Review of "This is How It Always Is" by Laurie Frankel

This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Frankel introduces the reader to a young family of five children. When Rosie and Penn are expecting their fifth and youngest child, Rosie is wishing for a girl as she's only had boys prior. She planned on naming her child "Poppy" after her late sister. However, when the fifth child was born, it was a boy and they named him Claude. As Claude grows up, he asks to wear a dress to school and over time asks to be called Poppy. This is the story of how a very young child goes through the trials and errors of defining their gender identity.

I enjoyed the beginning part of the book but as it progressed I liked it less and less. It definitely has a preachy quality for trans-rights and gender queer identities rather than a personal or accurate portrayal of this type of experience. I do not know if Frankel herself has someone in her life that has gone through this type of transition but it does not come across that she has any personal knowledge of what it is like. It felt like it was a rose-colored look into how a young child would experience this self-education of their own identity. I did appreciate that this population is getting featured in literature as it is the first novel I have read with a gender-queer protagonist so props to Frankel for that. For me, the book should have cut out a good portion of the middle. It did feel like she added in a bunch of the same stuff so it got monotonous and tedious to listen to.

If you like stories about families with children who feel or are different than other children and you appreciate happy endings...this book is for you!

View all my reviews

Review of "An American Marriage" by Tayari Jones

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was chosen for a book discussion group held in my library. This book wouldn't have been something that I would've gravitated to on my own. My co-worker suggested we add it to the list of 2019 titles and upon reading the description of the novel, I was intrigued. I was drawn in from the beginning of the book to Jones's style of writing. This novel was written in the first person from the point of views of three characters; Roy, a husband who after one year of marriage is falsely accused and convicted to 12 years of prison for committing a rape of another woman; Celestial, Roy's wife of one year when he is sentenced to prison and has to grapple with what to do next; and Andre, Celestial's childhood friend and Roy's college roommate who steps into Roy's place in his absence. The novel revolves around this love triangle and how this prison sentence affects each of their lives. The overarching theme of this book is definitely the treatment of black men in law and order in America. This topic is so timely with other books and documentaries such as "The 13th" released within the past few years. We, as the reader, are left to decide what course of action was "right" for these characters. After being exonerated and released from prison 5 years into his sentence, Roy returns to his wife expecting to continue on in his marriage, despite her silence in communication the past 2 years. I think that Jones could've been clearer in Roy and Celestial's marriage prior to the arrest. Also, the trial itself wasn't covered enough in my opinion. Overall, I thought that this book was a glimpse into the impact that racial profiling can have on a young couple and their families.

View all my reviews

Review of "Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Owens's debut novel is another stunning epic story of a young girl, similar to The Great Alone, adapting to a wilderness without much assistance from others. In this case, the story begins in 1969, when two young boys find the dead body of Barkley Cove's favorite previous quarterback, Chase Andrews. We are then introduced to young Kya Clark, 6 years old in 1952, who lives in the swamp-like marshland near Barkley Cove, NC. Soon, she is abandoned by her family to live on her own in a shack away from town. A town where the people look at her like she's dirty and unworthy. Kya, who only attended one day of school, has to learn how to survive on her own despite the prejudices of the town and her lack of education. Delia Owens co-wrote two memoirs prior to this novel of her times of survival in the African wilderness with her husband. Her experience with isolation from civilization and surviving on the wilderness alone is echoed in the text of this book. She beautifully encapsulates the landscape of the marsh, putting the reader in the mindset of Kya throughout. This is a coming-of-age story of survival, love, overcoming obstacles and prejudices. Kya is an extremely likable protagonist and you'll be drawn into her story spanning from 1952 into the 21st century. Owens alternates chapters between before and after the death of Chase Andrews and the reader is left trying to solve the case before the detectives. A gripping story you will not want to put down. Fans of The Great Alone and Educated will be interested in the story of strong willed Kya. Highly recommended.

View all my reviews

Review of "Squeezed: Why Our Families Can't Afford America" by Alissa Quart

Squeezed: Why Our Families Can't Afford America by Alissa Quart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Alissa Quart does an excellent job of profiling American families from all ranges of socioeconomic backgrounds who are all feeling squeezed right now. The majority of the families she interviews have children but they range from; single parent homes, families with children with disabilities, families below the poverty line to families struggling to remain in the lower upper class. In the introduction of the book, Quart introduces us to Michelle Belmont, a technology librarian, whose family was struggling to just remain in the middle class. She borrowed to get an education required for her career, both bachelor and masters degrees, and when her son came along, they owed the hospital over $20,000 in medical bills. Quart shows right from the beginning of the book how easily a family, or even a single person, can get over their heads in debt.

Quart interviews family after family in the subsequent chapters but the message remains the same throughout. Over and over, these Americans are blaming themselves for their predicament. They blame themselves for drowning in debt, while they are merely trying to take care of their family. Quart lists to "stop placing blame" as the first step individuals can take in action to stop feeling squeezed. While this book is slightly skewed to focus on those families who may be considered "middle-class", Alissa even reveals her personal story with feeling squeezed. As a journalist, she goes through the bumps of her career and how she comes out on the other side.

While I don't think this book gives all the answers for how we as Americans can fix this issue of feeling financially squeezed and burdened in our lives. However, she does demonstrate that this is more of a universal problem that we may have thought. You are not alone in your struggle. It's the system that is the problem.

I would recommend this book for any fans of books on economics or sociology. If you enjoyed "Evicted" by Matthew Desmond, you'll enjoy this middle-class version of that book. She does get a little political in areas discussing the influences of the past and current Presidential Administration, but overall a very good insight into a universal issue plaguing middle-class America today.

View all my reviews

Review of "Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. It took me a second to get into the book with the African names and places. Once I got into it though, I couldn't stop reading it. The structure of the book was so interesting to me the way each chapter was told from the perspective of a different character and alternating between the descendants of one sister to the other. Really eye-opening for me personally. Beautifully written as well. Highly highly highly recommended.

View all my reviews

Review of "Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body" by Roxane Gay

Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh man. This is my first Roxane Gay book. I've been dying to read her nonfiction since reading articles about her and following her on Twitter. I think she's such an amazing woman and this book affected me so much. I feel that you should always commend someone for speaking their truth even though commendation is not at all why they do it. Roxane exposes her inner voice and let's us inside her heart, gut and mind. I felt all her pain throughout and the ending just got me. I can't wait to read her other works. Her writing is so powerful.

View all my reviews

Review of "Educated" by Tara Westover

Educated by Tara Westover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was one of the best memoirs I've ever read. Westover is a beautiful writer. She described many occurrence with staggering detail. Lots of cringe worthy moments. Her story is amazing and she is extremely grounded despite her Ivy League education. True dedication to reach her goals. Highly highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Review of "Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah

Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. I honestly didn't know what to expect going in and I was pleasantly surprised as to how good of a writer Noah is. It was a window into a completely different world from mine and it gave me perspective on how resilient someone can be and hopeful as well. I really felt immersed in his life and childhood. Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Review of "Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City" by Matthew Desmond

Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Heavy book in all its reality. Time to face up to our privileges and read this book about the hardships that too many Americans go through every day. Another crisis in the US brilliantly exposed by Desmond. A must read.

View all my reviews