I was lucky to see Trevor Noah speak about this book recently, and the way he talked about his story, and his life growing up in South Africa made me I was lucky to see Trevor Noah speak about this book recently, and the way he talked about his story, and his life growing up in South Africa made me all the more eager to read it! The book is a cohesive collection of stories from his childhood and early adulthood, and though I am not typically a reader of much non-fiction, I found this book truly compelling and hard to put down! Noah has a way of really drawing you in, and making you feel as though you are there with him, experiencing his memories and seeing South Africa during and after apartheid as he did. He doesn't glorify himself and doesn't shy from describing certain flaws in himself, his family and the world he grew up in, which makes it seem very real and believable, and makes me wish I knew even more. I have never visited South Africa, but I felt like a true armchair traveler reading "Born a Crime", and learning about the way of life of "ordinary" people, instead of monumental historical figures like Nelson Mandela. I liked how Noah gave character to individual neighborhood I had never heard of, but can now visualize with a sense of greater understanding. His descriptions of the people in this book make them come to life, especially his mother, who raised Noah under difficult circumstances and to whom the book is dedicated. She is such a central character, if you will, of this book, and Noah doesn't sugarcoat her actions or mentality, which sometimes made it difficult for me to fully understand the devotion he felt toward her, when she so often put him down, beat him, and forced him to accept that her second husband and father of Noah's two younger brothers was a violent, deeply unpleasant man, whom she did not leave until it was almost too late. This was difficult to read, at times, but definitely served to paint a truly vivid image of her and of their, sometimes fraught, but ultimately loving relationship. The explanation of segregation and divides between race were another element that fascinated me about this story, especially in light of the racial tensions that have arisen in society and culture recently, made more visible through social media and the fast pace of news (though they have obviously been there a long time). I knew, of course, of the way apartheid worked, and the extreme division and misery it created, but I did not know of the many different classifications that existed within African communities themselves, that "colored" people, as Noah describes those of mixed race, were not included in black communities or white communities, and that he, being the son of a white man and a black woman, never felt he fit in properly. It is interesting to read about this, and though the book is set in Africa, I think it is, in a way, quite timely, and well worth reading, if only to see that change for the better can happen. Segregation and racism exist everywhere, and therefore people must collectively work against it to create societies that value tolerance and diversity. This was a well-written, thought-provoking book and I would recommend it to fans Trevor Noah, or even those who have never heard of him, but what to be entertained, and learn something in the bargain. Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com...more
I just finished March Book 3, and I felt I couldn't quite write a fitting review until I had completed the series. This is my third foray into the worI just finished March Book 3, and I felt I couldn't quite write a fitting review until I had completed the series. This is my third foray into the world of the graphic novel, and judging by the books I have read (Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi and Maus by Art Spiegelman), it is a genre worthy of much more exploration. March Books 1-3 are different from anything I have ever read about civil rights, racism and the politics of this country. These books made me feel included in the struggle, that I was able to gain an insight I previously could not, which could be my own fault, or the fact that the classes I was taught in school on American history made a big to-do of the Civil War, but little of what came in the hundreds of years since regarding the issues of integration and equality. Needless to say, I think it would be hugely advantageous to use these books in the classroom. The graphic novel format is such that I think students would find it more fun and accessible to read and thereby learn about real historic events. Further, there is a true relevance (sadly) in these books set 50-60 years in the past, as we see the Black Lives Matter movement and the greater awareness of racial problems in this country. When I read the end of March 3, there is a scene where Rosa Parks speaks about the need to end discrimination and police violence that gave me goosebumps, because it is shockingly STILL going on. The perpetuation of prejudice and distrust in this current election year cannot be doing this situation any favors. We all have to know this is wrong, and an awareness that it is real is the first step to trying to be a part of change. I don't want to be too political, but books like March raise issues that are, and should be, impossible to ignore.
I wanted to add a little amendment to this review in light of recent events. It has been a difficult week, and I don't know how soon that feeling of shock will pass. As always, I've found some small comfort in the escape of good books and I had to think again about John Lewis' remarkable trilogy. Now is the best time to read books like these. I am not calling for a march or protest, despite what the title of these books might suggest. But I think there is comfort and strength to be found in reading these true stories of incredible resilience of the human spirit and the power of non-violence in the fight for tolerance and acceptance.
