This was well researched and interesting. In the beginning the author lets the reader know the idea for this story was in response to increasing policThis was well researched and interesting. In the beginning the author lets the reader know the idea for this story was in response to increasing police violence towards Black men in the United States. The author uses white Americans response to and treatment of Black boxers to show how racism impacts how Black men are viewed in our society.
This really brought to mind my Black father. He was a large man, he played college football, and very dark skinned. My father was always clean, clothes ironed, smelling good and usually smiling when he left the house. I did not notice until I was an adult that was a performance so he wouldn't be harassed by police or frightened white folks. As a toddler I got into medicine in an aunt's suitcase when she visited. My white mom grew up in an all white sundown town and I was visiting with her there when it happened. My father rushed to the ER where he was held by security because of his rightful concern over the impact to his toddler. My mom thought this was hilarious but I understand what danger he was in. Just for existing as a large Black man who wasn't bothering to smile to put white folks around him at ease. Its a lot of pressure and I witnessed the toll it took on him. This narrative resonated with me on every level.
The author cleverly uses the headlines from white papers and later news programs to express how Black man are viewed as less than human beings. Most of these were painful to hear. Yet more relevant today than ever before as we roll back protections for Black Americans from white supremacy at an alarming rate. The Federal government recently removed the ban against segregation in Federal contracts. Sadly, it looks like my grandsons will be subject to much the same treatment and experience my father had. Of course, we've never really, as a nation, gotten completely away from these white supremacist views as the author brilliantly points out in this history. I was expecting this to be about Black Heavyweight champs full of names I'd recognize. This was much deeper than what I expected. While I was familiar with the more famous boxers covered, I had the opportunity to learn about Black boxers I'd never even heard of.
I'd recommend this to fellow lovers of history, boxing, and Black history in general. This was incredibly thorough and the research offered was fascinating. I highly suggest the audiobook version as this flowed well and helped some of the ugly parts feel less painful. This audiobook is wonderfully narrated by L. Malaika Cooper. Her voice was rich and firm. It truly suited the text which dealt with white supremacy and racism. This never felt preachy or dry and the narrators voice was steady but interesting.
Thank you to Jordana Moore Saggese, HighBridge Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This is largely a political thriller and the story felt both familiar and relatable. The main characters are a reporter and the yo3.5 Stars Rounded Up
This is largely a political thriller and the story felt both familiar and relatable. The main characters are a reporter and the youngest Senator to sit in Congress who was once a professional football player. I wasn't deeply invested in the characters in the beginning of the novel as they felt somewhat two dimensional. Despite that, the story itself was interesting. I think this suffered mostly from pacing issues at the beginning. When consuming a thriller, I prioritize my interest being piqued and for the action to move relatively quickly over character development or growth. Once the story got interesting, about 30% in, I was invested. I think this is a first novel and some minor faults are expected.
The mystery itself was delightfully twisted and I truly enjoyed the political focus of the story. The romance plot felt a bit thin and unnecessary. This had great bones and I think as this author continues in her craft the pacing issues at the start of the novel will naturally work themselves out. I want to stress that my initial impatience with the beginning of this novel was rewarded with how the story grew and ultimately resolved itself. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
This audiobook is narrated by Imani Jade Powers. Imani's narration was sheer perfection. I enjoyed how easily I was able to keep the characters separated based on her inflection and tone. The narration really elevated this novel.
Thank you to Maya Golden Bethany, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own. ...more
This audiobook is narrated by Janina Edwards. Janina is one of my favorite narrators. I truly appreciate the author and publisher for choosing such a This audiobook is narrated by Janina Edwards. Janina is one of my favorite narrators. I truly appreciate the author and publisher for choosing such a skilled nsrrator for this unusual biography. I highly recommend consuming this as an audiobook if possible. It's a whole experience.
This is truly a unique biography of Octavia E. Butler. The author had access to her notes stored at the Huntington Library and she makes fantastic use of all that was left behind.
