Emily_Bahhar

I thought I’d like this book a reasonable amount. I wasn’t prepared to get completely invested and love it so much, but that indeed is what happened. Was it the storyline? The writing? The feelings I got? Yes. Yes. Yes.

What a story! The characters have secrets after secrets, and discovering them and how the characters react is intriguing and fun.

This book is a testament to women everywhere and what we do to keep our families together and survive in an unforgiving world. Of course, the challenges faced by the Storm sisters-the Moonshine Women-are not the same as what we deal with today but the barriers and expectations are relatable. We see how important women in this book are as they take care of one another time and time again.

I was taken aback at how beautiful the author’s writing is. I’ve had her The Flower Sisters on my TBR shelf for a couple years but this was my first actual read. It’s clear she loves the land and her descriptions of the Ozarks offer vivid imagery that puts the reader right in the mountains.

TY BookBrowse for the gifted copy!

I had a feeling I would love this book and Victoria Christopher Murray did not let me down. Full disclosure of my absolute ignorance at not knowing who Jessie Redmon Fauset was, or that the book was about a real person.

In 1919, Jessie comes to Harlem to work as the literary editor of the NAACP’s The Crisis magazine, overseen by the charismatic W.E.B DuBois, with whom she’s years-deep in having an affair. Readers are taken through the next six years as Jessie comes into her own as a respected editor and writer.

Jessie is a powerhouse - unusual for the time as a woman and even more so as a Black woman - who stands her ground and advocates for others. So much so for the former that she can be considered to have discovered and shaped Langston Hughes and other Black poets/authors. She takes young Black authors under her wing with nothing expected in return. She simply believes in them, and knows the world needs to hear their words.

I was in awe of Jessie over and over again, and found myself wishing I could go back in time and just meet her. That I didn’t know she was a real person makes me love her even more.

Her kryptonite is her love for others: W.E.B., her step-mother, her writers, etc. Several times I shouted at my book, “girl, say no!” While she often speaks her mind and stands up for herself, in the early ‘20s, that could only go so far. Of course her relationship with DuBois takes center stage throughout the book I didn’t love those parts, mostly because he comes off as an egotistical creep, but it does seem that he truly cared for Jessie, albeit at the expense of his wife.

A veritable who’s who of the Harlem Renaissance literati, this book is as much a love letter to the time and music in Harlem as it is the writing world. Again my ignorance came into play as I didn’t know many of the real-life people in the book. Of course I know W.E.B. DuBois and Langston Hughes but not many of the others. The good news is that my inquisitive mind led me to looking up and learning more about them. The bad news is my inquisitive mind led me to looking up and learning more about them - taking me away from reading the actual book!

I really appreciated the author’s note and the historical note, which gave me so much insight into the characters and the times. Don’t skip on those parts!

Although the book is set more than 100 years ago, it felt so timely and relevant. Jessie’s passion for the written word and equal rights is more than admirable, it’s something we all could (should?) strive for. It’s easy to imagine Jessie today at the forefront of the BLM movement, speaking out against book bans, and taking up for the rights of others.

Thank you, BookBrowse, for the gifted copy! All opinions are my own.

American-Chinese Celia passes for white and keeps her heritage a secret. We start with Celia having been kidnapped. As she tries to escape, we go back several years to her some of her back story, which is heartbreaking through and through, but man is she tough!

I had a bit of a hard time starting the book, but once I got into it, I was completely engrossed. I enjoyed Celia’s story and learning more about this time in U.S. history, which I admittedly know little about. I did engage with our main character Celia but really loved the supporting character Marie, who IMO needs her own book!

I was happy to see the author’s note and Q&A at the end, which dove further into the Chinese experience in America at that time (and after). I always look for this with historical fiction and appreciate the additional background.

While the book had a lot of sadness, I also found it to be inspirational and hopeful. The writing was thoughtful and treated the characters with care. I’ve had McMorris’ “Sold on a Monday” on my physical TBR for a while and will definitely bump it up in order!

Another win from Evie Woods! I enjoyed this story and absolutely adored all the characters.

This book has a much different vibe from The Story Collector or The Lost Bookshop, and it was nice to get a different side of the author.

More than your typical “women’s” fiction, this had developed characters, little-known but important history, and wonderful imagery. Evie Woods’ writing, for me, is easily understandable and provides relatable emotions, even while situations may not be anything I’ve encountered.

