Tag: family

People Person | Book Review by Felicia

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Ranking: 4 Stars, This book was quite a page turner. The drama! The Thrills! The Family! I did not expect anything that happened but I was happy to keep on reading. 

About: People Person is about the children of Cyril Pennington and how they grow and learn to deal with life with a deadbeat father. The majority of the story comes from Dimples pov. Dimple is the middle child who brings all the siblings back together when her life begins to unravel out of control. 

Review:  I came in expecting to read a low stake family fiction novel. Instead, this novel included a fast pace low key thriller element to it. The family dynamics from distant to close knit was terrific to read. We had the chance to read about each sibling and see a more in depth view on where they are coming from. I personally got a bit tired of Dimple, the main character, being taken advantage of over and over again. But, I am glad you get to see the rest of the siblings come in to defend or help her out. This book covers some intense topics  but it also has wholesome moments that don’t make it real issues overbearing. I highly suggest you pick this novel up and read it. 

Podcast 13 Show Notes

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 For episode 13 we read Bethany Morrow’s A Song Below Water

About the Author

Bethan C. Morrow is a California native, she graduated from University of California with a Bachelor’s in Sociology. Morrow is an accomplished writer with several other books, and the sequel to A Song Below has been released, and is titled A Chorus Rises. 

Book Look

A beautiful and eye-catching book cover. The book cover played into the fantastical and fun theme the sisters were looking to read around Halloween.

Bookmark

  • “My voice is power. Awaken” p. 277
  • “I’m talking about things like illumination and warmth – things that help me see more clearly and feel more comfortable in my own skin and he’d talk about how those are things that bring “growth” p. 30

POV

Sam and Felicia enjoyed the overarching theme of Black women as magic in A Song Below. Although a fantasy novel, there are common themes that an everyday Black girl would identify with such as natural hair and sisterhood.

Deep Dive

In A Song Below Water, mythical creatures are known to the human world. However, sirens are considered dangerous and they are exclusively Black women. There is something mysterious going on in the lives of Tavia and Effie. Tavia is realizing her true power as a Siren. Effie is learning about the truth of her mythical powers. Even in a mythical world racism is alive and well and the girls will have to learn who is truly on their side and recognize they can accomplish far more than they think.   Ultimately the sisters felt like something was missing and there wasn’t enough for them to go off of to really fall in love with the story. 

Podcast 12 Show Notes

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 For episode 12 we read Laura Esquivel’s Like Water for Chocolate

About the Author

Laura Esquivel is a Mexican novelist, politician, and screenwriter.  Laura has a passion for children which is why she trained to be a teacher, founded a children’s theater workshop, and has written/produced many dramas for children. After Laura’s father’s death she was inspired to write. Like Water for Chocolate was her first novel and it became a best seller in Mexico and the U.S.

Book Look

This book was a work of art from the inside out. Uniquely this is a story presented as a cookbook and family history.  At its core this novel was a historical fiction filled with magical realism. The cover immediately draws you in with the colors and women cooking.

Bookmark

  • “My grandmother had a very interesting theory; she said that each of us is born with a box of matches inside us but we can’t strike them all by ourselves; just as in the experiment, we need oxygen and a candle to help. In this case, the oxygen, for example, would come from the breath of the person you love; the candle could be any kind of food, music, caress, word, or sound that engenders the explosion that lights one of the matches. For a moment we are dazzled by an intense emotion. A pleasant warmth grows within us, fading slowly as time goes by, until a new explosion comes along to revive it. Each person has to discover what will set off those explosions in order to live, since the combustion that occurs when one of them is ignited is what nourishes the soul. That fire, in short, is its food. If one doesn’t find out in time what will set off these explosions, the box of matches dampens, and not a single match will ever be lighted.” pg 115

POV

Sam and Felicia both enjoyed the character ,Nacha, who was the family cook and the real mother figure the main character could connect to. In addition, Sam loved John, a doctor who was uniquely kind to Tita, the main character and was always there to support Tita. Without a doubt the least favorite character was Mama Elena who was the source of abuse and trauma in Tita’s life. Sam also was not a fan of any other characters whose motives seemed a bit unsupportive and undesirable.

