tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9475377785141105412024-03-17T01:52:26.755-04:00Susan's Literary CafePassionate about books and sharing with others.Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.comBlogger601125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-25163884241174498802022-07-31T17:18:00.004-04:002022-07-31T17:59:14.687-04:00The Midnight Library: Book Review<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgz2FXbv07utXWma0siQ5bLA38lH4Ccz0KdMPO6J_-YOvla1J5XD3kz5fs7Pky91ZzS9W1coa6OuozVjRYTAeeloynozqdA3_E0neacFL5SfycXl8cSHYvxe8wELofJlfVRtQ8rprRifG_RdHoPif_xVObvekaGF3GV9ZRTbwVL9r1hbxinRgtWFUIa" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1323" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgz2FXbv07utXWma0siQ5bLA38lH4Ccz0KdMPO6J_-YOvla1J5XD3kz5fs7Pky91ZzS9W1coa6OuozVjRYTAeeloynozqdA3_E0neacFL5SfycXl8cSHYvxe8wELofJlfVRtQ8rprRifG_RdHoPif_xVObvekaGF3GV9ZRTbwVL9r1hbxinRgtWFUIa" width="159" /></a></div><br />The Midnight Library</div><div><br /></div><div>By Matt Haig</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br />
<div>I had heard so much hype for the novel, The Midnight Library. Then, we chose the book for our book club Our library still had holds on this book. I was anticipating a awesome read, wrong! </div><div><br /></div><div>The book was dull, predictable, and nothing spectacular in the writing. I realize now it is YA. I don't know if authors who write for younger audiences have a plain style of writing. As I don't read YA books. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Midnight Library is about a woman, who wants to die. She is unhappy with her life. She dies and is is transported to the Midnight Library. She sees the librarian she knew in school. </div><div><br /></div><div> Mrs. Elm is here to help people to another life through books. You can go through as many books as you want. Here she learns about the Book of Regrets. And she realizes she can change her life. </div><div><br /></div><div>She transports to her old life her friend in Australia, a scientist, glacierologist, a rock band, then a new family. </div><div><br /></div><div>The novel was not impressive to me. It did make me think of my life and what I have gone through. Do I have regrets? Sure, at my age- middle. Therecis nothing I can do to change it. There is nothing I would want to change now. I lived my life. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, there are some things I wish my life turned out different. But, I don't obsessed over it. And get mad and try to rationalize my behavior. </div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps a younger person likes the books as they can still change things. When you hit a certain age. As I'm retired. It's totally different. </div><div><br /></div><div>The only part I enjoyed is when then she traveled back to the library. It was too philosophical for my taste. Too sentimental, and in your face life lessons. </div><div><br /></div><div>But, don't take my word for it. You may like reading YA novels. It was too predictable for me. I would have only read 50 pages and said enough. But, I was reading for our book club discussion.</div><div><br /></div><div> I just was reading, reading waiting for it to get better. As so many people raved about it. Unfortunately it didn't. </div>
<img alt="photo POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" border="0" src="http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t338/susan_curtis1/Blog%20Design/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" />Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-47888109107335929722022-07-24T18:16:00.005-04:002022-07-24T18:25:41.651-04:00Take My Hand: Social Justice- Book Review<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfNJvp-AYlZac4ypaVrBfHi0HQ2qP2iwpmUHxCmpX4nNsggJGs3zWyVdCycEeFubXCQca3i3UToKNKdwV5vzMqnrj-c90pZzQFATHevnWTc-5ZZ6zgJAycNKl8IcLkIVzVvM4WEW9MB0ZyK1oqMHyo8TbX6QifeB-yjwmUkHqPoZ96asWGqpUgsne/s4032/Take%20My%20Hand.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfNJvp-AYlZac4ypaVrBfHi0HQ2qP2iwpmUHxCmpX4nNsggJGs3zWyVdCycEeFubXCQca3i3UToKNKdwV5vzMqnrj-c90pZzQFATHevnWTc-5ZZ6zgJAycNKl8IcLkIVzVvM4WEW9MB0ZyK1oqMHyo8TbX6QifeB-yjwmUkHqPoZ96asWGqpUgsne/s320/Take%20My%20Hand.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Take My Hand</div><div><br /></div><div>By Dolen Perkins-</div><div> Valdez</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Take My Hand is a difficult, and heartbreaking read at the same time. The novel is inspired by the true story of the case of<a href="https://americanhistory.si.edu/girlhood/wellness/talking-about-sex/experimenting-girls-of-color" target="_blank"> Relf</a> vs. Weinberger in June 1973. Minnie Lee and Mary Alice Relf aged 12 and 14, were both sterilized. </div><div>They were poor black girls in Alabama. Without consent from their parents.</div><div><br /></div><div>Civil Townsend, a black graduate nurse is starting her new career at the Montgomery Family Planning Clinic in Montgomery, Alabama. She wanted to make a difference in her black community. Her first assignment is to give Depro-Provera injections to India, and Erika. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMr_Ryb88rFCqnUftdy33sDN4zyL3WJWJvoqQ2qMcRcLn94yT9nE_D5VgmjKsuuYBZCy9zUjAzFcA7yB2sLVhEOvIHWwhZMUrRZqJmSGmGDoaDCaSwZH8aLDeXFFV94X61wXJFO_noTPvWtps0bnLZf1WrkEn6g-B5yycnG2bT6NMMinH4nhtEE3X3/s360/deliveryService.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="270" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMr_Ryb88rFCqnUftdy33sDN4zyL3WJWJvoqQ2qMcRcLn94yT9nE_D5VgmjKsuuYBZCy9zUjAzFcA7yB2sLVhEOvIHWwhZMUrRZqJmSGmGDoaDCaSwZH8aLDeXFFV94X61wXJFO_noTPvWtps0bnLZf1WrkEn6g-B5yycnG2bT6NMMinH4nhtEE3X3/w150-h200/deliveryService.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div> These shots were routinely given in Montgomery, Alabama. As well as throughout the country. The federal government funded family clinics nationwide. </div><div><br /></div><div>At the same time, the federal government was being investigated. Do y'all recall the government was doing syphilis studies on black men in <a href="https://www.history.com/news/the-infamous-40-year-tuskegee-study" target="_blank">Tuskegee</a>? But recently what is happening in women's prisons all across the country. I remember hearing about this. This is relevant to here and now. Also because of the abortion issue. </div><div><br /></div><div> The patients at the clinic in Montgomery were very poor with little means. Her first assignment was to give injections to India and Erika. Civil had to travel to the poor outskirts of town. Her eyes opened to see the poor living conditions, They were living in a one-room shack. </div><div><br /></div><div> She was shocked by the inequality and injustice. When she arrived at India and Erika's home. She was shocked to see how they lived. She never saw anyone live that poorly. She had to get over it. And then get to business. She was there to give the girls the shots. . She took it for granted the government made sure the injections were safe.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I was going to write more. Then realized I am giving away too much of the story. Instead, you will have to read to see the injustice of the shameful time in America. This was about the time of Roe vs. Wade in 1973. When women were crying for abortion rights which finally became legal. But, at the same time, they were forcing women sterilization across the nation without consent and not knowing what treatment was being done. The government took advantage of the poor. They relied on the government. with federal assistance. Most of them thought the help they were given by the government would be taken away if they didn't do what the government suggested. They trusted what they said. But couldn't read and signed whatever was being told to them. </div><div><br /></div><div>As this was happening to the girls. Civil started getting involved with the family. She helped them get assistance with housing. She helped them move to their new home. She also bought the girls clothes and food. She became too involved with the family. At times I personally felt this was none of her business.</div><div><br /></div><div> I felt at times Civil was forcing her beliefs on the family. There are reasons why the family didn't move perhaps. They didn't have a car to find a better job for example. At least that was my thought. How would you like a person in the government to tell you how to live? I wouldn't. Especially the government. Would you trust them? Think you know best? You don't understand their situation. This is a young woman who doesn't know any better. I was like, really! Know I understand why some people believe in smaller government. </div><div><br /></div><div>I think Civil felt guilty about what happened to the girls. And what she did. Also because she came from a better upbringing. As you read the novel you will learn Civil is affected throughout her life. Which again, I am not going to divulge. You will have to read it yourself.</div><div><br /></div><div>The writing is straightforward and an easy read. There is nothing special about the writing style. The story itself had a lot to say. It is worth the read if you believe in social justice. Do you believe in Women's health? abortion rights? and contraceptives.? </div><div><br /></div><div>I read Take My Hand because of the abortion issue. But, also because I was a nurse. I was not political and didn't think about working in a women's health clinic. I didn't realize the different opportunities in the nursing field. My heart was set on working in the hospital. I should have done more research on what opportunities were offered in the nursing field. But, I am still happy with the work I did until I retired. </div><div><br /></div><div>Are you upset with what is going on in our states, and country? Doctors are afraid to treat women because of abortion but also, Women's health. The fetus is not viable in the woman's uterus.</div><div><br /></div><div>The women are walking around for two weeks with a dead fetus. Is that justice? And this is a white woman! These and other stories are extreme in southern states. just because of politics. These politicians and governments cared about the safety and health of the American people. No more. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94wHmxvrotHgeFDB_nZl2LQUw5qUPusDsuSUWOa_0iUl7SZ_deyD-1XU5-bepA_5IxiRK_MhU6F3jBmf0trN2-zgSiwmb_IjqA52PE2m_6pMs-r9jt_KAVLPlxS5mxT0bgLLOOJWabxbqqyD4lAMbrq_nbdr8qH_0BjfdLGDi7Qlmi_7lSN9vAPAO/s500/3stars_zps6dd71dc0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="85" data-original-width="500" height="54" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94wHmxvrotHgeFDB_nZl2LQUw5qUPusDsuSUWOa_0iUl7SZ_deyD-1XU5-bepA_5IxiRK_MhU6F3jBmf0trN2-zgSiwmb_IjqA52PE2m_6pMs-r9jt_KAVLPlxS5mxT0bgLLOOJWabxbqqyD4lAMbrq_nbdr8qH_0BjfdLGDi7Qlmi_7lSN9vAPAO/s320/3stars_zps6dd71dc0.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbD-nvGlcYB0Q1c4kOUmkoMRH5ClM0vmfz8B92qA4ZJLEZiPCupBzwbsk1ODNmKA-zVbPFjC_47W57GCgTokj3FbDRc5cJZMg_f30MScfui_Qj35mpZt9MBgv34ImA56lSEUY-o-MJ2qA82puyjuxX3DvhbmPs3YJGTotiMQLMGhI_xdvR9_FHSS4W/s320/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbD-nvGlcYB0Q1c4kOUmkoMRH5ClM0vmfz8B92qA4ZJLEZiPCupBzwbsk1ODNmKA-zVbPFjC_47W57GCgTokj3FbDRc5cJZMg_f30MScfui_Qj35mpZt9MBgv34ImA56lSEUY-o-MJ2qA82puyjuxX3DvhbmPs3YJGTotiMQLMGhI_xdvR9_FHSS4W/s1600/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-23643388891484251282022-07-24T14:10:00.006-04:002022-07-24T15:38:27.454-04:00Wow! The Horse: Awesome by Geraldine Brooks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6AdddW7KFaPPYmdnhRSrITm-4kKMvkX5YInq8tAgCwQcBZcG33O5Snehmb4cSis39eddhH9jxlTgPBvHkXjFmeRRiNbPxwVQE-dLZy8-VzMpA10O-FEAMNaUVilo-v-Eo7m3tnu7NYeiXGvzJgAlI6UNjBHaJnYnsYSPD9is5IiMnfp1zZcvRyDIF" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="185" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6AdddW7KFaPPYmdnhRSrITm-4kKMvkX5YInq8tAgCwQcBZcG33O5Snehmb4cSis39eddhH9jxlTgPBvHkXjFmeRRiNbPxwVQE-dLZy8-VzMpA10O-FEAMNaUVilo-v-Eo7m3tnu7NYeiXGvzJgAlI6UNjBHaJnYnsYSPD9is5IiMnfp1zZcvRyDIF" width="163" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/07/books/review-horse-geraldine-brooks.html" target="_blank">The Horse</a></div><div><br /></div><div>By Geraldine Brooks</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Wow!, what can I say about this extraordinary novel, The Horse by Geraldine Brooks. One of my favorite novels written this year. </div><div><br /></div><div>A unique put-together novel with three storylines. It reads like three short stories and then blends together beautifully into one wonderful novel, the 1850s, New York City 1954, and present-day 2019, Washington DC. </div><div><br /></div><div>With rich characters and in historical detail she weaves the story in each timeline. With main characters start in the 1850s, with Jarrett a young slave living with his father in Kentucky. He and his father care for the famous thoroughbred racehorse named, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexington_%28horse%29" target="_blank">Lexington</a>. Theo, A Nigerian-American who is an art historian student. Who meets Jesse, who is researching and studying the bones of horses at the Smithsonian Institute. In 1954 a rising gallery owner in NYC, who happens to be a patron of Jackson Pollack. What you say! How do these stories collide? Did, I read right? Believe it or not. It does. It will make sense when you start reading the amazing story and storylines, and timelines. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWLAYQAvAIBMsu-pSQW2bx1LI824UmV1NvIyTjHa3JFfWzAMbfoz_fUjC2O3haqvglFtdftIhkTRoY0Txm-_dubeYyidhq7Yn2_u84N4oYpsTH4MXbvRROSgX4mtjPlrbUfFHDNXBA2BZ3mz68xnI2rsrz6rd6FRpV7sAsKYodP3_t6O79iXVPExW/s295/Lexington.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="295" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWLAYQAvAIBMsu-pSQW2bx1LI824UmV1NvIyTjHa3JFfWzAMbfoz_fUjC2O3haqvglFtdftIhkTRoY0Txm-_dubeYyidhq7Yn2_u84N4oYpsTH4MXbvRROSgX4mtjPlrbUfFHDNXBA2BZ3mz68xnI2rsrz6rd6FRpV7sAsKYodP3_t6O79iXVPExW/s1600/Lexington.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><div><b> Lexington- Horse thorougbred</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The conditions for slaves who worked at the horse farms I felt were a bit far-fetched. . But, that is my take. Maybe some slaves who worked with horses had better treatment and conditions than actual slaves who worked in the other areas of the plantation. As I was reading. I thought to myself. I am sure not all slaves were treated this well. You will have to read for yourself what you think. </div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, the book was fascinating and richly told. At times heartbreaking, and hard to read at times. Also, the book brought hope. It was well worth the read. I enjoyed reading about the history of horse racing during the Civil War. How the art and the horse intersected with science and history. I enjoyed the three storylines coming together. Without hesitation, I give it 5. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I read Geraldine Brooks's previous novel, People of the Book. Which reminded me of the same writing of The Horse. I recommend the novel for book clubs for lovers of historical fiction, horse racing, slavery, racism, horse farming, policing, and entitlement. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDerdo7bvFAO3zlIw_ZuVM9YQgeRnkPE_g4Cnt6nX38ci0OBw0PGGXXHU0T_oA68Wu62WwmuwnspbP8jJA2lDAA11pP1Bi5wvytqyvCVB0ZUGhfXGRck2Yjuh6rCT2QDp3pNNxpF3w1-ySQG1oW6J1Uebjc3fGp6wSeHN65CqtOKWywXjYrRzmPDq/s320/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDerdo7bvFAO3zlIw_ZuVM9YQgeRnkPE_g4Cnt6nX38ci0OBw0PGGXXHU0T_oA68Wu62WwmuwnspbP8jJA2lDAA11pP1Bi5wvytqyvCVB0ZUGhfXGRck2Yjuh6rCT2QDp3pNNxpF3w1-ySQG1oW6J1Uebjc3fGp6wSeHN65CqtOKWywXjYrRzmPDq/s1600/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2KQjaQrg4lVkFhlGLgp4_mREG3qMtxuQ0uy0FjOLBUQ-RquQNJfZMtexV3hoHrhdyKJDL2_5VSgvbLTc6GrUqO6euMEuzA-cenOBS1MM_r9ZWMPjFfMhiKsFXLozYthm9iDHtw794VOaIiad_nA_oNoiOBP35fCNb7MnOmmi5gBmRWEkaikusWnU/s500/cups.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="85" data-original-width="500" height="54" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2KQjaQrg4lVkFhlGLgp4_mREG3qMtxuQ0uy0FjOLBUQ-RquQNJfZMtexV3hoHrhdyKJDL2_5VSgvbLTc6GrUqO6euMEuzA-cenOBS1MM_r9ZWMPjFfMhiKsFXLozYthm9iDHtw794VOaIiad_nA_oNoiOBP35fCNb7MnOmmi5gBmRWEkaikusWnU/s320/cups.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-71522643296130256852022-03-19T21:49:00.001-04:002022-03-19T21:49:48.809-04:00Disappointed: Book Review Migrations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhK7jj766ptJfRx361Cy2xBRT-bjbC90Ax2Qp0uzAVYw4VRJqV9LOho1QwH2G3Ry3HjgyO3D6T6ZcH6qlBw1uSBAeXfTbNBZdbv3tvhKr5HSwrLmRdNiWJJSndRNdXynabZ93YF8oW5vV_Ya5FhnlDev-KZwc5x_OS_BJIyDjeudn7EjyIRhZryqq/s475/migrations%202%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhK7jj766ptJfRx361Cy2xBRT-bjbC90Ax2Qp0uzAVYw4VRJqV9LOho1QwH2G3Ry3HjgyO3D6T6ZcH6qlBw1uSBAeXfTbNBZdbv3tvhKr5HSwrLmRdNiWJJSndRNdXynabZ93YF8oW5vV_Ya5FhnlDev-KZwc5x_OS_BJIyDjeudn7EjyIRhZryqq/s320/migrations%202%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Migrations</div><div><br /></div><div>By Charlotte McConaghy</div><div><br /></div><div>My Copy</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Migrations, The time is in the near future. Franny had a life changing event since she was little. She could never stay in one permanent place. She has never had a family since the age of 11. Franny is in Greenland to follow the last migration of the Arctic Tern in the world. Frannie is hoping to follow them to Antarctica. At the same time, she is following the Arctic Tern. She meets a crew of fishermen. She talks them into allowing her to take her on their fishing boat. She convinces them they would find the motherlode, fish. If they follow the Arctic Tern. While reading there are many mysteries about Frannie that eventually we find out about. Which includes murder. Not just once, but twice. Franny's past catches up with her. Which causes complications with the crew. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am the moderator of my book club. I had picked the novel for our discussion this month. I have had the novel on my bookshelf since the release. The hype and anticipation were building up. I couldn't wait to dig in. The author is from Sydney, Australia. She isn't a scientist. She is a YA novelist. She is interested in the health of our planet. You will realize it as you are reading. As you will see scientific inaccuracies throughout the novel. </div><div><br /></div><div>The novel had a feel of dystopian mixed with here and now. I just learned something different. There is a sub-genre in literature for culture change. Its called Chi-fi, climate change, or what I actually like the term, environmental novels. </div><div><br /></div><div>The novel is different from other novels I have read. It has a dystopian feel. Not an actual dystopian novel. It was described as a Station 11, not true. I hate it when people are comparing books. Because most of the time its not a accurate comparison. I was excited to read something different from a new author, and a different type of book. I had high hopes for the noveI felt like I was reading the wrong book. But, once our book club met. My book club felt the same way as I did. They didn't like it. Perhaps it is a generational thing. I think the novel had good reviews because of the politics. Not really reading the novel itself. But, actually like the book because of what the book stands for. Not the writing style or the actual set up of the novel. They didn't like the many timelines either. </div><div><br /></div><div>The book had a good beginning up to the part when a crew member is drowning in a "Fgord". Right from there, I couldn't connect. It was too ridiculous and far-fetched. Why he was in the water. Spoiler, he was saved and his reaction is why you saved me. Was off the wall. I like the novel when Franny was on the fishing boat with the others. It is a bit preachy at times. Trying to explain something about climate change that we are not aware of. I felt the author thought we were stupid. Then the hypocrisy of certain situations. It was unrealistic- protestors.</div><div><br /></div><div>The main issue I had with the author, which the publisher could have done something about the different timelines. There were just too many flashbacks. I couldn't keep them straight. It was too confusing. If I had a journal to write the different time lines.. As there were so many timelines to keep track of. One was four years ago, another twelve years ago, and so on... I was trying to figure out which one are they talking about.. If I understood the timelines I would have been able to enjoy the book more I was trying to figure out when the two murders were. I couldn't keep up what they were talking about. </div><div><br /></div><div> Migrations, I didn't care about any of the characters. Franny. I understand she had emotional problems. She had no values, permanence, no stability, no redeeming qualities, no warmth, Instead she relied on her instincts rather than common sense. Even the husband, Naile was too far fetched, as well as the crew. I was hoping to finally feel engaged.The novel had so much potential sadly it fell flat.. I had hoped there could be a few redeeming qualities of the characters. I didn't feel it anywhere in the book.