The Known World/ Edward P Jones

I was late on the bandwagon with this one. But it’s never too late to read a good book.  A Pulitzer Prize winner. 

And although when you read the reviews you may think this is a story about a black slave owner named Henry Townsend, the book actually begins and ends with a slave named Moses.

Woven with historical fact, this work of fiction is a raw look into the lives of the 

people of Manchester County, Virginia before the Civil War.  Centered around the Henry Townsend plantation, it delves into the intricacies of being a free black man, owning land and slaves. 

It’s quite a powerful story and you won’t be able to put it down once you start it. 

This book needs to go into every reader’s TBR pile! 

Published by Amistad Books 2003

No, You Shut Up! /Symone D Sanders

Bold, brash, outspoken and smart, Symone Sanders is teaching a new generation to stand up. 

The title is a quote from Sanders after she was told to shut up on national TV. 

If you are struggling with getting your voice heard, this book is the perfect read for you. 

Just look at her credentials: currently a senior advisor on Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign, a juvenile justice advocate, former CNN political commentator and former resident Fellow at two prestigious political schools. And she lives right in the middle of it all, Washington, DC. ‘Nuff said.

No, You Shut Up

Symone D. Sanders

Harper Collins Publishing May 2020

Before You Go/Tommy Butler

Before You Go / Tommy Butler

This book is filling my empty space right now...and you will only know what I mean, when you read this book. It has profoundly affected me. I should wait a few days before I write a review because it’s so raw. But here goes...

Elliot was a traveler, not in the global sense but in a cosmic sense. He was always ‘different’ as a child and he recognized it even then. His parents covered for him or refused to acknowledge it, his brother teased him and he had no friends to understand him, except maybe Esther.
After college he goes off to NYC to work as an accountant, not what he had planned. He meets two people in group therapy, and forms a deep bond with both. Kindred spirits.
Elliot goes on to have a life...
You will have to take my word for it that this book is worth reading. It is.
You will see in the photo that my hand is on this book. It’s because I am keeping it on my bookshelf for a while, not passing it on just yet. I know I will re-read it someday.

Harper Collins, publisher
Out in August 2020

Guide to the Stars/Claire Comstock Gay

I love to read my horoscope and then say to myself “that’s so generic it could be anyone’s horoscope.”
That’s not what Claire Comstick Gay writes in her book Guide to the Stars.
Of course I went right to the Pisces chapter to see what she said about me. And I have to say I saw myself mirrored back from the pages.  Some of the fun horoscope stuff and then some quite serious life affirming stuff. She writes about Fred Rogers being a Pisces and it was so interesting to see the astrology spin on his character. It’s about being human and how we all get through this life.
Each chapter is a Sign of the Zodiac, so you can look at yours right away. After I read mine, I read some family and friends and yes, some exes chapters. Couldn’t resist.
Whether you believe in Astrology or not,  I think you will enjoy this one:)
Harper Collins, Publisher

True Love/Sarah Gerard

True Love/Sarah Gerard
Honestly, I’m surprised I finished this book. Not only finished it but enjoyed it, I think. It grabbed me and wouldn’t let me go!
I was just into the book about 3-4 paragraphs and I realize that what I’m assuming is the main character, Nina, is cheating on her boyfriend. Names of characters start appearing and without even knowing who they are, I can figure out what’s happening...and it happens so many times!
This novel is a crazy ride. Well written because you can feel the craziness.
Poor girl is looking for love, in all the wrong friends, and friends of friends, and their friends, too.
Fast paced, head shaking, heartbreaking...if you are up to it, I recommend it.
Harper Collins Publisher
July 2020

Monogamy/Sue Miller

Annie met Graham and fell for this big, burly, larger than life man. Married him and lived with him for thirty years. He died in his sleep and she was devastated. Until the get together after his funeral, when a woman acquaintance was found crying uncontrollably in Graham’s study.
Right away Annie knew....and then she had to pretend she was grieving... and that was just the beginning.
Great story, great read. Enjoyed it and recommend it.
Harper Collins Publisher/
September 2020

All the Light We Cannot See

All the Light We Cannot See
Anthony Doerr

This one. Wow. Pulitzer Prize Winner? Yes, every word of it. Put this on your TBR list, peeps.
So well written...Werner, a young German boy. Marie-Laure, a young, blind French girl. In the middle of WW2 and the French Occupation. So it’s not a light read. But so worthy of reading.
Most of the chapters are short. Some only little more than one page. It jumps between characters, between time, between countries. And towards the end of the book it moves you very quickly through events and the intensity drives you to keep reading.
(For me, way into the next morning)
I’m not going to get into the story, I want you discover this one on your own.