After missing a month I’ve got some books to catch up on, linking up to share my bookish thoughts!
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins 3/5
I picked this book up after seeing it recommended around a few places & as a popular book, it wasn’t until I finished the book that I learned of its controversy – a white woman wrote the story from the perspective of mother fleeing the cartel in Mexico with her son. This book was long & it felt long. The story was really good & so well written, I think had I not learned of its controversy it may not have left me a little sour, just feels like it came from the wrong person even if it is fictional. Regardless, I do think it opened my eyes & my heart!
The Women with Silver Wings by Katherine Sharp Landdeck 3/5
A historical non-fiction of the women Airforce service pilots in World War II. This was a really interesting read! So neat to learn more about the involvement of women as pilots during the war & the adversaries they faced. One things that stood out to me was the fact that experienced women pilots filled roles of teaching & instructing men to be active pilots in the war yet were not allowed to be active pilots themselves – hard to understand how it makes sense for women to be capable enough to teach the men but somehow not considered capable enough to actively serve. Also something I really enjoyed was hearing how these women came together even after the war to make their stories known & to receive the recognition & benefits from the government that they deserved – some of these women lost their lives and their families were not properly awarded monies to cover funeral costs, etc. But the women banded together to fight for those coverages even post war.
All We Ever Wanted by Emily Griffin 4/5
I read through this book SO quickly!! It was not at all what I was expecting, it was so much more. All We Ever Wanted is about Nina, a small town girl who marries into money, raising their son in the good life. And Lyla, a teenage girl who does not lead such a privileged life and has an overprotective father. One scandalous photo taken drunkenly at a party leaves them questioning their relationships and searching for the courage to life a life of true meaning.
Writers & Lovers by Lily King 4/5
I really enjoyed this one! I don’t think I would’ve normally picked this book up on my own but chose it after seeing a bookie on Insta rave about it. Writers & Lovers follows Casey, a vulnerable girl after the sudden loss of her mother & the fallout of a love. In her thirties she still refuses to give up her dream of becoming an author, which continually pushes her limits.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett 4/5
This book was SO good, I especially enjoyed Bennett’s writing! The story is full of so many little details too. The Vanishing half is about identical twin sisters from a small black community in the south who run away together as teenagers & how their adult lives take on vastly different shapes.
On The Come Up by Angie Thomas 5/5
I read The Hate U Give, also by Thomas, earlier this year and loved it. On The Come Up was no different! The daughter of a rap legend who died before he could really make it big wants her own shot at making it as a rapper and with money getting tighter for her family she feels it is her only chance to save them. I loved the hip-hop and lyrics sprinkled throughout the story telling! It is a story of dreaming big and breaking the mold of who people expect you to be.
I really liked American Dirt and like you didn’t know of the controversy until after I had finished it. Regardless, it was eye opening for me and a good book, in my opinion. My husband is a history buff and just read The Women with silver Wings and enjoyed it. I just finished On the Come Up which will be in next month’s post.
On the Come Up was excellent. I actually reread it (well, listened to it this time around) last month with my daughter. Brit Bennett is another outstanding writer, and The Vanishing Half is so so good.
Adding a couple to my list- thanks for sharing Rechelle!
I agree on American Dirt. I am excited to get to The Vanishing Half and On The Come Up!
I agree with your thoughts on American Dirt. I got it during the controversy but decided to read it as the author has a tie to st Louis with her other book. I still feel like it was a good read, long but good.
I loved The Vanishing Half, Writers & Lovers, and On the Come Up.
I am avoiding American Dirt intentionally, but if I had not heard of the controversy I probably would have read it then felt a little sour about it too even if I liked it.
All We Ever Wanted sounds good. I’ll put it on my TBR- I haven’t read anything by her in a long time!
I’m adding The Vanishing Half to my TBR. I think it’ll be one I find fascinating!
Here are my recent reads, if interested: https://elle-alice.blogspot.com/2020/08/august-book-reviews.html
The Vanishing Half was intriguing and had so many interesting characters!