I hope you’re happy! I can’t tell you how many times I uttered these words while reading this book. While Ellis Reed slowly climbs up his career ladder, the rungs that he has been using, are slowly falling apart. The year is 1931 and times are tough all around, as families struggle to stay afloat during the Great Depression. The uncertainty of their future had some desperate individuals searching for ways to survive another day while Ellis Reed was looking for something more.
As a journalist, Ellis is searching for his “big break” as his rise to fame wasn’t coming fast enough for him. Armed with his camera and his knack for writing, Reed discovers his “big break” but unfortunately, things don’t go as planned. Not thinking about the repercussions of his actions, he takes a short-cut to secure his “big break,” which in turn, escalates matters. It’s not only Ellis who feels the impact of this fallout, but those he had dragged with him. Ellis walks along a thin line as he tries to right his wrong as the clock ticks.
Images of the Great Depression flashed across my mind as I read this story. The desperation and the difficult times that individuals experienced brought deep connections to what played out in this story. I could understand Ellis’ actions as he strives to make a name for himself and later in the story, where some of those desires came from. I liked how as the story progressed, there were some surprises. A great story, I can see why this book is popular now. 4.5 stars
A big thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark, Kristina McMorris and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. #SoldOnAmonday #NetGalley
It still amazes me how an author, under such tight constraints, can paint the picture so accurately. With a limited use of language and the power of space, Kip Wilson carried me back to the 1930’s where being yourself, whoever you were, was still acceptable, even in the city of Berlin. Although, not a city void of criticism, for there would always be wolves ready to attack, this brief time period gave individuals the opportunity to find their crowd and be embraced. Written in verse, it was an incredible journey where the sights and sounds of Berlin, were at my fingertips.
Through the use of language and space, Hilde’s story was composed on 397-pages, words arranged so strategically that it reads like a work of fiction. Hilde’s gates were finally open as she leaves her controlled world and enters a world where she can find her own niche. She must find employment to begin her new life but with the economy in shambles, Hilde’s options are limited. When Hilde finds Rosa, I think she was able to fully breathe and embrace who she was. This was an emotional read for me as Hilde finally gets to see the world behind her own eyes. 5 stars
This richly illustrated and vastly inclusive collection uplifts the works of authors who are often underrepresented in the literary world. Using their keen knowledge and deep love for all things literary, coauthors Jamise Harper (founder of the Diverse Spines book community) and Jane Mount (author of Bibliophile) collaborated to create an essential volume filled with treasures for every reader:
• Dozens of themed illustrated book stacks—like Classics, Contemporary Fiction, Mysteries, Cookbooks, and more—all with an emphasis on authors of color and authors from diverse cultural backgrounds • A look inside beloved bookstores owned by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color • Reading recommendations from leading BIPOC literary influencers
Diversify your reading list to expand your world and shift your perspective. Kickstart your next literary adventure now!
EASY TO GIFT: This portable guide is packed with more than 150 colorful illustrations is a perfect gift for any booklover. The textured paper cover, gold foil, and ribbon marker make this book a special gift or self-purchase.
DISCOVER UNSUNG LITERARY HEROES: The authors dive deep into a wide variety of genres, such as Contemporary Fiction, Classics, Young Adult, Sci-Fi, and more to bring the works of authors of color to the fore.
ENDLESS READING INSPIRATION: Themed book stacks and reading suggestions from luminaries of the literary world provide curated book recommendations. Your to-read list will thank you.
Perfect for: bookish people; literary lovers; book club members; Mother’s Day shoppers; stocking stuffers; followers of #DiverseSpines; Jane Mount and Ideal Bookshelf fans; Reese’s Book Club and Oprah’s Book Club followers; people who use Goodreads.com; readers wanting to expand/decolonize their book collections; people interested in uplifting BIPOC voices; antiracist activists and educators; grads and students; librarians and library patrons wanting to expand/decolonize their book collections; people interested in uplifting BIPOC voices; antiracist activists and educators; grads and students; librarians and library patrons
My Review:
This book is going to get me into trouble. I already know that my TBR pile is gigantic but how could I not, find some treasures inside this book. It was definitely cover love that drew me to this book while I was volunteering at the library. I realized while reading, that I needed to get my own copy of this book, as it’s a fantastic resource.
