In this powerful memoir, Ashley Ford writes about her childhood growing up in Indiana with her mother and siblings after her father went to prison. ItIn this powerful memoir, Ashley Ford writes about her childhood growing up in Indiana with her mother and siblings after her father went to prison. It's not so much a book about her relationship with her father, but about how her father's actions influenced her relationships with her mother and the rest of her family who were there to raise her. It's powerful, moving, and written very poetically. If you like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, check out this striking book. ...more
Hmm. Overlong, tough to read at parts due to subject matter, but Jodi Picoult does what she does - presents sticky moral issues in a way that will proHmm. Overlong, tough to read at parts due to subject matter, but Jodi Picoult does what she does - presents sticky moral issues in a way that will probably make for an interesting discussion. I think this would have hit differently if we were reading it when it was new and closer to the headlines about sexual abuse in the church. ...more
Loved this book! This is a strong story about sisterhood and the power of women in many forms. Set in an alternate historical Massachusetts, women areLoved this book! This is a strong story about sisterhood and the power of women in many forms. Set in an alternate historical Massachusetts, women are fighting for the right to vote, but three sisters come together to also fight to bring back women's magic, lost decades ago when three powerful witches were executed. Magic is small now, mostly clandestine spells passed from mother to daughter to help with housework and the like. But when three sisters torn asunder are reunited and reforge their bonds, they just might be able to unlock the secret to bringing magic back for women to claim. I loved the nuanced characters and the relationships of the three sisters as they repaired their bonds. It's maybe a little bit overlong, but if you love a character-driven historical magical fantasy, this is a great choice. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author. ...more
The pacing's a bit uneven, but the riveting account of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire was really moving, as well as the discussion of the labor The pacing's a bit uneven, but the riveting account of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire was really moving, as well as the discussion of the labor movement that lead up to that pivotal moment. I'm excited to discuss this one with my book club and it really made me want to read a nonfiction book about the tragedy. ...more
ETA: Reread in 2022 for our Reading the Rainbow book group and I loved it even more the second time around. This book has so much to say about the rulETA: Reread in 2022 for our Reading the Rainbow book group and I loved it even more the second time around. This book has so much to say about the rules and regulations that we follow because that's what we're taught and we're never welcomed or think to question. It's a beautiful book about being yourself, exactly as you are, and surrounding yourself with people who will accept and celebrate you for being you.
If you haven't read this, what are you waiting for? It's such a wonderful story!
Oh, I loved this book so much! A unique fantasy plot with a real storytelling tone and characters that I just loved, loved, loved. More, please!...more
I really enjoyed this sweet Southern tale with a large cast of adorably quirky supporting characters and a hint of magical realism. It reminds me a loI really enjoyed this sweet Southern tale with a large cast of adorably quirky supporting characters and a hint of magical realism. It reminds me a lot of Sarah Addison Allen, who is a writer I really enjoy. ...more
We read this for book club and I think it was well enjoyed by all. There's a bit of a mystery to it, which was interesting to unravel. We read this for book club and I think it was well enjoyed by all. There's a bit of a mystery to it, which was interesting to unravel. ...more
I will be honest and say that for most of the book I didn't particularly care about Nora, which made me not care so much about the book in general? BuI will be honest and say that for most of the book I didn't particularly care about Nora, which made me not care so much about the book in general? But I did find the ending satisfying and it's interesting to think about all the parallel lives you might have if you'd made different decisions along the way. My book club read this one and I think it's going to be a very interesting discussion!! ...more
I really enjoyed this historical novel with strong female leads and a bookish mystery plot. I found Laura Lyons's plotline fascinating and not becauseI really enjoyed this historical novel with strong female leads and a bookish mystery plot. I found Laura Lyons's plotline fascinating and not because she lived inside a massive library (although that was what originally intrigued me about the book). She's a strong female lead discovering and bonding with a group of feminist thinkers speaking their minds and trying to make the world more equal. I liked the 1993 plotline, too, and it was interesting how they played back and forth, both women trying to solve their own bookish mysteries while working in a male-dominated world. I was not expecting, but appreciated the queer content. Looking forward to discussing this one with my book club! ...more
I really enjoyed this book, the story of a family trying to figure out how to help and protect their youngest child who is transgender. Parts of this I really enjoyed this book, the story of a family trying to figure out how to help and protect their youngest child who is transgender. Parts of this book were extremely moving and I loved the writing. It's both poignant and humorous with many little delightful turns of phrases and the struggle of parents to know what to do and to work together really rang true. I also loved all the kids in the book with their unusual names and quirky personalities. It was interesting to see bits of their own struggle to protect and care for their youngest sibling.
