Book Review - Kid Vega and the Sorcerer of Mali by Scott Dixon ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Title: Kid Vega and the Sorcerer of Mali
Author: Scott Dixon
Genres: Middle grade, Teen
Source: Author 
Format: Kindle E copy
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"...…empires are built and defended with brain these days kid - not brawn"

Much thanks to the author of this book for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First, I must say that for a book that was written for younger readers the language was very advanced. However, although the words were advanced the way in which it was included in the story, from my point of view, even if young persons are reading this book they would indeed be curious about what the word means. This was very clever. As a teacher myself I appreciate vocabulary building in books like these.

The story is one of adventure. It follows a young man named Ayden (Kid Vega) who is the son of a famous rapper (Master Vega) and archeologist mom (Kirina).

Kid Vega on an expedition with his parents to Timbuktu finds a very powerful Jewel called the Eye of Africa that holds much more power than he could ever dream to imagine. Kid Vega's life is not the same after acquiring this pendant, because it takes him on an adventure unlike any other.

The characters in this book were all well developed. I especially liked his two friends Aniyah and Three J because they added a fun element to the story. I think their presence built Ayden's confidence especially in the battle with the Sorcerer King (I will say no more here, you just have to read the book).

I liked the fact that Ayden's parents took him to different parts of the world, and I am being biased here I think Trinidad was well represented in the character Montez. What occurred in the islands though ( with getting Ayden back to America), is quite a real situation and that is what I liked about this as well because although this book is written more or less for children it dealt with some serious issues. So it was entertaining and enlightening at the same time.

So if you are looking for a good book for maybe a 12 to 15 year old that is relevant, diverse and exciting. I would definitely recommend this.

Well done!!!

Book Review - An Indelible Day by Cairo Marques ⭐⭐⭐

 

Title : An Indelible Day
Author: Cairo Marques
Kindle Edition
Source : Author Request
Contemporary Short Story
Number of Pages : 27
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis

The story accompanies a single day of John C., a man of about thirty. In this short passage of time he has three dialogues with three different people. These dialogues, certainly, have shaped his day and, likely, will exist within him eternally.

Review

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

This very short story was interesting.

The story is a day in the life of a young man named John C. John C is struggling with anger management among other issues. 

On this day, John had three very impactful encounters that would perhaps change his life as it is currently. 

What this story reminded me of is when people say that you are placed in situations and you meet people in your life for a reason. This is what I got from the story. That John needed to chat with Jane (Dr. Davis's secretary), he needed to keep his appointment with Dr. Davis and of course the most important encounter at the end.

 This short story is the type of book that I need to sit with a group of friends and discuss. The events in the story was well sequenced and what I liked is that I could feel even in these few pages that John C had demons within him that he needed to fight.

If you are looking for a good short story this one is quite interesting.

Amazon Link 

Goodreads

Book Review: My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere With Me (Children's Book) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

CHILDREN BOOK FEATURE

Title: My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere With Me
Author : Kathleen Marcath
Illustrated by: Isaac Liang Zhi Jie and Pardeep Mehra
Genre: Children's Book 
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere With Me: 

With Dylan, every day is a new adventure! Just like our favorite toys, our words and language go EVERYWHERE with us. Come along on this imaginative adventure and experience the thrill of using sign language. Feel the excitement as Dylan uses his tow truck and wrench to fix a broken monster truck, then races to the Monster Car Rally.

Experience Dylan’s range of emotions when he discovers that his favorite Monster Truck is gone. Then follow the mystery as Dylan wonders, thinks and tries to remember where he left his truck. Feel the excitement when the truck’s whereabouts are finally discovered.

Each page is beautifully illustrated with one or more signs that you can learn with your child. The 31 signs included in the book are demonstrated by Dylan, his mom and his grandma. Learning together, you and your child will enjoy a unique bonding experience and build a strong relationship that will last a lifetime.

Review

At the beginning of 2021, when planning content for my blog I decided that I will include book reviews for children's and teens. As an educator by profession I feel it is part of my duty to encourage children and teenagers to read and to support authors who write these genres of books.