I've been a fan of OEB since I was a high school student and sobbed when I heard she had passed. Much like this author, the first novel I read by her was Dawn. I still have the old cover with a white woman on the cover representing Lilith Iyapo. Imagine my surprise upon discovering the main character was a Black woman leader. She's been my favorite author since. Her work has informed the adult I grew up to become.
This author takes all of her writings, not just related to her published work, but her childhood stories, her affirmations, her notes on places she visited and creates the fullest picture of Octavia I've ever encountered. I feel like I know so much more about Octavia. I'll never get permission to access her archive myself, but this is an excellent synopsis of what it contains.
This is structured, kind of like a children's ABC book with chapters that can be read in any order and are extremely eclectic. Still, each chapter speaks not just about her writing but also includes interviews from those that knew her, descriptions of images she drew and photographs she took, what reference books she studied, and her childhood obsessions. This is a side of Octavia Butler I have never had the chance to experience before. She was such a fascinating woman.
I've read and enjoyed every biography published on OEB, but this is by far my favorite. Octavia E Butler is my favorite author of all time. Though Toni Morrison is a close second. If you are a casual fan of the work of OEB or have been intrigued by her thought processes and how her mind worked, I can not recommend this highly enough.
I, of course, purchased this in audiobook format. This also includes interesting information about the author and how OEB's work impacted and fascinated her.
Thank you to Chi-Ming Yang, HighBridge Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This is beautifully and respectfully handled given that this is based on real people and real events in US history. I think Vanessa Miller has a true This is beautifully and respectfully handled given that this is based on real people and real events in US history. I think Vanessa Miller has a true gift for breathing life into historical characters and situations.
This follows the Justice sisters, Evelyn and Margaret, who are the daughters of Henry Justice, a grocer in Tulsa. The action begins almost immediately, and the escape from the white mob is horrifying to endure with the sisters. The sisters are separated from their father and manage to find their way to a safe harbor at The Filling Station owned by Fred & Alberta Threatt. Their escape is only part of the story, which I appreciate. I'm most familiar with the terrorism that destroyed Tulsa, I've seen it re-enacted on television shows such as Watchmen & Lovecraft Country both on HBO if memory serves. The horror described in the novel hits harder than the TV visuals. Both shows mentioned are excellent and worth a watch.
What I loved about this novel was its coverage of and focus on the aftermath or the massacre. How the survivors were impacted by this horror and how that informed their lives. This explores those survivors that returned and those who did not. This covers the long arm of CPTSD and how some managed to move on. Not all did move on, and that's important to note.
This covers history actively being erased by the current US administration, and it's important to have fiction to expand on facts. I don't fool myself into believing that fiction won't be influenced by the current fascist agenda of the US government.
The Christian themes felt heavy, and I wasn't interested in the characters' struggles with her faith. I'm not a Christian, and while I love this author's storytelling style, I find her focus on Christianity heavy and largely uninteresting in a story of this nature. Too much focus on and exploration of Christian faith for me.
I preordered this on audiobook based on my love of the author's previous novel, The American Queen. My NetGalley player was glitchy, probably because this review was due weeks ago when I was too sick to keep up with my review due dates. I listened to the copy I purchased, so I would not need to delay this review further. I highly recommend this book to all lovers of historical fiction, Black history, US history, and readers of Christian fiction.
The narrator of this audiobook is Angel Pean. Angel is a narrator I'm familiar with, have high expectations of, and generally offers narration I deeply enjoy. This novel was no exception. This covers a disturbing incident in US history, and I find that audiobooks can help blunt the horrors a bit in a novel like this. Angel's narration brought these characters and this historical episode to life.
