Month: May 2018

REVIEW: Loser's Bracket by Chris Crutcher

REVIEW: Loser’s Bracket by Chris Crutcher

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Annie’s almost a senior in high school, but she’s experienced a lot in 17 years. She bounced from home to foster care multiple times before her mother’s rights were terminated. Annie knows her family is toxic, but she’s tied to them too tightly to turn her back on them. Her foster father would like nothing more than for Annie to cut all ties to her biological family once and for all. But she can’t bring herself to do it. Most of the times she sees her mother or her older sister, the meet up ends in disappointment for Annie. But they are still family.

When Annie’s biological family shows up for her last swim meet of the season, her mother picks a fight with Annie’s book club friends over a misunderstanding. In the ensuing chaos, Annie’s nephew disappears. Her family may be a hot mess, but they are her hot mess. Annie will do whatever it takes to find her nephew.

Review

The characters in this are outstanding! I loved Annie from the beginning. Even though her biological family is trapped in horrible cycles of abuse and drug use, Annie sees the dysfunctions and can keep some distance from them. After Annie, her foster brother, her best friend, and her book club are my other favorites from the story. In a different book, the book club would have made an excellent story all on their own, with each character telling his or her own story.

While Annie’s foster family is safer and more healthy than her biological family, it’s not perfect. And in the story we get to watch Annie negotiate the various dysfunctions and find her own path through them. The revelations she experiences as the foster family situation is more out in the open were fascinating.

I loved everything about this. I would read more stories with these characters in a hot minute. And the author’s style and insight really clicked for me. I’d read more of his work and will be checking out his other stories.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

REVIEW: Belle AND Ella by Sarah Price

REVIEW: Belle AND Ella by Sarah Price

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of Ella from Netgalley and the publisher, Zebra. All opinions are my own. ]

Belle: An Amish Retelling of Beauty and the Beast – Summary

Belle’s father wasn’t really cut out to be a farmer. In his heart and his mind he is an inventor. Unfortunately, inventing doesn’t bring in any money if no one will buy his designs. As the youngest of three daughters still at home, Belle knows the best she can do is be sure the house is cared for, complete her chores, and hope maybe one of her sisters will get married. A husband could help with the things her father doesn’t do on the farm.

But an accident puts their whole family in jeopardy. Her father is woefully behind on the mortgage, his latest invention was destroyed in the accident before he could sell it, and in desperation he sold the family’s home and farm to the reclusive Adam Hershberger.

Belle knows the townspeople sometimes call Adam a “beast” because of his scars from a fire years ago. His gruff manner doesn’t help that reputation. But Belle is desperate to help her family. So she agrees to marry Adam if he will let her family stay at the farm.

Review

This was delightful! Beauty and the Beast is my favorite of the Disney princess stories. This Amish twist on the story was terrific. Early on, the parallels to the Disney version were almost too on point. But after the wedding, the story developed its own flavor and details that were original and perfect for the context.

I loved Belle and Adam. The Beast-ish moments – the growling, the secrecy, the anger and bitterness – were frustrating. Why wouldn’t he just TALK to her? I loved how Belle stood up to the people in the community for her husband even when she wasn’t sure where she stood with him. The only disappointment for me was the lack of a library scene!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

 

Ella: An Amish Retelling of Cinderella – Summary

Ella Troyer was a teenager when her father told her he was getting married again. Her mother had been gone for awhile and Ella needed a woman in the house to teach her all she would need to know as an adult in the Amish community. His new bride was a widow from another town who had two girls around Ella’s age. Even though her father had never met the woman before, they were to become a  family.

Six years later, Ella is a virtual servant in her family home. After her father’s death, Ella’s step-mother took over his business – the town’s general store – and Ella became the sole caretaker of the home She did all the chores around the house, tended the garden and the livestock, and did all the cooking.  If her step-sisters didn’t want to work their shifts at the store, she also did that. Between her fear of her step-mother and the promise she made to her dying mother, Ella felt she had to take the high road and suffer through all of the abuse without complaint, hoping God would eventually set things right.

When the store starts having money trouble, Ella’s step-mother starts looking into taking on a partner for the business. The family considering the deal sends one of their sons to check out the Troyer family and the business. Hannes is smart and funny. He makes Ella feel special and important. But Ella’s step-mother is determined to drive Hannes away – or claim him for one of her own daughters instead.