Much Thanks to the author for trusting me to review this book.

I loved this book. Plain and simple. 

This is a very well written and sequenced story about Dylan and his adventures with his favorite toy his Monster Truck. I actually became really sad when the truck went missing and became happy when he recovered it. I can imagine how wonderful a child would feel reading this book because of the emotion it evokes. The illustrations are captivating. The pictures are colorful and it will appeal to children who are visual learners.

I love the sign language element because sign language is actually on my bucket list of things to learn. The signs are very easy to follow, while reading I found myself trying to practice signing myself. This book just made me think again that sign language is something important for me to learn even as an adult. It is also good for children who read this who are not hearing impaired to acknowledge that there are other children like this and that they can communicate with them.

In all I highly recommend this. Well done!!!

Follow the link if you will like to place an order:

My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere with Me

About Kathleen Marcath: 

Kathleen Marcath has a B.A. degree in Deaf Community Studies, as well as years of experience as a Special Education Sign Language Supporter has kindled her passion for helping children reach their educational potential. Kathleen is delighted to help fill the need for picture books illustrated in American Sign Language. She is a wife, mother and grandmother and resides in Michigan.

About the Illustrators: 

Isaac Liang Zhi Jie is a Deaf illustrator based in Singapore. At the age of four he started his artistic journey by drawing on the cupboards of his home with crayons. In his free time, he gains inspiration from traveling and cafe-hopping. Through his illustrations, animations, and traditional art mediums, Isaac amplifies visions and tells visual stories in a unique way.

Pardeep Mehra of Pencil Master took Isaac’s sketches and added detail and color for the beautiful illustrations in the book.

Book review - Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Title: Behind Closed Doors
Author : B.A. Paris
Published by: St. Martin's Press
Date: August 9th. 2016
Pages: 293
Genres : Psychological Thriller
Source : Personal Copy
Format: E book
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis

Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace. He has looks and wealth, she has charm and elegance. You might not want to like them, but you do.

You’d like to get to know Grace better.

But it’s difficult, because you realise Jack and Grace are never apart.

Some might call this true love. Others might ask why Grace never answers the phone. Or how she can never meet for coffee, even though she doesn’t work. How she can cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim. And why there are bars on one of the bedroom windows.

Sometimes, the perfect marriage is the perfect lie. 

Review

Wow what a book!!!

This book validates the saying that when something is too good to be true it usually is.

Behind Closed Doors was a page turner. It was captivating. It kept me at the edge of my seat.

Grace thought she found the perfect man in attorney Jack Angel. He was handsome, wealthy, a famous lawyer and he was willing to accept her younger sister Millie (with Down Syndrome) as part of the package, so she no doubt married him after a short romantic courtship.

The thing that captivated me about this story is that although it is a work of fiction I can really see this happening to someone. There are so many women that are looking for the right guy and could easily be blinded by things like good looks and charm. This was the sort of book that you wanted to read to the end to see what would happen.

The author's use of language was skillful because it really made me feel as if I were living in that house and plotting with Grace. There were points in the story where I just wanted to run in there and save her. What I also found interesting is the part that the friends played in the book especially Esther. Too often we go through things in silence not wanting to share our personal business, and most of our close friends are oblivious to something going on, but there is always that one person who has a gut feeling that everything is not alright.

Millie was an interesting character. I do not want to give too much away but I thought that Paris was clever to highlight that in spite of the disability she had, that she was able to sense something was amiss. I think that too often we think that people with down syndrome and other limitations are incapable of sensible thought. Millie's character was so important to dispel these assumptions.

Read this!!!

I recommend it.

Book Review - Grown by Tiffany Jackson ⭐⭐⭐

Title: Grown

Author: Tiffany Jackson

Published By: Harper Collins

Pages : 384

Genre: Young Adult

Source: Library 

Format : E book

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 

Synopsis

Korey Fields is dead.

When Enchanted Jones wakes with blood on her hands and zero memory of the previous night, no one—the police and Korey’s fans included—has more questions than she does. All she really knows is that this isn't how things are supposed to be. Korey was Enchanted’s ticket to stardom.