Thank you to Vanessa Miller, Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This was interesting and fast-paced. I quite enjoyed this West African-futurism. Very cool world building and an interesting idea that was fully fleshedThis was interesting and fast-paced. I quite enjoyed this West African-futurism. Very cool world building and an interesting idea that was fully fleshed. Loved it....more
This book resonated with me in many ways. It fell flat for me in others. I am younger than this author as I was born before she finished high school. This book resonated with me in many ways. It fell flat for me in others. I am younger than this author as I was born before she finished high school. Our challenges would've been different but in ways relatable. My father is Black, and my mother is white. Although I have lightskin as a child, I was clearly perceived as Black. As an adult, I'm sometimes recognized as Black but sometimes thought to be Domican, Borican, or a different POC. I'm recognized to clearly not be white, but it isn't always clear I'm Black. I've always identified as Black as I was born before identifying as mixed was even an option on forms that collect racial data.
Race is a social construct, and situations like the author's really highlight the ridiculousness of how race is used in our society. Thanks to DNA advances, we now know the average Black person in the USA has anywhere from 10-25% or more of European ancestry. Dr. Henry Louis Gates himself is only about 54% West African even though he has 2 Black parents and 4 Black grandparents. Yet Blackness is more than the percentage of West African DNA an individual possesses.
This author can pass for white and is descended from folks who have extremely lightskin. Some were even mistaken as white. The author was challenged by an unambiguously Black man at university in the mid 70's and seemingly never got over it. She and all of her ancestors since slavery benefited from their access to whiteness via their complexion. That complexion being maintained through generations means her family actively participated in colorist beliefs and practices. It's not an accident at all that she's the complexion she is. Her ancestors chose, even down to her own parents, to marry other very lightskinned Black folks.
The author dismisses the idea that her Enslaved light skin ancestress, whom she looks like, could've participated in colorism or the rampant blue vein society and paper bag tests that start immediately post emancipation Now we know that's not true through the published writings of Charles W. Chesnutt. His short story, 'The Wife of his Youth,' features ex-Enslaved folks using skin color based discrimination against darker complexion Black folks in order to maintain a light skin, 'blue vein' Black community. This author is definitely educated enough to know this and is disingenuous in pretending her enslaved ancestress didn't participate in this deeply antiblack behavior. This section of the book feels like the author is still trying to prove something to the young man who challenged her at university. Only her tone in response proved he was correct to challenge her.
The author's ancestors were so successful precisely because of their lightskin privilege. As such, they definitely discriminated against other Black folks who didn't look unambiguously Black to maintain that complexion in their descendants. Whole Black social societies exist that this was their main function. It's still somewhat rampant today.
I know this from stories within my own Black family. My father was very dark skinned. He was called blue-black and blue gums within the Black Community growing up. His second wife, my stepmother, is very lightskinned and from a historically lightskin Black family. They married in their mid 40's but he told me that had he met her when they were young enough that they could've had kids he'd have likely not been welcome to date her by her parents. Now, her family was lovely and welcoming, but that was his experience growing up. Being Black with dark skin drastically impacts one's experience in society. This is backed by multiple scientific studies. It's important that colorism be acknowledged historically as well as in modern times.
I found the author's family history extremely interesting, fascinating even. My criticism isn't meant to deny the author's identity. I'm not saying she's not Black or that she doesn't deserve to be a subject matter expert on her studies of Black history. Nothing of the sort. She's still Black. Lightskin Black folks need to allow unambiguously Black folks to lead the discussion on the difficulty of moving through society in a Black body. Gatekeeping Blackness is important, and it's okay for her to be questioned by other members of the Black Community.
The tone of this memoir reminded me of the memoir Negroland by Margo Jefferson. Both women grew up in privileged families, and both women were reluctant to own their privilege as a result. They are also of a similar age, so maybe its a generational quirk.
This book is narrated by the author Martha S. Jones. I don't always think that authors should read their own books. I find this to be especially true with nonfiction. A good narrator truly helps nonfiction books to keep the narrative moving and not get bogged down in detail. Having said that, I actually quite enjoyed this authors voice and narration. Given the subject matter, it was informative to hear for oneself which words the author stressed and to hear the emotion in her voice. This was a good choice.