Review

This was fantastic! Even better than book one. I don’t read a lot of Amish fiction, but this series is so incredibly good I want to read it again and again.

The author does an excellent job adapting the original fairy tale to an Amish setting. I loved the nods to the classic – mice, a pumpkin, etc. – even though the magical elements are left out. And the way the author works in the “fairy godmother” and the “glass slipper” parts literally made me sit up and cheer. I could see the pieces start to come together, and when they finally did, it was perfect!

Ella’s situation through most of the story was infuriating. Her Amish step-mother used all the Amish traditions about hard work and peace and obedience to manipulate Ella, but didn’t apply them to her own daughters. I longed for them to be put in their places, and when it happened, I was supremely satisfied.

I highly recommend this for fans of romance novels, Amish fiction, Christian fiction and readers who enjoy re-fashioned fairy tales. This was a delight from start to finish. Book three – Sadie – which focuses on the story of Snow White is scheduled for Fall 2018. A new character mentioned in this book could be a hint at a fourth book in the series.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Wedgie and Gizmo 1&2 by Suzanne Selfors

REVIEW: Wedgie and Gizmo 1&2 by Suzanne Selfors

Posted on by Jaymie

[Thanks to the author, Suzanne Selfors, for the  Advanced Reader Copy of Wedgie and Gizmo vs The Toof which I won in a social media contest. All opinions here are my own.]

Summary of Wedgie and Gizmo

Wedgie is a Corgi who lives with Mom, Abuela, Jasmine and Jackson. When he wears a cape, something Jasmine gave him for Halloween, he is “Super Wedgie.” His cape gives him super powers! When he runs in circles in front of the door, barking, with his cape flapping behind him, a “force field” is activated and the door opens (by one of his family members).

Gizmo is a guinea pig who lives with Dad and Elliott. Gizmo is an evil genius. He has taught himself to read, and he builds evil lairs (behind the dryer) and uses pigeons to carry letters to his love.

When Dad and Mom get married, Elliott and Gizmo have to move. And that means everyone has some adjusting to do. Wedgie has to “adjust” to more people to LOVE and herd. Gizmo has to adjust to living in a Barbie Playhouse while waiting for a new cage. He also engages in battle with his new nemesis Wedgie, as well as Abuela, “The Elderly One.”

Will Gizmo get to accomplish all of his evil plans? And will the humans in the story be able to adjust to all of the changes that come with becoming a step family?

Review of Wedgie and Gizmo

This book is a HOOT!! I loved Wedgie and Gizmo. Wedgie is adorable and earnest and endearing. In my head, he sounds like Doug from the movie Up. He also reminds me of the dog in the Magic Bone series. What a great voice the author gives Wedgie! Gizmo is awesome in a completely different way. I love how he interprets the things around him – Elliott is his servant, etc.

There’s great humor in this story. The nicknames the animals have for each other are terrific. This could be a ton of fun to read out loud to a class – lots of shared laughter. Amazon says this is for ages 8 and up. I think this would work for any elementary classroom where kids are reading independently (for length). Family interactions for this blended family give the story a more serious tone at times, but Wedgie and Gizmo help keep the overall tone light.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

 

Wedgie and Gizmo vs the Toof (Book 2)

 Gizmo is certain that he needs a “Drone of Destiny” and a hoard of other guinea pigs  in order to take over the world. But he is convinced that Wedgie (“Thorgi” – the Corgi in a Thor cape) will try to stop him, along with his new partner Pinkie the Pig, aka “The Toof.”

Wedgie loves his new friend Pinkie (“Funny Dog”), and he wants Jasmine to be happy. All Jasmine wants is for Wedgie to win a prize in the Pet Parade event at her school. She is desperate to win a trophy like her new step-brother Elliott always does. But Gizmo’s plans and Wedgie’s impulsive nature may keep Jasmine from realizing her dream.

 

Review

This was another terrific story with these dynamite characters. This begs to be read out loud with a “Doug” from Up sort of voice for Wedgie and a Bond villain sort of voice for Gizmo.