This is a great gateway book into transgender stories that has a lot of appeal for readers who may not have read widely about transgender issues. If you read and enjoyed this one, seek out books by transgender and genderqueer authors to learn more. I can recommend She's Not There by Jennifer Finney Boylan (adult), Redefining Realness by Janet Mock (adult), Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender (YA), If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo (YA), Birthday by Meredith Russo (YA), Being Jazz by Jazz Jennings (YA / middle grade), and George by Alex Gino (middle grade).
I would also recommend the excellent memoir and blog by the parent of a gender creative son, Raising My Rainbow by Lori Duron (adult). ...more
All the characters drove me crazy (except Briar), but I liked that this book had a lot to say about how we present ourselves to the world and the assuAll the characters drove me crazy (except Briar), but I liked that this book had a lot to say about how we present ourselves to the world and the assumptions that we make about other people's lives. Book club's opinions were mixed with the general consensus being that we liked it, but didn't love it. We talked a lot about parenthood and the characters' motivations and drive. ...more
This engrossing historical novel has unforgettable characters and I love the richly detailed rural Kentucky setting. Strong women face tough times, noThis engrossing historical novel has unforgettable characters and I love the richly detailed rural Kentucky setting. Strong women face tough times, not only in their community due to the Depression and corrupt mining practices, but just as women living in a time when women had little freedom. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, despite some uneven pacing and maybe some loose threads that I would have liked explored a little bit more (especially considering the length of the book). I think readers who love books and have a soft spot for libraries will love it, too. ...more
Oooh, this was a gripping thriller that definitely kept me guessing with its twists and turns. We're talking about it at our book club meeting this weOooh, this was a gripping thriller that definitely kept me guessing with its twists and turns. We're talking about it at our book club meeting this week! ...more
I found this history of the LA library interesting and I’m really eager to see what my book club friends will think! It’s definitely more of a historyI found this history of the LA library interesting and I’m really eager to see what my book club friends will think! It’s definitely more of a history book than a true crime book and it weaves the history of the LA Library with the story of the tragic 1986 fire that destroyed a huge portion of the materials it held. ...more
Normally, I'm a big fan of Barbara Kingsolver's work, but this one was just really difficult for me. It seemed like the narrative was always switchingNormally, I'm a big fan of Barbara Kingsolver's work, but this one was just really difficult for me. It seemed like the narrative was always switching just when it had started to get good and yet some passages and conversations between characters just seemed to drag on. Frustrating because a novel about a little-known woman scientist and Darwinism should be right up my alley. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more as two books rather than two stories intertwined in one book? ...more
SO GOOD. I wasn't sure about this book when it was picked for our book club - I've started one of Lisa See's books before and ended up not finishing iSO GOOD. I wasn't sure about this book when it was picked for our book club - I've started one of Lisa See's books before and ended up not finishing it, but after this I will for sure be giving her books another chance.
I was hooked on the characters in a remote Akha village in China from the scene where a woman in their village gives birth to twins (strictly taboo in their culture). From then on, I couldn't wait to see what would happen next and where Li-yan's journey would take her.
There's an Akha saying that is quoted at the beginning of this book - no coincidence, no story - and there were certainly a lot of coincidences that stretched my suspension of disbelief, but always in a satisfying way that made the story fun and absorbing to read.
My book club's talking about this book in a week or so and I can't wait to see what everyone else thought!...more
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