Thank you to Martha S. Jones, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This audiobook is masterfully narrated by Sasha Frost. This novel is the story of a Jamaican woman, and so often, the accent of the narrator reflects This audiobook is masterfully narrated by Sasha Frost. This novel is the story of a Jamaican woman, and so often, the accent of the narrator reflects that. Her accent is authentic, and her narration breathes life into Miss Pauline. At the same time, this novel also has American characters and the narrators. The US accent is also perfect. I highly recommend consuming this on audio.
I loved this novel and Miss Pauline. I have family members from the Caribbean and a favorite neighbor from Jamaica. This inside look into life on the island was beautifully done.
This has a theme of making peace with your past before your life ends. I'm 50, which means statistically more than half of my life is over. So, in ways I can relate to the idea of making peace with life choices, those I've wronged and wanting a death that honors my life.
This is more than that, though. As it touches on chattel slavery on the island. To those unaware, chattel slavery was considerably more brutal in the Caribbean. The life expectancy of Enslaved folks was dismal and the violence they experienced more than the average Enslaved folks in the US. All slavery is bad. Chattel slavery being the worst form of slavery known to history, was literally brutal and horrifying. Also, the end of chattel slavery did not bring true freedom. In fact, even today, Jamaican wealth is mostly in the hands of white Westerners.
Miss Pauline is the descendant of Enslaved Jamaicans, and her story is one of triumph and resilience. She emodies the very definition of the word formidable with her very home being built from the rubble of the ruins of enslaver homes. She does what she must to survive and raise her family. This is incredibly engrossing with heartfelt reveals. Miss Pauline is all I hope to be as I grow older. I don't want to give too much away in the review, but I highly encourage anyone interested in this review to add this to their to read list. I ended up purchasing this on audio from Libro.fm because I already can feel that this is a novel I'll return to again and again. Just beautifully written in every way.
Thank you to Diana McCaulay, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This is extremely Christian focused with multiple Bible quotes used to enhance or explain advice, suggestions, or exercises offered by the author. As This is extremely Christian focused with multiple Bible quotes used to enhance or explain advice, suggestions, or exercises offered by the author. As a non-Christian, I did not find the focus abrasive. I'd label this as Black Christian and Feminist-light. I found the type of Christianity presented to be kind, loving, and inclusive. If only all Christians practiced this way!
This is timely given our current political climate. I'm sure at least half of all Americans are dealing with grief as we watch our nation being dismantled before our very eyes. Definitely, Black Women are dealing with a disproportionate amount of that shared grief at this time. I hoped this would have healthy suggestions and coping methods. In fact, this offers multiple studied methods for dealing with and managing grief. This also delves into trauma, which was really handled in a delicate and well-balanced manner.
Of course, much of this advice and associated activities involve praying, reading the Bible, and church fellowship. As a non-Christian I still found plenty that was useful for me, and with slight modifications, I created a plan for myself. I meditate instead of praying or light candles on my Ancestor altar. I read history, which allows me to understand what has happened before so I can deal with my present situation with knowledge and forethought. I fellowship with my loved ones who form my community. With a tiny bit of ingenuity, I was able to make this very Christian centered viewpoint work for me as a practicing pagan.
This references well-known psychology texts on grief such as The Grieving Brain by Mary Frances O'Connor and The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, amongst others. The author has done lots of research and offers tried and true methods for managing grief with a focus on the impact on Black Woman.
The author is from a family that sounds a bit like it was steeped in Respeactability Politics, which leaches into the work slightly. I reject the Christian doctrine around 'forgiveness' and found some of the authors' statements on forgiveness to not be in line with my views on forgiveness. Aside from that, this was surprisingly relatable for me. I will be using multiple techniques highlighted in this narrative myself.
This audiobook is read by the author Natasha Smith. It was a treat to have this read by the author herself because hearing the words voiced by the author always helps to understand their frame of mind. The listener hears which word the author, as the narrator, draws out or pauses after. It can illuminate the entire paragraph. The authors voice is smooth, cultured, soft, and firm.
