Category: Book Reviews

Buses are a Comin’: Memoir of a Freedom Rider – Charles Person with Richard Rooker

This is the single best coming-of-age memoir I have ever read. I have read and enjoyed many. It is 1961, and eighteen-year-old Charles Person needs his parents'' permission to become the youngest of the original Freedom Riders of 1961. James Farmer of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) led up the plan to test the … Continue reading Buses are a Comin’: Memoir of a Freedom Rider – Charles Person with Richard Rooker →

When No One is Watching – Alyssa Cole

I enjoyed Cole's writing style, characters, and concept, as well as the engaging historical information about Black-owned real estate in Brooklyn with a nice little nod to Weeksville, a place HIGH on my list of NY destinations when travel starts again. Sydney's neighborhood is gentrifying a little TOO fast, in ways that seem explicitly sinister. … Continue reading When No One is Watching – Alyssa Cole →

Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 – Edited by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha Blaine

I am so glad I selected the audiobook because hearing this book spoken by the talented cast was unforgettable. (I did then research the table of contents to make sure I remember the writers and their topics since I have no print copy.) This brainchild of Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha Blaine, editors, is a … Continue reading Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 – Edited by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha Blaine →

Nowhere Girl: A Memoir of a Fugitive Childhood – Cheryl Diamond

I won an advance reading copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway, which I'm pleased about --because I can highly recommend this book. It feels a little mean to say this is a very entertaining read because Cheryl Diamond's life was way too chaotic -- to such an extent that she ultimately found out … Continue reading Nowhere Girl: A Memoir of a Fugitive Childhood – Cheryl Diamond →

Three-Martini Afternoons at the Ritz- Gail Crowther

Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton are icons for those of us who grew up in the "second wave" feminist movement. I always knew who they were, their perceived impact on women's literature and that they committed suicide. I read "The Bell Jar" in 1977. But this is a must-read book for so many reasons beyond … Continue reading Three-Martini Afternoons at the Ritz- Gail Crowther →

Urban Slave and Walking on Aire – Andy Owens (An e-book; Netgalley & Kindle)

I liked these pieces, two separate stories that I would describe as "observational humor." I admit I signed on for what I figured would be the British version of Barbara Ehrenreich's "Nickel and Dimed: On Not Getting by in America," and while the social commentary is there, it's not the point of Urban Slave, the … Continue reading Urban Slave and Walking on Aire – Andy Owens (An e-book; Netgalley & Kindle) →

A Peculiar Combination- Ashley Weaver (Electra McDonnell, Book 1) *And books 2 and 3, below*

A thoroughly enjoyable read! Ellie McDonnell has been raised since infancy by her widowed uncle Mick, a locksmith and a safecracker. It's London, August 1940, Britain is in the war and Mick's two sons have been called to duty. Ellie already is trained in both sides of the family business, when she learns her skills … Continue reading A Peculiar Combination- Ashley Weaver (Electra McDonnell, Book 1) *And books 2 and 3, below* →

The Consequences of Fear – Jacqueline Winspear (Maisie Dobbs # 16)

Don't know about you, but a lot of times I find that as my favorite historical fiction series progress through the decades, I lose interest or the writing quality goes down. Not so with Maisie Dobbs. We've seen her through great tragedy and great happiness, over several decades and she never fails to be interesting. … Continue reading The Consequences of Fear – Jacqueline Winspear (Maisie Dobbs # 16) →