You all have shown so much love to my impromptu series of sharing the books I’m reading and the reviews I’ve given via IG story. I want to make things a bit easier on everyone by posting the reviews directly to my blog each month or so. All of the reads I’ve shared thus far deserve far more than a temporary story post. Here's how I honor each read.
MEMPHIS is a love letter to Black women who desire to break generational curses and heal trauma that holds them hostage. The story takes place over seventy years alternating between four women of the same bloodline’s point of view and experience. Each woman is trying her best to go farther than the North woman before her in hopes of finally breaking the curses that have haunted them for generations. The things these women endure, battle, lose, and ultimately overcome speaks to the myth that Black women must lead a life full of exhaustion. It only takes one person in a bloodline to turn things around, show those before them that they’re worthy of love flawed and all. While this story does entail Black trauma it also resolves by showing the process of Black healing. Beautifully written, vividly orchestrated. Discretion is advised, because there is an occurrence of sexual assault and domestic abuse. Overall rating 10/10 HIGHLY RECOMMEND
QUEENIE follows the messy break-up of a young aspiring journalist in London. As tumultuous as Queenie’s break-up is, the downward spiral that becomes her life causes her to have to face herself. And for the first time in her life. What I liked about the novel was the uncontrollable complexity in feelings the author provoked. You will love and loathe Queenie simultaneously. What I disliked about the novel was the fact that the ultimate “justice” Queenie receives in the end isn’t ideal (in my opinion). If you choose to pick up this read, you’ll know EXACTLY what I’m talking about. But, I found solace in the fact that it wasn’t my story and we all handle things/people differently. The big takeaway was that we teach people how to treat us, good and bad. Overall rating 7/10, the ending tortured my anxiety negatively.
THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO will leave you questioning your outlook on life. It follows the life of Evelyn Hugo, a movie star and who we’d refer to as Hollywood royalty. She’s had seven husbands and none of them were the love of her life. After more than fifty years, now that she’s outlived everyone she’s ever loved she decides to tell her story. But, mid-level writer and especially ordinary Monique is the only person she’s willing to give everything to. Evelyn’s story is worth millions — so why Monique? When you find out I don’t know that you’ll ever look at anyone the same. It will leave you wondering how “good” are any of us when forced to choose. Overall rating 9/10, because of its realistic flare.
THE VANISHING HALF follows the lives of two light-skinned identical twins from a town that turns their noses up to Blacks darker than a brown paper bag. Tired of the steadily boring and unchanging town they’re from, the sisters decide to runaway and start a new life. Full of excitement and more than what they came from. More than where they came from. Until one sister decides that her new identity has one last thing to shed — her twin sister. Years after one Vignes sister abandons the other, the unlikely happens and leads them back to each other. But, the truth could very well destroy everything. Having many thought provoking themes, the one that is encompassed into each is identity. If you could choose to be someone other than the identity you were born into, what would you choose? Or rather, who would you choose?
Each of the novels are a gem in their own right. You cannot go wrong with any of them!
So —which are you thinking of investing in?