What We Read
Let’s talk books!!
By now, everyone has had time to complete the book(s) selected during January as our Book of the Month (BOM) reads, so I hope you’re ready to share your thoughts & ratings. The January Theme was Best of the Best and each member chose a book rated as a favorite by either The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (TRR) or another book club member (from either the online or local chapters).
It’s going to be interesting to see the various thoughts on the books as this was our first ever “pick your own book”. So, we should have full participation, right? LOL.
Some of the TRR Favorites recently reviewed are:
Where There’s Smoke 2: When The Smoke Clears by Terra Little (RAW Rating: 5)
Cursed To Death by L. A. Banks (RAW Rating: 4.5)
A Wish After Midnight by Zetta Elliott (RAW Rating:Â 5)
Crap Game by Bonz (RAW Rating: 4.5)
Westmoreland’s Way by Brenda Jackson (RAW Rating: 4.5)
Joy Comes In The Morning by Korika L. Johnson (RAW Rating:Â 5)
Can’t Let Go by Michele L. Waters (RAW Rating: 5)
So…let’s hear from you. What did you read and what was your take on it?
I read What Doesn’t Kill You by DeBerry and Grant. The main character spoke in a conversational tone, reminding me of a good chat with a girlfriend, and I was baffled and emotional at every twist, turn, and tumble this woman’s life took.
5 Stars!
I read The Man Handler by Cairo. She was off the HOOK. Bianca is who I’m talking about. Cairo wrote about a woman who handles her business with men..like a “man” would. Since Cairo is a male, I have to say the perspective he wrote from was interesting. Bianca wants sex and lots of it and will tell men that is the ONLY thing happening between them even when they clearly want more. In fact, that has to be a turn-on for some of them knowing Binaca can “fugg them-then leave them” without blinking. The only critique if you will, that I have about the book and why I rated it a 3 was, it had soliloquies that did nothing for the story and had they not been added, I would have rated it a 4 cause the sex was HOT. ::grin::
My book was Songs of Deliverance by Marilynn Griffith, I absolutely love how she writes about the conflict that people of faith struggle with. Her characters are multi-dimensional and ‘feel’ authentic. They are not holier than thou, but real folk trying to deal with real issues and sometimes coming up short but never losing faith~ 4.5
angelia
Songs of Deliverance(Griffith) 4
and
What Doesn’t Kill You (Deberry & Grant) 5
I’ve read A LOT this month!
-”The Bum Magnet” by K. L. Brady – I’ve been DYING to talk abou this book, but I’ve made a promise not to make any public reviews until after the book discussion on Friday.
-”Why Men Fear Marriage” by R. L. Johnson – I liked this book and I was angered by this book. He spoke the truth, but I really didn’t like the reasons why men either do or don’t get married. This book didn’t say much for men.
-”The Weight is Over” by Dr. Stacia Peterson – This was a solid read.
-”72 Hour Hold” by Bebe Moore Cambell – I LOVED Cambell’s writing style. The fact that the story so closely resembled her life with her troubled daughter made is much more fascinating read. We discussed this book in January, and the Uptown Girls loved it.
and I’m currently reading:
“The Brief and Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao” by Junot Diaz – This book is hilarious, troubling, and unique. I can’t wait to see what happens.
“The Wretched Saints” by Vashti Ann Reed – So far, this book is putting “church-folk” on blast!!
I read WENCH by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. This was a historical fiction, I rated it 5. I love it and now know that I wouldn’t have made a good slave!
My book of the month was A Second Helping: A Blessings Novel by Beverly Jenkins. It’s the contiuation of Bring on the Blessings and was fabulous. I just wish the next installment was available to read, but it’s not and I have to wait
!
My BOM was What Doesn’t Kill You by DeBerry and Grant. I loved this book and gave it 5 shining stars. A great story about overcoming life when the cards are stacked against you.
Since I knew I’d run out of time, I decided to make The Ideal Wife by Jacquelin Thomas by BOM selection for January and I truly enjoyed it. (Rating: 4) I still have my mouth hanging open over some of the stuff in the book, as well as our chat with Jacqui. I loved that the main character stayed true to herself and was okay sticking with her convictions! I’d definitely recommend it.
-Tee
Cheesecake and Teardrops (Urban Renaissance) by Faye Thompson interesting read with characters you can believe….
I read Full Circle by Ayana Ellis. The book touched on topics of child neglect and domestic violence. There were moments in the book which brought out some emotions in me. This book has the potential of being a very good book, but there were too many grammatical errors, too long, and several incomplete sentences. I rated it a 3.
My January book of the month was Finding Me by Darnella Ford. OMG….this was the first book that I have read written by Darnella Ford and I must say that she has gained a new fan. I read some of the comments that my fellow RAWSISTAZ were making about the book and about Ms. Ford’s writing and I was really glad that I read it. Her writing style is unique and she was able to convey the most intricate details about her characters that made them memorable. Blaze was just that….fiyah!! You hear me!! Darnella captured my attention with Blaze’s first words and I was hanging on until the last page and wanting more. I gave this book my signature 5 chocolate stars.
My BOM for January was BETTING ON LOVE by Cheris Hodges. The stakes in this book were high,to trust or not to trust. It was an amazing read and I enjoyed revisiting with Maurice and Kenya from LET’S GEET IT ON. Stephen needed several beat downs.
My favorite was: “Are you sure you can handle this?”
My BOM was Wife of the Gods by Kwei J. Quartey. The book is a murder mystery set in Ghana. A young woman who aspires to be a medical doctor is found dead in a field. The main character, Darko, is called in to investigate the murder but ends up solving a personal mystery of his own while on the case. The author sprinkled many Ghanian references and language throughout the book which gave it a different flava. I enjoyed the book and rated it a 4. I will read more from this debut author.
My January book of the month was A Deep Dark Secret by Kimberla Lawson Roby. I gave it a 5 rating. This was an intense read that pulled me in from the first page. I hope I’m not spoiling this for anybody, but pedophiles need to receive the death penalty. At seven years old, little Jillian was about to have all her wishes come true–a new daddy and new sibling. They were about to be one big happy family. Little did any of them all know that Byron was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, waiting around for an opportunity to take advantage of a sweet little girl. When the opportunity presents itself, he pounces and turns Jillian’s world upside down right under her mother’s nose. He uses fear and blackmail to keep Jillian quiet and submissive. But it is good that every dog has his day. Byron’s world starts to unravel when past discretions surface and throws a little doubt in his direction.
-Brenda