</div><div><br /></div><div>I liked the parallel lines between the migratory birds, and Franny's life. I understand it is what the author was aiming for. Their similariries between migration of the birds and Franny's life, no permanence, freedom, drifting, connections of family. I was expecting more about the envoirment changes. The only thing was mentioned was no, or little animals. And the crops were decreasing. I wanted to read more about life in the envoirment. How it was affecting the characters. The other problem there were too many holes the author didn't completely explain fully at each chapter. But, that may have been the problem with the different timelines. Author expected us to figure it out ourselves. </div><div> I wanted to really like the novel especially when Franny goes to Anartica following the birds. I expected more. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>I love reading fiction books that teach me something and force me to do my own research. After reading the book I realized I didn't know much about the Antarctic, and Antarctica, and the extreme cold countries such as Greenland, and Iceland. </div><div><br /></div><div> Not knowing There are many documentaries on youtube you can find from National Geographic and others. But also the migratory birds, Arctic Tern. And websites to be found <a href="https://www.swoop-antarctica.com/cruises/flights?utm_adgroup=1194070100369348&msclkid=d5020e3311df18d366026c059778dafe&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ANT%20(US)%3A%20F%26C&utm_term=Antarctica%20Flights&utm_content=Fly%20to%20Antarctica">here</a>. How climate change has affected Antarctica and Antarctic. There are so many interesting facts about these locations. I am so amazed and sad at the same time about what is going on, in our planet dealing with climate changes. </div><div> </div><div>Even though I didn't like the novel I'm glad I read it. The book led us to have a long, and fullfilling book discussion. If you are in a book club you will know what I am talking about. When a book is not great. There usually is a good discussion. When everyone likes the book it usually leads to a poor book discussion. I still recommend the book. It has a lot to contribute. </div><div><br /></div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZLHiCotJPjfh9S61GmMuSeIG_un-MnxCwNn7DW1xTpTlRFrsJh1xPZxoWnzYY4DG3tpEoDfBU7wN8r-kG3zMrI9gjdQ90cyfuIZ2DqLKiulcgCeHyBLj81i4eS8JXG0nEpkoLEJuViqN7_cBriGiAPNpdHjAJ9OIjW_qTrtfc-gUjZw8k7H8mk0z/s531/Artic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="531" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZLHiCotJPjfh9S61GmMuSeIG_un-MnxCwNn7DW1xTpTlRFrsJh1xPZxoWnzYY4DG3tpEoDfBU7wN8r-kG3zMrI9gjdQ90cyfuIZ2DqLKiulcgCeHyBLj81i4eS8JXG0nEpkoLEJuViqN7_cBriGiAPNpdHjAJ9OIjW_qTrtfc-gUjZw8k7H8mk0z/s320/Artic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The migratory bird that is discussed is called the Artic Fern. It is a migratory bird. It lives for thirty years or so. It is one of the only birds that migrate back and forth to the artic. They fly about three months. Then about a week they fly north when it starts warming up. The migrating pattern is unique. Some of the birds separate when they get to South America. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1CYaxTZ609t6ZnK-n3-SFAtKpls2ji06H79QGpyAWyBHBkaqfN_G5o0zW-goOBd8CajLKrhbkSyrDfaQqavvxkqsLx_JK-DpwrgEn_VY6xYYJa0-oSilm-CbB2q115B_5qnXOfuopgcXImOPzBD3Kz-ieKctSQ-E7gmsue_VJC0O8v7CgAnwp055/s500/3stars_zps6dd71dc0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="85" data-original-width="500" height="54" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1CYaxTZ609t6ZnK-n3-SFAtKpls2ji06H79QGpyAWyBHBkaqfN_G5o0zW-goOBd8CajLKrhbkSyrDfaQqavvxkqsLx_JK-DpwrgEn_VY6xYYJa0-oSilm-CbB2q115B_5qnXOfuopgcXImOPzBD3Kz-ieKctSQ-E7gmsue_VJC0O8v7CgAnwp055/s320/3stars_zps6dd71dc0.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtM3mK1O1eZ6c7NEc8bmFTc807_dRfmII6jP8TZNKmk2ib6tzHdhCxgf8Vyk9Z0Pa3YhptSXyf64wj9l3pMBGi9QG07KP8QXeh6fzKppGq10e5e5ICjL1EH8RMLIATo7Kc0c7iNm9vlqBqOMX7y35Ulu1DMFRPetCDQ-YJ6ChiVJKgnFjn00NoMJCt/s320/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtM3mK1O1eZ6c7NEc8bmFTc807_dRfmII6jP8TZNKmk2ib6tzHdhCxgf8Vyk9Z0Pa3YhptSXyf64wj9l3pMBGi9QG07KP8QXeh6fzKppGq10e5e5ICjL1EH8RMLIATo7Kc0c7iNm9vlqBqOMX7y35Ulu1DMFRPetCDQ-YJ6ChiVJKgnFjn00NoMJCt/s1600/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div>Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-1753523464839742812022-03-19T14:48:00.003-04:002022-03-19T14:48:49.686-04:00Surprise Wonderful Plot: Book Review<br />
<div class="hreview" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><div itemprop="reviews" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Review"><div class="big450Box" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; float: left; width: 450px;"><div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-repeat: repeat-y;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQ9LiRBzdm3HMrwpcD_Yk9K45EmaZXHRvt71Opg5TKyunFZHdxEJb0xu20vgTrhc3Kx1u8Fk7gubjzMUaYgpVaCTSB1OeQ9UzrksxgdBhzhoJSkoHBwFT6-jJUT1H6oysecLRy-bgbdV1fE-Fcr5fyQYWxFTSHFTMPamvwvJQmGY59xhFIwULy35E/s475/All%20her%20little%20secrets%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQ9LiRBzdm3HMrwpcD_Yk9K45EmaZXHRvt71Opg5TKyunFZHdxEJb0xu20vgTrhc3Kx1u8Fk7gubjzMUaYgpVaCTSB1OeQ9UzrksxgdBhzhoJSkoHBwFT6-jJUT1H6oysecLRy-bgbdV1fE-Fcr5fyQYWxFTSHFTMPamvwvJQmGY59xhFIwULy35E/s320/All%20her%20little%20secrets%202.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">All Her Little Secrets</div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">By Wanda M. Morris</div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Why lawyers are wonderful authors? A question I have always wondered about. </div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Wow! What a great surprising read. So many twists, and turns. Who would suspect corporate America to have secrets on their executive board?<br /><br />All Het Little Secrets is the author's first debut novel. Where has she been hiding? I had thought I had it all figured out. Instead wham, the suspense gets you again. From the first page to the last the novel has so much tension, finger nail biting, pins, and needles.</div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">The novel is what happens behind corporate America's doors. But als0 about racism, it hits you right in the face. No holds back from the author. once you are established can you go back to a terrible past, to move on to the present. <br /><br />Ellice Littlejohn is a young black attorney. Trying to live her ordinary life. But, there are secrets in her past that she keeps revisiting and can't get out of her head.<br /><br />She followed her white boss, Michael Sayles after they were both let go to another legal firm. The company found out they had a relationship. Michael is married, while Elise is single. Elise walks into the office early like she always does. This time though she finds Michael shot, dead in his office. She decides to play dumb and not report it.<br /><br />The company decides to promote her to put her in Michael's position. This looks suspicious to her. Why, would they promote her? There are other people who have more experience than her. In the meantime, there are black protesters below the office building protesting discrimination.<br /><br />All around Elise there are dead bodies popping up including her brother. There are secrets in her past that she can't confront. Until she has no other choice. Her past threatens her future. Her co-workers are threatening, and blackmailing her. Her secret is exposed. There is a cover-up in the company with white supremacy. Secrets in the board room that leaves you in shock.<br /><br />It puts you in the head of Elise. What does it feel like to be in the minority of professionals working in the office environment? You are the only person of color. It makes you feel uncomfortable reading. But it is an important part of our country's culture for truth.<br /><br />The author weaves in fantastically in the story, racism, white supremacy, murder, equality, social justice, police brutality, and so much more. The novel surprised me how it weaved the whole story together with our current events of today in America.</div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Give it five</div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWhQ2z-mkxmmAmuVtdJeJ0I6knqUFMrtnNU7LHzDeZbqoL0gBf5tDbhpsfmVbSwq4cP3RBd1EQMc3Lh8RQsfKI_k6EcwzCw_zrwdyWPvITzj-nHuPRC5y_FBCoZKwtkp_hvamFkEKijo2L0Cnn3QsRI4HAX1o1hNjSGuFDTUGapuo4moE9CiQNT2r/s500/cups.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="85" data-original-width="500" height="54" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWhQ2z-mkxmmAmuVtdJeJ0I6knqUFMrtnNU7LHzDeZbqoL0gBf5tDbhpsfmVbSwq4cP3RBd1EQMc3Lh8RQsfKI_k6EcwzCw_zrwdyWPvITzj-nHuPRC5y_FBCoZKwtkp_hvamFkEKijo2L0Cnn3QsRI4HAX1o1hNjSGuFDTUGapuo4moE9CiQNT2r/s320/cups.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasG2GFyePcPD-o0sYWG0cC_3gJ9-hRtNoT7skzZghoT-BTYzNeJ0_Uq_tBZA7d2d759dhOh0TejLmOB875BppQUCOA5171IzETQIoDh28J3WW7CJWBPuzKtVG1RF6d0T9Sy5PbyQDba_qW0uHpvVBUOMHExpr7lPAeBKkRUJj2Jg-brwlzX9uaR0S/s320/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasG2GFyePcPD-o0sYWG0cC_3gJ9-hRtNoT7skzZghoT-BTYzNeJ0_Uq_tBZA7d2d759dhOh0TejLmOB875BppQUCOA5171IzETQIoDh28J3WW7CJWBPuzKtVG1RF6d0T9Sy5PbyQDba_qW0uHpvVBUOMHExpr7lPAeBKkRUJj2Jg-brwlzX9uaR0S/s1600/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div id="review-like" style="float: right; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div><div class="big450BoxBottom" style="background-repeat: no-repeat; height: 10px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 450px;"></div></div><br class="clear" style="clear: both; display: block; font-size: 1px; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px;" /></div></div>
<br />Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-79808574373212811682022-03-04T22:30:00.002-05:002022-03-04T22:33:57.966-05:00Fun Read: Reckless People by Rachel Hawkins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJCuD1_M4FGAcBbUi5Ops63BCXcYiwiFoClVkEX5--NBHptXjvF8DGJM4tRLRKVagt7lL23vwGB_PIm0vw-xN6eSNAtLq-QV0EgcQIuZSTbdN-qPFI-0K5sCpX2cliSRUskEYcVySgHavz1mYakrk1fAWYakwl_ngdB03wbm_rYztF-HN5A7QGcLKs" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJCuD1_M4FGAcBbUi5Ops63BCXcYiwiFoClVkEX5--NBHptXjvF8DGJM4tRLRKVagt7lL23vwGB_PIm0vw-xN6eSNAtLq-QV0EgcQIuZSTbdN-qPFI-0K5sCpX2cliSRUskEYcVySgHavz1mYakrk1fAWYakwl_ngdB03wbm_rYztF-HN5A7QGcLKs" width="175" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Reckless Girls<div>By Rachel Hawkins</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>How many of you pick up a novel for the cover art on a book? I am guilty. I love the vibrant colors, the artwork is magnificent. The title tells you all you need to know. </div><div><br /></div><div> Aren't we tired of the snow, and freezing cold already? Are you looking to escape to the tropics? Let's go armchair traveling to escape. Well if you are, Reckless Girls is for you. . The book of course will grab you just on the artwork alone. Once you get past it. The synopsis will make you intrigued as well. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am so tired of domestic thrillers. So to find Reckless Girls was a treat. I find Domestic thrillers seem to follow a certain formula. Which it is not my cup of tea. Reckless Girls was different. I just loved it. I can't give it enough praise. </div><div><br /></div><div> The novel is not literary, it's an escape novel with a gothic feel. I took the book for face value and rushed through it. Thank goodness, I'm retired. I was up all night till 4 am reading the novel. I see this as a movie reeling out in my brain. </div><div><br /></div><div> If you are looking for a satisfying read for the escape, and a good rush, then the book is for you. Is it believable? No Is it realistic? No, Is it original? Yes, Is it an adrenaline rush? Yes. If you like a book that is realistic. It is most likely not your cup of tea. But, if you are looking for an escape on the tropics from Hawaii. The book will be a fun novel. And of course, it is a beach read. A great book to read for the summer. Picture blue oceans with palm trees, sandy beaches, tropical trees, and skeletons. </div><div><br /></div><div>The writing is interesting. I don't think I have read a book with the author's writing style. The author does a magnificent job going back and forth in time. Giving us little bread crumbs as clues. You don't realize it's coming. It hits you in the head and you have an aha moment. </div><div><br /></div><div>Lux and her boyfriend, Nico are living in Hawaii. Nico works on boats, and Lux lost her job. They are having financial problems. When finally the last straw. Nico's boat goes out of commission. An opportunity falls in his lap that will take their financial troubles away. Perfect timing two young women offer Nico a job neither Lux nor Nico can't say no to. They are willing to pay them handsomely. Lux agrees to tag along for the ride. The two young ladies want him to take them on a vacation cruise to a small deserted island called Meroe. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuL6NnmIN6_XJnNpstWPg2zhC82KLLwHAhkBNAfEcpxIM4rHbJ-GXDxgoBdiWK10eAMpE40ubJCYZQj_vogUTtzmvY1nhfQ8ETi7Zjtp8r3mEzHSzG0uXMBs5Tp1nLhh753yyJKBa2U8PA8aIm1qxXkF-lFH_UwzNA2AunAVMwq_LVO9lQ9NMh37D-=s300" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuL6NnmIN6_XJnNpstWPg2zhC82KLLwHAhkBNAfEcpxIM4rHbJ-GXDxgoBdiWK10eAMpE40ubJCYZQj_vogUTtzmvY1nhfQ8ETi7Zjtp8r3mEzHSzG0uXMBs5Tp1nLhh753yyJKBa2U8PA8aIm1qxXkF-lFH_UwzNA2AunAVMwq_LVO9lQ9NMh37D-" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div> To most everyone, it is known for a great summer getaway spot. It also has a reputation for shipwrecks, cannibalism, and has a dark and sinister feel to the island. This makes it intriguing to Nico, Lux, and the others. Nico and Lux decide to take the job offer. They get to the island and they are not alone. Instead, there are two others on the island. So now, a total of 6 people are on the island. Then one more pops up. It's no longer a deserted island. The island actually becomes a bit crowded as you will see while reading. </div><div><br /></div><div>As they begin to befriend the six others. We realize while reading something sinister is happening on those pages. The friendships turn into suspicions. Eventually, people start turning up dead. The picture-perfect vacation of the six strangers is not what it seems. </div><div><br /></div><div>There are hidden secrets on the island as well as the private lives of the characters. There are so many twists, and turns, intrigue, and heart-pounding thrills almost to the end of the book. It's a nonstop roller coaster ride. I can't recommend the book enough. </div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't expect what happened in the end. Of course, I'm not going to spoil it for you. I have not read Rachel Hawkin's previous novel. I plan on picking it up. I give it 5 teacups as a recommendation. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZmNIEn9OYBl2uaDmO2sytiolutn4uIqJYUmIckxqDmSmFCtMhSMKc7uH5HBjQjl5-u_M7RPXuJQyZC0_VwkIxXsNo2i8lf2e81m8XKjFVZOzEJScoK5O09QD3hx-_kZWlQmw_kIOEAwAoWoe2ztUrIWoz3jMNiWs__4_JgRt9muqlShM8jOpfHMr5=s500" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="85" data-original-width="500" height="54" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZmNIEn9OYBl2uaDmO2sytiolutn4uIqJYUmIckxqDmSmFCtMhSMKc7uH5HBjQjl5-u_M7RPXuJQyZC0_VwkIxXsNo2i8lf2e81m8XKjFVZOzEJScoK5O09QD3hx-_kZWlQmw_kIOEAwAoWoe2ztUrIWoz3jMNiWs__4_JgRt9muqlShM8jOpfHMr5=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBOPUB0xMzaUBT3opozy5wKr9jFzJQm5xP65RSxIBNsV4VGi9Jdx0yujVGaV6NXYkcKCOWdtQyR4am1Cj6_32ZrDwDZtIgQWnhpVNWcSNdHRJoqCHbT15wTWYdZvm8KRj2j2zjWWVMwYqhDbYabk4cqiYq9bTouqw9hK8NWe6yCzgidf-lREO-pZ6e=s320" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBOPUB0xMzaUBT3opozy5wKr9jFzJQm5xP65RSxIBNsV4VGi9Jdx0yujVGaV6NXYkcKCOWdtQyR4am1Cj6_32ZrDwDZtIgQWnhpVNWcSNdHRJoqCHbT15wTWYdZvm8KRj2j2zjWWVMwYqhDbYabk4cqiYq9bTouqw9hK8NWe6yCzgidf-lREO-pZ6e" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br />
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-13838752545712486822022-02-24T23:56:00.002-05:002022-02-25T00:01:37.996-05:00 Women's History Month: Her Hidden Genius<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXgQKReO6pDa5jWr8YB5MI-VvTcpSszNM61J6vJ-sfaXZ3mFutzxsFPGIRabIDqyWul338PrfXO2R2v6m-BegswFoMJFQBzIbWQzM2FYlyTMgru7-pY-mgpEaI5TTsgw_UwEg1uW964cswTht_cHhQKxp2kJplRq75ZR7aUCpjXuEA95bLUHhqPNKq=s4032" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXgQKReO6pDa5jWr8YB5MI-VvTcpSszNM61J6vJ-sfaXZ3mFutzxsFPGIRabIDqyWul338PrfXO2R2v6m-BegswFoMJFQBzIbWQzM2FYlyTMgru7-pY-mgpEaI5TTsgw_UwEg1uW964cswTht_cHhQKxp2kJplRq75ZR7aUCpjXuEA95bLUHhqPNKq=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Her Hidden Genius</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>By Marie Benedict</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Her Hidden Genius would be a wonderful time to read in the month of March. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>I am a book nerd, so the novel is perfect for me. I have read several other novels by Marie Benedict. This one hits more than her others. As I'm a science nerd. I love anything with science, discovery, and women heroes, and of course gets me all riled up with justice. I'm right there, lol!😆</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The publisher should have put a diagram of the double helix of DNA. They also should have put a summary of the importance of DNA, and M-RNA in the afterword. Not everyone has a science background. Luckily for me, I had taken Anatomy and Physiology in college. So, of course, I connected with the novel because of the science but also the characters. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiBmTiffeZFD8BAWBaV_W3H6W9_0AQ9EIXn90sY9Nza_PKCWu0c2eaaq_0JE6hQLwOe-18CJYCp89bJq3NutxX3j_Gps5zvyQ7g9nnTk5vm0Ow2CxltSMUPb89ENAYWT027bVD0thdngN8nMx3tkr5QjaiujPjbfHlaMWwON96DAv9DkQ4mcjWYSYQ=s985" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiiBmTiffeZFD8BAWBaV_W3H6W9_0AQ9EIXn90sY9Nza_PKCWu0c2eaaq_0JE6hQLwOe-18CJYCp89bJq3NutxX3j_Gps5zvyQ7g9nnTk5vm0Ow2CxltSMUPb89ENAYWT027bVD0thdngN8nMx3tkr5QjaiujPjbfHlaMWwON96DAv9DkQ4mcjWYSYQ=w163-h200" width="163" /></a></div><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>This is where her story begins after she finishes her studies in the 1940s. Rosalind is a British citizen, and also Jewish. Rosalind takes a position at Cambridge University, and then at BCURA, and then travels to France. The few positions she's held. She is not happy.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>She has become emotionally involved with a peer which doesn't conclude well. She also has a difficult time with her male peers. She is hurt, and decides to move on back to Britain. Where she takes another position. This is where her life becomes complicated. She discovers the double helix. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjewPY1cgoDLm7UgI3WTKSPrt0tflBJgixBR3Tl8bz85mbrfsD3b6svtYIMJUOgAmPW50zWGEG0ue7cDvBN-rQ1qa8BB-TRKqnoUyQPXeP5fyV-o7uJi0uxO7adI4aX39_5W1tuT_ZPb5oYTKaBEH2fo13bQ2i8WLsDpngsJeUCwSwhE6mxHmf0aOm0=s2350" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2350" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjewPY1cgoDLm7UgI3WTKSPrt0tflBJgixBR3Tl8bz85mbrfsD3b6svtYIMJUOgAmPW50zWGEG0ue7cDvBN-rQ1qa8BB-TRKqnoUyQPXeP5fyV-o7uJi0uxO7adI4aX39_5W1tuT_ZPb5oYTKaBEH2fo13bQ2i8WLsDpngsJeUCwSwhE6mxHmf0aOm0=w136-h200" width="136" /></a></div>Her fellow peers find many different ways to sabotage her work. Randall, her supervisor is under pressure for grant money. He pushes her to talk about her discovery of the double helix. She doesn't think there is enough credible scientific backing to prove her findings, she refuses.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b> Instead at the same conference, her fellow scientist speaks at the lecture and lies and takes the credit for the discovery of the double helix. A</b><b>fter the conference, back at the lab, other scientists undermine her work. They lie, gossip, steal her work. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b> How would you feel if for years you were working on a project alone, except for your assistant? No one else has mentioned the interest. You are the only person doing the sweat and tears. Someone takes the credit. Then out of the blue, they take credit. You are blindsided. