The story was great. The way the author handled the back and forth narrators was well-done. The subject matter was fascinating.
Both the climax and theThe story was great. The way the author handled the back and forth narrators was well-done. The subject matter was fascinating.
Both the climax and the resolution was a little lacking for me. It felt rushed during the race riot, and we only saw it from William's perspective, while I was itching to know more about what else happened in Tulsa that night. Having Rowan learn about that would have been an easy way to explore it. While I enjoyed the character of Arvin, that story and the whole medical office job line was only barely fleshed out at the beginning and then almost forgotten about, so that time was spent there that could have been a separate book, and we could have fleshed out a bit more about the main storyline.
My biggest issue was with the characters. I have a really hard time with YA when teens don't talk or act the way teens typically might. I could feel the self-awareness of an adult seeping in a way that didn't entirely fit the characters, which would draw me away from Rowan's side of the story particularly. (Tangentially, do teen girls curse that much?? Am I one of those adults who are saying "kids these days!")
I also dislike when the author uses dialogue to "preach" on the topic. Almost every time the mother talked, it wasn't furthering character or action but a straight up opinion that was at times so similar to the author's note, it felt disingenuous.
Other characters were seemingly so oversimplified with no motivations given. They were caricatures, more than characters (Ruby - the quirky, full of life! girl; Vernon - the hateful spiteful man who did mean things for no other reason but meanness).
Bottom line: story, great. Characterizations were lacking a bit, but it's a worthwhile read just to learn about this forgotten slice of Tulsa history.
This book will be infinitely discussable, and a great book club pick....more
It's difficult to review books like this, books based on the author's persona rather than the message they have. I have no doubt that the famed SweetIt's difficult to review books like this, books based on the author's persona rather than the message they have. I have no doubt that the famed Sweet Maria is a lovely person. She seems to lead a beautiful life, but this is proof positive that platform does not equal a message. I wish the publishing world would take note.
If you're hoping this will be a readalike for Love Does, it isn't. Maria Goff reiterates over and over that she is the polar opposite of Bob Goff, and their writings are quite different too. What I loved about Bob Goff's book was how specific it was. It spurred me on to whimsy, not by being vaguely relatable about his examples of showing love, but by being so specific. It was colorful, joyful, inspiring. Love Lives Here felt like a computer-generated generality spat out in 2017 by Any Woman. It wasn't that it wasn't lovely, just that it was so bland. Just when she would give a hint of a specific, charming example of how love lived in her home, she'd veer back away into psycho-pop platitudes. It was like a 250-page inspirational poster. At some point I started highlighting each time she used the phrase "I think." I counted over 50. (That's primarily an editor's job. If someone wrote the book, we know it's what "you think.") But that phrase typified the book for me -- undermining the power of any declarative statement by that particularly feminine linguistic tic.
The Goffs have lived an extraordinary life. I was itching to read more about it from the family's wife, anchor, and homemaker. But she so avoided giving specifics (presumably for the sake of humility), that it was less powerful. It doesn't sound any less like name-dropping if you're just saying "the President of Israel, the Prime Minister of Switzerland." As a reader, I wouldn't have minded the name-dropping in the name of sharing some of these interesting stories, but the thick coat of humility over it felt more based in shy guilt than humility.
It pains me to leave such a negative review of a book I was so looking forward to. The only reason I powered through this was that I kept hoping it would get better. It's a quick read, so it wasn't a massive time investment, but save yourself half a day. Skip this one and read Bob Goff's book instead. Read it twice....more
Honestly, I didn't superlove this book. But I couldn't put it down. I gulped it down in one day, and that was even between I-just-got-back-from-vacatiHonestly, I didn't superlove this book. But I couldn't put it down. I gulped it down in one day, and that was even between I-just-got-back-from-vacation amounts of laundry, errands, and such. I was drawn back to the language and characters again and again. It grew on me, and I suspect some of that is due to the second half being stronger than the first, but some of that is that I wanted to know Jacqueline.
I have a feeling Jacqueline Woodson will stay with me a long time. She reminded me at times of Francie from A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Another book I didn't superlove, but I think of often.
I think of Mortimer Adler's advice often as well, to ask if a book is true, in whole or in part. I'm not sure this book is. But it makes me ponder the intersection between truth and beauty. And if a 'YA' book can do that, I'm not sure it isn't worth all the accolades it's received, even if I can't superlove it....more
While this is a book for Lent and Easter, I got behind because of travels and illness (how's that apt foIf I could have given this ten stars, I would.
While this is a book for Lent and Easter, I got behind because of travels and illness (how's that apt for Lent?). I'm glad I didn't rush this one. If a book for Lent can be a delight, this counts.
This is not simply an anthology of poems, but a masterclass in poetry. The 'Meeting Virgil' essay alone would be worth the entire slim volume but every day was an absolute feast....more
Just an absolutely fascinating book. I will be thinking about this for years, I'm sure. Cullen's writing is shrewd and thorough. I learned so much andJust an absolutely fascinating book. I will be thinking about this for years, I'm sure. Cullen's writing is shrewd and thorough. I learned so much and felt so much while reading and was pressing it into friends hands to read so I'd have more people to talk to it about.
If you got your hands on an older version, see if you can't track down too the newer edition with the added Epilogue. This was my favorite part. I had originally checked it out from the library, but upon leaving for a trip, downloaded it to my Kindle where I found an entire section I didn't remember seeing in the print copy. Upon comparing, a new epilogue was added and is worth it in and of itself. Cullen manages to keep himself almost completely silent throughout until the epilogue, where he gives his personal reactions. It was there that this low emoter found tears running down my face. Throughout the book, I was at turns sad and mad and proud and many more, but I couldn't put myself completely in the shoes of the victims or survivors or families. Not so with Cullen. He was what I was, an observer (albeit a closer one). He also uses the epilogue to explore some practical things we can actually *do* which is worthwhile reading in and of itself.
If you are an evangelical that grew up around this time, a good book flight would be When We Were On Fire by Addie Zierman....more
I loved this book. I don't recommend it. It was well-written, well-plotted, but boy was it salty. A healthy dose of language and the story was gritty,I loved this book. I don't recommend it. It was well-written, well-plotted, but boy was it salty. A healthy dose of language and the story was gritty, but it was beautifully twisty.
The characters and story warranted the salty elements, but anyone who would enjoy a good mystery about a girl who left the South and never looked back might less like some of the other elements this was peppered with.
I loved Burr, but disliked most of the other characters (I think the author's point, but). Still, now that I'm onto Joshilyn Jackson, I'll likely read everything she's written.
Here's the thing. If you read the first sentence and aren't shocked into closing it right back up, then proceed. Otherwise, it only gets more S-townesque from there....more
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