Book Review: Girl A: A Novel by Abigail Dean-Suspense

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of Girl A: A Novel by Abigail Dean.

Title: Girl A: A Novel

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Suspense

Author: Abigail Dean

Publisher: Viking

Publication Date: February 02, 2021

Language: English

Hardcover: 352 pages
Meet the Author: Abigail Dean
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

She thought she had escaped her past. But there are some things you can’t outrun.

Lex Gracie doesn't want to think about her family. She doesn't want to think about growing up in her parents' House of Horrors. And she doesn't want to think about her identity as Girl A: the girl who escaped, the eldest sister who freed her older brother and four younger siblings. It's been easy enough to avoid her parents--her father never made it out of the House of Horrors he created, and her mother spent the rest of her life behind bars. But when her mother dies in prison and leaves Lex and her siblings the family home, she can't run from her past any longer. Together with her sister, Evie, Lex intends to turn the home into a force for good. But first she must come to terms with her siblings--and with the childhood they shared.

What begins as a propulsive tale of escape and survival becomes a gripping psychological family story about the shifting alliances and betrayals of sibling relationships--about the secrets our siblings keep, from themselves and each other. Who have each of these siblings become? How do their memories defy or galvanize Lex's own? As Lex pins each sibling down to agree to her family's final act, she discovers how potent the spell of their shared family mythology is, and who among them remains in its thrall and who has truly broken free.

For readers of Room and Sharp Objects, an absorbing and psychologically immersive novel about a young girl who escapes captivity–but not the secrets that shadow the rest of her life.

My Thoughts

What a better way to continue my reading year than with a fantastic suspense novel.

First, all the trigger warnings with this one. Child abuse being the main one. Domestic Violence, Mental Health, Abuse in general. All these sensitive topics however, the writer does such a fantastic job that it is still a very well-written novel. 

I thought it was more of a thriller but regardless I kept reading, and I am glad I did. This is one of the best book I have read on its genre.

A very dark, intense, fast-paced novel. Kept me intrigued the whole time, which I loved not having it figured out. Like I said at the beginning, lots of situations that can be triggering, it was hard at times to keep reading but a fantastic writing style makes it worth the read.

Wendy

Book Review: Born A Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah-Memoir

 Hello dear Readers,

Below my book review of Born A Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah.

Title: Born A Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Memoir

Author: Trevor Noah

Publisher: One World
Publication Date: February 12, 2019

Language: English

Paperback: 304 pages
Meet the Author: Trevor Noah
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The compelling, inspiring, and comically sublime story of one man’s coming-of-age, set during the twilight of apartheid and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed

NAMED ONE OF PASTE’S BEST MEMOIRS OF THE DECADE • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Michiko Kakutani, New York Times • USA Today • San Francisco Chronicle • NPR • Esquire • Newsday • Booklist

Trevor Noah’s unlikely path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show began with a criminal act: his birth. Trevor was born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. Living proof of his parents’ indiscretion, Trevor was kept mostly indoors for the earliest years of his life, bound by the extreme and often absurd measures his mother took to hide him from a government that could, at any moment, steal him away. Finally liberated by the end of South Africa’s tyrannical white rule, Trevor and his mother set forth on a grand adventure, living openly and freely and embracing the opportunities won by a centuries-long struggle.

Born a Crime is the story of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself in a world where he was never supposed to exist. It is also the story of that young man’s relationship with his fearless, rebellious, and fervently religious mother—his teammate, a woman determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence, and abuse that would ultimately threaten her own life.

The stories collected here are by turns hilarious, dramatic, and deeply affecting. Whether subsisting on caterpillars for dinner during hard times, being thrown from a moving car during an attempted kidnapping, or just trying to survive the life-and-death pitfalls of dating in high school, Trevor illuminates his curious world with an incisive wit and unflinching honesty. His stories weave together to form a moving and searingly funny portrait of a boy making his way through a damaged world in a dangerous time, armed only with a keen sense of humor and a mother’s unconventional, unconditional love.

My Thoughts

I truly believe Trevor Noah is one of the funniest people out there. 

His life story, oh my God. It is hard to believe how he can share it in such a funny way, even though is not the prettiest. And his mom, I think she is such a strong woman.

This book was superb. I am thinking I will re-read it, but I will listen to the audiobook instead.

I loved every page of this book, however, I have to say, my favorite part is when Noah talks about how language, how he saw her mother using language, in her case english, to cross barriers, and to move around the world, not that race didn't matter but in their country, knowing another language could mean freedom in so many ways. 

Trevor shares stories from his childhood, in a very dramatic but funny way, always highlighting a lesson learned. Religion, racism, family relationships, how he grows up, and goes through life defying obstacles. Also, for those of us who were not that familiar or had the understanding on South Africa during the Apartheid, this was an excellent book to learn from it.

I totally recommend this book. It is one of the best memoirs I have ever read.

Wendy

Book Review: The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes The World by Melinda Gates-Memoir

Hello dear Readers,

Below my book review of The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes The World by Melinda Gates.

Title: The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes The World

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Memoir

Author: Melinda Gates

Publisher: Flatiron Books
Publication Date: April 23, 2019

Language: English

Hardcover: 288 pages
Meet the Author: Melinda Gates
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

A debut from Melinda Gates, a timely and necessary call to action for women's empowerment.

