Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

2017 Reading Challenge - Read a Classic by an Author of Color

I've come across this title now and again and was thankful for this month's challenge to give me a reason to read it.

A fairly short read (219 pages), but a slower read due to the southern African-American vernacular that Hurston writes the dialogue in.  And while not an epic novel, it has considerable depth.  A romance, a coming of age, statements on race and feminism in a post-slavery era.  The assertion of feminist independence at a time of oppression.  Not only does this describe the lead female character, but exemplifies the struggle of a black female author in 1937.  I'm glad Ms. Hurston persevered - her writing is lyrical and significant.

Mini-Spoiler:  Interesting to read this book in the wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma just this past month.

Quotes:  "He wanted to be friendly with her again....He was longing for peace but on his own terms."

"In the cool of the afternoon the fiend from hell specifically sent to lovers arrived at Janie's ear.  Doubt."

The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne

PageHabit Subscription - August - Historical Fiction

I read alot of books and I like alot of books, but it takes a very special book to achieve the rank of a book I love.  This, this book is in my top 5 easily and John Boyne is on his way to be one of my favorite authors!  Right up there with Jodi Picoult!  I previously read The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - loved it and have another of his books (Crippen) on my TBR.

I was drawn into this book and its characters from the very beginning; losing track of time and place as I read.  I wanted to read it slow to savor every word, but I couldn't put it down!   It was epic - spanning 7 decades - but it never dragged, never bored, it was exactly what a well-written book should be - captivating.

It is not a spoiler to reveal that this is a coming of age story of a homosexual boy growing up in Ireland, where homosexuality was not only not discussed, but was a crime.  The novel beautifully and heart-wrenchingly portrays the immense difficulties of a population that simply want to have the right to love whom they love.  (The rights that many heterosexuals take for granted.)  The bigotry the LGBT community has faced for decades and sadly still continue to face, worldwide.  Yet, its more than this, its a story about friendship, about secrets, about adoption, about the human spirit.

There are characters to love and hate, historical times that we will all remember, humor, love and heartbreak.  I will recommend this book time and time again to every reader I know.

Quotes:  "...treat him like an ottoman, of no use to anyone but worth having around..."

"...he noticed me sitting outside and offered an apologetic wave, four of his fingers dancing despondently in the air like an imprisoned pianist forced to play one of Chopin's more depressing sonatas from memory."

"...turning to her with all the warmth of Lizzie Borden dropping in to say goodnight to her parents."

"All husbands in her novels are stupid, insensitive, faithless individuals with murky pasts, empty heads, micro-penises and questionable morals.  But I suppose she had a good imagination...and she was simply making things up."

"...if women could only collectively harness the power that they have then they'd rule the world.  But they don't.  I don't know why.  And for all their weakness and stupidity, men are smart enough to know that being in charge counts for a lot. They have that over us at least."

             THE LIGHTKEEPER'S DAUGHTER
                            Jean. E Pendziwol

It has been awhile since I have posted anything because I have been in a reading slump.  I have read books but nothing has really spoken to me.  Well,  now I have!!!.
  Wow,  what a good book!!!!.   The descriptive writing took me to the shores of Lake Superior and I felt like I was living the life as the daughter of the lighthouse keeper.

The story is told in the voices of a teenager, Morgan and the elderly woman ,Elizabeth,  who Morgan meets while doing community work at a senior living facility. The chapters alternate between these two ladies.  

Elizabeth's eyesight is failing her and when she receives some of her father's old journals,  she needs Morgan's help in reading them.  While Morgan helps Elizabeth learn more about her past, Morgan begins to learn about her own past as well.

Beautifully written, nostalgic and an elegant debut novel.

Wonder Woman, Vol. 2:  Love and Murder by Jodi Picoult

2017 Reading Challenge - Read a Superhero Comic with a Female Lead.

I was glad this was a challenge topic as I wanted to read Jodi Picoult's issue of Wonder Woman, but I never got around to it when it first came out and since comics aren't really my thing I never really found any other reason to be inspired to pick it up....until now.

I've learned that comics still are not my thing.  They weren't when I was a beginning reader or through my teens or now.  Even venturing into comics and graphic novels through this challenge, it's just not my thing.  Yet, I can appreciate the challenge an author has in trying to tell their story in this format and the artwork, illustrations - mind blowing.  Such amazing talent!!

While I didn't grow up reading comics, I did grow up watching Super Friends in which Wonder Woman was my favorite (though I did crush on Superman and Aquaman) and of course I adored Lynda Carter as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman.  Add Jodi Picoult who is one of my all time favorite authors and of course this was a perfect comic for me to read for this challenge!!  Picoult again brought her humor, her insight, her strong female characters and her moral questions to this issue of Wonder Woman.  Did she inspire me to want to start a comic book collection?  Subscribe to each new action packed issue?  Um, no, but I'm glad I finally did read her version (and only the 2nd woman to write for Wonder Woman) of one of the first female superheros, paving the way for those more recent fierce females inspiring strength and confidence in today's girls.

The Saturday Evening Girls Club by Jane Healey

Once Upon a Book Club - July 2017 Selection

A light, enjoyable read about a group of four girlfriends.  The kind of lasting friendship many girls dream about, but the kind of friendships that rarely occur.

Based on the true history of Boston North End's Saturday Evening Girls Club started in 1899.  I do love that women have always empowered each other.  While its been a man's world for a long time, women can continue making progress when and only when we empower one another.  That also is when true friendship is born; friends celebrating the joys and successes of another, consoling and empathizing the sorrows and being willing to speak out when they fear the path their friend is on may be dangerous, even if speaking out may risk the friendship.

Would easily recommend this to anyone looking for a heartwarming story.

The gifts provided by the subscription service were unique to the story and presumably handmade.  Really a lot of fun!!

Quote:  "...just because you or I wouldn't choose it for ourselves doesn't mean we should judge her for it."