August Reading

Greenwood by Michael Christie

"Time...is not an arrow. Neither is it a road. It goes in no particular direction. It simply accumulates...like wood does. Layer upon layer...Each one dependent upon the last. Each year impossible without the one preceding it." This book say for while on my pile, the 500 page-ness of it intimidating me. But three days later, never lifting my face off the page, it was finished. A story of forests and family, it is uniquely plotted and stunningly written. It begins at the end, in 2038, and moves backward in time. Then, when 1908 arrives, time marches forward and fills in all the answers. The themes of family ties, secrets, and what we do to our environment is dealt with over each time period. As the story weaves its magic, we see how every moment matters, that our history is not only our past but our future, that to love the earth sometimes means to sacrifice ourselves. This will be one of my top books of 2020.

Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson

Woodson has become a go-to author for me as I try to diversify my reading. She writes from her own experiences, both in Brooklyn as well as time down south, and imbues her books with the poetic beauty of her writing style. This time around she focuses on a group of four friends, growing up in Brooklyn, making their way from childhood into adulthood, with all the challenges that come from race inequity, economic differences, academic directions, and character development. It is a beautiful slice of life.

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

I am constantly on the lookout for a thriller that actually satisfied, and this one is IT. If you liked the podcast, Serial, on This American Life, you will recognize the style. The main character, Rachel, is back for a third season after hitting it big solving crimes in her first two podcasts. This time around, she is covering a live trial, as a young college student (Olympic-level swimmer, sound familiar?) from a well-to-do-family has been accused of raping a high school girl in a small North Carolina town. Juxtaposed with this trial, is the story of twenty-five years ago when a high school girl was found dead. The sister still wants answers and believes Rachel's podcast can give her those. This book explores the troubling state of rape culture in society, as well as the question of who to believe when an accusation is made, how society treats the accuser, and how to actually mete out justice. This book kept me up way too late, trying to not only find out whodunnit, but to question how society goes so wrong in dealing with these crimes. Tough read, but well done.

We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez

For those of you looking for some Own Voices writing about America's southern border, this is the book for you. This story focuses on three children, Pulga, Chico, and Pequena, trapped in violent, dead-end lives in Guatemala. The first half details their lives there, trying to escape the narcos, the poverty, yet filled with family love that is hard to leave behind. It is not an easy choice to leave, but they must, or they will die. The choice is that stark. The second half of the book focuses on their odyssey to El Norte, the sanctuaries that aid them, the criminals who pursue them, the train (El Bestia) that torments them. This is a heartbreaker, but a 'must read' if we truly who to comprehend why so many people would risk their lives to make it to America. 

Dust Tracks on a Road: A Memoir by Zora Neal Hurston

If you have read Their Eyes Are Watching God,' then you know who Zora Neal Hurston is: a Black writer, raised in Florida, educated in the North, a powerhouse influence and part of the Harlem Renaissance. This is the story of her life, told by Zora herself. It shows us how she was formed, the people who believed in her and influenced her, and where her life took her before she was buried in a nameless pauper's grave decades later. I highly recommend the audio book, as the narrator is amazing. 

Fast Girls: A Novel of the 1936 Women's Olympics Team by Elise Hooper

Female empowerment, history, and competition? Yep, this book was calling my name. Based on the true story of the female track and field athletes, Elise Hooper charts the story of how women were first allowed to compete in the 1928 Olympics. She follows three 'girls' (honestly, I know it makes for a good title, but girls? They were women. Just sayin) and their journey to reach the Olympics: a beautiful blonde who endures great physical challenges, a farm girl going against sexual norms of the day, and a Black runner who faces the enduring system of racism. I liked it. I read it quickly, but I kept feeling I wanted more. Once I read the author's notes, I figured out why - there just wasn't much detailed history on some of these women, so Hooper had to fill in things with fictional stories. I think for me, I just like straight up history better? Like Unbroken or Boys in the Boat? These women were badasses though, and deserved some spotlight shining on them.