Thank you to Natasha Smith, IVP Audiobooks, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
I liked this novel. I was engrossed in the fight to save the museum. I was intrigued by Solomon & Janey's love story. I loFull enthusiastic 3.25 Stars
I liked this novel. I was engrossed in the fight to save the museum. I was intrigued by Solomon & Janey's love story. I loved the inclusion of Denmark Vesey's revolt and its aftermath. I was unimpressed with the romance angle of the story.
I liked Jaslene & Marcus as characters and even as friends. I just didn't feel any connection between them, even remotely suggestive of attraction, much less love. I think the author would write fairly good family drama novels focused on intergenerational stories with lots of history. Unfortunately, the worst aspects of this story are all related to the relationship between Jaslene & Marcus.
Still I enjoyed this. It's only loosely a series. The characters from the first novel are lightly mentioned in this and that's about all. I was disappointed with that choice on the author's part.
Starting my NetGalley read of book 3. Hopefully the review will be up by Monday....more
Meh, a generous 2.5 rounded up to a 3. Mostly because this was a first novel, which can be clunky and because I read very little romance.
This is a cleMeh, a generous 2.5 rounded up to a 3. Mostly because this was a first novel, which can be clunky and because I read very little romance.
This is a clean, probably xtian romance with a very cozy, almost Hallmark Channel feel. Big city, important, overworked with emotional baggage woman returns to a smallish hometown and falls for a local, sweet, hard-working man.
I more or less liked Maya. Many of her choices did not make complete sense. The ADA does exist, which offers protections and accommodations for the very reasons laid out in this novel. For now, at least, who knows what executive order 45 will gleefully deliver next, so her illness is covered as far as accommodations. This doesn't rule out discrimination, but without a genuine explanation, it felt like a trite trope.
This felt like a love letter to the Lowcountry. Which has left me with a yearning to visit Charleston, SC. With an area as rich with history as this is, it's wonderful that the author includes tons of historical details. At times, the details feel somewhat clunky in certain scenes. I assume with later books this will be less clunky. I understand wanting to include what you love about a place, and it does add to the atmosphere of the story.
My main gripe is that the basic story felt dated. I'm not sure if this is fair for this genre of novels. I read very little romance, and what I do read tends to have very current themes with very diverse characters. I reviewed a xtian clean romance for NetGalley, Bitter and Sweet by Rhonda McKnight, which I loved. So I'm not sure it's entirely the genre or entirely that this is a first novel. Whatever the case, I'm reviewing the 3rd book in this series for NetGalley and wanted to read the first two.
Spoilers below: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . It bothered me that Maya was labeled selfish in the story for chasing dreams she'd harbored for a long time and sacrificed a lot for. I didn't mind the outcome, just how it phrased and presented. Women and other marginalized genders should be encouraged to hold firm to their dreams. That should be rewarded and not seen as a failing....more
This book is narrated by one of my narrators, Adenrele Ojo. Ms. Ojo's narration brought Tracey to life. Plus, this featured antics3.5 Stars Rounded Up
This book is narrated by one of my narrators, Adenrele Ojo. Ms. Ojo's narration brought Tracey to life. Plus, this featured antics by both partners' exes, and the narration of these scenes was chef's kiss. I highly encourage consuming this on audio.
While this is the 3rd book in the Peachtree Cove romance series, I have not read any of the previous novels or short stories in this series. I enjoyed the town and the characters so much that I've added the first novel in this series to my to be read list. I had no trouble keeping up with the story, so I feel like this is fine to read as a stand-alone novel on its own.
This is a cozy, slow-build style romance story. Featuring a 'friends-with-benefits' style love story more than a frenemy to lovers tale. This focused on healing from past relationships, especially dealing with infidelity and learning to trust in love again. With a slight touch of a Hallmark channel-esque small town full of cozy characters.