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>You are undermined by other scientists. They received the recognition and you didn't. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>This is the boys club. Unfortunately, women were treated as worthless. You were seen but never heard. This is the world before. Thank goodness Marie Benedict has unearthed one such woman. I am sure there are many others like her. I am very grateful to women writers like Marie Benedict who discovered silent women. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b> If it wasn't for Rosalind Franklin. Who knows what history would have changed. Or how Pfizer or Moderna would have come to being for Covid vaccines. if it wasn't for Rosalind Franklin's discovery. We and the world owe much gratitude to her for her discovery. Yes, even men. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>But it was one woman, at the beginning, Rosalind Franklin who discovered the helix. Unfortunately, Rosalind Franklin never saw her contributions. She passed away at the early age of 38 of Cancer. Most likely from the exposure. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuL_eIVbQEG2jxAf8V_mJeV4vRIR0nKjLL25nWQSDXA20RjUjQie9-F1Rl2aVwXl1C_C7ZJ6VULbfy9BxFQdcCds36JphcR3wx4rA5Wr73FQydTkN21fUX0iiVfgmobBRx6CyAZhxQRYVQKUJkADjYJEFpus34KwCEK-46li06OPZ58K7sJt4e0AWh=s2400" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuL_eIVbQEG2jxAf8V_mJeV4vRIR0nKjLL25nWQSDXA20RjUjQie9-F1Rl2aVwXl1C_C7ZJ6VULbfy9BxFQdcCds36JphcR3wx4rA5Wr73FQydTkN21fUX0iiVfgmobBRx6CyAZhxQRYVQKUJkADjYJEFpus34KwCEK-46li06OPZ58K7sJt4e0AWh=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The novel is historical fiction of course. But, you can do your own research on, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-we-owe-covid-19-vaccine-woman-rosalind-franklin-jessica-davies/" target="_blank">Rosalind Franklin</a> on the web to see what contributions she had to science, and DNA. I recommend the book highly if you love science, and love history. Btw, Rosalind Franklin has a university named after her, Rosalind Franklin University, in Chicago. Mazel Tov, post humorously. </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTp6syIbJP0mXM_ei1aBqt5fv2PXapgPfRht_tl5SZPVn8De0gGtRJ0pnyLluNZilwYQW9wcbiV9ZwUak_jjUEK3YVmriIDrzWAwmIUrouLugx7nSGmSJPVPcragghfub8tRmBG4VHKBbOksBjT-LrSUU78KKAMuZL7s4RxvibW1ZJjX779nMEozif=s340" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="48" data-original-width="340" height="45" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTp6syIbJP0mXM_ei1aBqt5fv2PXapgPfRht_tl5SZPVn8De0gGtRJ0pnyLluNZilwYQW9wcbiV9ZwUak_jjUEK3YVmriIDrzWAwmIUrouLugx7nSGmSJPVPcragghfub8tRmBG4VHKBbOksBjT-LrSUU78KKAMuZL7s4RxvibW1ZJjX779nMEozif=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQXUZAPlf8pN6iu7xTCM9uIqslGwCKT7UoMcKXMNPdL0A5kEvaSZ669xmo7Ni24dWYwzgxDZJghBaiXYtUesfMPoMXqZg7CIoRvKfNroAPfsIWEPeTjkiDOsMel0-frU2eDigQjdRVx2V2V38eFsN7kqxV7lCnFbkIWYjyBsB3zunEP1NB1oIoHHeA=s320" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQXUZAPlf8pN6iu7xTCM9uIqslGwCKT7UoMcKXMNPdL0A5kEvaSZ669xmo7Ni24dWYwzgxDZJghBaiXYtUesfMPoMXqZg7CIoRvKfNroAPfsIWEPeTjkiDOsMel0-frU2eDigQjdRVx2V2V38eFsN7kqxV7lCnFbkIWYjyBsB3zunEP1NB1oIoHHeA" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div>Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-33512465663202350802022-02-20T00:38:00.003-05:002022-02-20T00:40:04.524-05:00Bluest Eye: Hard To Read<br />
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQBxY1ZkvbGUuGeKnTfKdc4daWXCHkQkZXB18kw-DCUJSgX2r4TA7sczh66b5qksPmEYTyQPfK7_pdrKo37tVqCp-wxi0TqNEjcPfJXzpt43kwqMlXKDIq4iWYqMWx0uU6RfNbipMyo-5VoxRK4TLkVXbPsb_zMzOHLdcjgyJ2vZwmgADZo6c0x--P=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQBxY1ZkvbGUuGeKnTfKdc4daWXCHkQkZXB18kw-DCUJSgX2r4TA7sczh66b5qksPmEYTyQPfK7_pdrKo37tVqCp-wxi0TqNEjcPfJXzpt43kwqMlXKDIq4iWYqMWx0uU6RfNbipMyo-5VoxRK4TLkVXbPsb_zMzOHLdcjgyJ2vZwmgADZo6c0x--P=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Bluest Eye</div><div>By Toni Morrison</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Sometime ago <a href="https://fb.watch/bhyDSbW0na/">Oprah Winfrey discusses the novel</a>, Bluest Eye. I didn't read it then. I finally sat down and read the novel. This is a book that should be read at this moment.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is a slow read for me. And a difficult one to get through with a bit more than 200 pages. If you are older you may remember the Dick and Jane primers we used to have to read in school. </div><div>The book was for young readers that are impressionable and innocent. The book depicts the perfect family. Mother, and Father, Dick, Jane, and Sally, dog, and a white picket fence. That was what we were taught. That doesn't mean it was true. In the very first chapter, we are reading the novel through a child's eyes. As the sentences are simplistic. Also, the author uses a technique of the Dick and Jane style. Which shows innocence. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Macteer family are living during the depression in Loraine, Ohio in the 1930s. Included in the family are two young girls, Claudia and Frieda. The family takes in a young black girl, Pecola Breedlove. The Breedlove's house burns down because Pecola's abusive father was drunk. I don't think I have to explain more. Pecola moves in temporarily. </div><div><br /></div><div> Claudia and Frieda's mother is an authoritarian and can be uncaring and distant. At times she looks for arguments and picks on her daughters. </div><div><br /></div><div>Pecola wants to be blonde hair and blue eyes. She thinks she is ugly. The only way she will be admired, looked at, loved, and accepted is by having blue eyes. Throughout the novel, we will learn about Pecola's dysfunctional family. How her father and mother became who they are. How she is tricked into thinking she will get blue eyes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pecola's mother, Pauline we learn her background and it is not pretty. She has a difficult life with a lame leg. She stays to herself and is lonely. It is even worse as the only way to be beautiful as she sees it. Is being a white. She learns this through movies. With actresses such as Jean Harlow. She passes this on to her daughter. She sees her daughter as ugly. But, the family she works for. She sees the daughter worth looking at. But not Pecola. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Bluest Eye is a book I have had on the back burner for years. I Finally, read the book. It is not an easy book to read. It is a hard reality, raw, and harrowing. At times I wanted to turn my face away from it. The racism is right in your face reality. Years ago growing up. I remember the Dick and Jane books we were taught in school with. </div><div><br /></div><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><div>. "See Dick Run". </div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUtQJGtWfaKHG_Xyvg7vd-BBYKL2k0nCiQ8Bl5Vu2S8AMlSh4OZSkeE8BDzrXuumVywwg-wONZIjyN2Nowcm8Uzf3rNpFAY97HDXJX_WexG-SeqiZbapjrbC5YKTpAyQywdf0MWqli97YmLdj_bSSnoNbaT_za_HNz9vJiSfXX4QYzc0-ImT6eosjM=s782" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="514" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUtQJGtWfaKHG_Xyvg7vd-BBYKL2k0nCiQ8Bl5Vu2S8AMlSh4OZSkeE8BDzrXuumVywwg-wONZIjyN2Nowcm8Uzf3rNpFAY97HDXJX_WexG-SeqiZbapjrbC5YKTpAyQywdf0MWqli97YmLdj_bSSnoNbaT_za_HNz9vJiSfXX4QYzc0-ImT6eosjM=s320" width="210" /></a></div>If you were White and living in an all-white neighborhood you didn't realize anything was wrong with the Dick and Jane books. In the '60s when I was growing up. We didn't know any better. But here we are in 2021. I hope now the classrooms are different. We took it for granted that schools were doing the right thing. Movies included in the 1930s were Shirley Temple. There weren't many movies that depicted people of color in a favorable light or showed them at all. There weren't many movies, books that depicted otherness till much later. We also had in society the, Mary Jane candy. Those are the few things in the novel representing racism. <p></p><p>The Bluest eye asks the question what is beauty? Who has the right to tell us if we are beautiful or not? If you are not white are you considered beautiful? There are many themes in the novel including racism, empathy, reckoning, love, understanding, acceptance, family, pain, suffering, self-esteem, self-identity, and self-hatred. What makes up a family? Who is the family? What about power and beauty? Do they go hand in hand? I think they do. Think about the corporate powerful people. The clothes they wear, their hair, their fashion. Most of them are beautiful people. There are many juxtaposed in the novel as well. Rich vs. Poor, beauty vs. ugly, White vs people of color, self-expression vs. stifled, neglected vs. abuse, </p><p>The Breedlove family has no love or affection, or understanding for Pecola. All she sees is the sadness, despair, unhappiness, physical and emotional pain, and anger of her parents. She witnesses the abuse and fights her parents have. She can't bear to watch. Her parents show no love or affection for their daughter. When Pecola is abused. How does she deal with it? But as we continue reading the novel. Toni Morrison's writing style pulls you and gives you a chance to see Cholly in an empathetic light. I can't give you anymore as it will give away the story. </p><p>The book has been banned for many years. I can understand why. The language, and violence in the book at times I wanted to turn my head away. But, I think it has many themes that need to be discussed in our society. If we cut it off and do not educate, it's a mistake. Without the power of books, we will never understand ourselves and become educated, and become better human beings. I still think it should be read with the discretion of the teachers and educators. I don't want to get into politics. But, I think we as parents never. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK1PS7HKVxVY6SPNg3_hWvZoiV6r7xB5HlYS358YRelte5qAoxBN7ZfVX8oLRtzsHertC7zAHY6tO1yXLg0_gljfdVFXq72rUkxaVqqF6DcDDcmQyLpDYCyw7G2WJiKHH0e-IMRelb5qg_oM_yjl-U7OvdljqE29tj5KAyTOyZ5dXk4oFcoeuTg-co=s320" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiK1PS7HKVxVY6SPNg3_hWvZoiV6r7xB5HlYS358YRelte5qAoxBN7ZfVX8oLRtzsHertC7zAHY6tO1yXLg0_gljfdVFXq72rUkxaVqqF6DcDDcmQyLpDYCyw7G2WJiKHH0e-IMRelb5qg_oM_yjl-U7OvdljqE29tj5KAyTOyZ5dXk4oFcoeuTg-co" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><div><br /></div>Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-66495331619074372612022-02-19T16:45:00.003-05:002022-02-19T17:09:20.216-05:00There There- Love it<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjealNoQmda8NZoucuHDatxSGLXOW9ZH4WgGPb4EYGGOASyRBfydXBaDUt-TYs2ciBSQVELJ1RWlK0c2BZb7kBowKbUXhSp8-Q-lhr7ZI3nTyquLuPMv0GIk-hVV3h_fXH58ar7HmRo7dnONoOgveLKvwPnJ6CqB9dexvpbbmFhKMUcrt8_R_WS5_Lv=s279" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="181" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjealNoQmda8NZoucuHDatxSGLXOW9ZH4WgGPb4EYGGOASyRBfydXBaDUt-TYs2ciBSQVELJ1RWlK0c2BZb7kBowKbUXhSp8-Q-lhr7ZI3nTyquLuPMv0GIk-hVV3h_fXH58ar7HmRo7dnONoOgveLKvwPnJ6CqB9dexvpbbmFhKMUcrt8_R_WS5_Lv" width="181" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>There There</div><div>By Tommy Orange</div><div>Kindle E-Reader</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>What a spectacular read! Right from the start, I'm warning y'all. This is a long post. So much to talk about with the book. Reading the book felt like I was re-living my English class again. As I was re-reading I was recalling structure, plot, symbolism, climax, characters, and setting, point of view, etc. I left college some time ago. I love books I can break down and do critical thinking with.</div><div><br /></div><div>He wrote the novel because he felt<a href="https://www.ttbook.org/interview/unheard-stories-urban-indian" target="_blank"> Urban Native Indians </a>was left out in the Native Indian Canon. He wanted different points of view. The author didn't keep it to one point of view, but several. It has themes of isolation, identity issues, traditions, heritage, tribal vs. non-tribal, labeling, miscast, relocation of native Indians in the 1950s to the city</div><div><br /></div><div> The traditional has plenty to say. In the Urban Native Indian experience, not much has been written. He has written a cross-section of Native Indian experiences in the urban setting of Oakland, Ca. . It is autobiographical as you read you will see bits of the author blended in.</div><div><br /></div><div> What it means to know your roots. What if your family doesn't want to share your traditions because of shame. What does it mean to be Native? What does it look like? Did you hear about Wounded Knee? Did you hear about Alcatraz? What I found so hard for us as Americans to talk about is the shameful history. But, we do have to talk about it. Why is it any other history of minorities can be spoken? But, not the Native American Indian. Why is that? You hear about anyone else. But, they are the hidden minority. </div><div>. </div><div><br /></div><blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><div>The poetic writing of living on a tribal reservation and relocating to the cities describes the Urban Native Indian, Urban Indians feel at home walking in the shadow of a downtown building, We came to know the downtown Oakland skyline better tha we did any sacred mountain range, the redwoods in the Oakland hills better than any other deep wild forest, We know the sound of the freeway better than we do rivers, the howl of the distant trains better than wolf howls, we know the smell of gas and freshly wet concrete and burned rubber better than we do the smell of cedar or sage or even fry bread- which isn't traditional, but nothing is original, everthing comes from something that came before, which was once nothing, We ride buses, trains, and cars across over, and under concrete plains. Being Indian has never been about returning to the land. The land is everywhere or nowhere.</div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><div>The structure of the novel, the writing style, the characters, the plot, and the sentences were beautifully written. The only thing I could say is the language( the profanity) could have been less. I have never read a book uniquely written as There There. </div><div><br /></div><div> The author put in a prologue and the interlude which I have never read before in a novel. It is actually written as an essay explaining the Native American Indian vs, The United States of America conflict for 300 years or more. to the present day. If you don't plan on reading the novel. If nothing else read the prologue, and interlude. </div><div><br /></div><div>it is pretty powerful. It is gut-wrenching and pulls at your heartstrings. We as Americans have read it before. But the way he re-writes it with his words is powerful and thought-provoking. At first, while reading... Now mind you I had to re-read a few chapters over and over again to finally get the hook.</div><div><br /></div><div>I loved how the author used each chapter for each individual character. Which I felt at first should have been written as short stories. But, now I realize why he wrote it that way. If you can believe this. There are twelve characters to keep straight. I used a cheat sheet to keep track. Even though I had it I still had a bit of trouble keeping them straight. Thank goodness it was each chapter for each individual character rather than many different characters in one chapter. Could you imagine more than one character in each chapter, that would have mind-blowing, lol😕. The ending was climatic and converged to a powwow.</div><div><br /></div><div>Many voices( characters) in the book converge to one voice as the climax is proceeding as one community. I just loved how the author was able to pull it off, wow!. The real true writer how wrote one individual character and blended some of the characters and intertwined them into the big picture.</div><div><br /></div><div> The symbolisms and metaphors in the novel-The spider webs, and spider legs. What does it mean? Watch out for them in the story. It gives greater meaning and depth to the novel.</div><div><br /></div><div>I cheated and watched and read a few virtual book talks with Tommy Orange. Perhaps that is why I am awestruck by the novel. I did more research while reading the book as well. I watched and listened to Native Indian music, watched a powwow, watched movies related to the book which I thought was more accurate.</div><div> </div><div>Our book club discussed the book. They were not as awestruck as I. Perhaps its because they don't usually read books out of their comfort zone and didn't give the book a chance. Some of them said as they were reading. This happens in every culture, which is true. And something we already know. Watching movies, reading books, and newspapers. But, the author found a different way to write about it in fiction form. </div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXVrCFE4abwo8T-ZnQhCikf2nVAY9yBG1AE4q4Lj3OiWu6FlvNYjJFIv52JGIPCQT5rSRtsPJe72WtPVvKjd9aG5xKlxWp_8xYL3jvK56GLd0LVcJ0GC3kp9w-ReCyxTYvoEnUtWUlrcVSjADJ6hScLyjaezm73qCEPBGtst6fWKvRVzzV0GFnys0W=s450" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXVrCFE4abwo8T-ZnQhCikf2nVAY9yBG1AE4q4Lj3OiWu6FlvNYjJFIv52JGIPCQT5rSRtsPJe72WtPVvKjd9aG5xKlxWp_8xYL3jvK56GLd0LVcJ0GC3kp9w-ReCyxTYvoEnUtWUlrcVSjADJ6hScLyjaezm73qCEPBGtst6fWKvRVzzV0GFnys0W=s320" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> The author, Tommy Orange is a bi-racial Urban Native Indian. His mother is white and his father is Native Indian. His father's tribe is Arapahoe, and Cheyanne from Oklahoma. . It is amazing, Tommy didn't read when he was growing up until later on. . He was promised a job at the University. But first he had to publish something. He was not expecting it to go further. Instead, other writers in the program liked his work. They passed it on to their publicist's and was good timing. The rest of course was history. </div><div><br /></div><div> There There received the Hemingway and Pen award. I recommend the book if you like character study, reading diverse literature, reading novels that are social justice in nature, and are willing to go out of your comfort zone. The book is perfect timing for the time we are in now. my recommendation is, CHECK IT OUT!