One of the things I liked about this story was that it works on a couple different levels. The obvious level is Gizmo’s schemes and Wedgie’s cluelessness. It’s pure gold all on its own. But there’s the layer of things happening in the human world – between Jasmine and their new neighbor Emily, and also the ways that Jasmine is trying to find her place in this new family configuration. This layer of the story is a little more subtle. Some younger readers might need coaxing to engage with that layer of the story, but older readers will enjoy the deeper story. Both layers are terrific!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

BOOK NEWS: May 29, 2018

BOOK NEWS: May 29, 2018

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy Memorial Day! As you rest with your family and remember those who fought for our freedom, take a look at some of the books releasing this week. ‘Tis the season for kicking off some summer reading!

Books for Kids

Spy Dad (June 1) – A girl longs for her spy dad to take a real vacation. This looks like a fun read!
Z Goes First – Fed up with being at the end of the alphabet, Z and Y try to move to the front. I love alphabet books that flip the usual narrative on its head. Sign me up for this one!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Annie’s Life in Lists – A girl who loves making lists tries to find her way in a new town and new school. This is my favorite sort of middle grade story. This is on my list for this week.
Confusion Is Nothing New – From the author of I Kill the Mockingbird (an all time favorite for me), Paul Acampora, comes this story of a girl who learns the mother she never knew has died. This is top of my list just because of who wrote it, but I am eager to dig into the story, too.
Float – From the author of Edge of Extinction (an area author for my local readers) comes a new book about a group of boys at a summer camp for kids with special abilities. I am so excited about this one. I am hoping my local bookstore will have her in for a signing this summer!
From You to Me – A teen find’s her dead sister’s bucket list and hopes that completing the list might help her with her grief. Yep, I will totally be reading this one.
Front Desk – A girl holding a lot of secrets, including the dream of being a writer, hopes to make it through the year keeping the biggest secrets from the owner of the motel where her family lives and works. There’s an immigration angle to this story that intrigues me. Early reviews have been very positive.
Grump: The (Fairly) True Story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves – The fourth book in the Fairly True series. I adored book one, Rump. Fractured Fairy Tale loves like me should check this one out.
Most Valuable Players – Book 4 in the Rip and Red series. I reviewed book 2 in the series here. I love this series about friendship and basketball. The teacher in the book is extraordinary, and I love the autism angle in the stories as well. This is a must read for me since I have enjoyed the rest of the series.
Postcards from Venice – The latest book from the Mix line tells the story of a girl who gets to spend the summer in Italy and blog about the city of Venice. I love the whole idea of this book – the setting, the writing, all of it.
The Sphinx’s Secret – Book 2 in the Supernormal Sleuthing Service by the spectacular Gwenda Bond. This is about a kid living in a hotel for supernatural creatures. Look at that cover! This book just begs to be pulled from the shelf and read! I have to get book one asap.
Two Dogs in a Trench Coat – When two dogs notice their owner coming home from school smelling of anxiety, they have to find a way to sneak into school and check on their boy. Oh my goodness, I am so excited to read this book!
All the Little Lights – Two kids, separated by circumstances, reconnect as teens, but there is too much history between them to go back to the way they were. When one of them is suspected of causing a local tragedy, can their fragile relationship survive? Interesting premise. I’m curious to see what pulled these two apart and what threatens to pull them apart again.
Cross Fire – Book 2 in the Exo series about a future Earth that is a colony for an alien race. I have wanted to read book one since it first released.
The Disappearance of Sloan Sullivan – A thriller based around the Witness Protection Program. Sounds fascinating and mysterious.
Holly Jolly Summer – Daughter of the mayor of Christmas, Kentucky is having a summer that makes her Scroogey until she finds herself in the middle of a project to repackage the town’s failing amusement park. This sounds like the perfect Christmas in July read for summer. This is on my list!
Legendary – Book 2 in the Caraval series about a mysterious game with high stakes. I would have to read the first book to ever have a hope of understanding this second one, but for fans of book one, this will be big.
Listen to Your Heart – A reluctant girl finds herself hosting an advice podcast, but her personal feelings for one of her callers starts to impact her advice. This sounds like another perfect read for summer.