Before there was a dead body, Enchanted was an aspiring singer, struggling with her tight knit family’s recent move to the suburbs while trying to find her place as the lone Black girl in high school. But then legendary R&B artist Korey Fields spots her at an audition. And suddenly her dream of being a professional singer takes flight.

Enchanted is dazzled by Korey’s luxurious life but soon her dream turns into a nightmare. Behind Korey’s charm and star power hides a dark side, one that wants to control her every move, with rage and consequences. Except now he’s dead and the police are at the door. Who killed Korey Fields?

Review

This book was ok!!!

It was my first time reading Tiffany Jackson and as far as writing goes this story was well sequenced and written for the audience it was intended,  young adults. 

I read the About the Author section at the end of the book because the story sounded familiar (I would say no more on this point because I do not want to spoil it ).

Aspiring singer, Enchanted the main character is star struck when Korey Fields takes an interest in her voice and wants to work with her on an album. But Korey has a dark side that Enchanted has no idea about until it is too late. The book also has a hint of mystery from the very beginning when Enchanted is covered in blood with a dead Korey close by. Life for Enchanted would never be the same.

I liked how the book touched on issues of young women being taken advantage of by powerful men. The message was clearly brought forward in the book. What was interesting though and what I have always had reservations about in books like these is the role of the parents. How could a parent trust a stranger in this way with their child's well being? This is the part that does not always sit well with me where cases involving underage children are involved.

In all I think the story was well done. 

It is worth a read!!!

Book Review - Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Title: Black Buck
Author: Mateo Askaripour
Source: NetGalley Advanced Reader Copy
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Format: E book
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis

There’s nothing like a Black salesman on a mission.

An unambitious twenty-two-year-old, Darren lives in a Bed-Stuy brownstone with his mother, who wants nothing more than to see him live up to his potential as the valedictorian of Bronx Science. But Darren is content working at Starbucks in the lobby of a Midtown office building, hanging out with his girlfriend, Soraya, and eating his mother’s home-cooked meals. All that changes when a chance encounter with Rhett Daniels, the silver-tongued CEO of Sumwun, NYC’s hottest tech startup, results in an exclusive invitation for Darren to join an elite sales team on the thirty-sixth floor.

After enduring a “hell week” of training, Darren, the only Black person in the company, reimagines himself as “Buck,” a ruthless salesman unrecognizable to his friends and family. But when things turn tragic at home and Buck feels he’s hit rock bottom, he begins to hatch a plan to help young people of color infiltrate America’s sales force, setting off a chain of events that forever changes the game.

Black Buck is a hilarious, razor-sharp skewering of America’s workforce; it is a propulsive, crackling debut that explores ambition and race, and makes way for a necessary new vision of the American dream.

Review

"An opportunity means change. An opportunity means action. But most of all , an opportunity means a chance of failure."

I received this book from NetGalley in September and when I started reading it then somehow I found it difficult to get into. 

Last weekend while at the hairdresser to pick up this again and I just could not put it down. 

This is a very well written story about a twenty two year old young man named Darren. A Starbucks employee, who in giving a good sales pitch while selling a  coffee to Rhett Daniels CEO from Sumwun, a tech startup company located in New York, was given a life changing opportunity to work for a dream company. Little did Daniel know that this opportunity would change his life as he knew it forever.

Askaripour skillfully crafted this story, in that it provided not only entertainment but it gave a lot of life long lessons and really made the reader think about life in a deep way especially as it relates to success. Each character had an important role in the book which was awesome. 

It is also important to note Darren's change of attitude when he became successful. These changes reflect the attitude of so many young people upon getting into profitable employment at an early age. The writer brought into the story the issue of race relations and issues  beautifully. I liked how he was not one sided in the approach to the discourse on race.

Love the characters, Love the book. Well done!!!