The author is one of my instant-buys, and I can’t wait for her next one.

1945 Germany and the war is at an end. Trans man Bertie and bisexual Sophie think this means freedom from being in hiding, only to hear in horror that the gay community - and specifically trans - are still in danger. They strive for their own freedom, as well that of a Holocaust survivor who has fled to their home, while flashbacks to the 1930s tell their story and how they ended up as farmers with assumed names. The trio sees leaving for America as their only chance but first must survive on their own soil from those who should have provided salvation.

I did not expect this book to hit so hard. It’s really a special book and I’m grateful to have read it. It is a beautifully written novel that honors the trans community and memorializes those who were persecuted during WWII.

The author’s writing is lovely, if not completely devastating. Look, this is a WWII book so you know there will be significant sadness. Milo Todd’s storytelling gives that sadness life, hope and meaning.

I feel ashamed at not knowing this part of history. We all know the six million Jews that were killed in the Holocaust, and that another six million people also were killed. Selfishly, I’ve always focused on the Jews and have never been taught about or taken the time to learn about the others. Due to my own ignorance, I was horrified to learn how Americans and Allies forced Germans into reparation camps, and worse still how LGBTQ people survived the war only to be put back into captivity.

I couldn’t help but make comparisons to today’s climate as marginalized communities are under attack and their rights being threatened. It’s so disheartening so many decades later to see such similarities, and serves as a reminder of how we must all keep fighting any attacks on freedoms.

I’m thankful to have been given the opportunity to read this beautiful book, and help give this community the respect they deserve.

I grew up completely obsessed with The Wizard of Oz but truly never wondered what Auntie Em was like before we knew her, so I love that author Hazel Gaynor thought of it for us!

Before Dorothy explores Emily Kelley before and after she becomes Emily Gale, including how Dorothy comes to live with her and Uncle Henry. With dual timelines of 1924 Chicago and Kansas a decade later, we learn so much about Emily as a young woman, a new wife, and an aunt who becomes caregiver.

I just adored Emily and was fascinated at the thought of her as a youthful, modern, city woman who more than willingly gives it up to become a prairie wife, while staying true to herself. Her assimilation into her new community wasn’t necessarily and easy one, and thought the Kansas characters were great additions. I especially warmed to the character of Adelaide, a female pilot who smashes societal expectations and gives energy to the women in Kansas.

Spread throughout the book are not-so-subtle references to The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy’s lion stuffed animal), as well as those done on the sly (is Adelaide Glinda the Good Witch?) I thought all those pieces were done well.

The theme of roles women play in each other’s lives was present throughout the book. We saw that prominently in Emily’s Kansas community but I wish we had more of Emily and her two sisters, one of whom has already left for a new life when the book begins. I was so intrigued by their relationships and definitely wanted more.

The author did a nice job of weaving in the very difficult life of homesteading, and the very real consequences of the Dust Bowl, a time in U.S. history when severe dust storms all but destroyed middle America. I honestly don’t know great details about this time, but the author’s narrative transported me right there. Through her writing, Gaynor honors the land shows respect for the people who tend to it.

Completely unexpected was the author’s decision to make Emily, her sisters and parents Irish immigrants. It made sense, though, as another theme was the idea around what makes a place home, finding home (there’s no place like home!).

All in all, I really enjoyed Before Dorothy. Definitely recommend!

Wow. Just wow. I am still thinking about this one days after finishing.

Three intertwined stories of slaves, indentured servants, and masters in Virginia in the late 1600s-early 1700s. We travel through the years with the main characters of Bless (slave), David (slave of a freed father), and Jack (white indentured servant turned slave master) who face impossible situations and irreparable decisions.

The characters were honest and true, and the events so very real. And oh boy, the author did not hold back in her depiction of slavery in the U.S. - rightfully so and to all our benefit. Now more than ever, we need to be reminded of the brutality and devastation that laid waste to individuals and families of Black slaves.

This was not a light read;
instead was full of brutal and gut-wrenching storytelling with harsh but so beautiful writing. Each betrayal was met with another character showing deep love and care, even in the face of unfathomable circumstances.

Needless to say, the book was deep and thought-provoking. Through her writing, the author seemed to be asking the reader, what would you do? How would you survive? What lengths would you go to for the people you love?