I’ve heard about these types of books before but this is the first one, that I have actually read. I liked the concept but would I actually like the books that they featured and/or would I find their lists helpful? I wanted this to be a fun, entertaining book consisting of lists based on a variety of different ideas/concepts. I was also hoping that the books that made the list were a mixed lot, some new titles for me and some familiar ones.
What makes this book unique? It’s diversity. “The authors, illustrators, designers, store owners, and bookstagramumers highlighted in this book are all Black, Indigenous, and people of color.” Furthermore, these individuals lived in “spaces where they were marginalized by a dominant white society.” By reading the books mentioned inside, the author hopes that the reader walks away with a greater understanding and the desire for better communication. We all desire a great life.
I liked the physical size of this book, for being a reference book, it fits perfectly in my hands. I liked how bright and colorful the pages were. I felt a renewed energy while reading it and I was excited to see what the other pages contained. Printed on thick cardstock paper, I thought this was a huge bonus considering it’s a resource and how often I would flip through the book. The number of categories surprised me, in a good way. I enjoyed all the different concepts the author used to group individuals and the books. From the one-line sentences attached to some of the books on the list, to the detailed descriptions of a few of the books on the list, I loved all the information that is packed inside this book.
I had started off thinking that I would make a list of the books that I thought sounded great (ones I haven’t seen or read yet) but after reading a few more pages in this book, I realized that I wanted to retain some of the other information that this book revealed. I knew then, I would have to purchase a copy of this book. This book is a gem and I highly recommend you check out this title. Warning: your TBR pile just might get longer.
Lie. Lie. Lie. Holy buckets people, can anyone tell the truth? It wasn’t like these individuals were digging themselves into a hole with their deceptions, for they were already sitting in their holes. They were now just wondering how they were going to get out of it, successfully.
The “therapist” definitely had some unusual techniques which gained her some new clients but at a cost. Avery knew how to be a professional, she knew which lines not to cross but Avery preferred to get to the heart of the matter and get results. She was a therapist and continued to be one, even when they removed her license. Avery had expectations, she was motivated, and if you were serious and willing to put everything on the line, she’d be the one to help you through your most difficult time.
Marissa and Matthew, they were the golden couple. I tip my head back and laugh……ha, ha. On the outside, they put on a good show (like so many other individuals) but beneath it all, there’s a storm brewing. Perhaps their storms will calm down and perhaps they’ll turn into a hurricane, who knows how the wind will blow. I thought it was sneaky how Marissa got Matthew to come into Avery’s office at the beginning of the book. This got the story started for me and I felt that perhaps Marissa values her relationship with Matthew and wanted to save it. Tennis Match: Learning more about Matthew, I began to think I was rooting for the wrong person, what the heck is Marissa think she’s doing? They’re a couple because? This book was more of a mystery for me than a thriller. Lots of fun with this book. #thegoldencouplebook
What a unique book. Who? What? Why? Does this all really matter? These questions popped up in my mind, one at a time, as I read this book and the more that I read, the more I felt these questions had a deeper meaning. Perhaps, this book wasn’t just about this time, this place, and these characters but it was about life in general.
I found that the sentences in this book flowed yet sometimes they felt quirky as I read them. They weren’t bothersome but they just felt chunky as the words bounced across the page. I’ve never read anything from this author before so it took me a while to appreciate her writing style. Julie walks you into her books whereas I am used to jumping into books where everything is introduced from the get-go. Julie slowly got me up to speed and then, she presented the information I needed to know and I wasn’t used to this pacing.
It was interesting how this pool became such an important part of the lives of the individuals who used it. There were those who used it for its health benefits while others used the pool for its recreation, social and entertainment values. Whatever their reasons were for changing into their swim attire and heading to the pool hole, these individuals felt they were part of their own community. This was one of their comforting spots. It becomes an automatic part of their routine. This part of the book hit me hard.