The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert

This is suuuuuch a YA book, which is totally okay, but you need to know that going in! The whole story revolves around two kids figuring out a way to vote: Marva, raised by two Black successful parents, attends a private school, obsessed with her future and resume, yet insecure and anxiety ridden; and Duke, a boy of mixed race, who lives with his white mom, after parents got a divorce following the shooting death of his brother. All these issues are dealt with, along with issues around voting restrictions, polling places, and systemic racism, along with some flirtation, a lost cat, and boyfriend issues. It is cute, topical, funny, poignant, and entertaining.

More July Books

When They Call You A Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors, Asha Bandele

"Literally breathing while Black became cause for arrest - or worse." Once in maybe a decade, a book comes along that changes my life, that makes me want to scream at the top of my lungs, that compels me to push it into everyone's hands. Last time, it was Just Mercy, now it is this memoir by a founder of the Black Lives Matter movement. This book makes one see life through the eyes of Patrisse: who grows up in LA, who loses both a father and a brother to prison, to mental illness, to addiction, who lives as a Queer woman called to work in social justice, who battles a sheriff's department over their use of torture, who cries over Trayvon Martin and births a movement. This book is raw, painful, heart wrenching, real, inspiring, powerful, and truly a MUST READ. 

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

"The feeling of time, of having been a part of something that stretched so far back, was so impossibly large, that it was easy to forget that she, and he, and everyone else, existed in it - not apart from it, but inside of it." It is a rare thing for me to reread a book, but this one deserved it. When it came out four years ago, it quickly became my favorite book of 2016; it is incredibly well written, well researched, and completely engrossing. It covers the 400 years of slavery, as well as the history of Ghana, as it tells the story of two sisters, one who is kidnapped and transported across the ocean as a slave, and one who remains in Africa. We see the descendants of each sister, in each set of chapters. And when we see these characters, we witness the march of history. This book was exceptionally compelling after doing all the reading of Black history over these last two months. The connections among so many time periods in America (the Fugitive Slave Act, the chain gangs, the great migration), as well as in Africa made this book even more relevant today. If you read it before, I would encourage you to read it again; I gained some powerful lessons and connections to today's movement for racial justice.

Good Girls, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson

Did you read A Good Girl's Guide to Murder yet? If not, do it! Such a well-plotted, YA mystery - quick, easy palate cleanser for those heavy books we've all been reading. And once you read the first, you might decide to order from the UK to get the second, as I did (not out here until Feb 2021!!) This time around, Pippa wants out of the 'detective' business after all the negative fall out from last time, even though she produced a popular podcast about it. Yet, when her best friend's brother goes missing, she gets pulled into another mystery. Not only is it a good whodunnit, but Jackson also deals with serious issues around rape culture, unjust verdicts, and the misuse of social media. 

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

What is it about a middle-reader book, meant for upper elementary and middle school readers, that can get to the heart of a topic more concisely, more powerfully, more truthfully, than an adult book sometimes? Rhodes is a favorite author of mine, and she does it again in Ghost Boys as she looks at the fall out when a young boy is shot and killed by a police officer, as he plays with a toy gun (yes, Rhodes was inspired by the true story of Tamir Rice). We see Jerome's life and death, as he shows us how he came to have the gun in his hands, and we see his days in the afterlife, with his guide Emmett Till, who forces all of us to see the ghosts, the Black boys murdered over centuries of time. This book haunted me, as it should. If you never read children's literature, I would challenge you to pick this one up; it is unforgettable. 

March Trilogy by John Lewis

Do you read graphic novels? If you never have, I would highly recommend this series as an incredible place to begin. Written by the iconic and heroic Congressman John Lewis who just recently died, this is the story of his life within the Civil Rights Movement. Juxtaposed with his attendance at Obama's first inauguration, it is a powerful story with beautiful illustrations. Highly highly recommend!