Tracey felt relatable in her journey to change her life after her troubled marriage. Brian felt like a safe, sexy and healing companion for Tracey's journey. This had a few standard romance tropes that I found grating. Overall, the relationship felt organic and had a nice bite of spice. This is a perfect, feel-good Valentines Day novel.
Thank you to Synithia Williams, Harlequin Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
In anticipation of this novel, I was able to read the other 2 novels in the Brides of Lowcountry series. The novels in this series are only v3.5 Stars
In anticipation of this novel, I was able to read the other 2 novels in the Brides of Lowcountry series. The novels in this series are only very loosely connected, and each novel can easily be read independent of the others.
Avila lives in New Jersey with her preteen daughter, Ebony. She is estranged from her mother, who did not support her through a late teen pregnancy. Upon her mother's death, Avila returns to her hometown with a reluctant but curious Ebony in tow.
Trevor is a successful, divorced professor who was once Avila's BFF. A confession before college changed everything between the best friends. Avila never returned home, and Trevor never stopped thinking about her.
Trevor offers to help Avila get her mother's house ready for sale, and their old friendship is rekindled with a side of romance. This has a clean Christian focused story with little spice. While I liked the characters, the romance felt convenient and a bit like instalove. Avila was needlessly abrasive and annoyingly complicated. At the same time, I felt like Ebony wasn't complicated enough for a preteen in this circumstance.
My favorite aspect of this novel was the author's descriptions of the Lowcountry. It sounds gorgeous, lush, and full of history. This book set a longing in me to visit the Lowcountry myself.
This audiobook is narrated by Carmen Jewel Jones. I appreciate her style because I found Avila a bit trying in her behaviors, but Ms. Jones helped her to feel relatable.
Thank you to Preslaysa Williams, HarperAudio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
Wow, this was simply amazing! I've binged this series over the last week, starting with book 1 in anticipation of reviewing this 3rd novel in the seriWow, this was simply amazing! I've binged this series over the last week, starting with book 1 in anticipation of reviewing this 3rd novel in the series. This book is phenomenal. Much like in the 2nd book, the reader gets time with the family in the Conjure world. I am invested in the mystery at the Marvellers school but also want to go through a year of Conjure school as well. This pretty much picks up where book 2 left off. This installment offers many reveals, introduces new characters, has a bit more serious theme, and deals with growing pains between friends. More magic is revealed, more history is revealed, and there is a serious bit at the end that I won't reveal for spoilers sake.
The relationship between the Marvellers and the Conjurors feels so relevant to current times that it's almost eery. The author couldn't have known we'd be living through these perilous times when this was written, but it feels like she did. Marvellers have their own MAGA element. This ends on both a cliffhanger and a bang.
This audiobook is beautifully narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt. Her voices for each character are distinct and impressive. The accents are superb, as is the pronunciation of non-English words with comfort, ease, and a great accent. All of that, plus her ability to hold so much emotion in her voice, just brings this novel and these characters to life. Joniece was the narrator for the first 2 books as well. Definitely do yourself a favor and consume this on audiobook. It's an experience not to be missed.
Thank you to Dhonielle Clayton, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
**spoiler alert** This has an intriguing premise, but I'm not sure the author let it cook long enough.
Much like with Get Out, there's no real way to d**spoiler alert** This has an intriguing premise, but I'm not sure the author let it cook long enough.
Much like with Get Out, there's no real way to discuss the ending without spoiling it. So I'll just say it felt bizarre. I honestly was surprised this author is Black. Because the ending felt very much a well-meaning Liberal solution to racism. This concept felt dated, and the characters were very flat. I grew up in Detroit and don't know any Black folks like the Jasmyn. She felt almost a caricature or amalgamation of how white folks think Black folks feel. It felt very inauthentic.
Perhaps that was the point, and I missed it. Either way, this is a swing and a miss for me. I found many aspects of this story somewhat offensive....more
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