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrYjx1b-dlpxUrCrdA03-cx1T_ZNoaL5tPL-FMTjyB-jS2GtxtJnTIapWutWO03YQVmY5ZIj7hlyiyVHvumEgVf_ZiPah4jvlX2YZzI-szT60cjN4pgqJXg-7VlxTXPDRARNzvGDpTUUZ7GFbTpv-jEiWT9KtazMNDhq18-w2R336v3pzCoqWZ0CNS=s340" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="48" data-original-width="340" height="45" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrYjx1b-dlpxUrCrdA03-cx1T_ZNoaL5tPL-FMTjyB-jS2GtxtJnTIapWutWO03YQVmY5ZIj7hlyiyVHvumEgVf_ZiPah4jvlX2YZzI-szT60cjN4pgqJXg-7VlxTXPDRARNzvGDpTUUZ7GFbTpv-jEiWT9KtazMNDhq18-w2R336v3pzCoqWZ0CNS=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNqP6SiVZ3hIrEzmLdb6LLfPPDkAvpkBJqtgfkLAEx5MfJ6NPMzhLRS8YM9R3xENMVVt0FeFXHXVdcLw6uIULD6ttPMfJe5LpCsP-_kXeDikll6cQhzf-PUtTdTOhDmM7i73yw9MM7G0g3qtfyEIweJOYXui-zZrGwh06KPdJ-mnSu93uI-brLqzmr=s500" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="85" data-original-width="500" height="54" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNqP6SiVZ3hIrEzmLdb6LLfPPDkAvpkBJqtgfkLAEx5MfJ6NPMzhLRS8YM9R3xENMVVt0FeFXHXVdcLw6uIULD6ttPMfJe5LpCsP-_kXeDikll6cQhzf-PUtTdTOhDmM7i73yw9MM7G0g3qtfyEIweJOYXui-zZrGwh06KPdJ-mnSu93uI-brLqzmr=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzAbgaS8hU51CELaQyvAOIK4lx6nch58L-buvkjGybbdJTg-pPyHo3eyKvySv5fCEenYCSbhYf5tJCRKhb09HslpJVqFABbXZkJmEG5l7HRBuR55UvEltyUM4aUVIaLy_hGf12aSPMUn9JQLLJE9usYVOsCuQTSQ9QQdjInmCbZuNk5jVYvEIeU4KA=s320" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzAbgaS8hU51CELaQyvAOIK4lx6nch58L-buvkjGybbdJTg-pPyHo3eyKvySv5fCEenYCSbhYf5tJCRKhb09HslpJVqFABbXZkJmEG5l7HRBuR55UvEltyUM4aUVIaLy_hGf12aSPMUn9JQLLJE9usYVOsCuQTSQ9QQdjInmCbZuNk5jVYvEIeU4KA" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-53731268919175375892022-01-09T00:08:00.009-05:002022-01-14T19:33:08.449-05:00Book Review From Last Two months of 2021<span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>I haven't posted in the last two months. Here is my book review from November till January. </b></span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett<br /></b></span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqiTQ1a7jhFgQ7aferNZkbLKCkqFVTKtEZjjgl43hpRS_eUy8pqX7KhEVGC3gJqgi464lrqjKabpKTXBJlyiATjLtd1hsnVd-WfNJv4jamN_17UIbjfxYohIn9XK7k7Yzxr_ucWkV7fyzxrBPAHK5ZHv0IysFf0kPA0qkQ-74JaICUxbVxiXZJJ1mZ=s427" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqiTQ1a7jhFgQ7aferNZkbLKCkqFVTKtEZjjgl43hpRS_eUy8pqX7KhEVGC3gJqgi464lrqjKabpKTXBJlyiATjLtd1hsnVd-WfNJv4jamN_17UIbjfxYohIn9XK7k7Yzxr_ucWkV7fyzxrBPAHK5ZHv0IysFf0kPA0qkQ-74JaICUxbVxiXZJJ1mZ=s320" width="225" /></a></div><br /><b><br />I enjoyed reading, The Vanishing Half. I recommend highly to live in the skin of an Afro- American, but also darker vs. lighter skinned person. The short summary is one sister is darker-skinned than the other. Both sisters left together as teenagers. One sister married a white man in tech valley. The other sister went back to the very racist town. Both sisters had children. They both met as adults. After they met, one cousin was dark-skinned. The other cousin wasn't aware she was from a diverse heritage. And how each one of the cousins, and sisters lived their lives. I would recommend Vanishing Half. </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpSc5QoNNkPAIbE5ojt67XWUsOH20KI6f14mbQGTxSMSu_CqlTnLon0AR3dM3sHp2q5FPTaPmZT9itc1n_BDM7rcGG0zjk1mPDN9HF5FZY7nIe5KOWtOE7XMEU6IXSgqomMQudp_HdSNWYqKimDTOxqSopQAEGgw7ATgRaNOnDwNdynhUgGcmMv2YX=s602" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpSc5QoNNkPAIbE5ojt67XWUsOH20KI6f14mbQGTxSMSu_CqlTnLon0AR3dM3sHp2q5FPTaPmZT9itc1n_BDM7rcGG0zjk1mPDN9HF5FZY7nIe5KOWtOE7XMEU6IXSgqomMQudp_HdSNWYqKimDTOxqSopQAEGgw7ATgRaNOnDwNdynhUgGcmMv2YX=s320" width="213" /></a></div><br /><b>Are you a book lover? If you are, you must have heard of <a href="https://www.amortowles.com" target="_blank">Lincoln Highway</a> by Amor Towles. He is the same author who wrote The Gentleman from Moscow, and Rules of Civility. I can't tell you in great detail about the novel. Because it took me a while to get my thoughts together. I will do my best, though. </b></span><b style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> I loved The Lincoln Highway. </b></div><div><b style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></b></div><div><b style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> In Nebraska, 1954. Emmett is driven home by the warden of the juvenile work camp. Coming home, his father has passed away, and their homestead has been foreclosed by the bank. His young brother, Billy, and Emmett decide to journey cross country to California. The plan is for them to travel to California. </b></div><div><b style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></b></div><div><b style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">But, then everything changes. Emmett has no idea Wooley, and his Dutchess stowed away in the warden's car taking Emmett home from the juvenile work camp. The plan for Emmett and Billy falls apart. Instead, Duchess and Wooley have another plan. Wooley has an inheritance. He wants to convince Emmett instead of going to California. Let's go to the opposite direction and get my inheritance. He promises to share it with them. So Emmett's plan of course falls apart. While traveling, Emmett and Billy, Wooley and Dutchess are separated. The car is taken. Emmett and Billy have no choice but to get on a train and journey on to find the other two toward NYC. </b></div><div><b style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></b></div><div><b style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The four main characters have very different personalities. Emmett is a do-gooder, Billy is a little boy and very gullible. Dutchess is a smooth talker, full of life, and sly, and takes many shortcuts to get what he wants in life. Wooley on the other hand is gullible, naive and acts immature for his age. All the characters are interesting in their own way. The book reminds me of a cross-country joy ride. </b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The journey across the country reminded me how different our culture is in different parts of the region of the USA. </b><b style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">There are so many differences in our country spanning from East to the West Coast, and North to South. </b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b> The time is 1954. It is the beginning of the awakening of the civil rights movement. But also the differences of class as well. </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Like always I love Mr. Towles's writing style. </b></span><b style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> If you like sophisticated and unique writing. You must read his novel slowly. Like a glass of wine, and a piece of chocolate.</b><b style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The only thing some people may have a difficult time with so many of the characters. If you are character-driven. And like how the characters develop you will enjoy reading. But if you are plot-driven this may not be your cup of tea. I am hoping the paperback comes out sooner than his previous Gentleman in Moscow. As our book club is set to discuss at the end of the year. If not, we will just have to wait. </b></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O6VmKxuHwwE" width="320" youtube-src-id="O6VmKxuHwwE"></iframe></div><br /><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhc4iqT55ev0EhqL8lEJgqNYWezB0N84Q-WFsaBqq8TGJw1sUKvAauLyTM2lrWnfLg_3sfqDOBgzgq8DOvNVyKgfFCOoWakI1irhZAEzHhT0Xp4sniYzLoZShwKmouh0ekUyRMZo0u5z9h04CuHF2dNIxrbfE2SLwD9jPCBSnTh2NDe0Qv0t_McMCYP=s225" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhc4iqT55ev0EhqL8lEJgqNYWezB0N84Q-WFsaBqq8TGJw1sUKvAauLyTM2lrWnfLg_3sfqDOBgzgq8DOvNVyKgfFCOoWakI1irhZAEzHhT0Xp4sniYzLoZShwKmouh0ekUyRMZo0u5z9h04CuHF2dNIxrbfE2SLwD9jPCBSnTh2NDe0Qv0t_McMCYP" width="225" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>I didn't read, The Lights We Didn't See. I wanted to like and give, Cloud Cuckoo Land a try. I heard some wonderful things about his previous book, The Light We Do Not See. So, I thought even though I don't read books normally like this. I'm sure I will connect. </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>I read the flap of the book. It didn't sound like it was for me. But, I gave it a try. It was a fantastical read. But, it was way over my head. Usually when I have attempted to read fantasy or science fiction. I have a hard time imagining the imagery. So that may be the problem.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b> I gave the novel 160 pages. I want to be fair. I don't read these kinds of books. But, I don't think this is considered science fiction. It is not considered dystopian, or fantasy either. I don't know what it is considered.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b> I believe the theme of the book is climate and environmental change. I felt the book was way out there. Not for me. When it takes place in Constantinople. The next thing you know you are in modern-day Idaho. Somehow between Constinople and Idaho, you are in a spaceship, what?</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>I don't do acid. But, I felt like I was on an acid trip. Nothing seemed connected, rather disconnected. Sorry, I wanted to like the book. I'm sure you science fiction readers will most likely like the book. Unfortunately, not me. </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6nWF0lqCtKNOlrCzhKku1YrGS8r6SV9_INIgZLcQ96lSWPXsi0p4PFq3rh3xDnE4B5Reuh5Um1LSW1uYmpbKMXTHOx2OpDogoSt1QEm172OlRqEI8NDYI5SU_aJJNpSBiafd86YAEbhnCLONmVfLllK_KspsvmXMYN1XjSSInXzgB9zXXLpB8ciGt=s974" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="974" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6nWF0lqCtKNOlrCzhKku1YrGS8r6SV9_INIgZLcQ96lSWPXsi0p4PFq3rh3xDnE4B5Reuh5Um1LSW1uYmpbKMXTHOx2OpDogoSt1QEm172OlRqEI8NDYI5SU_aJJNpSBiafd86YAEbhnCLONmVfLllK_KspsvmXMYN1XjSSInXzgB9zXXLpB8ciGt=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">I wish it didn't take me as long to post my thoughts on <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/09/books/review/family-roe-joshua-prager.html" target="_blank">The Family Roe</a> as it did. I was a young woman in the '70s. I didn't follow the politic and the abortion issue much. All I knew was Roe vs. Wade passed. </span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">For the past few years, I didn't understand why are we visiting the policy again. I always felt separations of religion vs state. Something that happened from the 1980s to now has changed. After reading the book I realize individuals, politicians have been attempting to unravel the law. </span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"> I can't believe we are going backward again. I am an advocate for women's rights. I believe it a women's right to privacy. It is her right and her partner to decide, and make the decision what happens to our bodies, not men or the US government. </span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"> I'm glad I gave the book another chance. It </span></b></span><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">s </span></b><b style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">worth reading. The different perspectives of Roe vs. Wade no matter what side you are on. It is very hard to get into the technical info. If you are not a legal expert. I was ready to say enough. But after reading from 250. The book sped up. If you are interested in abortion rights, and the legal system, and the different parties involved. What happened to Roe vs Wade after the case was resolved. The people, the family, and all those involved.</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">The book is very good investigative reporting. So much information to unpack and understand the relevance to the Roe VS Wade case. The people involved. Sad on all sides. To the attorneys, courts, advocates, abortionists, medical doctors.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">What hit me the most was the powerful people who took advantage and manipulated and abused Norma. Which Norma did the same. But, still the pro-lifers, religious leaders, politicians, propped up Norma and Roe for their own gain. What I also found interesting. The way abortion was used for the feminist movement, ERA, the Republican party leaders, and the sexual revolution, promiscuity, and gay movement, and racism all rolled up in one. The result of this is what is going on now in our society today.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">I was too young to understand what was Roe VS Wade. Reading Family Roe gave me insight. I'm glad I read the book. If you consider yourself an activist on either side and you have a curiosity. It may interest you. I don't recommend it to everyone. It is very difficult to read, and some parts are a bit graphic. But if you are interested in the topic. It's a bit dry and difficult to read. But once you get halfway through it perks your interest. Just to say the author was objective and his opinions were left out of it. </span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicpdiTDsNYJ2_vD97WR8CuOpUp8ACO380fVgdZP-7SVUo4LDsjwxeK42lFFVcLKr3LdMuSwZQj2y6nrKVNrfUCltdlGkF6PPpe1jZtPMu56vRfLBM-7n-_kioFrphw9H2LSlscPvaDWzrFQAD2_AgnQXAsi8hKIecIky4dp-KboZNca72n4a6VRs1G=s200" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="133" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicpdiTDsNYJ2_vD97WR8CuOpUp8ACO380fVgdZP-7SVUo4LDsjwxeK42lFFVcLKr3LdMuSwZQj2y6nrKVNrfUCltdlGkF6PPpe1jZtPMu56vRfLBM-7n-_kioFrphw9H2LSlscPvaDWzrFQAD2_AgnQXAsi8hKIecIky4dp-KboZNca72n4a6VRs1G" width="133" /></a></div></b></span></div><div>T<table border="0" cellspacing="1" class="myActivity" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" style="line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="readable reviewText" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"> reading, State of Terror by First Lady, Hilary Rodham Clinton, and Louise Penny was a great ride. All I can say is, Wow! If you are stuck over the weekend in the snow then this novel is for you. It is a non-stop page-turner, and roller coaster ride, and doesn't stop. It will keep you in suspense until the last paragraph. I hope she and Louise Penney will consider riding together again. But, I'm afraid this was a catharsis. <br /><br />This is not just a political thriller, it also has themes of women friendships and their importance in our lives. If you aren't looking to read something that hits very close to home( our US politics). Then you may want to move on. I enjoyed it. 😉 I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who is a Trump supporter. Ms. Clinton gets to give a few jabs and makes fun of the previous administration. Which I don't blame her. <br /><br /> Remember it's fiction. There is also humor added to spice up the novel. It's a heart-pounding thriller. It doesn't give you a chance to take a breath. And it is very close to real life, it's scary. Many times I wondered if it's true. It sounded like it was ripped from the pages of the newspapers. I would recommend for a fun ride. <br /><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhawc-WxbmiX8tn2oyBEL2q9WoGFZjiVxvL_XQIPNpGg9QtxLiolUZR1aLvRl4pCLFVV-Sm9Up73DsrwFcY7Kk1ZlHq7WAPhT1M1DYQ_S7GO3UQpMwtd505d_FOEAH0jQ51tc3BlZbK9mKKnA07Zbq02tOWDm9LiLTKp9ldBO1le5TXS4cp3txxoa6Z=s499" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="332" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhawc-WxbmiX8tn2oyBEL2q9WoGFZjiVxvL_XQIPNpGg9QtxLiolUZR1aLvRl4pCLFVV-Sm9Up73DsrwFcY7Kk1ZlHq7WAPhT1M1DYQ_S7GO3UQpMwtd505d_FOEAH0jQ51tc3BlZbK9mKKnA07Zbq02tOWDm9LiLTKp9ldBO1le5TXS4cp3txxoa6Z=w133-h200" width="133" /></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: medium;">I read <a href="https://time.com/collection/100-must-read-books-2021/6120639/sankofa/" target="_blank">Sankofa</a> because of the recommendation of one of the celebrity book clubs. I don't usually take their word for it. I have found, I'm sorry to have purchased the book a few times. Celebrity book clubs are in it for profit don't kid yourself. So, I read the synopsis first. What I read sounded interesting. <br /><br />Sankofa takes place in London, as well as a non-existent country in South Africa called Bamana. Anna is married in a troublesome marriage with an adult daughter. Where their relationship is complicated. <br /><br /> Anna is a bi-racial married 48 years old daughter living in London. Her mother, a white woman has recently passed away. She is looking through her Mother's things and finds a diary from her black African father. <br /><br /> Her Father becomes a political activist before leaving England. He was living in London and left her in a short-lived relationship. They break up and he leaves England to go to S. Africa.<br /><br /> He is a political activist who sees social change and equality. Of course, it doesn't happen. Instead, the new government is formed and he becomes an authoritarian dictatorship with corruption.<br /><br /> Anna goes to Bamana to search for her father. Whereof course there is trouble in the country. Where her newfound half-sister wants to cause trouble and is jealous of her newfound relationship with her father. And she is unable to leave the country which her Father has caused conflict for her. There are themes of love belonging, country, racial threats, etc.<br /><br />I found the book synopsis was interesting. I have not read any book which takes place abroad and in S. Africa. It perked my interest. I hope to read other books that the setting takes place in S. Africa. I am sorry to say for me the book was lackluster. There was just no spice to it. I am still glad I read the book because it was a book I would not have picked up. <br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ6-bjPnqYnv3QwWIR4QWz9Kt40EueBn6wVTnxYUYOhEyhOoZjrF-IYf-D9TYN4-2Q31N20_pHtCh1L7ctTyODPjmEIb4DsITaonOHd45vxKhGNhT_a9HhqidLV1ngI9K1Q972NQwqtb23SVEj3fugp-VWraenlXoSn6Y4B-PWQcDGQFMWSNhDy9mC=s300" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ6-bjPnqYnv3QwWIR4QWz9Kt40EueBn6wVTnxYUYOhEyhOoZjrF-IYf-D9TYN4-2Q31N20_pHtCh1L7ctTyODPjmEIb4DsITaonOHd45vxKhGNhT_a9HhqidLV1ngI9K1Q972NQwqtb23SVEj3fugp-VWraenlXoSn6Y4B-PWQcDGQFMWSNhDy9mC=w320-h179" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /></b><br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><span style="color: #181818;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuR2LphP4I5pA6U8YODg-B9xxD7sGsStEgkVRoXSNg4CT3cnKGQLAFMtO9Go-Hs5MfdSAfyjQJkzBFfWTeFdEOchj2zDir0zHcmMPcdxi8yP1EMZWc5LsmFSoMABAbGTTuRVLvh18O_wH5JerRJEebWSN_Y5acgELoBUS3H64nRtoZdcW54Mbr_yh0=s299" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuR2LphP4I5pA6U8YODg-B9xxD7sGsStEgkVRoXSNg4CT3cnKGQLAFMtO9Go-Hs5MfdSAfyjQJkzBFfWTeFdEOchj2zDir0zHcmMPcdxi8yP1EMZWc5LsmFSoMABAbGTTuRVLvh18O_wH5JerRJEebWSN_Y5acgELoBUS3H64nRtoZdcW54Mbr_yh0=s299" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuR2LphP4I5pA6U8YODg-B9xxD7sGsStEgkVRoXSNg4CT3cnKGQLAFMtO9Go-Hs5MfdSAfyjQJkzBFfWTeFdEOchj2zDir0zHcmMPcdxi8yP1EMZWc5LsmFSoMABAbGTTuRVLvh18O_wH5JerRJEebWSN_Y5acgELoBUS3H64nRtoZdcW54Mbr_yh0=s299" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div></span></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The Sentence, By Louise Erdrich, is a wonderful read. I usually have a difficult time getting through her novels. For some reason, The novel was a bit strange at first. But, after I settled in, I connected. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The novel opens up with the main character Tookie. Her best friend asks her to retrieve a body. She is arrested for stealing the body. She eventually goes to jail for some time. She is then released and finds a job at the book store. There are many interesting characters working at the book store. I loved each, and every one of them.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b> What I found strange. Is in real-time we are experiencing the same thoughts, feelings, and emotions during the pandemic. We have experienced the empty streets, the hoarding of groceries, remember the toilet paper shortage, the hand sanitizer problem, the loneliness, and isolation for some of us who live alone, etc. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b> The novel of course I read a couple weeks ago so it is a bit fuzzy. I will just give you my impression of the novel. First off the title of the book can mean different things. It could mean the structure of several words making a sentence. It also can also mean a person's time in jail or prison. I have always wondered why in our society, why " sentence". Just many questions to ask if you decide to read the book for book club. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>First off Louise Erdrich is a Native American living in Wisconsin. I believe she lives in Milwaukee. She owns and sells, and educates, and preserves the Native American culture at Birchwood Books. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The Sentence was written just before the pandemic and during the Pandemic in 2020. During President Trump's presidency, The George Floyd killing, the demonstrations, and rioting. The author, Louise Erdrich was front and center of the protest there. So many of us could see a perspective we were unable to see. Even though this was a novel. The book has many themes about social justice, and equality of many diverse cultures in our country. It also delves into the beginning of the Pandemic. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Louise wrote about the experiences she and other booksellers were experiencing shutting down our countries businesses across the country. Finding a new way to innovate and survive. It's about a fictional book store. But, I think in some ways it is an autobiography of her experience as a bookseller. We even have a customer who dies and ghosts the book store for months called, Flora. There is humor mixed in as well. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Have you ever been to an independent book store instead of the big corporate book store? There is a big difference. If you haven't you are missing a treat. The booksellers know their customers after years. They have a passion for books. They will go out of their way to match you with the book. Even sometimes if they are very passionate about books they will go out of their way to go to your home to get it to you. Example of one customer in the story. Tookie goes out of her way to especially find the book the customer wants. It doesn't happen at a big book store. There is a big difference between independent stores vs. a big stores. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Where I live there aren't any book stores except one Barnes and Noble. The closest independent book store is two hours away either in Wilmington, NC or Pawley's Island. We are a tourist town so I doubt it will happen. </b></div><div><b> The Sentence is an ode to independent booksellers and their customers. Even though the book store is closed the customer's spirit survives. