Red at the Bone

[Becca]

Can I join this buddy read?

[Rainer]

Rebecca wrote: "Can I join this buddy read?"Of course.

[Rainer]

So. I have finished the 1st chapter of Red At The Bone. I always need some time to get into a story, to meet the characters and see how things are going. Sometimes it helps me to read passages aloud (like the mother in Lost Children Archive. I did that here, too.
I refuse to read any reviews before having finished a book. Just a short summary what it is about if I don't know the author.
It's my first book of Jacqueline Woodson, I understand that she is quite a celebrity.

[Becca]

I’ve read “Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson in the past, and remember really enjoying it. I can’t wait to delve back into her fluid, beautiful writing style.

[Nikki]

I got this book for Christmas and plan on starting it today. Is it too late for me to join in as well?

[Rainer]

I am right in the middle of the book now and it really grows on me with every chapter, draws me into the family that is celebrating the coming-of-age party for Melody. I am curious what you will think.

[Nikki]

I finished it a couple of days ago and I thought it was so beautifully done. The way each character is described is just poetic. I can't wait to discuss this once more people are finished.

[Rainer]

I am also done with the book and have moved on to other books, but I am really looking forward to hear what you all thought. So let us know, when we can start talking about the families and their lives. No stress, though, January is long.

[Taylor B.]

I JUST finished about 20 minutes ago and loved it so much. I'm excited to see what everyone else thinks after finishing.

[Rainer]

I wonder what was first when Jacqueline Woodson wrote this book. Was she thinking of doing something to show how much history can influence people's lives? What do you think? We have the Tulsa Massacre in 1921 and 9/11 eighty years later. That could be the span of a person's life. No spoilers here.

[Becca]

I finished the book and I loved how you could tell how much heart was put into it. This book was written with a lot of emotion. I personally had a small problem keeping up with the different perspectives. This might not have been an issue for anyone else lol. However, I appreciate the thoughts and elements that went into this book and I still look forward to reading more of Jacqueline’s work in the future.

[Rainer]

Rebecca wrote: "I finished the book and I loved how you could tell how much heart was put into it. This book was written with a lot of emotion. I personally had a small problem keeping up with the different perspe..."

I can nothing but agree, Rebecca. For me, a European reader, it shows how important the race issue still is in America. This morning, I listened to Shekelia Copeland's song "Ain't got time for hate" and I wish that could be a motto for this year and the years to come in the US to overcome the huge divide.

And I think that Jacqueline Woodson's voice is important to be heard, because only if we embrace history and learn from it, we can avoid bad Things happen in our present and future.