Perhaps because as I’m getting older and I see how a routine plays a major part in my life and in the lives of others around me. Whether that be: a weekly television series, a bedtime routine, a child’s routine, or a morning wake-up routine, we all become rooted in a routine somewhere down the line. Depending upon that routine, we know that by following it, we can achieve success and completion of the actions. What happens if you don’t follow the routine or if you skip a step in the routine? What if you change jobs and the hours that you work? Suddenly life is out of balance and everything is in a state of disarray. In Swimmers, the pool community like their routine, just like we all do. Yet, a change is coming, a change some of them don’t want to acknowledge.
There’s also the story of Alice in this book. Alice was a swimmer when I first met her but her medical condition put limits on her as the books progressed. Alice’s story has a great tie-in with the pool and her relationship with her daughter provided some great emotional moments for me, as I read. They were sweet and at times, those moments gave me those goosebump, ah moments. Those times where you have to look away from the book, for all the letters have begun to blur together until it’s just a mass of black on white. I really enjoyed this book, more than I thought I would. I feel that I have missed out on Julie’s previous books and now, I plan on reading them as soon as I can.
Fantastic book! The cover of this gem doesn’t do this book justice. The story has so many great treasures inside it. I think it’s a story to reflect upon, a story not of itself but a story that allows you to take what you have read and enjoy the words that Charlie has written.
The story begins with the author’s narrative about the book and what he hoped to accomplished. Although, he states that you can start anywhere in the book, the beginning of the book makes more sense as there is a storyline that you can follow. I do understand what the author means by starting anywhere in the book, so let me explain. If you open just about any of the pages in this book, you will find a meaningful quote either by the boy, the mole, or the horse. The fox does speak but he’s a quiet fox for the most part. Just opening the book to any page, you can a great quote and you can start reading the book from this quote or you can just enjoy this quote. “Life is difficult-but you are loved.” “Isn’t it odd. We can only see our outsides, but nearly everything happens on the inside.” “When the dark clouds come…….keep going.” Such meaningful great quotes! Enjoy them separately or if you read the whole story, you’ll experience a truly rich story that once you finish the book, you’ll want to open it back up to reread some of those great quotes again.
There’s some simple art work added to the pages to enhance the story and as a whole, this book is truly a great story. It’s a sweet story of how these four characters together, search for answers. I like how they encourage each other and are there for one another. It’s not a book to rush through but one to savor and enjoy. I think this would make a fantastic coffee table book as there’s something in it for everyone. I’m definitely adding it to my table. I highly recommend this one, go check it out!
The cover got me on this one as I was at the library volunteering. I’m not one for romance but the Gotham in the title swayed me and I liked the illustrations. After reading this graphic novel, I couldn’t believe this was actually, the one and only Mr. Freeze. I was floored! No way! This story was actually about Mr. Freeze and his future wife. I think that there’s a great story inside this book but the way that the story is delivered could have been better. The writing felt choppy and the story felt awkward as the characters cope with what life has given them and they find that perhaps there is more to life. The illustrations were fantastic and they saved the book for me.
When we meet Victor, he’s visiting his younger brother again, like he does every year, at the cemetery. Victor is proving to be quite the successful cryogenics cold tech and his work on perfecting his Accela-Freeze compound is coming along. Oh, what that compound could do, if he could just get everything perfect. Victor is proud of his accomplishments and he conveys everything to his brother as if his brother could actually hear him from beyond. Nora interrupts Victor’s talk when he spots her in the distance. She’s also at the cemetery, visiting her mother’s grave, a surprise since Victor normally sees no one.
