A Long Way Gone, Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah tells the very tragic but true story of kids 12 years old and younger who've lost their families, been given drugs and Ak47's and turned into soldiers to fight wars they don't even understand. This is Beah's story set in Sierra Leone in the 90's; he is one of the few who have survived, been rehabilitated and been able to share his story.
It's a beautifully written yet heartbreaking account of war's brutal affects on children. A book that should be read by all.
Monday, June 25, 2018
Sunday, June 24, 2018
The Female Persuasion
The Female Persuasion is the new novel by Meg Wolitzer. It is about the relationship between an older feminist, reminiscent of Gloria Steinem, and a bright young feminist in the making named Greer. The novel follows both women as well as Greer's boyfriend Cory and her activist friend Zee.
Wolitzer shows what it means to be a feminist, fighting for women's right to decide and to chose for themselves on so many issues. Fighting for the right to be safe and equal. She shows how women stand together and how at times they betray one another and even their own ideals.
This is not a perfect book in any way, and in fact I was quite disappointed by the ending, where the story was jumped forward and summed up quickly and happily as if Wolitzer ran out of time and energy to finish the book. However, I found the book very timely; there's a lot to think about here and it would make for a great discussion.
Wolitzer shows what it means to be a feminist, fighting for women's right to decide and to chose for themselves on so many issues. Fighting for the right to be safe and equal. She shows how women stand together and how at times they betray one another and even their own ideals.
This is not a perfect book in any way, and in fact I was quite disappointed by the ending, where the story was jumped forward and summed up quickly and happily as if Wolitzer ran out of time and energy to finish the book. However, I found the book very timely; there's a lot to think about here and it would make for a great discussion.
Thursday, June 21, 2018
A Place for Us
A Place For Us is the debut novel by Fatima Farheen Mizra and the first book released by Sarah Jessica Parker's new imprint SJP for Hogarth. Its also one of the best books I've read in a long time.
It tells the story of an Indian Muslim family in California, whose children were born and raised in America under strict cultural rules. The novel starts at the oldest daughters wedding, where all the family has gathered for the first time in years; then works its way back and forth through time, painting a complete picture of family and culture, identity and belonging, choices and mistakes made, and the love that survives through it all.
Beautifully written, with characters that became so real to me that I didn't want it to end. An astonishing accomplishment for a debut novel,
It tells the story of an Indian Muslim family in California, whose children were born and raised in America under strict cultural rules. The novel starts at the oldest daughters wedding, where all the family has gathered for the first time in years; then works its way back and forth through time, painting a complete picture of family and culture, identity and belonging, choices and mistakes made, and the love that survives through it all.
Beautifully written, with characters that became so real to me that I didn't want it to end. An astonishing accomplishment for a debut novel,
Monday, June 11, 2018
Lily and the Octopus
I have to start by saying I loved this book. Lily and the Octopus is a novel by Steven Rowley but is based on the true story of his relationship with his dachshund. I don't want to day too much here as it would spoil the magic of the story.
Once you surrender to the story and decide to just go along for the ride, I guarantee this book will make you laugh, will make you cry, will make you stop and think; and if you have pets, it will make you appreciate them even more than you probably already do. A great read.
Once you surrender to the story and decide to just go along for the ride, I guarantee this book will make you laugh, will make you cry, will make you stop and think; and if you have pets, it will make you appreciate them even more than you probably already do. A great read.
Still Me
Still Me by Jojo Moyes is a story about a young woman from England who gets a job as an assistant to a very wealthy but depressed woman in NYC. She has to move far away from friends and family to start a new life she's excited about, and things turn out very differently than she had planned.
I enjoy Moye's books, and this one is no exception. I was fully caught up in Louisa's story and didn't want it to end. Moye's character's are very real and its hard not to be drawn in. By the end its a bit unbelievable, but that's also what makes it enjoyable. A fun read.
I enjoy Moye's books, and this one is no exception. I was fully caught up in Louisa's story and didn't want it to end. Moye's character's are very real and its hard not to be drawn in. By the end its a bit unbelievable, but that's also what makes it enjoyable. A fun read.
Friday, June 8, 2018
Stay with Me
Stay with Me by Nigerian author Ayobami Adebayo is an amazing portrait of a woman destroyed by the pressure to produce children for her husband's family. After years of trying unsuccessfully to have a baby, yet being told there's nothing wrong with her, Yejide starts to go a bit crazy.
They story that unfolds from there is powerful and fully unpredictable. A brilliant book by an exciting new author. One I won't soon forget.
They story that unfolds from there is powerful and fully unpredictable. A brilliant book by an exciting new author. One I won't soon forget.
Monday, June 4, 2018
The City of Brass
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty is a big juicy fantasy novel full of deavas and djinns and magic, set in ancient Egypt. I got fully drawn in to the story of Nahiri, a young con artist from the streets of Cairo who accidentally summons the djinn warrior Dara to her side and begins the journey to understanding her true destiny.
After more than 500 pages I was disappointed that Chakraborty left so many characters and plot points hanging. A sequel in the making I hope? I'm a fan of mythology and historical fiction, so I mostly enjoyed this book, but ultimately felt let down by the ending.
After more than 500 pages I was disappointed that Chakraborty left so many characters and plot points hanging. A sequel in the making I hope? I'm a fan of mythology and historical fiction, so I mostly enjoyed this book, but ultimately felt let down by the ending.
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