cosmicbookworm's reviews
309 reviews

An enchanting picture book that captures the essence of appreciating fleeting moments of perfection within an imperfect world, reminding both children and their families to pause and create cherished memories together. It is a beautiful reminder for young ones to savor and embrace the present moment, making lasting memories as they unfold. Through exploring time's passing, the book artfully cultivates mindfulness and awareness. 

"By Her Own Design" chronicles the remarkable journey of Ann Lowe, a resilient Black woman who defied personal hardships and racial prejudices to become a renowned fashion designer for the elite. Told in the first person, with excellent storytelling, we learn a possible scenario of the life of Ann Lowe, an under-recognized but very talented fashion designer to the rich and famous.

Lowe learned the craft of sewing from her mother and grandmother as a very young child. She goes far beyond being a seamstress - she is a self-taught fashion designer. Her mother and grandmother instilled in her an ambition for success and a desire to serve a distinguished clientele. While they instruct her in the way of a Black woman navigating a white world, and she learns well how to navigate that world, she also desires to be seen and acknowledged.

Piper Huguley does a beautiful job of bringing us into Anne Lowe's world. We travel through the trauma of being a child bride and the discomfort of living in a world of condescending people. While this is fictionalized history, and we can't know what happened to who, when, and the factual details, we do get a real sense of being there.

I read this book for our February book club discussion and am looking forward to visiting with others about it. I am not a fashion person or at all fashionable, but that did not keep me from thoroughly enjoying this book. It is often heartbreaking yet quite inspiring.

"Wake Up America," edited by historian Keisha N. Blain, presents a collection of original essays written by twenty-two progressive Black women. This book tackles various pressing challenges from diverse perspectives, offering valuable insight into subjects such as race and women's rights, reproductive freedom, voting access, reparations, disability, sexuality, healthcare, political power and representation, education, anti-blackness/lgbtq+, and violence against Black/LGBTQ+/women.

THREE CORE THEMES:
- CLAIMING HUMAN RIGHTS
- BUILDING POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC POWER
- COMBATTING ALL FORMS OF HATE

By delving into these topics, the book provides a blueprint for those committed to fostering democracy and creating a more inclusive and equitable society in the United States. The authors' insights offer guidance and inspiration for ongoing efforts to break down stereotypes, combat discrimination, and promote equality for marginalized populations.

The essayists analyze our present circumstances through a historical lens and highlight the actions necessary to challenge societal norms, dismantle oppressive systems, and uplift marginalized communities. By engaging with these diverse perspectives, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the issues and find inspiration to contribute to the ongoing fight for a more just society.

"Wake Up America" is a valuable resource for individuals seeking to comprehend and address the complex challenges of marginalized communities. By exploring the rich perspectives these essayists share, readers are encouraged to work towards creating a society that upholds the principles of equality, justice, and inclusivity.

"Black Women Taught Us" is an insightful and beautiful memoir that examines the invaluable contributions made by Black feminists, including Ida B. Wells, Bell Hooks, Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, Audre Lorde, Angela Davis, and many others. Through skillful storytelling, Dr. Jackson amplifies the voices of historically marginalized people and shares their personal transformative journey and the profound influence each featured woman has had on them. This book is a collection of essays that provides an essential educational resource and a compelling call to action. It sheds light on the untold stories of Black women's remarkable accomplishments. It inspires readers to learn from and uplift their work. Whether you are well-versed in Black activism or new to Black history, this book is a must-read that beautifully encapsulates the legacy and impact of these revolutionary women while demonstrating the author's own journey of inspiration. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this important work.

"King: A Life" is a meticulously researched and compelling biography that reintroduces Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to readers in a way that restores his humanity and sheds light on his profound impact. It offers a detailed and nuanced perspective. Eig's biography goes beyond the mythological figure that King has become and provides a powerful account that highlights his impact on our nation's character. 

 

The book portrays King not just as a civil rights leader fighting against racial injustice but also as a visionary challenging materialism, militarism, and the racism that permeated our nation. Eig captures the essence of King's message and reveals his tireless efforts to create a more just and equitable society. One aspect that struck me was the emphasis on King's calls for fundamental societal change. 

 

 The author interviewed many living individuals, adding an invaluable personal dimension to the narrative. The book is exceptionally well-researched. Eig skillfully weaves together the life of Dr. King with the struggles and triumphs of the civil rights movement. The book highlights the immense hardships experienced by the black community, not only in their relentless fight for equality and desegregation but even in their everyday lives as they navigated a country that often seemed to resent their very existence. 