I struggled with Part I of the book, as the characters had not yet come together and their stories seemed disjointed. Then Part II, the author hit her groove, everything came together and I was completely invested in the rest of the book.

TY BookBrowse for the ARC!

This was a 3.5 for me. Fagin the Thief is a reimagining of Oliver Twist, from the perspective of Jacob Fagin - the best pickpocket in London. I completely missed that when I first read the description, and was just drawn to the story. I’ve never read Oliver Twist and all I know about it is the “please sir, I want some more” line I remember from some kind of parody.

For me, the book but it wasn’t an easy read. Between chapters varying in times and the various characters, there wasn’t an even flow. I was bored with the story at times and couldn’t figure out where it was going.

The antisemitism in the book was prevalent and seemed overused. I know it was true to the time, and the author’s note explained the origin of it from Oliver Twist. That being said, it was almost distracting and took my focus away from the rest of the story.

I’m fairly certain I was at a disadvantage not knowing the characters and their stories. This book may be better suited to someone familiar with Oliver Twist.

This book wasn’t for me but I’d definitely read more from the author.

Somehow I’ve never read this book so I jumped at the chance when I saw it on BookBrowse. The book is described as the story of a young Black girl named Pecola who desperately wants the blond hair and blue eyes she associates with beauty. While Pecola is supposed to be the main character, she barely shows up in the book and is not the book’s narrator (who instead is another child, Claudia). Instead, we’re offered the stories of Pecola’s parents, as well as the parents of Claudia and her sister Frieda - and how their parents’ upbringing, experiences, and parenting styles led to the girls’ view on self beauty.

It’s incredibly sad to think of any child (or adult) doubting their own self worth because of societal values, and specifically something as beautiful as skin color. I can relate on other levels and certainly as a parent of a child who similarly struggles.

Morrison’s writing is lovely and poetic though, for me, challenging. I did not understand the ending and ended up spending a bit of time online learning more. It then all came together but I would have liked to have been able to decipher that myself.
All in all, I’m glad to have read The Bluest Eye and appreciate the gifted book.

I loved this book from the first page to the last and want everyone to read it!

In this dual timeline, Nikki (present time) is summoned from D.C. to North Carolina by her estranged grandmother, Mother Rita for an unknown reason. Before she'll tell Nikki why, Mother Rita insists that Nikki learn about her ancestors, specifically her great-great-great grandmother and their history with the physical land in N.C., once known as the Kingdom of Happy Land.

As with most dual timelines, I liked the present time but loved the past. Without giving any spoilers (this part is in the book description), I'm in awe of the men, women and children who came out of slavery physically and emotionally beaten and broken, and had the wherewithal to create new lives. Happy Land provides stunning insight into a real group of freedpeople who established their own community. The characters' connection and linkage to the land was beautifully told and so impactful.

This is my first Dolen Perkins-Valdez book (although truth be told, Take My Hand has been on my TBR for two years). Her writing is so lovely and easy, and flows nicely between timelines, a testament to her talent as that can easily feel choppy and messy but doesn't get even close here. The imagery is so vivid and clear I can picture every scene. The author's note gives more details on the community she based the book on, and I immediately began looking it up to learn more. She also touches on Blacks having their land wealth taken from them, which has true far-reaching and devastating impacts.

I would highly recommend Happy Land!

TY to BookBrowse and NetGalley for the digital ARC! I'll absolutely be buying a physical copy when it's released.

Sarah impulsively boards a plane to Ireland, where she lands at a small and maybe mysterious cottage. She is drawn to a perhaps magical tree with local history and finds the diary of a young woman, Anna, written 100 years in the past. Time jumps explore life for Anna, her meeting and relationship with American Harold, and the local lore in 1910. With Anna's help, Harold explores the idea of fairies and magic in Ireland. As Sarah reads the diary, she finds more in common with Anna, and explores her own pain and grief as she invests in, and learns to trust herself.

I loved this book from start to finish. The author's writing flows so easily and is beautiful without being superfluous or overwhelming. She provides just the right about of verbiage to allow the imagery to come through naturally. Everywhere she takes us, everyone we meet, you feel like you are there.

While mostly predictable, this book was so lovely and wonderful. Absolute 5 stars!