Nora. This girl got on my nerves. She was a total flake. Between her words and her actions, I didn’t know what to think of her. The words that came out of her mouth were all over the place. “So, come here often?” yep, that’s what you say to someone that you meet at the cemetery. It doesn’t get better than this for a while and then, she starts to get all romantic with Victor. What’s wrong with her? I knew that she had a disease but I doubted that caused her to act like that. Victor is hesitant at first (and he should be) yet he continues to hang around Nora when he should be running for the hills. Nora does look amazing with her flowing hair, her spaghetti-strapped shirt, and her spunky attitude but is he really listening to her? He needs to take off his glasses and really see her. The illustrations are great! With attention to detail, the illustrator has created some wonderful text boxes that showcase the story. I appreciated his attention to detail and the colors that were used, provided the atmosphere that I expected for this story. These fantastic illustrations make this a good book for me but I felt that the writing alone didn’t work for me. 3 stars
What the heck!? You can’t be serious? I cringed a few times as I read this book, for the main characters were walking blindly. They lived in fear, they were risking their own lives and the lives of their own children as they dodged not being caught and deported. Sometimes I wondered if they even knew what complications lied ahead or if the thought of moving backwards was not option so they didn’t consider it. I was hoping for the best and I feared the worse was headed their way. When would it ever end?
It was sweet when they fell in love and had their first child but when they decided to flee Columbia, the choices that had to be made and their actions totally changed the tone of the book. They were headed to America, where a better life awaited them, didn’t it? Entering America, they were beginning their new lives as illegal immigrants, earning money under the table, and “just surviving.” When the couple started having more children, I was getting nervous. More mouths, more responsibilities and additional individuals to hide. The status of their children was now mixed and I wondered, how would that play out when it was time to go back to Columbia.
With the return date on their Visa’s coming up, the thought of returning home doesn’t sound like something they’re ready for. Do they really have a choice? This was an eye-opening book, as the family makes some difficult decisions which places additional burdens on them. This book covers a lot of hard topics including racism, alcohol, some sexual assault and animal abuse (small section). It was definitely a book that got me thinking, a book that I’m glad that I read. I received a copy of this book over a year ago from NetGalley and Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review.
The evidence the officials discover, labeled the crime a home invasion. Ruby’s mother lied dead at the scene. In this Chicago black community, this was just another crime committed and marked in the books. Yet, some individuals knew exactly what had occurred behind the doors of this house throughout the years. They knew the truth. The abuse that had been silenced and buried for years was finally over and Alice was finally free from her husband, Lebanon. Ruby knew it too for she lived it, day in and day out. Alone now with her father, Ruby faces the reality that it’s just her and her abusive father.
Layla is Ruby’s friend and what a great friend she is. Although Layla was told by her father Jackson, to stay-out-of-it, Layla can’t. Jackson, a pastor of this community’s church and some members of the congregation know what Lebanon is capable of but their actions and voices are silent. Layla steps up to help Ruby providing much more than I realized she had in her.
Crossing timelines and hearing from multi-viewpoints, it took me a while to get into the flow of this book. I liked how Layla kept at Ruby, she never gave up and she questioned Ruby and didn’t preach at her constantly. I thought having all the different characters and viewpoints was interesting and made for a more-rounded book, although keeping them separate took some work, on my part. Set in Chicago, the book addresses many issues such as domestic violence, race, a church community, family and friendship. I received this book from NetGalley and Park Row in exchange for an honest opinion (a few years ago).
Lakshmi wooed them but did they really know her? There was so much to enjoy about this book from the language of the text, to keeping all the characters separate and unique, to transporting me to a different place and time yet, I felt that I was the only one who really knew Lakshmi. I liked that Lakshmi was a strong-minded and independent individual but I felt that she was a meddler, when she need not be.
I understand that Lakshmi was proud of who she had become and she needed to be “out there” to keep her name on the lips of individuals needing her services but there were other instances in the book where I thought she just needed to step back and not insert herself. She can get enough popularity, what she needs to be getting the attention for, with her talents, she doesn’t have to be involved in everything. I liked the end of the book the best, as that gives me hope that she can discover who Lakshmi really is. I see that there is a sequel and I’ll have to look into that and see what transpires. I read this book for book club.
One Chapter 