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZSng9Zl-hk6TLbbkT0FZnPJ8WGhn22Io4CMp3W5UvcL1KB8g7fv_no-zNBGOuVj-czIMR5N0uLcwryLY-QGSLqkXP2_t_mTQwowj54iS6so_UFG9bi759mXmOVbCA8_qxa812Pvl3qmh_N2z5ZDlYB2EXLYjwoIQDs70HX_3MgBrnc6XTdO8lNEgT=s276" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="183" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZSng9Zl-hk6TLbbkT0FZnPJ8WGhn22Io4CMp3W5UvcL1KB8g7fv_no-zNBGOuVj-czIMR5N0uLcwryLY-QGSLqkXP2_t_mTQwowj54iS6so_UFG9bi759mXmOVbCA8_qxa812Pvl3qmh_N2z5ZDlYB2EXLYjwoIQDs70HX_3MgBrnc6XTdO8lNEgT" width="183" /></a></div><br /><b>Do you know who Stanley Tucci is? I didn't at first. I did sort of know he was an actor in Devil Wears Prada. I didn't know he was a big name. I watched recently, Searching For Italy on CNN. Which was about Italian food in the different areas of the country. I also started watching him since the Pandemic. I guess he didn't have much to do. He was posting mini cooking classes, and his bar drink recipes. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b> In recent years, he has written a cookbook. He loves to cook and eat different foods in different regions of the world. You think it, right, he is a "Foodie". I don't know what the expression means. But, I'll take it.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b> He has a great sense of humor as well. You should check him out. I didn't know he no longer lives in the US since he married his wife. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>This is my last book of the year, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/05/books/review/taste-stanley-tucci.html" target="_blank">Taste</a> by Stanley Tucci. I am not interested in cooking that much. I don't own many cookbooks. I don't buy gourmet utensils. I buy the essential tools, pots, and pans, and tools. Not unnecessary tools. As you can see reading about food and cooking is going out of my norm. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b> I don't make unnecessary changes in my cooking unless I have to. I make the same boring dinners each night for my family. Reading the book made me think otherwise. I decided to listen, instead of reading the book for my review. I did break down and purchase Taste for my Kindle. It was an end-of-the-year Christmas sale on books. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I enjoyed listening to Taste. His sense of humor and style was wonderful. I felt like I was having a conversation with Mr. Tucci discussing his growing up in an Italian, loving family. He is about the same age as me. Some of the growing-up years brought up some memories. I loved the part about his lunch box, and his mother's gourmet meals brought to school. I can remember jealousy abounding with some of the student's mom's lunches were brought to school. The other part I recall was making Italian Tomato Sauce, LOL! Bloody massacre in the tub like Hamlet, lol!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>He also wrote about the meals while working and filming. I found it interesting since I wasn't familiar with how that works. I thought actors had to supply their own meals at work like us normal people. Traveling around the world to his favorite restaurants, and favorite Chef's would prepare specially for him. He also wrote how food has become important in his life, and his foodie experiences. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The last part of his memoir is about the pandemic and the isolation with his family and how his illness plays into, taste. The only expectation I had with his memoir. Was some of the foods I had hoped he would explain, he didn't. I am not Italian and had no idea what he was talking about. That was my only complaint. Other than that, I loved him, and his memoir. These are my favorite books of the year. I also loved What Happened to Maude Dixon.</b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiCZg85xc6GfhDF1hUmN1VE2xtwMgdErv-_Fma3KkG9pcf4zrs8Mx7Y5ZLnnK47NCs3e_pDjcj9TKJGBGX9tGYxQlaNE5O4SzZ6OxmhOUrLoZbGCK6en5urJxCqpQfhbAF1zI5F42zXSppn6BCkl7KoHX-q_DRbq0yiWk1hMd6HUOpB2PUD3z1vKN2=s320" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjiCZg85xc6GfhDF1hUmN1VE2xtwMgdErv-_Fma3KkG9pcf4zrs8Mx7Y5ZLnnK47NCs3e_pDjcj9TKJGBGX9tGYxQlaNE5O4SzZ6OxmhOUrLoZbGCK6en5urJxCqpQfhbAF1zI5F42zXSppn6BCkl7KoHX-q_DRbq0yiWk1hMd6HUOpB2PUD3z1vKN2" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdWNWPVkPc0isLyWB75rre4-gsIFW6zubC4JMMj13v8qUx3Xr5qmx81oyMl9ZpVGKo5OZH_vkh4YEvPsSsuRjwCBkRFs_68ET7U8AQG2qQOqOh45z4tvGzPfhw_a5VyuNU0LuT4VfIEfQbgTHpevo3Fsji9HO6U_2BzCcN3P2wclC9MGC5JBFBhZyg=s340" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="48" data-original-width="340" height="45" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdWNWPVkPc0isLyWB75rre4-gsIFW6zubC4JMMj13v8qUx3Xr5qmx81oyMl9ZpVGKo5OZH_vkh4YEvPsSsuRjwCBkRFs_68ET7U8AQG2qQOqOh45z4tvGzPfhw_a5VyuNU0LuT4VfIEfQbgTHpevo3Fsji9HO6U_2BzCcN3P2wclC9MGC5JBFBhZyg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b><br /><br /><br /><br /></b><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div></div></div>Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-14720915353509758422021-11-10T15:21:00.004-05:002021-11-10T15:29:41.999-05:00Invisible Half- Loved it<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4GD7ovkLRGM/YYurZv4v2HI/AAAAAAAAKCk/bFdp5EeR7FQKJnZu3uDEXLuZT40M-TaaQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20211106_211355.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4GD7ovkLRGM/YYurZv4v2HI/AAAAAAAAKCk/bFdp5EeR7FQKJnZu3uDEXLuZT40M-TaaQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/20211106_211355.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><br />
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<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Vanishing Half </div><div>By Brit Bennett</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We read Vanishing Half for our book club. There was so much to discuss. Unfortunately I was unable to attend. Instead I will be writing my thoughts of the novel. </div><div><br /></div><div>The novel is perfect to talk about inequality in our society. It doesn't matter if you are black or white, gay or straight, Asian or Indian, woman or man. Look around you! Get your head out of the sand and stop wearing those rose colored glasses. If you think everything is good in our country. You need to take a good hard look around you. The book is a good starting point to talk to others about it, and discuss. Don't be closed minded and listen to others. But others should give you the same courtesy. </div><div><br /></div><div>I loved the concept of the plot. It was unique The writing from other comments said her writing was lovely. I have to disagree. The writing was simplistic, and nothing special. I still enjoyed reading despite the simplicity of the writing. It is worth the read. Especially what is going on in around the country.</div><div><br /></div><div> It is about color and racism to some extent. But, more about asking yourself, am I white enough or black enough in the black community. I never thought of racism in the black community. Of course you are talking about a white person writing in her perspective. I love what the author did on the first page. Setting up the novel for the rest of the book. The book talks about a town called, Mallard. It is a town only likes lighter skin. If you were dark you were hated and didn't fit in to their mold.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love the title of the book. The title is aptly well titled. You will understand after reading. The novel is about two twin sisters, Stella and Desiree. They both runaway from home after their father is lynched.</div><div><br /></div><div> After they runaway together their lives have changed in opposite ways. One sister, Desiree moves to Washington DC. She marries and has a very dark daughter named, Jude. The other sister, Stella hooks up with her white privileged boss, and marries and moves to California. She passes herself as white unbeknownst to her white husband. They have a daughter named, Kennedy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Desiree has no choice she and her daughter, Jude move back home to her mother's house. As her husband abuses her physically, and emotionally. She ends up working at Lou's Diner. She makes the best of it with her boyfriend, Early. It is hard work and she is content living with her mother, in town. </div><div><br /></div><div>There is so much to talk about in the novel. I will write about a few things that stand out to me. </div><div>My favorite part of the novel is when Stella finds out a black family is moving in across the street. She befriends Loretta which is ironic. Since she didn't want them to move in, in the first place. This is where I became fully invested and the story picks up for me. Before reading, the book was a bit slow and dry. </div><div><br /></div><div>At first she is unfriendly to Loretta and her family. But, once she gets to know her, she melts like butter on a hot steamy day. Stella sees Loretta's friends and is envious. She misses and wants female bonds, and comradery. Does Stella wish she had the same life where she doesn't have to hide her blackness. Where she felt she couldn't live?</div><div><br /></div><div>At first when she learns a black family is moving in. You wonder is she scared being found out? Or is she herself racist? Trying to hide behind her so called, light skin? Or is she over compensating so she won't be found out? Y'all will just have to find out for yourselves. When Stella's daughter, Kennedy becomes an adult. She has many questions for her mother. Many things to Kennedy doesn't add up. Kennedy is a privileged brat. She gets what ever she wants.</div><div><br /></div><div>What I found unique, and different in the novel. There were polar opposite situations and characters. For instance both sisters, one is quiet, where the other is rambunctious. One lives in a small insular, poor town. The other lives in a privileged city in California. Both Cousins, one lighter than the other. One educated and needed to work for it. Where the other because of privilege didn't have to.</div><div><br /></div><div> There are so many juxtapose situations, with characters and how they deal with it. How they were able to overcome obstacles, Which was one of the points. Everyone should not be privilege but better themselves not from short cuts but merit. I am disappointed I couldn't attend the book club to discuss Invisible Half. BTW, if you read the novel. Netflix is about to release the movie, Passed. Which is about the same subject. Black person passing as white, FYI.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXplFYEPSuU/U8YQc9_KIkI/AAAAAAAAA_I/DvxFeC3vMqwU2CNY4u43nUpYupIUpjyAgCPcBGAYYCw/s340/bagels4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="48" data-original-width="340" height="45" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXplFYEPSuU/U8YQc9_KIkI/AAAAAAAAA_I/DvxFeC3vMqwU2CNY4u43nUpYupIUpjyAgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/bagels4.png" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1MTFeYyqrI/VCFJKU523DI/AAAAAAAABlY/K1EjTs2S4UsqhuE9Cs6lDQzjrAoFfP7uACPcBGAYYCw/s320/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1MTFeYyqrI/VCFJKU523DI/AAAAAAAABlY/K1EjTs2S4UsqhuE9Cs6lDQzjrAoFfP7uACPcBGAYYCw/s0/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-53454526031373292012021-10-18T00:21:00.002-04:002021-10-18T00:46:59.691-04:00Book of Lost Names: Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWT39VOE3qk/YWy4jgUUzNI/AAAAAAAAJ5s/O9sL-sPdydYhoy2HmhWUZZ6G45PgaUrFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/The%2BBook%2Bof%2Blost%2Bnames.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWT39VOE3qk/YWy4jgUUzNI/AAAAAAAAJ5s/O9sL-sPdydYhoy2HmhWUZZ6G45PgaUrFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/The%2BBook%2Bof%2Blost%2Bnames.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><br />
<br />The Book of Lost Names<div>By Kristen Harmel</div><div><br /></div><div>I stopped reading Holocaust book-themed novels for years. Being Jewish and saturated with atrocities of the holocaust( prisoners, gas chambers concentration camps). I didn't want to read anymore for years until now. I think in my teenage year's survivors were just starting to discuss and write about it in memoirs. </div><div><br /></div><div> When I first saw the book. I was not interested. But soon more, and more people were reading. I thought I would give it a try. Also Hadassah, the Jewish organization was reading. So, I thought I would give it a try. </div><div><br /></div><div> I also liked the cover of the book( sorry but pretty book covers get me every time, lol). I think times have changed. Where authors try not to write so much about it. As it has been written about so much. Most of us don't want to read about it. I understand we can't forget. But many of us Jews know the story. But, non-Jews don't. So I understand why. Please don't stop writing about the holocaust as the younger generation are not aware. </div><div><br /></div><div>For some reason, I was willing to give The Book of Lost Names a try. I am glad I did. It is not necessarily about the atrocities. But about the people what they did to resist and help the people who were in danger of being captured. Or some who reported and spied to make money on people's suffering. </div><div><br /></div><div>The story takes place in the present day ( 2005) with Eva, an elderly woman who is working part-time in the library in Florida. Eva is reading the newspaper. As she reads she realizes this is about her. Something she left and lost in France, The Book of Lost Names. She knows she must leave and go to Berlin. </div><div><br /></div><div>We are then transported back to 1942 where Eva and her mother are forced to run to an unoccupied small village town in the alps called, Avignon. There Eva helps the resistance and learns alongside, Remy to forge documents. She forges documents for children to cross through free Switzerland. During this time Eva realizes there is something more that she needs to do for the children. They are so young to remember their names. She realizes she needs to document the names in a book. That's where Remy and her get the idea to encode their names in a religious text( 1732), The Book of Lost Names. </div><div><br /></div><div>Eventually, Remy and Eva go on the run. Both of them eventually are forced to separate and go their separate ways. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k84pd3tpwwk/YWzmV4QL1SI/AAAAAAAAJ54/sQgf1lt8ktc8yp5GpXXb6SRYXzjx4zr1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s266/biblio.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="189" data-original-width="266" height="189" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k84pd3tpwwk/YWzmV4QL1SI/AAAAAAAAJ54/sQgf1lt8ktc8yp5GpXXb6SRYXzjx4zr1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/biblio.jpg" width="266" /></a></div></div><div>They promise each other to meet at the <a href="https://www.bibliotheque-mazarine.fr/en/" target="_blank">Bibliotheque Mazarine</a> Also there is another man, Jacob. Eva has no interest in it. Eva's mother pushes Eva to think about it since he is Jewish., and Remy is not. </div><div><br /></div><div> In Jewish tradition, you don't fall in love with anyone that is not Jewish. Her Mother pushes Eva. Eva's mother is angry and makes Eva feel guilty about their situation( Jewish guilt). She feels it is Eva's fault that her father is not with them. And losing their Jewish traditions, and culture. </div><div><br /></div><div>The book is a page-turner from the first sentence the book transported me to another place and time. I can see it played out as a movie. If you love historical fiction, especially Jewish history, and the resistance, and coding, and how forgeries were done to help the Jewish people and anyone that was against Nazi's.</div><div><br /></div><div> I especially loved the townspeople who were willing to go to great lengths to help the Jewish people. Even though this is fiction. It is very true there were towns that did protect people in hiding.</div><div>Also the looting of the Jewish books from the collections of the libraries in Europe. </div><div>You will find it fascinating if you were not aware of the history. </div><div><br /></div><div>I loved the development of the characters in the story. Even after I finished the book the characters stayed with me. I loved the main character portrayed as a librarian. I loved the phrases written in the novel about how important books are to us as readers. The author states the importance of books not monetarily but as the importance of books to readers. </div><div><br /></div><div>I loved the book had resisters not atrocities during the holocaust. Even though the book was about the holocaust there were several uplifting parts to the book and a surprisingly happy ending that wasn't too realistic. But, still, it's fiction, what do you want? </div><div><br /></div><div>After reading, The Book of Lost Names I discovered a new favorite author. I loved reading this book. I am looking forward to reading her backlist. I can't wait to discuss the book at our book club tomorrow. The author states she loves to write books of ordinary lives rise up to the occasion. </div><div><br /></div><div>The author also stated many people she interviewed in her work bring up the same thing. Why people in horrible times don't want to discuss a horrible time period in their life. Most people state the same thing. When they are in the moment they numb their feelings and emotions. If they talk about past experiences it brings all the hard things up. They have a difficult time connecting their feeling and emotions when they talk about a difficult situation. </div><div><br /></div><div>One other thing I am sure will be said who are Jewish. How can an author who is not Jewish write a book about the holocaust? I don't believe that. Many authors can put themselves in the shoes of a character and do their research. And write a story no matter what nationality or religion they are. So pick up the book and give it a try. The copy is my own. My rating is: </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oCKFzBauuwM/VOwNiwBiUhI/AAAAAAAAB2w/n3Ug0DFBR_gdSsnlhTZllPexR6OW161DQCPcBGAYYCw/s500/cups.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="85" data-original-width="500" height="54" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oCKFzBauuwM/VOwNiwBiUhI/AAAAAAAAB2w/n3Ug0DFBR_gdSsnlhTZllPexR6OW161DQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/cups.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1MTFeYyqrI/VCFJKU523DI/AAAAAAAABlY/K1EjTs2S4UsqhuE9Cs6lDQzjrAoFfP7uACPcBGAYYCw/s320/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1MTFeYyqrI/VCFJKU523DI/AAAAAAAABlY/K1EjTs2S4UsqhuE9Cs6lDQzjrAoFfP7uACPcBGAYYCw/s0/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div></div>Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-31022823770013965362021-10-03T16:50:00.004-04:002021-10-03T16:50:54.847-04:00Book Review: The Plague Year <div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V6gEj0AN2l4/YVoWHdvZBdI/AAAAAAAAJ1o/Rpt4esu8ZpcHDTy4bDm0DOFbcqtGBI1gQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="157" data-original-width="321" height="157" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V6gEj0AN2l4/YVoWHdvZBdI/AAAAAAAAJ1o/Rpt4esu8ZpcHDTy4bDm0DOFbcqtGBI1gQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">The Plague Year is one of the better books about the pandemic. I was impressed with his writing and how the book was set up in specific chapters. I have read several books concerning the pandemic. Out of all the books I have read about the pandemic. This is one to read. As the title implies the book is about the full year of the pandemic around the world, and the politics, and culture, society, and science.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">This is the book if you don't want to hear much about the politics, and the blame game. The book is for you. Mr. Wright talks about where, when, how, why it started, and what happened. Also talks about the science why the US failed. He doesn't blame all on Mr. Trump.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">For example, there were many failures across government that failed us. for example the competition with China and our medical supply companies in the US(3M). Why we were unable to get supplies when our factories were here in the US. What the secrecy from China. China was hiding behind the scenes data in the lab in Wuhan( suspicious data) was destroyed. Besides all that you come to the conclusion. When another one comes are we prepared this time. Because believe me another one is coming.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Mr. Wright went into the protests, police, George Floyd. How the virus affected the cultural events. What I found interested during the riots, Mr. Wright wrote about how the protests affected the virus. He stated that wearing masks, and social distancing. Didn't increase the numbers. I find that hard to believe. How can you social distance? But who knows, the news media makes things more dramatic.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Of all the books to read about the pandemic. This one is the one to read. If you want detail and explanation of the reasoning behind the agencies what happened why we failed this is the book to read. The other books are more political and more subjective. The only thing, I didn't want to re-live the whole year again. But knowledge is bliss. The Plague Year is my own copy.</span></div><br />