The Nightingale has managed to astound and sadden me by illuminating yet another realm of atrocities from the Second World War about which I was far tThe Nightingale has managed to astound and sadden me by illuminating yet another realm of atrocities from the Second World War about which I was far too under informed. I had previously read only one by by Kristin Hannah, and was underwhelmed by it, so that I hesitated in starting this one. My wariness, however, was unfounded. The Nightingale is a wonderful, sad, highly memorable story of women, friendship, love, loss, bravery and history, woven together by smoothly intersecting POVs and time jumps and eloquent writing. If that doesn't say enough, I'll just add that I am really impressed with Hannah after reading this book, and have definitely changed my opinion about her writing. I was (obviously unfairly) expecting cheesy and predictable and got moving and accomplished. My only gripe is that something happened towards the end, which I found somewhat unbelievable and unfairly tragic - I know that sounds weirdly cryptic and tragedy is obviously going occur in such a story, but you'll know what I mean, I think, if you read the book. But even this comes to a reasonably satisfying conclusion. I cannot imagine this won't be turned into a film, and I only hope the story is handled with sensitivity and the casting with care. This is not an easy book, but it is certainly highly recommended!
I wanted to read this after seeing the author speak, and being so taken with his story. Though I rarely read non-fiction, this read so well and smoothI wanted to read this after seeing the author speak, and being so taken with his story. Though I rarely read non-fiction, this read so well and smoothly, I might find myself picking up titles in the genre more often. I loved the way Wood described his journey and the people he encountered, and also that he didn't glorify danger or pretend this is something everyone should do. It was simply a totally satisfying way for me to be an armchair explorer and I can't wait to read about his other long journey walking the length of the Nile. Highly recommended!
4.5 stars I read Ann Leary's 'The Good House' a few years ago and remember enjoying it, so I was very excited to win a copy of her latest novel 'The Ch4.5 stars I read Ann Leary's 'The Good House' a few years ago and remember enjoying it, so I was very excited to win a copy of her latest novel 'The Children' this summer. This novel carries a similar tone as 'The Good House', but I found it even more engaging and I zipped through it in two or three days. The story centers around a family in Connecticut, whose patriarch has passed away (no spoiler!) and it explores the aftermath of this event. Mostly, however, this is a book about relationships we have with the people in our lives and with ourselves. It explores love, friendship, duty, fear and secrecy and I kept turning the pages way past my bedtime. Leary has a beautiful way with language and with constructing an atmosphere and building up her characters, layer upon gauzy layer. Her reveals are subtle and jarring, making for an unpredictable yet quite believable story. Initially I wondered whether I would like the protagonist, Charlotte, but by the end I had grown quite fond of her and wished I could read more about her and her family and what they will do next. I read a lot of books, so many get lost in the muddle of my memory, but I have a feeling I will be remembering this one for quite some time. This is a great, quick summer read, highly recommended!
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and have written what I think is a fair and honest review. Thank you!
Eine tolle Ueberraschung! Meine Mutter hat mir dieses Buch empfohlen und ich freue mich dass ich auf sie gehoert habe. Es ist eine wirklich nett und gEine tolle Ueberraschung! Meine Mutter hat mir dieses Buch empfohlen und ich freue mich dass ich auf sie gehoert habe. Es ist eine wirklich nett und geschickt geschriebene Geschichte, mit sympathischen, sehr echt wirkenden und zum Teil sehr lustigen Figuren. Kann ich absolut weiterempfehlen!