His & Hers by Alice Feeney

In my endless search of a satisfying thriller, this one...didn't cut it. It did however keep me turning me pages, which I guess is a plus? A dead body is found in a small English town outside of London, so BBC reporter Anna Andrews goes to report, after being demoted from her anchor's desk. Anna is a hot mess (think Girl on the Train) and I never found her that likable, or compelling. The detective investigating the murder of the woman is...wait for it...Anna's ex-husband. Convenient, yes? Also not likable, or intriguing of a character. Secrets are slowly revealed about Andrew and Jack's former marital life, as well as their current situations and the plot line does clip along quickly. However, the twists were far to implausible for me and the final 'whodunnit' reveal was beyond unrealistic...aargh. (I did hear the audio is fantastic so that's a plus). The search for me continues:)

July 2.0

This Is My America by Kim Johnson

In her debut novel, Kim Johnson is about to enter the list of vaunted YA authors circle who deal honestly on issues of race with American youth of today (think Jason Reynolds, Angie, Thomas, Nic Stone). Set in a small Texas town and the world of high school, the protagonist, Tracy Beaumont, is a burgeoning school journalist with a tight-knit family scarred by their past, and a father who has spent years on Death Row. When the editor of their school newspaper is found murdered, the entire ugly cauldron of racism, police violence towards Black people, and the prejudice found in the microcosm of school, all erupt as Tracy's brother runs for his life while she must find answers to save her family. I raced through this book, admiring the research put into it and the credible characters she creates. Highly highly recommend adding to your TBR list.

Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West

This debut novel seared itself into my soul, making me catch my breath and hang on for dear life as I lived vicariously through the characters trying to 'save' Ruby King. In the Chicago life of a young woman who has lost her mother to violence, this author looks for answers. Everyone has a story to tell - the best friends, the parent, the pastor, the victims, and even the physical building of the church (the audio was stunning!). We see how abuse does generational damage, how pain cannot be outrun by one's descendants, how secrets can fester and how truth washes one clean. This book made my heart ache, but it also make it grow three times the size. 

The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon

Who am I? Reading and loving a Rom-Com book?! But this audio book was so much fun! Samiah is a smart, sassy, driven professional who is a tech-world badass. However, when she discovers her current man is dating two other women, confronts him and becomes a social media viral star? Well, her life is just beginning. The other two women become best friends, the new hot guy at work is calling every pheromone, and woohee life gets hot and hilarious! The author deals with race in the workplace, sexism, and ambition in a really thoughtful manner while still giving us tons of laugher and romance. 

Deacon King King by James McBride

This book is the story of a neighborhood in Brooklyn. It tells of Deacon, who shoots Deems, whose drug dealer bosses get involved in revenge, who want the dock boss looking for buried treasure, who wants the policeman to back off, who meets the minister's wife...and the story of the 'hood goes around and around. This book is getting tons of pub and attention, and it is written beautifully, yet I did not love it. So many characters to keep track of, a verbose writing style, and a slow start. I did love the final third where all the strings are tied together in a rather fantastic fashion, but this book takes some quiet and time to thoroughly process, at least it did for me.

Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby

This plot line rocks - main character, Beauregard, needs money to dam up the burgeoning financial hole in his family and professional life so he returns to his old criminal role as a getaway driver. Along with that decision comes an aggressive number of issues, piled one on top of the other: idiotic partners, a rebellious son, a reluctant wife, and ghosts from the past. This author deals with the issue of generational violence and lack of opportunities for a Black man in American society, giving us a rollercoaster ride of a book. 

When You Disappeared by John Marrs

Looking for a mystery/thriller you cannot put down this summer? This book has you covered! Premise: husband of Catherine, father to three young children, walks out of his house one day and disappears. Twenty-five years later, he knocks on his wife's door to explain. Yep, that's it. What a ride through the secrets of their lives, the travels, the hardships, the deaths, the loves...you won't be able to put this one down. Well constructed by a talented British  mystery writer, this book will entertain you!

Wandering in Strange Lands: A Daughter of the Great Migration Reclaims Her Roots by Morgan Jenkins

In order to more deeply understand the system of racism in America today, it is vital to understand the history of the Black migration, the largest movement of humanity in modern history. Over the decades post-Civil War until 1970, millions of Black left the South and moved North. They brought their cultural traditions with them, the Jim Crow laws followed them, and the lack of justice haunted them. This book tells the story of Morgan Jerkin's family, which is the story of millions of people. We learn of the traditions of the Geechee islands of Georgia, the cane fields of Louisiana, the connections with indigenous people, and the 'promised' land of California. It is a painful history, yet one that needs to be heard. Highly recommend the audio of this one - it is fascinating.