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<img alt="photo POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" border="0" src="http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t338/susan_curtis1/Blog%20Design/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" />Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-34042093884718402152021-10-01T17:22:00.001-04:002021-10-02T13:06:04.248-04:00Book Review: Deacon King Kong<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YutmEf0On1Y/YVd1fqgf61I/AAAAAAAAJ1U/qFsfc1xilAARVYYaEyJckDrgDNrN0SmEwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="216" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YutmEf0On1Y/YVd1fqgf61I/AAAAAAAAJ1U/qFsfc1xilAARVYYaEyJckDrgDNrN0SmEwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="181" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Deacon King Kong</div><div>By James McBride</div><div>My own copy</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I loved James McBride's newest novel, Deacon King Kong. It was a fantastic read. When you read it you should savor every word.</div><div><br /></div><div> Several book clubs have formed out of virtual zoom meetings on from Oprah, The NYCc library system because of lockdown. Deacon King Kong is a perfect read for this time and because of the themes. The timing couldn't be more perfect. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is a perfect read for book discussion during lockdown because of the isolation in many of the communities. Now lockdown is over it is still a good book to reflect on the importance of community.</div><div>I will keep the book on my shelf. Not a book I want to giveaway, I recommend Deacon King Kong for anyone who misses community. Anyone who is lonely, and looking for a pick me up. </div><div><br /></div><div>My thoughts about the novel, first it is wonderful! At first I wasn't so keen on so many characters. There is so many to keep up on, too many to count. But, you will realize later why. It is the point of the novel. But believe me it gives so much to the book. Different perspectives, and rich diversity of characters. Trying to keep up with the characters can be a challenge at times. The characters are so colorful, and bigger than life, and great humor to bring to the story, eq. are Sportscoat, Big Sausage, and Elephante to name a few. Don't you just love the names?</div><div><br /></div><div>Deacon King Kong is set in Brooklyn, 1969, after Robert Kennedy(1968), and Martin Luther King shot, before crack use was prevalent. Just to set up the cultural history.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sport coat, who is the Deacon in the church, and he's best friend, Big Sausage who is the janitor in the projects. Sport coat is an elderly black man. He is always has he's hands in the drink called, King Kong, </div><div>He's wife Hettie drowned a few years ago, She is always on Sport coat's mind. He is constantly having conversations with Hettie( in his mind). The church has been wondering what has happened to the church money that Hettie was responsible for. It was never found.</div><div><br /></div><div>One day Deems is seen by Sport coat dealing in front of the church by the flagpole. The church members observe Sport coat shoot Deems. He is not killed, just wounded. What I loved is Sport coat doesn't remember the incident. He swears he didn't shoots Deems. Is it because it is too horrible for him to remember? The police are searching for the shooter throughout the book. Where is he, and who? Deems doesn't turn him in, and neither does the observers, and community. This was a bit strange. I felt they were protecting him. There is more to the shooting that you will learn about as you read the novel. </div><div><br /></div><div>There is so many comical parts and lots of humor. If you can believe it. there ants included in the story too. Ants you say. What is with t he ants? You will just have to read the book. All I will say is... It was so hysterical I couldn't help laughing. There is also a mystery that is solved at almost the end of the novel. There is a tiny piece involving a piece of art, also involving drugs, Italians, and drug gangs too. </div><div>The best part there is if you can believe it too. A woman, black assassin added to the mix. Wow! what else can Mr. McBride's imagination add to the story. </div><div><br /></div><div>I loved the peeling of layers and layers added to the characters. It is like an onion that keeps peeling. But, then the author abruptly interrupts the suspense. He then stops in his tracks to go on to another part of the story, DARN! You don't want him to stop. He keeps doing this. Oh well, you will just have to wait. And there is a romance, and historical part in the book too. </div><div><br /></div><div>The community of Brooklyn, and the projects mesh with the character of the novel. Which include gangs, mafia, drugs, old, young, Italians, Hispanics, etc. The statue of Liberty adds to the story, the community the diverse people, the culture, and the surrounding community within the community, and around the perimeter of Brooklyn you can see the Statue of Liberty in the background has meaning. . We still have hope, and we still have work to do to better our community. It is a perfect read to remember what life was like before the pandemic. It is written for a native New Yorker. It is a love song, a tribute for his childhood life in NYC. But, also the people of NY... And even our communities. Thank you Mr. McBride for writing a fantastic read. He is also the author of Weight of Water. </div><div><br /></div><div>Deacon King Kong is a slow read you have to take in slow savoring bites. I enjoyed reading. I have not felt this way about a book in a long time. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-8598565929438264642021-09-26T18:20:00.003-04:002021-09-26T18:21:01.760-04:00The Turnout: Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6lgk85xZuM8/YVDq89cLNnI/AAAAAAAAJyo/4y1fgF4cBVM7nD-f1ZEJ8jyA-n0-cDLywCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="312" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6lgk85xZuM8/YVDq89cLNnI/AAAAAAAAJyo/4y1fgF4cBVM7nD-f1ZEJ8jyA-n0-cDLywCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="237" /></a></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div>The Turnout</div><div>By Megan Abbott</div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">I have only recently started reading the genre, suspense. Originally I was bored. The book didn't pull me in. I was ready to give up. I'm glad I kept on 🚚. After 100 pages that's when the story picked up and the pages flew. Wow, it grabbed me up to the last word.<br /><br />I didn't care for the sexual tension and innuendos. I'm sorry I'm such a prude. Forgive me I'm middle age. There were times I had to read back a couple paragraphs to make sure I read, what I thought I read. There were parts that were appalling to me. How an author got away with writing some sickening parts about the family( the worst you can think of with a family). Worse than incest. That's all I will say. But, The rest of the book was terrific.<br /><br />Marie, Dara, and Charlie died in a tragic car accident all in their 30's. Dara is married to Charlie and they all live in their parent's home after their parent's death. Charlie had no family, and Marie and Dara's parents took him in as a teen. There are secrets, and more secrets revealed in the story about their parents, and themselves they don't want to come to light. Some of it so horrible( I was surprised the author though it was appropriate- personally I didn't(freedom of speech). Definitely not appropriate for preteens, and teens. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gIJDHO3Sl_k/YVDxJM5iTzI/AAAAAAAAJyw/f2eCHSuf7T0cC4Yb8NclMmCkbZ3fjko8wCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="952" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gIJDHO3Sl_k/YVDxJM5iTzI/AAAAAAAAJyw/f2eCHSuf7T0cC4Yb8NclMmCkbZ3fjko8wCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="223" /></a></div><br /><br />Now years later, they own, manage a ballet studio. Marie lives in the upstairs studio. During the night a fire starts and damages the studio. They have no choice but to hire a contractor, Derek. Marie gets involved with him. He is a devious, slimy person. He rubs Dara the wrong way. There is something underneath the arrogant, no-good Derek. As she digs deeper and deeper the suspicions start to come to light. Then a confrontation, murder, and cover-up</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">. A suspenseful, finger-tingling, pin needles kind of book. I loved it except for the sex scenes. I didn't think it was needed in the book. Also the title of the book has a interesting, significant meaning in the book, <a href="https://pointemagazine.com/improve-your-turnout/">Turnout</a>. <br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> I love ballet. I loved the walk-through into ballet life. Reading about ballet class until it breaks you to becoming a professional.<br /><br />" It's a dancer's body opening itself to the audience, their mother told them. The moment you achieve it. You become a dancer, you become a woman.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><br />
<img alt="photo POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" border="0" src="http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t338/susan_curtis1/Blog%20Design/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" /></div>Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-14320592704611627122021-09-26T16:35:00.003-04:002021-09-26T16:36:12.099-04:00The Vixen: Book Review<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IWRd3G8-f2E/YVDVKH-tExI/AAAAAAAAJyU/f8G3XuqPKQoFPpDDwxT5Z6REmBm2VE3mACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="600" height="216" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IWRd3G8-f2E/YVDVKH-tExI/AAAAAAAAJyU/f8G3XuqPKQoFPpDDwxT5Z6REmBm2VE3mACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Vixen</div><div>By Francine Prose</div><div>My own copy</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> I never read any of Ms. Prose's work before. That has all changed after reading the novel, The Vixen. I am so happy I read her novel. The Vixen is very different than anything I have read. The expected becomes the unexpected. I did not read the synopsis of the book. I had known it had something to do with the Rosenbergs, not exactly. But it is also about the culture and our society</div><div>.There is a backstory of the Rosenbergs. But, that's not all. </div><div><br /></div><div>It centralizes on the publishing world and the culture of the USA during the cold war era. Where cynism, and mistrust, and suspicions were running rampant. It is a novel full of surprises, and unexpected twists and turns throughout the novel. There is so much going on in the book. Nothing is what it seems. </div><div><br /></div><div> Simon Putnam is living in Coney Island with his parents. Also throughout the novel, Simon keeps returning to the security of his parent's home. As the insecurity of his job, and outside life keeps having him return home. Swimming through the novel is the undercurrent of politics, and fear of communism due to the trial of the Rosenbergs, Ethel, and Julius. </div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PvbgNp_GSZ4/YVDWyOKMvPI/AAAAAAAAJyc/Xktrt1v_vXE6Xswb8GcqP-kqwEnNFu_VQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="292" height="188" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PvbgNp_GSZ4/YVDWyOKMvPI/AAAAAAAAJyc/Xktrt1v_vXE6Xswb8GcqP-kqwEnNFu_VQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Simon graduated from Harvard. He is looking for work with the help of his uncle. He gets his foot in the door. He is tasked with editing a steamy novel about the Rosenbergs. The publisher wants to get the book published as soon as possible. But the company has an ulterior motive for publishing. Nothing appears as it seems. Simon has a secret he can't let Warren, his boss, and anybody from his company know. His mother knows the Rosenbergs. </div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, Simon falls for the author, Anya Partridge the book he is editing for. Which complicates the situation. She is a different type of woman he has ever encountered in his life. She is lively, fun, reckless, and a seductress. She has a secret Simon doesn't know about. Which I am not going to reveal. Also the other characters he knows at his job, can he trust them? or not? Are his colleagues telling the truth? Ordinary situations have evil circumstances. </div><div><br /></div><div>There are so many secrets and suspicions that parallel our society today. But also asks questions about moral consciousness vs. ambitions. How far will you go? Will you ignore or will you blow the whistle?</div>
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<img alt="photo POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" border="0" src="http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t338/susan_curtis1/Blog%20Design/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" />Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-43777164288888965652021-06-01T21:00:00.000-04:002021-06-01T21:00:04.165-04:00Florence Adler Swims Forever: Book Review<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nVlILtXBGvU/YLbVWo9DNII/AAAAAAAAIwk/W4EDRq9LR2k-0T8rBiwbepsUjZdYS3QcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s277/Florence%2BAdler%2Bswims%2Bforever.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="182" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nVlILtXBGvU/YLbVWo9DNII/AAAAAAAAIwk/W4EDRq9LR2k-0T8rBiwbepsUjZdYS3QcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Florence%2BAdler%2Bswims%2Bforever.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Florence Adler Swims Forever</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">By Rachel Beanland</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">My own copy</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Florence Adler Swims Forever, I enjoyed reading for our book club this month. Loved the time period, and the story about the beach. Since I was little I visited my Grandparents at their beach cottage at Nantasket Beach( Hull Massachusettes). I was born in the late 1950s. But the time period still caused me to reminisce( beach, amusement park, restaurants, penny candy store, sweet shops galore). ,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">It is Atlantic City, 1934, and the Adler family. Their daughter Florence is home from college and Fannie, and Husband Issac, and daughter Gussie stay at their parent's home because Fannie is on bedrest at the local hospital. This would be a great time for the rest of the extended family to stay with them. This also includes Anna who is staying with the family until her parents can come over from Germany.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">The family goes to the beach and Florence a professional swimmer goes out into the ocean and drowns. Esther, Florence's mother decides the best way to deal with Florence's death is not to tell Fannie what has happened to Florence. They are afraid she will lose the baby. Since her previous pregnancy, she lost the baby. </span></div><div><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Reading the novel at first was slow-moving, but after a while, the book picks up and doesn't give you a chance to breathe. I can't stop turning the pages. There is so much family drama with Florence's death, and Issac, and Joseph, and Anna. The pages keep moving. The themes deal with secrets, and strong mothers, Jewish Atlantic City, Immigration... </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">First, Florence's death is a bit questionable. If she is such a strong swimmer, how did this happen? Stuart who is her swim couch can't understand what happened. Then there is Anna who wants to learn to swim (I'm still not sure why?) She gets involved with Stuart and hides it from the parents. Then Issac (son-in-law you don't want to like)is a swindler and trying to make a quick buck in real estate. The parents are not too happy with their daughter's husband who doesn't take responsibility of the family. Instead, he runs off and doesn't come home for days. He doesn't take care of his daughter Gussie who he should be coming home to but doesn't. Instead, the Grandparents take care of Gussie. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /> <br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">In part of the story, I had a hard time as everyone wanted to hide the fact that Florence died. No one wanted to tell her. The whole book was hiding the truth about her sister. The entire book was how far would you go to hide things to protect the one you loved? Everyone had something to hide. How far would you go to protect yourself, and to protect the person you love?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not going to tell you more as I don't want to spoil the story. But, there are some things in the story that don't connect. We should have had more explanation. I still liked the story. It just was a bit far-fetched, and still took it as fiction. It was fast-moving and recommend the book. It was very different than anything I read before. The story is based on the author's familly story of long ago in Atlantic City. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br />
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<img alt="photo POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" border="0" src="http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t338/susan_curtis1/Blog%20Design/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" />Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-80129559326309482812021-06-01T19:06:00.004-04:002021-06-01T23:34:06.010-04:00The Most Important Book: The Premonition<div class="big450BoxBody" style="background-color: white; background-repeat: repeat-y;"><div class="big450BoxContent" style="overflow: hidden; width: 430px;"><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQw-nIpXKbg/YLa8CZj2jpI/AAAAAAAAIwU/umb-zwVvSvQxieKowqphVvAPPv2U8igUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s277/The%2BPremonition.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="182" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQw-nIpXKbg/YLa8CZj2jpI/AAAAAAAAIwU/umb-zwVvSvQxieKowqphVvAPPv2U8igUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/The%2BPremonition.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://michaellewiswrites.com/#top">The Premonition</a></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">By Michael Lewis</span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">My copy</span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Wow! what an eye-popper. We are supposedly the greatest country in the world, really?! We the USA looked so unprepared for what was coming in 2020. Check out the video<a href="https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2021/05/06/amanpour-michael-lewis-the-premonition.cnn"> here </a></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> I had thought it was the Trump administration's total lack of experience and no care attitude, and political warfare. I was shocked by what I learned in Michael Lewis's new book. I am not a Trump supporter. But, I am being truthful and honest. It was not all him. Before President Trump came into office there was President Obama, President Bush, Clinton, President Bush again, and then President Reagan.....</span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> President Bush(2) knew we were not prepared. He had brought a team in to investigate and write a plan for what was to come. </span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">The Obama Administration did nothing as well. To make matters worse. Pres. Trump-appointed Bolton. That is when the cards began to fall. Mr. Bolton, National Security Advisor dismissed the response team, What a disaster. </span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1Kc13QTyxI/YLa8cAlzE_I/AAAAAAAAIwc/CklTFoaNPXMVuzX7WEkqkO2TAo7kpbDawCLcBGAsYHQ/s810/covid.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="810" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1Kc13QTyxI/YLa8cAlzE_I/AAAAAAAAIwc/CklTFoaNPXMVuzX7WEkqkO2TAo7kpbDawCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/covid.