Joyce_Montague

This book is for anyone who has had and loved multiple pets throughout their life, and even more so for people whose pets are their only "children". It is spot on for how the author describes his various pets and their behavior. His story is in the background, young child to husband and father with older children. He talks about the sad times with sensitivity and the fun times with lots of humor. It was easy to read and is a good "pick-me-up" book. There were few chapters that were a bit over the top silly, and I never really got the "zebra" chapter. I would love to give this book to my fourteen year old granddaughter to read because she loves animals but I worry that the chapter on Vets may scare her. It was good information but I wish it had been an addendum.

This book snuck up on me to my surprise. Initially I did not understand what was happening and was considering not reading further. I'm so glad I did. Now having finished the book I realize that the author was merely setting the stage for what was to come. I reread the beginning and decided maybe I just wasn't paying attention. Pay attention throughout the book. The author takes us into the private thoughts of all the main and sometimes minor characters. Slowly but surely you are pulled into the emotional state of their lives. The end of the book takes the mother and daughter down memory lane. I found it was very relatable for anyone who lived somewhere for a very long time, moved away and then years later returned to see what had changed. The father in the book was despicable. However, the author told this story in such a way that at the end I felt sorry for him which definitely surprised me. Finally, I still don't know why it's entitled "Fatherland".

This Here is Love is an incredible novel. If you are a cryer get out a box of tissues. If you anger easily hold on to a stress ball. Ms Perry relates the story of the lives of an enslaved mother and daughter, an enslaved family whose father is free, and an indentured European family. The style of writing is easy reading; comes across as straight forward and matter-of-fact. Since there is no sugar coating some events may shock you.

The sad truth is that in this fictional tale everything that takes place is factual in the history of slavery and indentured servitude. The meaning behind the title is revealed about two thirds into the novel. What the characters in the book did for love was incredible. There was one character in the book that ended up with "skin in the game" that caused him to see what was most important in his life. There were a few times when I was able to smile and one opportunity to laugh out loud, but all in all the book was sobering and should be read by anyone interested in understanding what slavery was really like in America.

This was an interesting novel. It was very easy to read, but for me, not easy to understand. There are many characters in the novel though I could possibly narrow it to three main characters. The subject is something that I was totally unaware of so the good thing about the novel was enlightenment. However, in the reading the author's notes and acknowledgements at the end, I didn't see the basis for such gory details as described in the book. The level and frequency of human torture was hard to stomach. I didn't realize that one of the main characters had even survived. I also felt there were way too many unanswered questions in the end which was very unsatisfying. I am giving the book three stars because clearly the manner in which it was written was enough to get an emotional reaction out of me. However, I can't recommend the book to anyone.

Above the Salt is a wonderful novel about Portuguese immigrants who migrated to America in the mid-19th century for a better life. It is an incredible love story that is full of commitment, romance, and respect for community. It is historical fiction based on a real person, John Alves, and incorporates many actual events such as Lincoln's presidency, the Civil War, racial prejudice, inventions, the earthquake in San Francisco, the plague in early the early 20th Century, and the beginning of World War I.

The manner in which the book is written, told mostly through the eyes of Mary and John, enables the reader to be in their shoes. All of the historical references serve as background information, giving the reader a sense of what ordinary people were going through on a daily basis during challenging times. The intense descriptive prose makes it easy to visualize and feel what the various characters were experiencing. Considering all the "ups and downs" in the story, I'm glad the author ended the book way she did.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It reminded me of Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese which I also really liked and look forward to reading his current novel. However, this book is even better! I give it 6 stars!!

This book was nothing like what I was expecting. I really didn't like it but forced myself to read it in its entirety in case upon reflection I would see it in a more positive light. I did not. A brief description of the novel and the author's note to the reader gave the impression that I would learn about the impact that almost 400 years of slavery, colonization, and apartheid had on Africans. I missed the message because I was unable to get past the staccato prose, non-English terminology that I didn't understand, foul language, gross descriptions, and borderline misogyny. It's possible that the way the book is written it may have more meaning to those who experienced or who are familiar with what African life was like in the past. I'm planning to read Africa Is Not A Country by Dipo Faloyin and wonder if some of what I read in this book will be reflected in his.

Moonrise Over New Jessup is about a young woman, Alice, who flees her hometown in Rensler, Alabama after her her father dies. She has an older sister, Rose, who left suddenly a few years ago bound for Chicago, hoping for a better life. The story takes place during the fifties and early sixties during racial segregation in the South. Alice hasn't heard from her sister in a while but boards a bus for Chicago with very little money. The bus makes a rest stop in New Jessup, Alabama where she is encouraged to stay and seek refuse with the local pastor and his wife.

I found the story to be believable. It is told with good dosages of appropriate dialect, and "old sayings" from black southern culture. It is told mostly from Alice's point of view. At times when she was reflecting on past events, I found the transitions a bit confusing. Other times when she was lost in thought, it was hard to tell if she was describing her imagination vs a real event.

There is enough suspense to keep the reader engaged. The historical events mentioned help the main plot's credibility. At the conclusion of the book, you will be more informed about the dilemmas Blacks faced during this time period and why all did not see solutions for improving their lives the same way. I feel that some of the issues described are still relevant today. I highly recommend this book.

This book is very timely! It tells the story of a twelve-year old boy, Bird, who lives with his father in Cambridge, MA. They are living in a time when P.A.C.T. (Preserving American Culture and Traditions) is in place. Books have been banned and people are constantly worrying about being reported as not being patriotic. Some children have been separated from their parents for their own good. Bird's mother has left the family because her Asian ethnicity could put the family at risk. It's been three years since she left but Bird still misses her, and, without his father's knowledge, decides to find her based on a letter he received with a New York return address.

Next, we learn about Bird's mother, Margaret, and her life as a young woman before she met Bird's father, Ethan. It also describes the gradual changes going on in the country as the economy declines and people become desperate. Trust, in general, deteriorates and people look to blame China. There are massive job losses leading to riots and protests. This time period is known as the Crisis. We also learn more about what Margaret has been doing since she left her family.

The final part brings all the issues raised in the first two sections to a climatic end, or does it? As much as I admire how empathetically this book is written, I was disappointed with the end. I didn't feel that the level of detail that was used in the first two parts carried into the third. It seems to quickly conclude with too many unanswered questions for me. Yet there is one very significant revelation that will warm your heart.

I still rate the book as a must read! It enables readers to see what a future might look and feel like as we continue to engage in many of the activities described in this novel.