Homegoing; Yaa Gyasi - (Knopf) 2016
(Overview) The unforgettable New York Times best seller begins with the story of two half-sisters, separated by forces beyond their control: one sold into slavery, the other married to a British slaver. Written with tremendous sweep and power, Homegoing traces the generations of family who follow, as their destinies lead them through two continents and three hundred years of history, each life indelibly drawn, as the legacy of slavery is fully revealed in light of the present day.
- Beautiful writing; memorable story; debut author
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things; Bryn Greenwood
(Thomas Dunne Books) 2016
(Overview) A beautiful and provocative love story between two unlikely people and the hard-won relationship that elevates them above the Midwestern meth lab backdrop of their lives.
As the daughter of a drug dealer, Wavy knows not to trust people, not even her own parents. It's safer to keep her mouth shut and stay out of sight. Struggling to raise her little brother, Donal, eight-year-old Wavy is the only responsible adult around. Obsessed with the constellations, she finds peace in the starry night sky above the fields behind her house, until one night her star gazing causes an accident. After witnessing his motorcycle wreck, she forms an unusual friendship with one of her father's thugs, Kellen, a tattooed ex-con with a heart of gold.
- Heart-breaking coming of age story; uncomfortable to read at times but addictive; debut author
NEW BOOKS
- Juana & Lucas; Juana Medina (Candlewick)
- Small Great Things; Jodi Picolt (Ballantine Books)
- Fire Flowers; Ben Byrne (Europa)
- All at Sea: a memoir; Decca Aitkenhead (Nan Talese)
- Baba Dunja's Last Love; Alina Bronsky (Europa)
The WOW-Factors sound pretty interesting!
ReplyDeleteThey were both such memorable reads.
DeleteI've requested the All at Sea book from Netgalley. Hope I get this one. The Gyasi book sounds wonderful too.
ReplyDeleteAll at Sea sounds like a good memoir.
DeleteI've heard great things about both of these books and hope to try Ugly and Wonderful Things, but not sure if I'll have the time.
ReplyDeleteOh Sarah, The Greenwood book was so good.
DeleteI started Homecoming last week and while I wasn't hating it, my reading is just not happening lately. I am looking forward to getting back to it!
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
DeleteI heard the author of Homecoming on NPR this week. Sounds fascinating. The other one does sound sad. Thanks for sharing about both of them.
ReplyDeleteSHe's been on several of the late night shows and the interviews were impressive. She seems very down to earth.
DeleteBoth of those books wowed me too!
ReplyDeleteGlad u enjoyed them Judy.
DeleteJust added the 2 TBR!! Yay!
ReplyDeleteGreat, hope u enjoy them.
DeleteI forgot to mention I reviewed Small Great Things and it is fabulous! https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1669267323
ReplyDeleteI saw your goodreads review and am looking forward to this.
DeleteOh, I'm dying to read Homegoing - it's sounds So good! I hadn't heard of your other one, but it sounds intriguing also.
ReplyDeleteGreat reading for you! Thanks for sharing -
Sue
Book By Book
I hope you will enjoy Homegoing.
DeleteYou've reconfirmed that I need to get a copy of Homegoing--I just love the premise.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I think it's a YOU book Jane.
DeleteHomegoing is high on my list of books to read! So great to hear it was a a wonderful read.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will enjoy it.
DeleteThe ever expanding TBR list.
ReplyDeleteYou're on a roll with good books!
ReplyDelete