This book crushed me! Despite having read and learned so much about this terrible time in our world history, I am amazed that there are constantly newThis book crushed me! Despite having read and learned so much about this terrible time in our world history, I am amazed that there are constantly new aspects of it I didn't know before, which continue to stun and sadden. Salt to the Sea, in particular, touched me because it mirrored, to a degree, what my grandmother and her family experienced. My grandmother, her little brother, her widowed mother and aunt had to flee from Silesia to escape the Russians, which is similar to why the characters in this book are moving west. Where the figures in this novel are headed toward the sea and the large ships to transport them to Kiel in Northern Germany, my grandmother and her family took another route, so I was not very familiar with this method of navigating the Baltic Sea at the time and the tremendous losses of life that occurred as a result of violence, negligence and desperation. It also made me think of the refugees trying to get across the Mediterranean Sea in recent times, and the incredible losses and hardships they have suffered. Sepetys' method of telling the story from four points of view was beautifully done and effective in showing different motivations and mentalities during this impossible time. I don't want to give away anything, but throughout the book, I really had to stop myself from googling what really happened, even though I knew it was building up to something tragic. I was so attached to some of the characters, I almost didn't want the book to end, fearing what might happen. This story was heartbreaking, and if you're looking for an easy read, this is not for you. Still, I would recommend everyone read it at some point. It tells a story that is not as commonly known as it should be, and for the sake of remembering and honoring those who fell victim to the misery and cruelty of this war, we need to learn as much as we can so that nothing like this will happen again. As I write this, I am particularly saddened by the recent slew of tragedies and acts of violence that have occurred all over the globe. A book like Salt to the Sea and countless others teach us that unity and compassion are the most important elements of being human, and when they are lost, the world is changed for the worse.
I had had my eye on this since I saw it on a blog weeks ago, and was rather excited when I finally got my hands on a copy. As you can see by my ratingI had had my eye on this since I saw it on a blog weeks ago, and was rather excited when I finally got my hands on a copy. As you can see by my rating, it was well worth the wait. The plot grabbed my attention from the beginning to the last page. Paris has a fast-paced style, which nonetheless never felt rushed. The story was meticulously plotted and though it would have been easy to make a mistake given the situation(which I won't give away, don't want to spoil this one for you!). The characters were multi-faceted, and the shift from past to present was handled smoothly. I cannot believe this is the author's first novel. I cannot wait for whatever she comes up with next!
I so rarely read nonfiction, but this book has me wondering whether I might really be missing out! Addario tells her own story, but in a broader senseI so rarely read nonfiction, but this book has me wondering whether I might really be missing out! Addario tells her own story, but in a broader sense that of journalists everywhere, the struggles they face and the rewards, too. We rely so much on journalists, but I have to admit, I do not very often think about where my news is coming from, and especially who took that striking/shocking/unforgettable photo. "It's What I Do" tells a thoughtful and insightful story and for people wary of dry nonfiction reports like me, this reads much like a novel. Definitely recommended!
My first book by Stephen King, but definitely not my last. I was missing out! A fabulously plotted, inventive and clever story with fleshed out characMy first book by Stephen King, but definitely not my last. I was missing out! A fabulously plotted, inventive and clever story with fleshed out characters and a totally memorable and likable protagonist. Anyone have a recommendation which one I should pick up next?
I gobbled up "Afterwards" and "Sister" was, if not a favorite, a gripping read, so I was exited to get my hands on "The Quality of Silence". The coverI gobbled up "Afterwards" and "Sister" was, if not a favorite, a gripping read, so I was exited to get my hands on "The Quality of Silence". The cover summary reveals so little, which was clever, as it allowed for a heightened sense of mystery to pervade the story. I won't, therefore, summarize the story much either. Lupton's writing is, as in her previous novels, polished and at times poetic, and the story flowed very nicely. I was especially impressed with the way Lupton so thoughtfully tells part of the story through the voice of deaf Ruby. It was a unique angle and one I felt added depth to the story. Lupton does really intriguing characters, and though I do not always love them, I have to admire how well-developed they are. Especially Ruby, who was the star of this novel, and who will linger with me for some time to come. The story itself was interesting and though, after some time, I had an idea where it was going, I wasn't sure until the end what the greater motivation behind the crime was. The plot was very relevant, and I came away from it with the feeling that I had learnt something. Though the ending was a little rushed and I would have liked an epilogue, it was a well thought out book I would certainly recommend!
I'll need a while to get over this one, but am happy to report the hype is worth it. A truly moving, well paced and written story with characters I woI'll need a while to get over this one, but am happy to report the hype is worth it. A truly moving, well paced and written story with characters I won't be quick to forget. Highly recommended!
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