July Reading

How To Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

The National Book Award winning author of Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, this is Kendi's follow up to the history of racist ideas. Half memoir, half instructional manual, this book is the best one I have found to not only enrich my mind on how to be a better person as far as racial issues, but how to be proactive, how to engage, and what it means to be an Antiracist. If you combine this book with White Fragility, you will have given yourself a ton of great information as we fight for change in our country. Cannot recommend this book highly enough.

A Mercy by Toni Morrison

Another one by a favorite author, this is not an easy book to read; one cannot speed read this, nor ignore small bits of the story. Morrison brings together a cast of characters to show the beginnings of slavery in America in the 17th century: the Dutch slave owner, his wife, the indentured servants, the free blacksmith, and the slave girl, taken from her mother. The narrative skips amongst these people blithely, showing us the threads that became a blanket of destruction in the following centuries. The juxtaposition of the white experience vs. the black experience (the entry into America, their lives on the farm, their relaitonships) was stunning. I was not sure how I felt about this one...until the final two pages. And then my mind was blown. If you've never read Morrison, I would not start with this one, but if you have, it's an amazing book to add to the collection.

The Toni Morrison Book Club by Juda Bennett

This was a surprisingly good audio book; I say surprising because who would have thought discussions amongst book club members would be so fascinating? An eclectic group made of varied race, gender, and sexual identity, decide to read four Morrison books (The Bluest Eye, Beloved, Song of Solomon, and A Mercy) and assign each book to a member, who then brings in history, their own life experiences, and literary analysis to open our eyes to each book. I was able to understand these books in a richer, deeper manner, as well as the current antiracist movements in a more historical context. Highly recommend if you are a Morrison fan.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins

Who didn't love the first trilogy, followed by the movies with Jennifer Lawrence? (Okay, Mockingjay was meh but the first two were fantastic!) This prequel goes back decades in time, to the 10th anniversary of the Hunger Games, when technology was in the dark ages and District populations hardly even paid attention to them, as they sacrificed to young people to the immoral competition. Enter a young Coriolanus Snow, an eighteen year old scion of a formerly wealthy, powerful family, fighting to hang onto his status. When partnered up with wild gypsy from District 12, we begin to to see all the connections with the later books, as well as where how Snow becomes the evil Machiavelli from the future. My problems with this book? Too long - yep, that simple. It could have, and should have, been broken up into two books, so that the plot line could be crisper. It's a decent story; I enjoyed it, but I also could have lived without it.

The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

I had obviously heard of Baldwin for years, a gay black writer and activist of the 20th century, but had never read him. Shame on me. We've all heard of Ta-Nehisi Coate's book Between the World and Me, but this book was first, and quite frankly, it moved me more than Coate's. Baldwin writes two essays during the one hundred anniversary celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation, and he takes on all the racial issues of his day and wraps them into a memoir of his life in Harlem. This book gave me goosebumps far too often, with the eerie similarity to the violence against black people today that occurred during Baldwin's time as well. It solidified the continuing understanding I am gaining, as I read more books by Black writers, that the anger and frustration goes deeper than I can ever imagine, that it crosses generations and history for hundreds of years. This audio was just simply brilliant.

The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

Written by a DACA recipient, Karla Villavicencio was brought to America by her Ecuadorian parents, after a separation of years, a separation that  runs deep into her psyche. This is a story of immigrants, of Dreamers, of the people who keep America humming, of the Latinx community that has been forgotten and shoved aside by decades of politicians and failed policies. The author travels the country, talking with illegal immigrants, detailing their lives, their homes, their medical struggles, their employment history, their heartbreaks. It is a powerful read, not to be missed if one wants to more deeply understand the issues standing in the way of compassionate reform.

Death in Mud Lick: A Coal Country Fights Against the Drug Companies that Delivered the Opioid Epidemic by Eric Eyre

If you like real-life stories of brilliant investigative reporting that brings down the bad guys, this book is for you. Based on Eyre's years-long deep dive into the distributing system in West Virginia, and how it manipulated buyers, corrupted policy makers, and destroyed people's lives for the billions of dollars they made on opioids, it is a brilliant piece of non fiction. Tightly written, the story moves along smoothly, highlighting the long talons this industry has dug into powerful brokers. If you like listening to non fiction audio, this one is a winner.