Books for Adults

Bear Witness to Murder – Book 2 in the Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery series. Yes, that’s really its name. A murder at the “Oktobear” Fest could ruin both the annual event and the woman who manages the Silver Bear Shop and Factory. If for no other reason than the title of this series, I must check out book one. (Trade paperback*)
Confessions of a Red Herring – First in a new series (Mass Market paperback*). As the new employee at the PR firm, a former journalist is the top suspect when the CEO is killed. She’ll have to use her journalism skills to find the real killer. I’m very excited to read this one. I’ll be reviewing it later this summer.
Crime & Punctuation – First in a new Deadly Edits mystery series (Hardcover*) about a freelance editor whose latest author turns up dead after writing a gripping “ripped from the headlines” mystery from the little town where she lives. I am so excited about this one, too! This is another book I’ll be reviewing later this summer.
The Diva Cooks Up a Storm – First in a new Domestic Diva series (Hardcover*). An event planner finally gets the chance to join her fellow foodies at an event where she isn’t in charge, but a murder ruins the event. I can’t pass up the first book in a new series, but since this is releasing in hardcover, it’s going on my library list.
Ella – Second in this series of classic fairy tales retold as Amish romances. I adored the first book in the series, Belle, and I’ll be reviewing that one and this one later this week.
Grounds for Remorse – Book 2 in the Tallie Graver Mystery series (Mass Market*). A woman who tried everything to leave the family funeral business behind her stumbles across a body in her new line of work in book one. In this book, her best friend is the top suspect in a murder. I read another funeral home family business mystery earlier this year, but I haven’t tried this one. I am adding book one to my list.
Murder with Cinnamon Scones – Book 2 in the Daisy’s Tea Garden mystery series (Mass Market*) centered around a tea shop/catering business. This series looks cute. I’ve read some of the author’s other books and enjoyed them.
Star Trek Prometheus: The Root of All Rage – The Federation flagship races to stop a war brewing between a group of fanatics and the Klingon Empire. I love a good Klingon story, so this has to go on my list.
Shelter in Place – A thriller centered around a mass shooting at a local mall. I don’t read a lot of Nora Roberts, but the description of this one – the impact of the event on different folks who were part of it, the mysterious co-conspirator – makes it a must read for me. (Hardcover*)
Too Many Crooks Spoil the Plot – First in a new series (Trade Paperback) about a pediatrician, which is unusual for cozy mysteries. In this book, the doctor agrees to watch the kids of an old friend for the weekend, but the woman is murdered. Sounds like a fascinating mystery.
Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me About Happiness, Gratitude and Focus – An entrepreneur, entertainer and best-selling author who only moves at full speed takes a self-imposed time out at a monastery. I enjoy memoirs like this where the author tries something out of their comfort zone and tells readers about the experience. I have this one on my list along with his first book, Living with a SEAL.

 

*I’ve noticed that publishers have shifted some of their new mystery series to Trade paperback (full size paperback with a sale price around $15 or $16) or hardcover (with a sale price around $25) instead of Mass Market paperback which runs around $8. When I think of it, I’ll try to note the format so readers can plan their book budgets – and trips to the library – accordingly.

REVIEW: #PrettyBoy Must Die by Kimberly Reid

REVIEW: #PrettyBoy Must Die by Kimberly Reid

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Peter Smith is a senior at Carlisle Academy in Colorado. On a late night run, his best friend tries to jump out and surprise him, but the pizza smell gives him away. Yet a freshman girl can jump out and take a picture of him shirtless, that she then posts online. #PrettyBoy is born.

In anyone else, this might be flattering. But Peter is a teenage CIA operative. That girl never should have been able to sneak up on him like that – and he does NOT need his face on social media! After an operation in the Ukraine went south with Peter stuck on the inside, he’s been sidelined at Carlisle. He’s supposed to be finishing his last year of high school and gathering intel on some of the bigwigs who send their kids to the school. But in reality, Peter has traced the hacker from the Ukrainian op to Carlisle. He’s perfectly placed to observe and ferret out the hacker. Unfortunately, it looks like the hacker might be Katie, the gorgeous girl with the British accent that he dumped before Homecoming. High school and spy work sure can make life complicated.

And it’s about to get worse. The Ukranian mission may seem over to the CIA, but someone has seen Peter’s picture online and decided #PrettyBoy must die.

Review

Reviews for this online are really low, and I just don’t understand it. I thought this was great fun! The mystery/spy pieces were twisty. Peter was always wondering (though not always guessing correctly) whom he could trust. There’s a steady supply of action and tension from start to finish. I would read more books like this if this ever becomes a series.

