Read Women discussion

I am going to set my goal at 15 for this challenge. Here is a link to my shelf which has quite a few TBR already: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Looking forward to this new challenge!

Thanks for the link will have a nose around!

1/15 The Warmest December by Bernice L. McFadden 3*
I liked most of this audiobook despite it being of a more sentimental style than I would usually go for. It was well written and well read. But by the end I found the sentimentality and forgiveness to be too much.

2/15 Ogadinma Or, Everything Will Be All Right by Ukamaka Olisakwe 2*
This book raises many important feminist issues which is why I wanted to read it. However I did not find the characters to be very believable. In the first scene, Ogadinma finds herself in a terrible situation where she knows exactly what is going to happen to her and why but is powerless to do anything to stop it. After this, Ogadinma becomes inexplicably naive and trusting of people despite the terrible things that have already happened. A lot more things happen and Ogadinma remains the same right up until the end where (view spoiler)[ she suddenly becomes a strong, articulate and opinionated woman with no fear or shame whatsoever who suddenly knows exactly what she wants from life and how to get it. (hide spoiler)] This sudden change was not believable for me. Perhaps if it had happened gradually, but there was not enough depth to the characters to allow for this

3/15 Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward Audiobook. 5*
I don't know why it took me so long to get around to reading this fantastic book, beautiful characters and writing. Very emotional

4/15 The Salt Roads by Nalo Hopkinson. Audiobook. 4*
This book crosses centuries and continents to tell the stories of women of West African descent who are enslaved or otherwise restricted and controlled by white men. We also hear from an Afro-Carribean Goddess of love, desire and hope who sometimes embodies some of the other characters to help them, and sometimes seems to exist nowhere at all.
The scope and ambition of this book is massive and well achieved. It was so much more than I was expecting.

The Hopkinson and the Ward sound very tempting - Ward's a writer I keep meaning to try too.

Alwynne wrote: "The Hopkinson and the Ward sound very tempting - Ward's a writer I keep meaning to try too."

I definitely recommend them both Alwynne! The Ward is the second in a loose trilogy but as I know you're sensitive to violence against animals I definitely don't recommend you start with the first-Salvage the bones- it is fantastic but what happens to the dogs is graphic and devastating. The only link between these first 2 is that they take place in the same town and the characters from the first are seen walking down the street once, that's it!

Thanks for warning me Hannah, the only area where a trigger warning works for me! I'll check out the one you've recommended.

5/15 The First Wife: A Tale of Polygamy by Paulina Chiziane 3*
A beautifully written, in depth look at polygamous love and marriage. I struggled with the style of this book but I am so glad that I read it

6/15 Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi 5*
This book blew me away. Fantastically written and intimate portrayal of the inner depths of a young woman's mind

7/15 The First Woman by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi 5*
Utterly absorbing, feminist, coming of age story set in Uganda. Recommended for fans of nervous conditions

Hannah wrote: "5/15 The First Wife: A Tale of Polygamy by Paulina Chiziane 3*
A beautifully written, in depth look at polygamous love and marriage. I struggled with the style of th..."

These all sound wonderful, Hannah. My TBR list just grew.

8/15 The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi Audiobook. 4*
This was good buy did not have the same emotional depth as freshwater

9/15 How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones 4*
Really enjoyable and different from what I usually read

10/15 The Baby is Mine by Oyinkan Braithwaite 2*, audiobook
A very short story that I was very glad to be done with

11/15 The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw Audiobook 2*
Not bad, just not for me

Think I should have set my target higher! Really enjoying this challenge

12/15 Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie audiobook. 4*
Such a brave author to lay her soul bear like this. Brought me to tears a few times

13/15 The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré 4*
I really enjoyed the strong, funny voice of Adunni. Liked this more than I expected.

14/15 In the Company of Men by Véronique Tadjo 4*
Really interesting way to look at the multiple impacts of a terrible epidemic.

15/15 The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett 4*
Another one that I enjoyed more than expected. Great characters, depth and writing

Challenge complete!!!

Congratulations, Hannah! What a stellar selection of books you chose.

I read In the Company of Men and Loudling Voice this year too and also found them interesting.

Since you liked Notes on Grief, you might also like The Art of Death: Writing the Final Story by Edwidge Danticat

Thanks Story!

Hannah wrote: "12/15 Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie audiobook. 4*
Such a brave author to lay her soul bear like this. Brought me to tears a few times

13/15 [book:The..."

Congratulations!!

#16 Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi 4.5*
Fantastically written novel with excellent character depth, completely unlike homegoing. I really enjoyed this

is it that good Hannah? I absolutely adored Homegoing,one of the best books I have read ,ever, and I can't wait to get the paperback of Transcendent kingdom

Crazytourists_books wrote: "is it that good Hannah? I absolutely adored Homegoing,one of the best books I have read ,ever, and I can't wait to get the paperback of Transcendent kingdom"

It's very good crazytourists but in a completely different way to homegoing. Gyasi's beautiful writing is there but that's where the similarities end. This novel is very introspective and centered upon one character, her relationships (mostly with her mother and brother), and her work (which does include animal testing, a subject uncomfortable for many, but important for understanding the psychology of the MC)

Hello Crazytourists. Like you, I was dazed by Homegoing and like Hannah said, Transcendent kingdom is totally different. What I found common, though, was Gyasi’s skill to entwine stories, to link the past to the present in a very natural and fluid way for the reader. This story is different because of the grief it encompasses, but it is still a beautiful story about resilience. Enjoy your read!

Isabelle wrote: "Hello Crazytourists. Like you, I was dazed by Homegoing and like Hannah said, Transcendent kingdom is totally different. What I found common, though, was Gyasi’s skill to entwine stories, to link t..."

I hadn't thought of it like that Isabelle but I agree. The timescale is totally different but Gyasi does link past to present seamlessly. Both books provide very reflective reading because of this

You both make very excited to get this book! it will definitely be my next purchase or library loan if they have it

I just reserved it and can't wait!!

Crazytourists_books wrote: "I just reserved it and can't wait!!"

Enjoy!