Deep Dive

Like Water for Chocolate was a fantastical folk tale that incorporated family, food, love and life into a book. Sam and Felicia discuss how the magic realism in the book kept things intriguing. The story was filled with ghosts and a few other unknown elements that keep a reader engaged. The novel also includes great Latina representation in the characters, history, and writing style. The words on each page flowed in a beautiful and unique way. Sam and Felicia also go over the darker elements in the book and how it takes a bit of strength to finish the novel but it is worth it in the end.

Podcast 11 Show Notes

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 For episode 11 we read J. Elle’s debut novel Wings of Ebony.

About the Author

J. Elle is a former educator and first-generation college student. She has a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas at Austin, where she majored in Journalism with a minor in Rhetoric & Writing. She also has a Master’s in Educational Administration. J. Elle became a published author by winning DVPit in October 2018 (DVPit is a Twitter pitch contest literary agents and publishing professionals peruse to scout for talent). When she’s not writing, Elle can be found mentoring aspiring writers, binging reality TV, loving on her three littles, or cooking up something true to her Louisiana roots. 

Book Look

This book has a beautiful fantasy-esque cover and is reminiscent of other fantasy book covers the sisters have read such as Legendborn. The representation of the natural hair on the cover is a beautiful touch.

Bookmark

  • And for you reader, there is an amber in you that’s hungry to burn. That is your magic. Let it. (dedication)
  • You don’t get it. I see you trying to work through it, but I can’t let you keep hurting me or anyone in the process. p. 593

POV

Felicia’s least favorite character was the General, his character and motives ultimately didn’t really add up to her. In a world of magic – he still hates Black people. Sam was questioning throughout the novel, who can she trust? Sam’s least favorite character was the Chancellor, and hated that he ruled as a dictator but was treated as a God. Sam also didn’t like “The Gray People” or basically all the white people in the magic world. The sisters agreed on their favorite character being the grandmother figure, Ms. Iyelola, she was a courageous boss! Sam also was found of Jamal and Bati, who were from the tribe of true magic wielders. They came through for the main character, Rue.

Deep Dive

A major theme of the book was Black identity, giving back to your neighborhood, and showing up for your family and closest friends – As Rue would put it your ride or dies. For a fantasy novel, the back and forth timeline came off as confusing for Sam at some points. Rue had to navigate friendship and family to get to the truth of the magic inside of her. The story is based in magic, but it speaks to larger themes based on the Black experience. The sisters talk through and recognize the parallel between circumstances in the book and the reality/ramifications of slavery, racism, and white privilege. Sometimes, it seemed contradictory how much Rue wanted to put on for her hood and talked about “the block” supporting each other but, Rue couldn’t really get over the idea that she had to do everything her self or save the community herself until the end, when she realized that a victory would require everyone’s help. Although the sisters did comically disagree about how much Tasha could help. In Sam’s mind, with no magic Tasha had no business trying to help and jeopardize the mission while Felicia suggested she be the lookout (or something!). It wasn’t either sisters favorite read, but they both found the message to be beautiful, sister, family and knowing that your magic can’t be put out or dimmed by others, it’s forever inside of you.

Hey, Brown Girl | Book Review by Sam

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About:

Hey, Brown Girl  by Janay Harden is a coming of age young adult novel that focuses on 17 year old Raven as she navigates her family and school drama, anxiety, and transitions within friendship groups. While the main focus is on Raven, each member of the family has at least one chapter in which their personal thoughts and feelings are captured.  It was a quick read but does touch on adult themes although it is marketed as a young adult novel. In fact, there are moments where I wondered if this book should come along with a trigger warning for certain themes the author chose to touch on. 

Review:

Janay Harden is a licensed social worker and therapist. It is clear from the book that Ms. Harden has a background in mental health in the way that all of the problems in the book seem to be solved by therapy and self-love. The book presents several different relatable issues such as anxiety, resentment towards parents, child neglect, and drug abuse. If you have not experienced one of these issues, you’re often not too far removed from someone who has. 

The friendship that Raven has built with three other black girls in her neighborhood is beautiful to read about and it makes you think fondly of your own friendships or desire that type of friendship. However, the friendship is tested when Raven is challenged to reflect on her behavior and consider whether she is always being the best friend she can be to her girls or if she is centering herself. 

This challenge is amidst several other challenges – Raven’s cousin has come to live with her, she is challenged for her spot as dance team captain, and she is battling anxiety. As Raven contends with each of these issues with the help of her school assigned counselor it’s like reading therapy in book form. She learns to cope with each issue and learns to have confidence within herself to know she can be triumphant in the face of all these issues. 