 

What stood out to me was the careful research and compilation that Eig undertook to present such a comprehensive biography. The depth of information provided enabled me to gain a deeper understanding of King and the broader civil rights movement. 

Through Eig's work, I gained a deeper appreciation for the civil rights movement and the challenges faced by the black community. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of Dr. King's life and legacy. 

No One Is Better than You is the heartwarming and inspiring story of Edith Renfrow Smith, who, at 109, is the oldest living graduate of Grinnell High School and Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. This book is well-researched, well-written, and beautifully illustrated. It was written by debut author Monique McLay Shore and illustrated by an outstanding illustrator, Erica Lauren Butler. This is a children's book but is written for all ages. All of my grandchildren are getting a copy of this book because Edith Renfrow's message, which Monique and Erica carefully document, is an important one for all of us.

On a 5 star scale my rating is 3.75.

"A Thread So Fine" by Susan Welch is an engaging and thought-provoking historical fiction family drama predominantly set in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. The story begins shortly after World War II and spans nearly two decades. It revolves around the Malone family, an upper-middle-class Catholic household with strict social boundaries. Tragedy strikes when one of the Malone sisters contracts tuberculosis, and the other becomes a victim of a violent attack with lasting consequences.

Welch skillfully weaves a tale of two sisters, exploring the challenges of tuberculosis treatment in the 1940s and the repercussions of an unwanted pregnancy. The disintegration of the Malone family stems from their inability to effectively communicate or cope with trauma and shame. The narrative gives us great detail until the end, providing insight into the characters' actions even when they are unwilling or unable to share.

Despite thoroughly enjoying the book, the ending leaves much to be desired. It fails to provide a resolution, leaving me wondering about the fate of the characters, their relationships, and the ultimate outcome. This leaves a sense of frustration and uncertainty, affecting the book's overall rating, which would have otherwise been highly favorable with only minor plausibility concerns.

"The Kitchen Front" was my first Jennifer Ryan book. I enjoyed her writing a great deal. WW2 Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres. This novel is different than any that I have read to date. The story revolves around a BBC-offered cookery contest, where four women compete to become co-anchors of a radio program focused on cooking with rations. 
Cooking is NOT one of my genres of choice, but it proved to be the perfect context for learning about life on the homefront in Britain during the war. I purchased the ebook to see the recipes and followed along some, but for the most part, I listened. Jasmine Blackborow does a wonderful job of narrating. I would choose books based solely on this narrator. She made it a delightful experience.

I read this for my poetry book club. I'm thankful for the selection. When I graduated from high school, my parents gave me a book called "If You Don't Know Where You Are Going, You Will Probably End Up Somewhere Else." They gave it to others who graduated at the same time. It ticked my best friend off and probably offended some other people. I wasn't overly motivated to read it at the time. I wasn't known for my great attitude. In fact, my orchestra director told my parents I had a bad attitude. Thanks, Mrs. F.  I don't know; I think I had a great attitude. That being said, I should have read the book. I probably would have ended up somewhere else. Now there is this book: "No Idea What I'm Doing but ... " This book truly connected with me on a personal level. I will be rereading this because so many parts deeply spoke to me. It is cathartic and provides a sense of emotional release. Over the years, I've grown and evolved, and this book invites me to embrace my true self, pursue my aspirations, and be the person I am meant to be without worrying about the opinions of others who try to confine me.

4.75 Stars rounded to 5.

I read The Color Purple by Alice Walker at this time because of the opportunity to see the most recent movie version and participate (observe) in an Instagram discussion group in the Black Space. It has been on my TBR list for years.

Walker won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1983. The novel uses an epistolary format. It is a powerful and emotionally charged work that explores racism, sexism, domestic violence, sexuality, and the oppression of women. Walker exposes the hardships faced by African American women in the early and mid-1900s, highlighting their strength, resilience, and ability to overcome adversity.

Walker's use of distinct dialects and vernacular lends an authentic voice to the characters, giving them depth and complexity. Walker effectively conveys the characters' experiences, emotions, and personal growth. The protagonist, Celie, evolves from a voiceless and submissive individual to a confident and assertive woman. Mr, also known as Albert, who is the abusive man that Celie is forced to marry, exhibits personal growth that I had trouble finding believable. The unbelievability of Albert's personal growth is my only reason for not giving this book a full five stars.

Walker has an exceptional talent. She employs vivid imagery and poetic language. She puts forgiveness on full display and is a more forgiving person than I am. My favorite quote from the book: "There is so much we don't understand. And so much unhappiness comes because of that."