Deborah

• Rated 4 stars

“The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis is definitely a well-written piece of fiction. Mathis has produced a work that deals with a family filled with individuals who operate in abstract and dysfunctional ways. If Mathis was not a capable author this particular story would just come across as family chaos instead of a balanced story in which some of the most painful moments in their individual and collective lives are responded to in understandable and very human ways.

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Deborah wrote this review Saturday, March 30, 2013. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“I really enjoyed reading this particular novel because Julie Otsuka places the reader at the beginning when the group of women leave Japan and opens up their lives in a way that is universally human.
The information that is shared about the 'picture brides' is a nice blend of general and specific information about different aspects of their lives as they work to move into America's pre-Pearl Harbor culture.
Otsuka also presents a different perspective about what happened within the lives of the women and their families after the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred. I feel that she did an excellent job of representing a gambit of emotions.

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Deborah wrote this review Thursday, January 31, 2013. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“The Black Count is one of the best non-fictional books that I have read in a long time.
Tom Reiss has done an excellent job telling the story of General Alex Dumas by using his personal correspondence, official documents and information from his son's memoirs of his father.

General Alex Dumas was an important figure in France during the 1700's. He was the son of a French nobleman and a Black slave woman. Reiss tells the story of Dumas life in a style that makes you want to find out what happens next in the life of General Dumas.

This is a great read. I like how Reiss provides interesting and important details about Dumas and the historical period that he lived in.”

Deborah wrote this review Monday, January 21, 2013. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Kimberla Lawson Roby continues the saga of Reverend Curtis Black and his trials in the ministry and his private life. I enjoy reading Lawson Roby's works because she does an excellent job of telling a believable story about the struggles that people of faith goes through in life.”

Deborah wrote this review Wednesday, January 16, 2013. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Home reminds me of early works by Toni Morrison.
I like this particular novel. The rhythm of the prose made it an intense read.”

Deborah wrote this review Thursday, December 27, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Man Down by Dan Abrams is a book that dismantles gender myths by presenting a set of statistical facts regarding the performance of women versus men in different areas of life.

It is a thoughtful and well written book. Abrams' shares some fascinating facts about why women are better in so many professional fields as well as in domestic and health matters.

Some of the information that is presented about women will surprise even the well informed individuals on women's progress in our society. It certainly is a great book to read during this particular political season because it actually provides a form of comfort and reassurance that women have already demonstrated the resilience to excel in spite of all the obstacle that seemingly are in our way.

Abrams is respectful to both women and men in his book and he leaves it up to the reader to conclude if the case he has made for women should stand.

I liked this book a lot and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in a good non-fictional read. ”

Deborah wrote this review Monday, March 19, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“I am re-reading Another Country by James Baldwin.

Jimmy has always been one of my favorite authors. I am revisiting his works because I want to see how I view his perspective as a mature adult. ”

Deborah wrote this review Sunday, March 11, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Dreaming in English is a story about an Iranian woman who returns to the U.S.

I found the story line interesting. Tamila comes to visit her sister and goes through a series of missteps as she tries to shun the tradition of an arranged marriage. She ends up marrying an American named Ike. Their ceremony takes place on the even of the expiration of her visa. This sudden union is rejected by Ike's family and he and Tami have to move on without the support of his family.

One of the outstanding features of this book is the perspective that Tami brings to the reader regarding America and our culture. What we take for granted as Americans is all new to her and it often makes her feel unsure about what she can and cannot do.

It's a complex story and I do not give all the details of any novel that I read. I will say this if you read this particular novel, I think you will find it to be a good read. ”

Deborah wrote this review Sunday, March 11, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“I decided to read A Secret Gift because I am an Ohioan and the liner notes sparked my interest.

This is really a very close up look into the lives of people in Canton, Ohio during the Depression Era. Ted Gup's grandfather runs an ad in the local newspaper that promises $10 to people who write personal letters about their situation. Gup's grandfather uses a made up name to prevent his neighbors from realizing that he is actually the benefactor. He receives so many letters that he decides to sent $5 instead because there were so many people in need.

Gup traces what happens to the people who received the money in exchange for their letters. He provides insight on what type of lifestyle they were living prior to the economic collapse and a follow up on what happened after the Depression ended.

Gup also learns about his grandfather's past while researching the material for this book. He shares the story of how his grandfather changes his identity after immigrating into America.

I really enjoyed this book. It's a great non-fictional read.”

Deborah wrote this review Sunday, March 11, 2012. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Obviously I did not start this particular series of books in the right order. I am borrowing copies from the library and I borrow what ever copies are available.

I really enjoy the interaction of characters in these stories. They are respectful to each other and they are realistic in their exchanges. I also like the details about what goes on in the environment of Botswana.

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Deborah wrote this review Thursday, December 29, 2011. ( reply | permalink )