Ms. Harden follows along with the other family members and this is where keeping up with the plot gets tricky. I understand that the author was looking to give everyone a happily ever after and perhaps even demonstrate how each family issue can be worked out in a healthy manner, but I think it would have been best to fully develop Raven’s story and maybe make a book series out of each family member’s story. 

We learn about the racial identity challenges of Raven’s mother, Blair. The abuse Phoenix (Raven’s grandmother) suffered. The neglect Carter (her cousin) experiences and more. These are all tough issues to work through and I don’t know that the happily ever after that is achieved in just a few chapters is realistic. 

Overall, the book was a solid read and could be useful for anyone looking for positive ways to deal with the challenges the book touches on. It is filled with both therapeutic lessons as well as generational wisdom.

Podcast Episode 2 Show Notes

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In honor of Black History month  The Bootleg Book Club read You Don’t Know Us Negroes by Zora Neal Hurston. 

About the Author

This book revitalized the well deserved attention and recognition towards Zora Neale Hustron. Zora was born in Alabama, but grew up in Eatonville, FL, an all black community. Evident in her writing that she grew up around Black excellence and believed that there was no need to cater to the white gaze. She was a novelist, filmmaker, and anthropologist. She was a student at Howard and then Barnard. She was married several times over, but did not stay married. While a decorated and well known writer, unfortunately, she was never properly compensated and buried without a headstone until Alice Walker (another great novelist) found the grave and gave her a headstone in 1973. 

Book Look

  The book is a collection of Zora Neale Hurston’s writing that expresses the essence of the Black community. Curated in five different sections the reader is given an in depth view on how Hurston believes the Black  community is portrayed in society.  

Bookmark

This collection of work has many moments to highlight. Here are a few of the noteworthy factors we mention:

  • “First off he was a whisper, a will to hope, a wish to find something worthy or laughter and song.” p 28
  • “Contrary to popular belief their creation is not confined to the slavery period.” p 76
  • “But, I am not tragically colored. There is no great sorrow dammed up in my soul, nor lurking behind my eyes. I do not mind at all. I do not belong to the sobbing school of Negrohood who hold that nature somehow has given them a lowdown dirty deal and whose feelings are all hurt about it. Even in the helter-skelter skirmish that is my life, I have see that the world is to the strong regardless of a little pigmentation more or less. No, I do not weep at the world – I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife.” p 187 

POV

We discussed a few of our favorite pieces from the book but overall we found that the writing style itself was quite vibrant, poignant, and spectacular to read. On the other hand it was quite difficult to read certain parts because it was challenging to determine when Zora was writing fiction or nonfiction. 

Deep Dive

 Hurston tackles subjects such as Black excellence, exceptionalism, colorism, integration/segregation, equality/justice, family, love, Black womanhood, singleness, faith, and mental health. We review and analyze each section on  the folk, on race & gender, on politics, and on the trial of Ruby McCollum. 

Podcast 2: You Don’t Know Us Negroes
Podcast 2

Podcast Episode 1 Show Notes

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For the first episode of The Bootleg Book Club, Sam and Felicia discuss Lizzie Damilola Blackburn’s debut novel Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? The sisters introduce themselves and why they decided to join the online reading community including #Booktube and #Bookstagram. 

About the Author

The background on Mrs. Blackburn and the influence of her British Nigerian culture in her book. 

Book Look

  The main character Yinka is feeling a lot of pressure to get married by her mom and aunt. Especially considering her younger sister and cousins have already found love. 

Bookmark

Some of the most poignant moments are discussed through the girls favorite quotes they found highlight worthy such as 

  • “The midnight sky is just as beautiful as the sunrise” p. 73
  • “I am who  I say I am” p. 132 
  • “Don’t be suffering in silence” p. 264
  • “You see, I’m responsible for my happiness” p. 174 
  • “Well, that’s the way God made you. That explains things. As long as you’re happy.” p. 214  

POV

Sam and Felicia discuss their favorite characters, Nola and Aunty Blessing as well as their least favorite character Ola. 

Deep Dive

Felicia and Sam share a few spoilers and talk in depth about the book’s themes such as family, love, Black womanhood, singleness, faith, and mental health. 

Podcast 1 Youtube: Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?
Podcast 1 Spotify: Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?