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"> So here we all are a year later waiting for normalcy. I hope Mr. Bolton is never, ever put in an important cabinet position again. That is all I will say about politics. </span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">The book doesn't have much about politics. It is about the response and failures dealing with the pandemic. </span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Thank you Michael Lewis for writing the book, The Premonition. It is a continuation of the Fifth Risk. The book is an eye-opener for which the public has been left in the dark until now. What actually happened to the public health agencies, federally, and locally. And the top agency the CDC in our country, and around the world since Covid-19 took over our lives.</div><div class="reviewText mediumText description readable" itemprop="reviewBody" style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />The book will open your eyes to the failures, surprises, ignorance, and shortcomings, and shock you about our health department, and the CDC. Like most people, it was thought President Trump caused the problem, wrong! As he was publically making false statements from TV, and social media. The failures came from the US Health Department, CDC from years ago.<br /><br />There are so many things I can say to fix the system. But, there is just too much to say. You will just have to read the book to see what I am talking about. I will list a few which is enough....<br /><br />A group of people called The Wolverines were leading the charge (Superheroes). They were working behind the scenes without most people's knowledge. The sad thing is these people knew what was coming. But, no one listened. So here we are.<br /><br />The local and federal health departments around the country must be fixed. Part of the problem is the CDC is now appointed by the president not a civil servant. This is the problem when President Trump appointed Redfield. He was at one time a well-respected CDC official. But, as we have seen he became a political figure. Whatever the Trump administration wanted. The CDC used Trump Administration talking points to talk to the American people.<br /><br />During Reagan Administration, there was a crisis in the CDC. The CDC was an independent entity. Instead of elected, the person became an appointed official by the president shortly after Reagan was out of office. Elected officials felt the CDC was too powerful and made too many mistakes. The power was taken away.<br /><br />Another point is many positions in the cabinet were civil service jobs. That is not the case any longer. These people are appointed every 2-4 years. Once they are put in positions they are no longer there after the administration leaves. They are just starting to get comfortable doing their job, then new appointees are put in the position.<br /><br />There are many things needed to be fixed in our local as well as federal government. Everyone should read Michael Lewis's book. The book is not political. It doesn't even mention politics till the end of the book. Like I said before. My expectations were totally off. When I heard that it was misstepped on many fronts, and not blaming Pres. Trump. I was like, WHAT?! After reading, I realized the author was correct.<br /><br />The book is a must-read for everyone to understand what happened. So, it doesn't happen and again. And hopefully, we can fix it. The writing is a fast read, and believe it a page-turner. The book actually feels like a continuation of the Fifth Risk. I recommend it highly.<br /></div><div id="review-like" style="color: #181818; float: right; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-top: 8px; text-align: right;"></div><div id="review-follow" style="color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-top: 8px;"></div></div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7qbCZw1PEj0/VNqyq1hXjRI/AAAAAAAAB2M/dDuFy8ytpSghy9BSblUUekFQdcToj9ZPACPcBGAYYCw/s500/cups.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="85" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7qbCZw1PEj0/VNqyq1hXjRI/AAAAAAAAB2M/dDuFy8ytpSghy9BSblUUekFQdcToj9ZPACPcBGAYYCw/s320/cups.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yG6ktdazCAU/W3s2WYVqCkI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/wENtaPMczOcGMBLWm0om0VZ9DbG_nfTZwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/susans%2Bbook%2Bblog%2Bbadge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yG6ktdazCAU/W3s2WYVqCkI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/wENtaPMczOcGMBLWm0om0VZ9DbG_nfTZwCPcBGAYYCw/s0/susans%2Bbook%2Bblog%2Bbadge.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-29547374429052548622021-05-18T18:07:00.002-04:002021-05-18T18:09:23.792-04:00Americans For Beginners: Book Review<br />
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HUtEuXibjeM/YKQv-fBi5tI/AAAAAAAAIrk/KcEp88DWes8h20yMl772-gcaVrGaG-oLACLcBGAsYHQ/s225/america%2Bfor%2Bbeginners.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HUtEuXibjeM/YKQv-fBi5tI/AAAAAAAAIrk/KcEp88DWes8h20yMl772-gcaVrGaG-oLACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/america%2Bfor%2Bbeginners.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">America for Beginners</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">By Leah Franqui</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Galley: William Morrow Books</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> If you love road trip books, you will fall in love with <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2018/07/23/book-review-america-beginners-leah-franqui/789458002/" target="_blank">America for Beginners</a>. I picked the novel for book club. I don't know what I expected. But, this was not it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I absolutely had fun with the book travels with all the characters. I read the book about two weeks ago. They are still in my head. It was a good, and enjoyable read.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I don't want to let the characters leave yet. I have read novels about India before. But, for some reason this one. I feel I want to read more about India and the culture. I learned something about India I wasn't aware of. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The book takes place in India, and across America. Specifically, United States. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I have read books about India before. But, this is the first time I felt interested in India and the culture. It could be because of the times we are living in. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">In India, Pival Sengupta, a wealthy widow has recently lost her husband. He was not the most caring, compassionate, and loving husband. Despite all that, she stayed with him under his thumb. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">She has questioned all along about her only son, who is gay. Why he had left for America. Did he actually die in San Francisco like her husband told her? She questions if her husband told her the truth. She decides to pick up and leave India behind and find out. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">She decides to leave all her servants, and hook up with</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: "Georgia Pro", Georgia, "Droid Serif", serif; font-size: 18px;">“First Class India USA Destination Vacation Tour Company”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">, which is based in the US. Remember, She is an older Indian woman. Who's culture is very conservative, and different from the United States.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> She is introduced to two young tour guides, Rebecca who is American, and a feminist, and Satya, who is an Indian immigrant who is set in his new ways. They are to escort her across the country. She learns about the different ways in the US. Going from Mexican to Thai restaurants, American. Going from NYC to Philadelphia, Washington DC, Las Vegas, then on to California. Going from luxury, to fleabag hotels, to tourist traps, etc. Then finally on to San Francisco to find out what happened or didn't happen to her son. It was such a fun rides with all these characters. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">With all these characters, they question identity, culture, what makes you an America. How an American sees immigrants, and how people who come from America see America. It was so funny, with the character of Rebecca and Pival. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I recommend it highly to anyone interested in people from other countries coming to America for a visit. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1MTFeYyqrI/VCFJKU523DI/AAAAAAAABlY/K1EjTs2S4UsqhuE9Cs6lDQzjrAoFfP7uACPcBGAYYCw/s320/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1MTFeYyqrI/VCFJKU523DI/AAAAAAAABlY/K1EjTs2S4UsqhuE9Cs6lDQzjrAoFfP7uACPcBGAYYCw/s0/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" /></a></div><br />Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-79738111914890474562021-05-01T11:24:00.006-04:002021-05-07T17:02:53.875-04:00American Wife: Book Review <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FefcxdZLCqg/YI1i_Z7iJ-I/AAAAAAAAIlA/MTC9qqhrpfIhbIEig5MxKxQaN2j5mPEOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s300/American%2BWife.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="American Wife" border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="300" height="235" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FefcxdZLCqg/YI1i_Z7iJ-I/AAAAAAAAIlA/MTC9qqhrpfIhbIEig5MxKxQaN2j5mPEOQCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h235/American%2BWife.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>American Wife</div><div>By Curtis Sittenfeld</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I had suggested for our book club to read <a href="https://nymag.com/arts/books/reviews/49930/" target="_blank">American Wife</a> last month. The novel is loosely based on Laura Bush. The novel humanized her. Which I thought was fun at times. But, I couldn't stop being embarrassed at times. This is the first lady. I am sure everyone has dark secrets they want to hide. But some of it was very explicit. Do I really want to know how Laura and George had sex?? trashy, at times obscene, and embarrassing, it made me blush. I don't usually read the books before picking( who wants to read a book twice!).</div><div><br /></div><div>I was in the middle of reading, and only read a bit of the novel. I had planned to pick up the book and hoped to finish it in a week or less. That didn't happen. I read about halfway through. I only have another week to get to the next book. I just can't get back to it. It's been two weeks since I picked up the book. I would rather get to our next book club pick. </div><div><br /></div><div>I actually thought the novel was about Barbara Bush. I don't consider myself a prude. But, it was over the top. Everything was made up. The scenes were so explicit. That is where I lost it. Not the storylines, but the descriptive scenes. Imaging Laura, and George, imagine Laura using foul language. I felt like I was invading their personal space. It was a very strange and uncomfortable feeling. </div><div>I could understand George, as he is known in true life he was a drunk and an alcoholic. But, Laura?!</div><div><br /></div><div>Once you get beyond just thinking it is about the First Lady. Just think of the novel as a trashy, beach novel with ordinary characters I could start reading. It is free speech in this country, but Wow! I wonder how her daughters felt about it. </div><div><br /></div><div>American Wife is the story about Alice and Charlie Blackwell. Alice has a lesbian Grandmother. She is a free spirit, and she falls in love and her boyfriend is killed in a car accident. Which Alice can't get over to this day. Alice finds out she is pregnant. Her Grandmother takes her to a clinic to get an abortion. She goes to college becomes a quiet, reserved librarian in the school system. She meets Charlie from a rich Minnesota family.....</div><div><br /></div><div> I was interested in was how Alice got around her liberal ideas while dating a staunch Republican. I didn't finish the novel. I heard there is a surprise ending. But, I just can't finish it. At least not right now. I hope to get back and finish the rest. If I do I will write an addendum to it. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you like loosely based novels based on fact and trashy novels. If you are an admiring of the occupiers of the White House you most likely will be turned off. I had bought her newest novel about HRC. By the way, she published her newest novel about Hilary Rodham Clinton. That should be interesting. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yG6ktdazCAU/W3s2WYVqCkI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/wENtaPMczOcGMBLWm0om0VZ9DbG_nfTZwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/susans%2Bbook%2Bblog%2Bbadge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yG6ktdazCAU/W3s2WYVqCkI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/wENtaPMczOcGMBLWm0om0VZ9DbG_nfTZwCPcBGAYYCw/s0/susans%2Bbook%2Bblog%2Bbadge.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-12440453738629709722021-03-21T17:30:00.005-04:002021-03-21T18:03:35.064-04:00American Dirt: My Perspective<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KleRYRSE9Bo/YFeahPdYyzI/AAAAAAAAIIc/_HVhsJMmiQYPjX7ypTYrsjI4QqG45hiaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/American%2BDirt.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KleRYRSE9Bo/YFeahPdYyzI/AAAAAAAAIIc/_HVhsJMmiQYPjX7ypTYrsjI4QqG45hiaQCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h180/American%2BDirt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Dirt<br />By Jeanine Cummins<br />My copy</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I originally purchased the book to join along with <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/american-dirt-critics-confront-oprah-author-jeanine-cummins-upcoming-show-n1150086">Oprah's Book Club</a>. I even purchased Apple TV to join with the discussion. I purchased the book, instead of a galley given to me like the past. Because of Covid books are not given out freely as much as in the past. <div><br /></div><div>To begin Lydia, Sebastien, and Luca, and Lydia's many family members(16 cousins, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandmother, and husband are outside in the backyard). They are celebrating one of her family member's birthday. Everyone is outside, except for Lydia, and Luca. Inside Lydia, and Luca is in the bathroom when they hear shots. All sixteen family members are shot and murdered. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sebastian and Lydia are husband and wife. They live in a middle-class suburb in Mexico. Lydia owns a book store. Her husband, Sabastian is an investigative reporter. The newspaper he works for runs a controversial story. A clean-cut, elegant distinguished gentleman named, Javier comes into the store to buy some books. What leads to a stranger coming into the store. This leads instead to friendship and admiration for both of them. What we realize later the friendship is not what it seems. Lydia and Luca are forced to go on the run from Acapulco, Mexico to the U.S. Border. After the murder of her family. They are forced to run. </div><div><br /></div><div>There are many dangers along the way that Mother and son must face. They must learn to trust people that are strangers. Are the strangers going to give away their secret to the Cartel, or to Javier who is still searching for them. Or do they have to trust people? Some of the people they encounter are murders, rapists, The Cartel.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OliYmfd84W4/YFe1ywLYkJI/AAAAAAAAIIw/yBbCDRvFMD8b3h0LHNHhCF0OdqvNYfBjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/Train-White%2BDirt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OliYmfd84W4/YFe1ywLYkJI/AAAAAAAAIIw/yBbCDRvFMD8b3h0LHNHhCF0OdqvNYfBjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Train-White%2BDirt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The worst part of the travel is riding, La Bestia. It is not a passenger train. It is a long train that Lydia and Luca must travel. They ride on top of the trains with hundreds of migrants. Where the Cartel is seeking to take advantage of migrants attempting to get to the US border. Criminals seek them out for money, robberies, rape, murder, and torture. Luckily, Lydia and Luca befriend two sisters along the way. </div><div><br /></div><div>I already gave my thoughts before I finished the novel on Facebook before I finished the novel. I personally didn't care about the book. But, I think that is because I already knew what is happening in South America. and the border</div><div><br /></div><div>. I was hoping to learn something new, and a different perspective that I wasn't aware of. That didn't happen. The book seemed to be whitewashed, Americanizing the migrant story for the American audience's taste. The characters were one-dimensional without any depth to the characters. </div><div><br /></div><div>I think there are two things happening here. Flatiron Publishing was excited to get the book out there to the American public. Because the publisher knew the book would sell like hotcakes because of the migration issue at the border.The cultural issues, and our politics, and the divisiveness in our country. But, also Oprah's brand would sell. </div><div><br /></div><div>About seven years ago. I had been seeing book bloggers writing they wanted to see more diversity from the publishing companies. Not enough books were written about cultural differences. Then low and behold, during the Pandemic, something started shifting. Authors from different cultural backgrounds were writing books, Celebrity book clubs were paying attention and reading diverse books. </div><div><br /></div><div>I had gone into book stores with diverse authors. But, still, the Latinx authors were still being ignored. I don't see enough publishers making any changes. But, I do see a market now for Black authors finally. Which is a good thing. I wish to see more authors from diverse cultures. I don't see any changes from publishers in the Latinx community or the Native American authors and the many other diverse cultures represented in books. </div><div><br /></div><div>Another thing that has been brought up is authors should not write about something they don't have any experience in. I used to think that way because I am Jewish. It used to upset me when I would see non-Jewish authors write about the Orthodox community. Because the Orthodox community is not inclusive. I don't totally agree with that argument any longer.</div><div><br /></div><div> At least someone is talking about it. People are discussing it. If it opens conversations that wouldn't have been discussed. I am open to it. Talking about it will lead to other authors, including Latinx authors publishing to the publishing houses. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mrJUT1wpWEY/YFfCoKRrGHI/AAAAAAAAIJA/T4hwIjZbY6IWIlKv8lHjFGX6NfEzBhejwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/American%2BNYT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="1024" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mrJUT1wpWEY/YFfCoKRrGHI/AAAAAAAAIJA/T4hwIjZbY6IWIlKv8lHjFGX6NfEzBhejwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/American%2BNYT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I would rather know what is happening in South American countries. Why Migrants are not being protected? And what the US is doing to try to change it? </div><div><br /></div><div>What added to the book was Oprah's conversation on Apple TV. Watching the Oprah Book Club enhanced the book. Even though I particularly didn't care for it. I learned much more about the border issue. Why people come here. They are not looking to live here. But, just a safe haven until it is safe to go back home.</div><div><br /></div><div> I like Oprah showing us what the border looks like. What the area looks like, etc. I think that enhanced the understanding. Even if you didn't read the book. After reading American Dirt. I am reading Separated by Jacob Soboroff from MSNBC. He was the first person I knew who brought the issue front and center to the American public. What the government was doing to the families. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am now hoping it will enhance my understanding of the migration issue in South America to the US. I believe these people deserve a safe haven. The migrants who come here are working actually are contributing to our economy. What is happening now to bring families back together? </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1MTFeYyqrI/VCFJKU523DI/AAAAAAAABlY/K1EjTs2S4UsqhuE9Cs6lDQzjrAoFfP7uACPcBGAYYCw/s320/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1MTFeYyqrI/VCFJKU523DI/AAAAAAAABlY/K1EjTs2S4UsqhuE9Cs6lDQzjrAoFfP7uACPcBGAYYCw/s0/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-86407760332171559012021-02-22T10:58:00.002-05:002021-02-22T10:58:22.783-05:00Never Caught: Book Review <div><br /></div><table border="0" cellspacing="1" class="myActivity" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" style="line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="readable reviewText" style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; line-height: 21px;"><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YuDbJcqta-M/YDPSnzpK9uI/AAAAAAAAH_M/1C_qvrpvhAU597oDPRvqcFsprMchofLmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s475/never%2Bcaught.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YuDbJcqta-M/YDPSnzpK9uI/AAAAAAAAH_M/1C_qvrpvhAU597oDPRvqcFsprMchofLmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/never%2Bcaught.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Never Caught<br />By Erica Armstrong Dunbar <br />My own copy<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">I have been wanting to read Never Caught for months. I am glad I did. I found reading, Never Caught an interesting read. Not only the historical context. But, the cultural, social, historical, and psychological aspects of being a slave, and a slaveowner during the colonial period. <br /><br />Ona was a slave for Mr. and Mrs. Washington in Mt. Vernon. Pres. Washington had to re-locate to Philadelphia when he became Pres.<br /><br />In Philadelphia, you could only have slaves for six months. The president found away around it. Swap out his slaves every six months. He would swap out his slaves from Mt. Vernon for his Philadelphia slaves. As there was a law in Philadelphia on restrictions of having your slaves in the city of Philadelphia. <br /><br />When the president was at his last term in office. Ona Judge enjoyed the life of a Northern slave. She saw more freedoms than living in Mt. Vernon. When she learned she, and the rest of Washington's family, and slaves were moving back. She knew she had to escape. She ran away to Portsmouth.<br /><br />I was unaware of many facts as a slave in the United States. Either I wasn't taught or I wasn't paying attention. They say it's never too late to learn.<br /><br />So, learning Presidents were slave owners was an eye-opener. Don't forget these were the times. No one knew any different to own or not own slaves. I recommend reading just learning about the difficulty as a slave, becoming free. The perspective of a slave owner was we take good care of you. Why would you run away? And our history lives on with the problem to this day.<br /><br />I recommend, Never Caught to anyone who wants to learn history. But also experiencing the life of a slave in colonial America.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table>