“How can we summon a moment of lift for human beings – and especially for women? Because when you lift up women, you lift up humanity.”

For the last twenty years, Melinda Gates has been on a mission to find solutions for people with the most urgent needs, wherever they live. Throughout this journey, one thing has become increasingly clear to her: If you want to lift a society up, you need to stop keeping women down.

In this moving and compelling book, Melinda shares lessons she’s learned from the inspiring people she’s met during her work and travels around the world. As she writes in the introduction, “That is why I had to write this book―to share the stories of people who have given focus and urgency to my life. I want all of us to see ways we can lift women up where we live.”

Melinda’s unforgettable narrative is backed by startling data as she presents the issues that most need our attention―from child marriage to lack of access to contraceptives to gender inequity in the workplace. And, for the first time, she writes about her personal life and the road to equality in her own marriage. Throughout, she shows how there has never been more opportunity to change the world―and ourselves.

Writing with emotion, candor, and grace, she introduces us to remarkable women and shows the power of connecting with one another.

When we lift others up, they lift us up, too.

My Thoughts

"If you invest in a girl or a woman, you’re investing in everyone else."

I listened to the interview Brene Brown did with Melinda Gates on the podcast, Unlocking Us. It was the first time I listened to an interview with Melinda and had to say that episode made me curious to know more about her and the work, her and her husband Bill Gates have done through their Foundation.

The stories of other women Melinda shares on her book are so heartbreaking, but I believe they can serve as a very rich learning experience for other women. I believe Melinda uses her platform for good, and that has helped these women to be empowered, and improve their lives. The impact the work they do has had over all of them they have helped is very impressive. 

This book is one of these books that make you think of things that you would not otherwise. I opens your eyes to things that you don't think happen or can happen, and makes you reflect on your life, your circumstances but most of all, makes you think on how can you help, how you like Melinda could make a difference in other people's lives. 

A very inspiring and eye-opening book. 

Wendy

Book Review: Rachel Maddow: A Biography by Lisa Rogak-Biography

 Hello dear Readers,

Below my book review of Rachel Maddow: A Biography by Lisa Rogak.

Title: Rachel Maddow: A Biography

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Biography

Author: Lisa Rogak

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Publication Date: January 07, 2020

Language: English

Hardcover: 288 pages
Meet the Author: Lisa Rogak
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

The first biography of the most popular anchor in cable news.

Rachel Maddow has beaten the odds in a way that’s novel in today’s America: she uses her brain.

In a world of banal and opinionated soundbites, she regularly crushes Sean Hannity’s ratings thanks to her deeply researched reports. And in our highly polarized world, Maddow amiably engages the staunchest conservatives, while never hesitating to expose their light-on-facts defenses.

As a result, she's become the top anchor for MSNBC and a beloved representative for all that progressive America holds dear. The news that Maddow was the first publicly-out lesbian to anchor a prime-time TV news show seemed almost anticlimactic to her millions of viewers, who will be surprised and intrigued by little-known details of her life, as written by New York Times bestselling biographer Lisa Rogak.

Growing up in a conservative California town – and viewing herself as a perennial outsider – helped spark an early interest in activism. After attending Stanford and Oxford, she opted for a minimum-wage job as a radio DJ in a tiny Massachusetts market while finishing her Ph.D. She planned to pursue a career as an activist, but 9/11 changed all that, so she returned to local radio where she could help listeners by "explaining stuff." A stint at Air America raised her national profile, which led to her groundbreaking MSNBC show where she dissects the news of the day with an approach found nowhere else on TV.

My Thoughts

I listened to the Audiobook and loved it. 

It was fascinating to know more about Rachel, and not just what you see on TV, which I love watching her but knowing about her growing up, going to school, college, her activism work, her sexuality, how she handled her coming out, and her beginnings on the Radio and TV. All very interesting, gives you an extra perspective on her, and the work she continues to do.

I think it is fascinating how she delivers the information to the viewers. In a way, that no matter how complex or complicated the subject it, we can understand, have it clear, and make our own judgment.  I think her show is the only one that I can watch and honestly say I learned and took something valuable out of it. 

I recommend this 100%, and listen to the audiobook makes it more enjoyable. 

Wendy

Book Review: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (A Hunger Games Novel) by Suzanne Collins/Dystopian

Hello dear Readers,

My book review of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (A Hunger Games Novel) by Suzanne Collins.

Title: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (A Hunger Games Novel)

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Genre: Young Adult/Dystopian

Author: Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: May 19, 2020

Language: English

Hardcover: 528 pages
Meet the Author: Suzanne Collins
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined — every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute . . . and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

My Thoughts

It took me a little longer than expected to finish this book but finally did.

I have to say, I was not sure really what to expect from it, other than the fact that was the prequel to the beloved The Hunger Games Trilogy.

I immersed myself on this journey, just wanting to know more about young President Snow, and try to understand things from The Hunger Games, which we definitely see on this book, however, it felt slow-paced, and a little underwhelming, it felt like the story was being dragged out at time, perhaps just towards the end it picked up a little for me but not enough to make me really excited. I did not dislike it but did not loved it either to be honest. 

Wendy