The whole #PrettyBoy premise was fun. This was a light yet suspenseful story. The book didn’t take itself too seriously. I enjoyed the characters a lot. There’s a little bit of language, but no detailed violence, so this easily works for middle school as well as older readers who want a fun, fast-moving adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed this!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

REVIEW: The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner

REVIEW: The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Sarah Hollenbeck seemed to have it all. Her husband was handsome and successful – her high school sweetheart. From the outside, their life looked perfect. But the love was gone. Patrick was sleeping with anyone but his wife. Sarah hadn’t worked since college because she got married and focused on helping Patrick with his business and his image. Without him, what does she have?

The decision to write came a little out of nowhere, and her early poems were horrible. But over the course of 6 weeks, she poured herself and her angst over her marriage and divorce into a steamy story of love. And it was a hit! Two books later “Raine de Bourgh” is famous for her graphic, saucy romances.

Then Sarah meets Jesus. A conversation with a friend turns into a prayer to Christ. And Sarah’s life is suddenly on a new track. But how will she reconcile her old life – and current book contract – with her faith? And how can she tell the sexy widowed pastor at her church that she’s the author of these scandalous books?

Review

This was excellent from start to finish! The transformation of Sarah from the shallow, needy woman at the beginning to the strong, centered woman she becomes is inspiring. Her desire to do right by her new relationship with Christ is sincere. She’s still figuring things out, but she’s determined.

The characters in the story are people I would want as friends. Well, most of them. And the chemistry between Sarah and Pastor Ben is terrific. He’s not perfect, but he is devoted to her, to honoring God in their relationship, and he’s compassionate when the newness of her faith is apparent in the things they are working through.

The story was excellent. I cared about what happened to the people in the story. This is everything I want Christian fiction to be. Strong story, characters I care about, and a faith at the core that feels natural and authentic. Highly recommend!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Captain Superlative by J. S. Puller

REVIEW: Captain Superlative by J. S. Puller

Posted on by Jaymie

[Profuse thanks to Netgalley and Disney-Hyperion for the priviledge of reading an electronic review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Jane is a “blend into the background” sort of kid by choice. She keeps her head down. She avoids attention. Her grades are good enough to get by. And that is her focus – to get by.

But something is very different at school that January. Some kid is walking around dressed as a superhero, calling herself Captain Superlative. Who does that?! Kids will think she’s weird. They’ll call her a freak!

Captain Superlative catches Janey’s imagination, though. She watches the Captain help kids all around the school. She opens doors for the kid in a wheelchair and makes a study guide for the whole seventh grade to help with a tough test. And she stands up to the Queen Bee, Dagmar, when she bullies her favorite target.

Before she really knows what’s happening, Janey finds a little bit of the heart of a hero in herself. She steps out of the shadows and joins Captain Superlative as she tries to make a difference in the lives of every single person in the school. But when things turn rocky, Janey will have to decide if she’s going to run back to the shadows again or if she is brave enough to stand alone in the spotlight.

Review

If I could give more than five stars to this, I would! (In fact, I looked back and one other time I gave a book a 5+ rating. I think I have to do that again for this book.) This was spectacular! In fact, just before I read this, I read a book I thought would surely be a favorite for 2018, and after reading this book, I can barely remember what I liked about the last one. This one has just consumed me since I finished it. This book has everything I love – a fascinating story, amazing characters and tons of heart. But this went one step farther with a hint of a “message.” It’s subtle, and it is woven into the entire fabric of the book. And it is perfect.

Oh, how I love Janey. She exemplifies everything I love about middle school students. She’s full of heart and strength and fear. She’s trying to make her way through difficult situations and do the right thing. Sometimes she fails. But you understand her heart. You know where her choices are coming from. I wanted to hug her. A lot. She’s a delight.

This was an emotional one for me – at least a six-tissue read. It would be hard for me to read this out loud without crying. But this begs to be read out loud – to be experienced “together.” It’s a bullying story on one small level. But it is so much more! It’s about a culture of kindness, about finding your voice, and about then using it to help others. It’s about family and friendship and legacy and character. And it’s wholly superlative.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥+++

BOOK NEWS: May 22, 2018

BOOK NEWS: May 22, 2018

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s a small week for book releases, but a great week for books if you are excited about the new Star Wars movie, Solo, releasing this Friday. Here are some of the books releasing this week.