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<img alt="photo POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" border="0" src="http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t338/susan_curtis1/Blog%20Design/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" />Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-89323711644278747502021-01-31T16:15:00.000-05:002021-01-31T16:15:02.540-05:00The Push: Grab the Book<div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-82puLJHNWds/YBcGALS0LxI/AAAAAAAAHu4/BeT5FZH3DmE0dznhAzScSNX8Ya5V5QcGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s499/Push.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="331" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-82puLJHNWds/YBcGALS0LxI/AAAAAAAAHu4/BeT5FZH3DmE0dznhAzScSNX8Ya5V5QcGgCLcBGAsYHQ/w133-h200/Push.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The Push</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">By Ashley Audrain</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Purchased copy </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This month GMA picked the book, The Push. I checked out the book, I was intrigued. The novel is personal for me. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunts, will connect to the storyline. The book is a thriller, spine-tingler, and domestic thriller. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>After reading, The Push I want to grab anyone who wants to listen to me rant and rave about the book. There is a lot to unpack from the book and discuss. No wonder GMA picked the</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> book. I can see the book being discussed at book clubs across America, Mommy groups, therapy groups, etc. Wo</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>w! So much to think about. </span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span>I</span>f you are pregnant don't pick up the book. It will haunt you and bring chills down your spine. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span id="freeTextreview3794007488" style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Wow, what a book to read... Domestic thriller, intense, spine-tingler, page-turner, and keep you up all hours of the night. This is to name a few. Besides the book is a thriller. It actually has real-life issues on marriage and raising children. The Push is a book that will create great discussion in Mommy groups, therapy groups, etc.<br /><br />This is a book I want to shout out off the rooftops. The book is personal even 30 years later. I used to worry about how I was raising my son. Was I doing the right thing? If I wasn't could I change it? All the relatives judging your actions, and motives. Was anyone listening to you?<br />Belittling your fears and brushing them off saying don't worry it's nothing.<br /><br />The story is about Blythe, and Fox, and their daughter, Violet, and Sam. The history of Blythe as a young child and growing into a woman. What she went through with her mother's peculiar behavior. Does it carry on to motherhood? Nature vs nurture how do you deal with it? How it carried on to her adult life and marriage. If they were able to handle their marriage after tragedy strikes. How do they pick up the pieces after? Fox doesn't believe anything that Blythe tells him about their daughter. Instead, he brushes it off, it's the hormones. I don't want to tell you too much because I am afraid I will give too much away. But, the fact the author writes a story about the fears, and anxiety of motherhood and marriage after pregnancy. What happens if the child you thought would be the perfect child is not. And all the fears you have are coming true and your husband and family don't believe you. Your worst nightmare is coming true as a mother. What do you do?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Warning: There is a twist at the very last sentence it will stun you! </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><li style="background-color: #fafafa; border: 0px; color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transform: translateX(1195px); vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1MTFeYyqrI/VCFJKU523DI/AAAAAAAABlY/K1EjTs2S4UsqhuE9Cs6lDQzjrAoFfP7uACPcBGAYYCw/s320/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1MTFeYyqrI/VCFJKU523DI/AAAAAAAABlY/K1EjTs2S4UsqhuE9Cs6lDQzjrAoFfP7uACPcBGAYYCw/s0/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" /></a></div><br /></li><li class="Ckrof" style="background-color: #fafafa; border: 0px; color: #262626; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; transform: translateX(0px); vertical-align: baseline;" tabindex="-1"><div class=" Igw0E IwRSH eGOV_ _4EzTm " style="-webkit-box-align: stretch; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-flex: 0; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-box-pack: start; align-items: stretch; border: 0px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex: 0 0 auto; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; place-content: stretch flex-start; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 598px;"><div class="ZyFrc" role="button" style="-webkit-box-align: stretch; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; align-items: stretch; border: 0px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; touch-action: manipulation; vertical-align: baseline;" tabindex="0"><div class="RzuR0 kHt39 fTh_a plVq-" style="-webkit-box-align: stretch; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-flex: 1; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; align-items: stretch; border: 0px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; flex-shrink: 0; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="eLAPa _23QFA" role="button" style="-webkit-box-align: stretch; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(var(--bb2,239,239,239),1); border: 0px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 598px;" tabindex="-1"><div class="KL4Bh" style="-webkit-box-align: stretch; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; align-items: stretch; border: 0px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; font: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 0px 598px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">Art <img alt="Photo shared by Good Morning America Book Club on January 08, 2021 tagging @vikingbooks, @ashleyaudrain, and @michaeljbooks. Image may contain: text." class="FFVAD" decoding="auto" sizes="598px" src="https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/e35/136196218_3805217006166318_2561661602092404302_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=106&_nc_ohc=b_kh57vZ-sMAX9fY7mr&tp=1&oh=db35f854b3a99d1e390aedc36151dc55&oe=6041BCB4" srcset="https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/s640x640/136196218_3805217006166318_2561661602092404302_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=106&_nc_ohc=b_kh57vZ-sMAX9fY7mr&tp=1&oh=cfd57d5c41656c9d0b0e8d2910f0a0c4&oe=604259AB 640w,https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/s750x750/136196218_3805217006166318_2561661602092404302_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=106&_nc_ohc=b_kh57vZ-sMAX9fY7mr&tp=1&oh=c51c34a2c947d6ea5f4056df5e840cd9&oe=60410994 750w,https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-15/e35/136196218_3805217006166318_2561661602092404302_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com&_nc_cat=106&_nc_ohc=b_kh57vZ-sMAX9fY7mr&tp=1&oh=db35f854b3a99d1e390aedc36151dc55&oe=6041BCB4 1080w" style="border: 0px; 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position: relative; touch-action: manipulation; vertical-align: baseline;" tabindex="0"><div class="eLAPa RzuR0" style="-webkit-box-align: stretch; -webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(var(--bb2,239,239,239),1); border: 0px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-sizing: border-box; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 598px;"></div></div></div></li></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br />
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<img alt="photo POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" border="0" src="http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t338/susan_curtis1/Blog%20Design/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-19535173727511759722021-01-11T22:58:00.002-05:002021-01-11T22:58:12.786-05:00Jan. Book Club Discussion Pick <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zew0s06oPlc/X_0Ls49t5QI/AAAAAAAAHnI/boTFJEdEqZMK0-S_cuaG8xivZyyvDb4XwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/daisy%2Bjones%2Band%2Bthe%2Bsix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1357" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zew0s06oPlc/X_0Ls49t5QI/AAAAAAAAHnI/boTFJEdEqZMK0-S_cuaG8xivZyyvDb4XwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/daisy%2Bjones%2Band%2Bthe%2Bsix.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Daisy Jones </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"> &</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"> The Six</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">By Taylor Jenkins Reid </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had picked Daisy Jones & the Six for our book club tomorrow. I loved Fleetwood Mac. I am disappointed I won't be there tomorrow. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I have so much to talk about and discuss Fleetwood Mac. The novel is a fictionalized version of the band. I didn't know what to expect. I have never read anything before from the author. I have heard the author has a different writing style.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Someone told me to listen to the book rather than read it. I did both, I read at the same time I listened. I realized I am not a listener for books. I still like to read a book. But, this book is an exception to the rule. Reading the book was so different. As I delved into the book. I realized I was getting a treat. The book is written as an interview. You will realize later why.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I followed Fleetwood Mac, and use to listen to Rumours album until it could not listen to it anymore. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I had a different perception of the book because I listened rather than read the book. I would recommend listening rather than reading it. I have a different tone and feel of the book. But also the writing style made the book special. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I liked the way the novel was set up as an interview. I can't tell you anymore because I will ruin the story, and lose the surprise. The novel is set in the 1970s when the band was starting out. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was a different type of novel. I never read a novel based on a rock band or music based on the '70s. As I was reading I saw the personalities and dynamic of each band member's personalities open up in a band. I never understood the dynamics of a typical band. There were times the book seemed to drag. And the story was dragging a bit. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Daisy Jones and the Six the group held together by drugs, music. and what broke them up. How the band, music, and fame consume you.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Daisy, as a lead singer, and a woman how you dressed matters how you survived the fame in the band as a woman. It looks fun, doesn't it. In reality not so fast. The competition of the members, and personalities. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">As a woman in a band either you survived or left. You were consumed by fame, drugs, and emotions, and even sexist ideas. Daisy and Karen in the band had to stand up for themselves many times. In the novel, Daisy didn't care what people thought, how she dressed, she was an independent woman with feminist ideas. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Daisy, as a woman, wanted to be part of the band so badly. But, was it worth the sacrifice. Having a relationship and the intermingling of each band member. With Daisy and the Six it seemed like everyone knew your business. Daisy and Billy's music told their stories through their music. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Karen on the other hand wasn't ready to settle down and leave the band. She wanted to keep on working. Family and kids were not in the plan. How you can still be in the band and still have the commitment is a hard decision. Graham wanted her to have the baby. She didn't want to take responsibility. She cared about her career more than her family.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Camilia knew Billy, and Daisy had feelings for each other. But instead of hating Daisy, she was sympathetic, and understanding. Camila wanted to actually help her to get through rehab and the drugs.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947537778514110541.post-27165969923219879922020-12-09T17:36:00.000-05:002020-12-09T17:36:00.371-05:00Book Club, Discussions, Latkes, Zoom, Innovations and Beyond 2020<br />
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8ueq_jW5Hy0/X9E2Ph1JR5I/AAAAAAAAG4M/x0kxbjNrOx8s187TyjP5sD5wzmt8i8SYgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8ueq_jW5Hy0/X9E2Ph1JR5I/AAAAAAAAG4M/x0kxbjNrOx8s187TyjP5sD5wzmt8i8SYgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="318" /></a></div><br /><br />Our book club met yesterday by Zoom. Our members are dropping like flies. Some of our members don't want to continue because Zoom is not a social gathering. It is difficult, I grant you. But, <div>at least we continue meeting. It is some kind of normalcy. We miss the social part of the book club meeting face to face with familiar faces. My feeling is it may not be the same but at least it is socializing. Z</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHZF4B3YuuE/X9FALemX1hI/AAAAAAAAG4Y/yWptVGhHDRY7_ZL5haf9v-aZDUP1v6vwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s268/The%2BWorld%2Bthat%2BWe%2BKnew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="188" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHZF4B3YuuE/X9FALemX1hI/AAAAAAAAG4Y/yWptVGhHDRY7_ZL5haf9v-aZDUP1v6vwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/The%2BWorld%2Bthat%2BWe%2BKnew.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>We discussed the book, The World That We Knew. Even though we didn't have food at the table. We discussed Latkes at our discussion. Yummy, I miss them this year at our meeting. Oh well, I hope and pray next year. It would have been a great pairing if we did have the Latkes and the book.</div><div><br /></div><div>Which happens to take place in Germany, and Switzerland during the Holocaust. Like I said before the book is not about the Holocaust. Rather is about the people, the survivors, the connections. The danger, atrocities, the bravery, comradery. The bond of young people trying to survive. Making the unbearable bearable during these times. </div><div><br /></div><div>Alice Hoffman used magical realism throughout the story. Using fairy tales, and monsters throughout the novel made the story comforting and bearable during the Holocaust. It lifts you up to magical and unbelievable making it a safe and secure world</div><div><br /></div><div>. The Golem and the Heron had a surprising connection to the real world vs. the magical world. The symbolism of the Golem and the Heron and the connection of both were so beautiful it brought goosebumps down my arms. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Heron and the Golem were both the messenger from the real world to the magical world and beyond. Its worth the read if you like to read magical realism. Which I do. I don't care for Fantasy and Sci-Fi. But magical realism I happen to love. and also if you like historical fiction. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V7o3AJ8YpDc/X9FPT-J8DJI/AAAAAAAAG5I/JCXIZL_sK1odHuwMNAu-NR4MvxH0w1_RwCLcBGAsYHQ/s266/alice%2Bhoffman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="190" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V7o3AJ8YpDc/X9FPT-J8DJI/AAAAAAAAG5I/JCXIZL_sK1odHuwMNAu-NR4MvxH0w1_RwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/alice%2Bhoffman.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I watched Alice Hoffman's interview. She stated she wrote the book during 2016 and beyond. She wrote it to immerse herself in fairy tales and forget the pain and suffering our country is dealing with.</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zOY4ab5yZ_4/X9FPesxqFVI/AAAAAAAAG5M/5E0lyAKyM_kbByYy5Q-hRLw2paCONoFtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s274/magic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="184" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zOY4ab5yZ_4/X9FPesxqFVI/AAAAAAAAG5M/5E0lyAKyM_kbByYy5Q-hRLw2paCONoFtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/magic.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>By the way, Alice Hoffman just wrote a new novel. I most likely will read. It is a sequel to Practical Magic. I will have to read Practical Magic first before grabbing Magic Lessons. </div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXplFYEPSuU/U8YQc9_KIkI/AAAAAAAAA_I/DvxFeC3vMqwU2CNY4u43nUpYupIUpjyAgCPcBGAYYCw/s340/bagels4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="48" data-original-width="340" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXplFYEPSuU/U8YQc9_KIkI/AAAAAAAAA_I/DvxFeC3vMqwU2CNY4u43nUpYupIUpjyAgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/bagels4.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1MTFeYyqrI/VCFJKU523DI/AAAAAAAABlY/K1EjTs2S4UsqhuE9Cs6lDQzjrAoFfP7uACPcBGAYYCw/s320/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k1MTFeYyqrI/VCFJKU523DI/AAAAAAAABlY/K1EjTs2S4UsqhuE9Cs6lDQzjrAoFfP7uACPcBGAYYCw/s0/POSTSIG_zpsbfb68bd5.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Susan's Literary Cafehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971527952848919441noreply@blogger.com0