Book Review - See No Color by Shannon Gibney ⭐⭐⭐

Title: See No Color
Author: Shannon Gibney
Published Date : November 1st. 2015
Pages : 192
Genres ; Young Adult, Teen, Sports, Fiction, Contemporary
Source: National Library (Libby App)
Format: E Book
Rating ⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis

For as long as she can remember, sixteen-year-old Alex Kirtridge has known two things:

1. She has always been Little Kirtridge, a stellar baseball player, just like her father.

2. She’s adopted.

These facts have always been part of Alex’s life. Despite some teasing, being a biracial girl in a white family didn’t make much of a difference as long as she was a star on the diamond where her father—her baseball coach and a former pro player—counted on her. But now, things are changing: she meets Reggie, the first black guy who’s wanted to get to know her; she discovers the letters from her biological father that her adoptive parents have kept from her; and her body starts to grow into a woman’s, affecting her game.

Alex begins to question who she really is. She’s always dreamed of playing pro baseball just like her father, but can she really do it? Does she truly fit in with her white family? Who were her biological parents? What does it mean to be black? If she’s going to find answers, Alex has to come to terms with her adoption, her race, and the dreams she thought would always guide her.

Review

AS a teacher, I thought that it only fitting that I encourage young people to read. 

So, one of my goals as I try to grow this blog is to feature both children and Teen YA fiction and Non Fiction books that parents can use to encourage young people to read. When I was young there was so little diversity in YA literature, I think now it is an exciting time for young people to really connect with stories much like this one.

This was a short and powerful read. Shannon Gibney takes the reader into a world very few have experienced which is the world of interracial adoption (If that's the term that could be used).

Alexandra Kirtridge is adopted. Not only that she is a biracial living with a white baseball family. She is at an age (16) where she begins to question where does she belong.  In trying to find herself, we follow Alexandra through her many discoveries and heartbreaks.

This was a very good topic choice by the author because many people adopt outside of their race. It shows that as a person of mixed heritage faces challenges with their identity. Not to spoil it for anyone I think the parents' role in the book was expertly described, how they dealt with Alex's questions and concerns was so realistic because in my mind I can picture that same reaction from many people in a similar situation. It really highlighted to me how little we understand one another. 

This was a very well written book for young readers and I highly recommend it.

January Wrap Up _ Six Books

JANUARY 2021 WRAP UP 

January was a good reading month and keep in mind with my schedule between teaching and studying reading six books felt like a hundred. Here is the list of books and my ratings.

1. My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell ⭐⭐⭐⭐

2. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid⭐⭐⭐⭐

3. A Camgirl Got me: Taylor by Just Bae⭐⭐⭐

4. Ties that Tether by Jane ⭐⭐⭐⭐

5. Verity by Colleen Hoover ⭐⭐⭐⭐

6. Blind Spot by JO Richardson⭐⭐⭐

My reading year started out with a bang so let's see what February will look like.

By. Francica

Trini Girl Reads/

Book Review - Blind Spot by Jo Richardson ⭐⭐⭐

Title: Blind Spot
Author: Jo Richardson
Pages: 497 (Paperback)
Genre: Fiction
Source: Book Sirens 
Format : Kindle E Book 
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

When I look for books to review, I usually take my time because there are so many to choose from and I know what I like to read. Upon reading a sample of Blind Spot I just knew that I had to read it. I must say that the story was indeed a page turner.

The author's descriptions of the characters were vivid. I imagined that I was there feeling what Tucker felt while he confronted the demons of his past. Sydney's character was very interesting because I never before thought that people could possess the kind of "gift" that she possesses.

The connection between the main characters and the passion was really alive as well. You felt their love and struggles, their journey.

Had the book been shorter though it would have been much more effective.

I look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Book Review: Verity by Colleen Hoover ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Title: Verity
Author: Colleen Hoover 
Published by: 
Pages: 324 pages 
Genre: Romantic Thriller
Format: E book
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Synopsis 

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen's feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife's words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.

A standalone romantic thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover.

My Review:

Finally I read the much talked about Verity. 

This is the type of story that will stay with me for a while. 