Books for Kids

Super Saurus and the Egg – Arnold, the superhero dinosaur, is ready for anything when his parents bring home an egg. Sounds like a cute get-ready-to-be-a-big-brother story.
Solo: Meet the Crew – This Early Reader tells kids all about the characters in the new Star Wars movie.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

   

Star Wars: The Mighty Chewbacca and the Forest of Fear – This comes from the author of the fantastic Origami Yoda series, Tom Angleberger. Chewy, a bounty hunter, and a spy droid are on the run through a forest that emits a mist that makes everyone experience their fears. Sounds like an adventurous story!
Star Wars: Solo: The Official Guide – The visual guide to the new movie
Where Is the Bermuda Triangle?
Where Is Walt Disney World?
The Academy – Teen fashion blogger gets sent to military school. This looks terrific!
Aftermath – The sibling of a school shooter and her former best friend who lost a brother in the event try to find their way through the aftermath of the tragedy. The full description of this has a terrific mysterious tone to it. This will be a must read for me.
Furyborn – First in a new trilogy. A prophesied queen and a bounty hunter, born centuries apart, hold keys to the future of an empire. Look at that cover! It’s gorgeous! I have been waiting for this book since the first moment I saw that cover. This is at the top of my list for the week.
Star Wars: Most Wanted – A prequel adventure for the main characters of Solo.
The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik – After a boy is hypnotized, he notices things he never saw before and there are changes in the people around him. The full description of this is bizarre and mysterious. I’d read this one just to figure out what is going on in the summary.

REVIEW: Spark by J. M. Hackman

REVIEW: Spark by J. M. Hackman

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

When Brenna set a school display aflame with fire from her hands, it was a surprise to say the least. But that surprise was small compared to the news that her mother was really from a parallel universe – an “alternity” called Linneah. Her Linnean heritage gives Brenna her power with fire. Brenna is required to visit Linneah by her 16th birthday – and today is that day. The only problem at the moment are the four monsters blocking the portal.

Brenna, her dad and her grandma manage to make it through the portal after some peril. But things aren’t all peaceful in Linneah. Brenna’s mom is missing. No one has heard from her in weeks. She’s somewhere in the Jasper Territory, possibly captured by the enemies of Elyon, the Most High God. And Linneah’s leadership and way of life is under attack as well. Brenna’s powers mark her as the possible subject of an old prophecy which starts to come true, regardless of Brenna’s resistance. She will have to choose her priorities – save Linneah or save her mother – and figure out what she is willing lose in order to save anyone.

Review

I received a review copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this fantasy world and the faith pieces that were woven into it. The characters were good, and I cared about what happened to them. There were hints of Narnia in the story, I thought, which I enjoyed.

My only disappointment in an otherwise terrific book was the climax. There were several lovely, highly suspenseful moments throughout the story that were totally satisfying. But when the final battle came, it fell a little flat in comparison. I read the entire wrap up of the book waiting for one last twist or an unexpected betrayal to give the ending a satisfying punch, but that never came. So after enjoying 85-90% of the novel, the ending fizzled a little for me.

I will happily recommend this to Christian young people – really, any young people – looking for a new fantasy series to enjoy. But I will include the caveat that the ending might be a little low key compared to their expectations. Book 2, Flare, will be out in the fall, and I will totally be checking it out!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown

REVIEW: I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown

Posted on by Jaymie

Austin Channing Brown shares her experience as a Black woman in America. From her name – people often assume she is a white man before they meet her –  to her experience in predominantly white environments, Ms. Brown has a lot of experiences to explore. This is part memoir and part discourse on race in America. I enjoyed the writing style and voice all the way through. This reads like a friend talking with you over coffee.

In the midst of that conversational tone, though, there is pointed content. It made me uncomfortable at times – even convicted and ashamed. I like to think there are no racial biases in me, but I think it would be hard to grow up in white America and not have them. My job now is to recognize them and challenge and change them. I was grateful for the faith pieces in the book. They were an anchor for common ground and for hope that we can change – that life for Black folks in America can be different than it is now.

Read this with an open mind and an open heart. If you are a person of faith, ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you fit in Austin Brown’s narrative. Prayerfully consider how her story can change and challenge you.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Convergent Books for the opportunity to read an electronic copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