A week later, I'm still reeling by how deftly Deesha traverses our weird, weird selves, in ways that anyone with a skin color and a beating heart can A week later, I'm still reeling by how deftly Deesha traverses our weird, weird selves, in ways that anyone with a skin color and a beating heart can relate to. The church ladies who populate her short stories are neither good nor bad — they’re a seesaw of both and a rainbow of in between. Try illustrating human nuance in a way that’s all at once sexy and sad, entertaining and confusing, and above all else, thought-provoking. These are fiction, but you could have fooled me. As if that weren’t nirvana enough, audiobook narrator Janina Edwards (who graced us with this guest blog post), layers on her extra amazing-ness....more
The best kinds of books let readers walk in the shoes of another, to truly experience and gain compassion for what someone else's life is like. It's aThe best kinds of books let readers walk in the shoes of another, to truly experience and gain compassion for what someone else's life is like. It's an understatement to say that Leila Mottley does this in spades with maturity far far beyond the high schooler she was when she wrote this. Joniece Abbott-Pratt does a great job narrating....more
Racism in the 1800s, racism now ... the story of too few people caring or taking action against it doesn't change much. Joseph Conrad is a wonderful wRacism in the 1800s, racism now ... the story of too few people caring or taking action against it doesn't change much. Joseph Conrad is a wonderful writer & audiobook narrator David Case aka Frederick Davidson does a beautiful job....more
What happened?! Considering the prominent author and colossal publisher -- why wasn't this book edited better?! So much word-for-word repetition, too What happened?! Considering the prominent author and colossal publisher -- why wasn't this book edited better?! So much word-for-word repetition, too many self-indulgent generalities about what novelists are supposed to be like, and a protagonist more sentimental than profoundly caring enough about his dear ones to make me fall in love them through his narrative. Thank goodness for audiobook reader Armando Duran who can make the back of a cereal box sound like fine literature....more
Beautifully written and read aloud, this is an imagining of the possible life of the girl depicted in Vermeer's lovely painting.Beautifully written and read aloud, this is an imagining of the possible life of the girl depicted in Vermeer's lovely painting....more
What's it like to be a teenager who's grown up amid the complicated push-pull of being privileged, American, Nigerian, and gay? Along with Niru, authoWhat's it like to be a teenager who's grown up amid the complicated push-pull of being privileged, American, Nigerian, and gay? Along with Niru, author Iweala does a remarkable job of illustrating characters, each of them good and bad, each of them representative of how mere good intentions are not enough. Audiobook narrators Onayem and Whelan are equally amazing....more
Ward excels at shifting between past and present, each page a poetic mounting of tension, magical realism deep with truth. I wished for more resolutioWard excels at shifting between past and present, each page a poetic mounting of tension, magical realism deep with truth. I wished for more resolutions, more redemptions and comeuppances, yet that's how real life can be. The audiobook narrators were perfection....more
To be honest, I was afraid this was going to be smarmy, but it redeemed itself by the end. The audio reader does a stunning job. Why isn't he creditedTo be honest, I was afraid this was going to be smarmy, but it redeemed itself by the end. The audio reader does a stunning job. Why isn't he credited anywhere on the box or the cds?!...more
Such a great novel for anyone and everyone! Addresses feminism on all levels, all ages, with fun, intelligence, humor. Audiobook reader Karen White isSuch a great novel for anyone and everyone! Addresses feminism on all levels, all ages, with fun, intelligence, humor. Audiobook reader Karen White is stellar....more
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