Verity has been on my TBR list for a while and it did not disappoint. This was my first time reading Colleen Hoover and I assure you that I will be reading more of her work in the future. 

Lowen is a writer who is a bit down on her luck, her mother died leaving her in debt, she has issues with sleep walking so of course she needs a break in life. After witnessing an accident on the street on the way to her publishers' and being helped by a kind stranger Jeremy her life takes an unexpected turn. 

Jeremy Crawford ends up being the husband of a famous author Verity Crawford who wants to hore Lowen to complete his famous wife's book series.

Verity suffered tremendous loss and was in a tragic accident which left her in a coma.  After seizing the opportunity, Lowen agreed to stay in the Crawford's household to research manuscripts and plan her writing. In doing so Lowen makes a startling discovery, Verity's autobiography.  As she reads the sordid tale in Verity's autobiography, Lowen realizes that there lies within that family secrets.

What I love about this book is that it held my interest till the very end. As Lowen read Verity's manuscript you could have felt every feeling and emotion. There were times I was angry, sad and of course horrified. The ending was surprising too. I did not expect the story to end that way.

I am glad I finally read this. 

Book review: Ties that Tether by Jane Igharo ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Title: Ties that Tether
Author: Jane Igharo
Date : September 29th. 2020
Pages :336
Genres : Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Women's Fiction
Source : Libby Overdrive, Library 
Format E book
Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis:

When a Nigerian woman falls for a man she knows will break her mother’s heart, she must choose between love and her family.

At twelve years old, Azere promised her dying father she would marry a Nigerian man and preserve her culture even after emigrating to Canada. Her mother has been vigilant about helping--forcing--her to stay well within the Nigerian dating pool ever since. But when another match-made-by-mom goes wrong, Azere ends up at a bar, enjoying the company and later sharing the bed of Rafael Castellano, a man who is tall, handsome, and white.

When their one-night stand unexpectedly evolves into something serious, Azere is caught between her growing feelings for Rafael and the compulsive need to please her mother who will never accept a relationship that threatens to dilute Azere's Nigerian heritage.

Azere can't help wondering if loving Rafael makes her any less of a Nigerian. Can she be with him without compromising her identity? The answer will either cause Azere to be audacious and fight for her happiness or continue as the compliant daughter.

I downloaded the Libby App recently because the library here in Trinidad and Tobago, because of the pandemic is trying to make reading more accessible because many would not be able to visit the library as we usually do. So in other words I am a newbie to this. I borrowed this book mainly as a test, not knowing what it was about and became very engrossed in the story.

Azere made a promise as a child  to her dying father that she would marry a Nigerian "Edo" man. Now an adult living in Canada Azere's mother has gone to great lengths to honor her deceased father's wishes by trying to match her with every eligible bachelor of Nigerian Heritage. Azere goes on these dates dutifully but never makes a connection with anyone. 

After one of these arranged dates goes wrong, she  meets Raphael, who is completely handsome and guess what he is not Nigerian or even Black. They connected at the bar and had a one night stand. Azere tries to put Rafael out of her mind when lo and behold he starts working at her job.

There begins a romantic adventure that keeps you turning pages.

This is definitely a must read!!!

Book Review - Camgirl Got me - Taylor By Just Bae ⭐⭐⭐

 

A nice quick read !!! ⭐⭐⭐ Ok so it is two am and I could not sleep so i decided to read this short story. I love how I am discovering new writers everyday like Just Bae. A Camgirl got me is a short story that is very erotic and definitely a page turner. Sometimes stories like these are not so well written but I was actually surprised at the style of writing. Good short story.

Book review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Title: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Pages:391
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Adult
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

2021 is off to a great start for me with this book. 

This has been on my TBR for a very long time and all I can say about it is that it lived up to the hype.

Prior to reading this I heard so many rave reviews and the fact that it did not disappoint gave me peace.

Monique Grant is a young writer, working for a magazine called Vivant. Newly separated from her husband, Monique is requested for by none other than Evelyn Hugo who wants Monique to write not just a story for the magazine but her autobiography.

