say I am happy I did. I don’t think any book written about the earthquake in Haiti will be an easy read but this one was particularly hard. There was an undercurrent of hopelessness and sorrow that I didn’t shake even after finishing the book. I will say I did enjoy the author’s storytelling even with the heavy themes. ...more
If you are looking for the perfect beach read... but with a little substance, this is it!
In Everything Must Go we meet Laine, one of three sister wIf you are looking for the perfect beach read... but with a little substance, this is it!
In Everything Must Go we meet Laine, one of three sister who feels her life goal of becoming a mother will never happen. Following the death of her beloved dog she realizes that even though she loves her husband of over a decade, he will never be ready to give her a child. Every time she brings up the topic he has an excuse, with the straightest face she tells him and her family they will be getting a divorce. No one believes her because her husbands is the sweetest man ever and he is basically in with the family.
A people pleaser, Laine ends up in New York with her mother who is suffering from dementia and hoarding. Added to this her childhood best friend moved back next door and she can tell this break from her husband will turn out really great or not....
Not gonna lie... I breezed through this book- a lovely read with some substance to go along with it! Go give this one a read!...more
Everywhere You Don’t Belong is Gabriel Bump’s debut novel that perfectly explores race, violence, lovWhy did it take me so long to read this book?!!!!
Everywhere You Don’t Belong is Gabriel Bump’s debut novel that perfectly explores race, violence, love, regret, family and societal pressures. We are thrown into the world of Claude McKay whose parents left him with his grandmother at a very young age and never returned. Claude’s world is his grandmother and her friend Paul who lives with both of them. He lives in Chicago and is currently battling the pressures to stay in school and not be deterred by the violence around him. That fails when there is a major to throws his world off course.
Honestly, there is a lot happening in the book. Some parts felt unfinished but on a whole I felt the writing was immersive and honest in a way I will remember. Being in the world of a young black man from South Side Chicago who is raised by his grandmother because his parents abandoned him- well, I kinda didn’t want to leave- I wanted to cheer for him so very bad!
I also love how hilarious some moments were… I genuinely loved how the characters were jumping off the page- specifically Paul and Claude’s grandmother. This one is truly a gem and I cannot wait to see what the author writes next. ...more
An exceptional collection of short stories that will leave you breathless.
Friends, I am still unable to put into words how profoundly moving this entAn exceptional collection of short stories that will leave you breathless.
Friends, I am still unable to put into words how profoundly moving this entire collection is. Chimeka Garricks is a master storyteller who deserves to be read widely. I need to see more people talking about this book that left me speechless.
A BROKEN PEOPLE’S PLAYLIST is a collection of twelve stories from song. At the start of each story the author lets you know the song inspiration, which I think is truly unique. Of the twelve stories my favorites are: LOST STARS HURT SONG FOR SOMEONE I’D DIE WITHOUT YOU BEAUTIFUL WAR RIVER DESPERADO Yes, I am aware I kinda just rewrote the entire tracklist (I mean list of stories) but that is to show how many of these stories were actual bangers!
Each story covers themes of love, lost, regret, heat-break, redemption and desire. From the musician who is faithful and will do everything except get married, to the childhood friends turn lovers who reunites after years of playing around, to the man who cheats on his wife and having to deal with the consequences, to the guy who calls the girl on a her wedding day and tells her not to get married. All of the characters are layered, deeply flawed, beautifully human and you cannot help with fall in love with them.
Here's how I know Garricks is a master storyteller, they are able to write a robust story in less than ten pages and I did not once think, “I want more..”. Each story could stand on their own, each character gave me just enough.
Friends, if this book is not on your list of books to read, I need you to change that. Chimeka Garricks is a master storyteller, how is it possible for him to convey so much with so little pages. I cannot recommend this collection enough.
Here’s a quote I truly love: “My mother was so proud of her temper that she wore frowns like medals of honours”...more
Get ready for a heart-warming, adventurous read between a mother and daughter…
In Kereen Getten’s second book, If You Read This we meet Brie who l Get ready for a heart-warming, adventurous read between a mother and daughter…
In Kereen Getten’s second book, If You Read This we meet Brie who lost her mother to an illness over three years ago. Brie is about to celebrate her twelfth birthday and birthdays are generally had because of how much she misses her mother and would want to have her there. While Brie does have the strong support of her friends, aunts, uncle, father and grandparents she truly misses her mother.
As part of her twelfth birthday celebrations, Brie is given a surprise from her mother- a box filled with letters that leads to a treasure hunt. The treasure being, Brie finding her mother’s special place. Brie gets to hear from her mother through the letters, uncover family secrets and learn more about who she is becoming as a young adult. What secret is her father keeping from her, what will her mother’s secret place be like? Brie finds this all out when she reads each letter.
I am generally not a middle grade reader but I always enjoy Kereen Getten’s writing, because it feels so innocent and heart-warming- also I love the fact that it is set in the Caribbean. I am a huge fan of mother daughter themes and I felt the author did a great job of exploring grief in a middle grader who lost her mother. I also love how much of an adventurer the mother was and how she raised Brie to be brave.
If you are looking for a heart-warming read, filled with adventure- I cannot recommend this book enough! A solid #ReadCaribbean pick!...more
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