cosmicbookworm's reviews
309 reviews

"The Trees" is my first Percival Everett book. I learned of him through Bookstagram friends and followed a friend's recommendation on where to start. "James" is next on my list. In watching Everett's interviews on YouTube, I am learning that he is a person that I would love to have as a personal friend.

In Money, Mississippi, where Emmett Till was lynched in 1955, a white man named Junior Junior is found dead in his own home with the body of an unknown Black man beside him. It is soon discovered that the body of the unknown Black man has disappeared from the morgue. The body is found again in the home of Junior Junior's cousin, Wheat, who has also been murdered. The body of the Black man disappears again. 

Two Black detectives from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, Ed Morgan and Jim Davis, are sent to Money to investigate the situation. Ed and Jim discover that both Junior and Wheat are relatives of Carolyn Bryant, a white woman who falsely accused the teenage Emmett Till of making sexual advances at her, leading to his lynching and death. Ed and Jim believe that the disappearing body bears a striking resemblance to Emmett Till's battered body.

More bodies begin to pile up around the country. Each features one or more white men who have been castrated with the bodies of Black or Asian men beside them. Ed and Jim trace the identity of the Black man found at the crime scenes to a company that sells bodies for research. They begin to suspect Gertrude, a white-passing waitress, and her 105-year-old great-grandmother Mama Z are involved in the local murders.

Everett weaves together fact and fiction, incorporating elements of humor, satire, and darkness. Through a murder mystery evolving into a poignant narrative on racial discrimination and violence, he delves into the history and legacy of injustice, focusing on the lynching of Black people. 

Claire Keegan's "Foster" is a heartbreaking yet heartwarming novella set in rural Ireland during the summer of 1981. The story is narrated by an unnamed young girl who is sent to live with her distant relatives, the Kinsellas, because her own family is struggling and can't take care of all their children.

The narrator experiences a transformative summer as she encounters kindness, care, and a sense of belonging that starkly contrasts with the neglect and indifference she faces in her own home. The story explores the transformative power of love, care, and human connection.

Keegan's "Foster" is a moving and beautifully crafted narrative that captures the essence of a life-changing summer in a young girl's life.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a story about a woman determined to rise to the top in the entertainment industry and her struggle to live an authentic life. The book employs dual perspectives, with some narration from Monique, an aspiring journalist, as she interviews Evelyn and the majority from Evelyn as she recounts her life story. Monique is a biracial reporter from LA based in New York. Monique learns to prioritize her personal happiness and self-advocacy through her association with Evelyn. In the end, the story unfolds self-discovery on Monique's part as she learns how her personal life has interacted with Hugo's.

Evelyn is endowed with extreme beauty, which makes her vulnerable to people wanting to be with her for all the wrong reasons and causes her trouble seeing her true value as a human being. I imagine that her character is meant to be loosely based on Marilyn Monroe's life. Her successive marriages serve as a commentary on different facets of human connections and how individuals can exploit others for personal gain. 

The novel examines the objectification and commercialization of women's bodies, domestic violence, the struggles faced by same-sex relationships in an intolerant society, the corrupting nature of celebrity, and the harmful effects of greed and the relentless pursuit of fame. It explores the impact of over-sexualization on Evelyn's life and mental well-being and demands a reassessment of the treatment and perception of women. Race is a subtle but present theme in the novel, explored to a lesser extent in the narrative.

"Everyone sort of assumes that when faced with life and death situations, you will panic. But almost everyone who's actually experienced something like that will tell you that panic is a luxury you cannot afford. In the moment, you act without thinking, doing all you can with the information you have."

"But of course, they got it wrong. They never did care about getting it right. The media are going to tell whatever story they want to tell. They always have. They always will." 

"New Poets of Native Nations" is a collection of twenty-one contemporary Native poets. The anthology presents a diverse range of perspectives and serves as an excellent exploration of modern Native poetry. The editor, Heid E. Erdrich, selected poets whose first collections were published after 2000, most of whom are members or citizens of a tribe. Although it is impossible to produce a volume that represents all of the more than 566 Native nations in the U.S., the poets and poems selected provide a diverse sampling. Erdich begins each section with a brief introduction to the poet. At the end of the volume, each poet provides a brief personal introduction, which I found valuable. Many of the poems rose above the level of my comprehension because they come from a world that I am unfamiliar with. Two of the poems that stood out to me were Layli Long Soldier's "38," which is a powerful piece about the Dakota 38 - an important event in U.S. history that I intend to learn more about, and Natalie Diaz's "American Arithmetic," which also gives me a lot to think about and study further. I read this book because it was selected as this month's book studied by the poetry book club I am part of. I found it to be a valuable read and am thankful for the opportunity.

In her book, "Oath and Honor" former Congresswoman Liz Cheney provides a gripping first-hand account of the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol. She offers unique insight into the events leading up to the attack and the actions of critical players such as President Trump, Vice President Pence, Speaker Pelosi, and others. Cheney's account is a must-read for anyone seeking clarity on the facts surrounding this critical moment in American history.

I loved this story from beginning to end. It is a captivating narrative that showcases the importance of books, libraries, readers, and communities. Avid readers may find many of their favorite books included in the story.

The story revolves around the heartwarming friendship between two main characters—a young pre-law student dealing with challenging family circumstances and a Kenyan gentleman in his seventies who has recently lost his life partner and struggles to adjust to his new life. Several other significant characters shape the narrative and add depth to the story.

The story explores the theme of dealing with grief and highlights how books and libraries can unite people and help them support one another during difficult times. It tells a tale of strength and resilience in the face of sadness, isolation, and hardship.

"The Safe Gap" by Lisa Stukel is a novel that tells the story of two women and how their lives intersect. Tammy, a school crossing guard, finds hope after enduring a challenging marriage and battling weight gain. Ashley, a cringe-worthy affluent stay-at-home mom, loses herself to denial and addiction, going through the motions of motherhood and marriage. 

The characters in the book, each distinct yet interconnected, evoke a range of emotions - from disgust to compassion - as their layers are slowly peeled back, revealing the complexities of their lives and experiences. Through the eyes of these two women, the novel offers profound insights into the inner workings of humanity, reminding us of the immeasurable impact of past experiences on shaping our present selves. 

The novel kept my attention from start to finish with its unique presentation of two seemingly unrelated women, their families, and their life experiences. The ending is powerful. 

"The Safe Gap" is a moving exploration of life journeys and the intricacies of humanity. I highly recommend it for its compelling message. 

Susie Clark: The Bravest Girl You've Ever Seen by Joshalyn Hickey-Johnson, Hayle Calvin (Illustrator), is a children's picture book biography that tells the story of a teenage girl who was the first student to integrate into an all-white school in Muscatine, Iowa. Set nearly a century before the landmark Brown v. Board case, the book sheds light on the untold experiences of the Clark family and early Iowa education. The narrative blends historical facts with imagined elements, envisioning the support she may have received from her family. 

Being a children's book, it focuses on Susie, but it is important to note that Susie's father was an important figure in Iowa history. Alexander Clark was an African American businessman and activist who later served as US Ambassador to Liberia. Clark is notable for suing in 1867 to gain admission for his daughter to attend a local public school in Muscatine, Iowa.

The illustrations nicely complement the text, but the poetry used detracts from the story. Prose rather than poetry would have been the best choice, allowing for a more realistic representation of how children and parents may have interacted together at that time.

The book tells an important story that should be discussed both in schools and homes.