As Monique interviews Evelyn she is told a story about a life of intrigue and tragedy.  It was also a story about the great lengths we will go in life to protect the ones we love and for love. In my opinion this was the best part of the book.

With an ending so shocking that Monique couldn't believe it.

This story was well written. I enjoyed it completely.

Book Review: My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Title: My Dark Vanessa
Author: Kate Elizabeth Russell
Published By: William Morrow
Pages: 373
Genre: Adult Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Dark
Source:  Library
Format: e book, .epub
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Come and be worshipped, come and be caressed, My dark Vanessa, crimson-barred, my blest, My admirable butterfly!"

This book was disturbingly good. A page turner indeed.

What a way to start 2021. 

There were parts of this story that I felt uncomfortable reading but I just could not put it down.

Vanessa Wye is a fifteen year old student of a boarding school called Browick where, upon attending meets Jacob Strane an English teacher who she becomes infatuated with. Strane also has an interest in Vanessa one that leads her down an unimaginable path of destruction for the rest of her life.

I think this book is necessary because sexual grooming is something that happens more frequently than we care to admit. Many older men and some women prey on young people that may be viewed as weak. 

This book was so well written. I love the imagery and the relevance of every single person in the book. While reading I felt everything that Vanessa was going through. At times I became emotional, angry and also felt pity for Jacob Strane.

This book gives a good example of what can happen if people don't address trauma. 

I really want people to read this book so I would say no more.

I am looking forward to reading more from this author. 

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

 

December 2020 Wrap Up

Well today is the last day of 2020. "Ole Years Day!" as we call it here in Trinidad and Tobago.

Many would say that 2020 has been an unprecedented year with the Coronavirus and all the social distancing. I actually thought that this year gave me the opportunity to embrace my love for reading and share my passion with the world through "Trini Girl Reads."

As I share what I read for the month of December, I would like to wish all persons reading this a Happy and Prosperous 2021.

DECEMBER 2020 Reads

Jihadi Bride by Alastair Luft Book Review ⭐⭐⭐

 

Title of Book: Jihadi Bride
Author: Alastair Luft
Published by: Black Rose Publishing 
Number of Pages:326
Genres: Action, Thriller
Source: Book Sirens
Format: Kindle, ARC
Trini Girl Reads Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

"....someone's freedom to do something always butted up against someone else's freedom from something."

This is the first book I have received from Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review.

This book was about Erik Peterson an army /war veteran who upon hearing that his daughter Arielle after having had a traumatic experience at her college, decided to join Islam and go to Syria to (what she thought) to fulfill a higher purpose and find peace. What she experienced was nothing she expected. Meanwhile her father Erick would stop at nothing to find his daughter even if it meant putting himself at risk.

I found this story really exciting and action packed and honestly this would make a very good TV series. This is my first time reading this author and I must say I was very impressed with the writing in this novel and the characters. I am always impressed when I can, from the description of characters picture what they look like and imagine that I am there.

What stood out was Arielle's experience upon arrival in the Middle East. It really reminded me that sometimes experiencing a traumatic experience can lead us to find comfort in things that may not necessarily be good for us.

I was excited about Mus'ab though, and felt that his character could have impacted more in the story. (I do not want to go further and spoil it).

I can definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes Action.

Best Books of 2020 by Francica aka Trini Girl Reads

Here is a list of the best books I read in 2020.

1. Game of Thrones - George. R.R. Martin

2. The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown

3. Kite Runner _ Khaled Hosseini

4. Americanah _ Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

5. Girl Woman Other _ Berandine Evaristo

6. My Sister's Keeper _ Jodi Picoult

7. A Thousand Splendid Suns _ Khaled Hosseini

8.The Vanishing Half - Brit Bennet

9. The Wife Between Us _ Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

10. The Silent Patient - Alex Michealides 

Merry Christmas Everyone 🎄🎅🤶

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett Book Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

THE VANISHING HALF 

FIVE STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

SYNOPSIS

The Vignes twin sisters will always be identical. But after growing up together in a small, southern black community and running away at age sixteen, it's not just the shape of their daily lives that is different as adults, it's everything: their families, their communities, their racial identities. Many years later, one sister lives with her black daughter in the same southern town she once tried to escape. The other secretly passes for white, and her white husband knows nothing of her past. Still, even separated by so many miles and just as many lies, the fates of the twins remain intertwined. What will happen to the next generation, when their own daughters' storylines intersect?

Weaving together multiple strands and generations of this family, from the Deep South to California, from the 1950s to the 1990s, Brit Bennett produces a story that is at once a riveting, emotional family story and a brilliant exploration of the American history of passing. Looking well beyond issues of race, The Vanishing Half considers the lasting influence of the past as it shapes a person's decisions, desires, and expectations, and explores some of the multiple reasons and realms in which people sometimes feel pulled to live as something other than their origins

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51791252-the-vanishing-half

MY REVIEW

This book is definitely one of the best books I have read this year. 

I connected with this book on so many levels. As a person of color sometimes we feel as if there is a need to change who we are to be accepted. The Vignes sisters, twins, belonged to this small town called Mallard where everyone was light skinned. 

They witnessed their father being killed by a gang of white men when they were children and this I think impacted on the twins during the course of their lives. The story follows Desiree and Stella  Vignes as they grow up and take two different paths in life, with Stella trying to pass for white, while Desiree wanting to prove a point by marrying one of those {"dark men" that her mother warned were trouble. 

I felt connected to all the characters in this novel. I felt mixed emotions anger, fear, sadness especially for Stella because she felt that hiding who she was would somehow erase the hurt from her past. I think that while she lived in luxury she had the harder life than Desiree. As a person of color myself. 

I could relate to the issues of colorism that came out in the book. The writer did that creatively with the character Jude who was Desiree's daughter. I felt through the words how she lacked the confidence just like most girls who are darker skinned. Reese was important too because he had his battles to fight with being transgender but in Jude he found a mirror image. 

I read this book as an e book but I am going out to the book store and getting a physical copy for myself. I am looking forward to reading more from this author in future.

I highly recommend this book. 

I also think that it is a great book for a book club discussion.

A Dark and Secret Place by Jen Williams ⭐⭐⭐Book Review ⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis

When prodigal daughter Heather Evans returns to her family home after her mother's baffling suicide, she makes an alarming discovery--stacks and stacks of carefully preserved letters from notorious serial killer Michael Reave. The "Red Wolf," as he was dubbed by the press, has been in prison for over twenty years, serving a life sentence for the gruesome and ritualistic murders of several women across the country, although he has always protested his innocence. The police have had no reason to listen, yet Heather isn't the only one to have cause to re-examine the murders. The body of a young woman has just been found, dismembered and placed inside a tree, the corpse planted with flowers. Just as the Red Wolf once did.

What did Heather's mother know? Why did she kill herself? And with the monstrous Red Wolf safely locked inside a maximum security prison, who is stalking young women now? Teaming up with DI Ben Parker, Heather hopes to get some answers for herself and for the newest victims of this depraved murderer. Yet to do that, she must speak to Michael Reave herself, and expose herself to truths she may not be ready to face. Something dark is walking in the woods, and it knows her all too well.

My Review

Three Stars - I liked this story....⭐⭐⭐

Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A very entertaining and gripping book that is sure to keep you at the edge of your seat.

Heather, a thirty something year old journalist had no idea that her mother Colleen, who recently committed suicide had so many secrets, that is, until now. Upon returning to bury her now deceased mother Heather finds letters written by her mother to a well known serial killer Michael Reave. Intent to uncover the truth, Heather starts an investigation of her own. What she finds out is much more than she bargained for.

What I liked about this story was that it was not predictable usually in mysteries we could, about halfway into the story know what will happen but this story at least for me ended a bit unexpected.

If I had to make a criticism though, I felt that there were some parts in the middle that dragged and I would have liked more of Ben Parker especially toward the end, His character was quite good so I would have been more excited if he was more involved when Heather and Nikki went to Fiddler's Mill.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes thrillers and mysteries. I am sure you will enjoy it.