Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations by Mira Jacob

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars 

Duration: 02:46:34
Published: March 2019

I borrowed Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations by Mira Jacob from the public library on recommendation from a reading friend in my International Literary Society. As I have a longer commute to work, I find that I must consume audiobooks to keep the drive interesting and make valuable use of the time. 

This memoir shares the author's perspective on the diverse aspects of being a woman of color in the United States including figuring out who she is, exploring her sexuality as a young adult, interracial relationships, and as the book's synopsis says, "the realities that divide us." She illustrates her thoughts through conversations she's had with people close to her. The book is read by a full cast with soundtrack and effects, making it very engaging. 

I really enjoyed Jacob's wit and dry humor but also her direct honesty. There is something beautiful that comes out of vulnerable communication with people you care about, and she was able to share this intimacy on heavy topics in an entertaining and digestible way with the reader. I found her to be relatable, even on topics that are foreign to me, like raising a brown son in the Trump era. 

Recommendation: This was a quick, substantive listen and because Good Talk was a good talk, I feel like I got to *meet* Mira Jacob. My conclusion is that she and her book are a delight! Highly recommend! 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars 

Duration: 08:51:00
Published: January 2017

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney was a monthly book club selection by Ginger from the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club. When she introduced this older novel, she prefaced it by saying it's one she reads every year around Christmas/New Year's. The recommendation, synopsis, and nostalgia piqued my curiosity so off to the library I went for the audio copy. 

I must say, I did enjoy meeting Lillian Boxfish, an octogenarian, who sets out on a walk in New York City on New Year's Eve and, as she takes that walk, she reflects on a live well lived. As readers, we are put in the position of voyeurism, and as such, we learn about her childhood, the aunt who inspired her, her upward-moving career as an advertising copywriter, and her indifference to becoming a wife or mother, yet she becomes both anyway. We learn about her struggles in those areas, some of which lead to her divorce, and finally where she's ended up several decades later. Like real-life professional women, Lillian is multi-faceted, complex, and alluring. 

It's quite possible this is the case because her character is inspired by a real-life poet and advertising professional, Margaret Fishback, who was the highest paid female advertising copywriter in the world in the 1930s. Personally, I related to Lillian a lot - being a professional marketer who has chosen to prioritize my career over being a mother (gasp!). Additionally, Rooney through Lillian's voice, provides a lot of funny quips and thoughtful quotations throughout the story. 

"Choice is an illusion promoted by the powerful." (page 214)

"No matter what first draws our attention, language is where we make our decisions. (page 229)

"...a dull and dogged reminder that I was just like everyone else in suffering the injustice of chronology: I could only walk through it facing forward, going in that one direction." (page 266)

(Most of the quotations I've highlighted here are in the latter part of the book because I snagged an e-copy as I fell more in love with the story. I do intend to mimic Ginger, and read this book again next year.) 

I liked going back and reminiscing to a simpler time with Lillian Boxfish. The book would have been a solid 5-stars for me had it not included the stereotypical tropes of young men of color robbing on the streets of New York. But can I really be angry about something so real through the eyes of an 80-something white woman? I think I will just take it as it is so as to enjoy the story. 

Recommendation: I recommend giving the audiobook a listen as the narrator really brings Lillian to life. A great read for Christmas break to discuss with family and friends. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul

Rating: 3 of 5 stars 

Pages: 416 pages
Published: May 2023

I did! I heard about Kitty Karr where I hear about a lot of my new reads - from Book of the Month. And I heard from author Crystal Smith Paul as she shared some of her inspiration and research behind the historical fiction novel, Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?, in Book of the Month's podcast, Virtual Book Tour.  

The premise of this book is an interesting one. Kitty Karr, a white actress from the old Hollywood era dies in 2017 and leaves much of her multi-million dollar fortune to three wealthy Black women (the St. John's) prompting speculation all around even from her benefactors. The story vacillates between Kitty's upbringing in the segregated south to her prosperous Hollywood career as an adult and Elise St. John's present-day life as a celebrity. Throughout this 400+ page novel, the reader learns how the two time periods and lives of those around them are intertwined. 

I had high hopes for this book as it was also part of Modern Mrs. Darcy's Book Club's Summer Reading Guide. I really wanted to like this book, and after listening to Paul on the podcast, I was really invested in how she came up with this plot. I had hoped that some of the history she included was fact rather than fiction. The additional background gave the story more depth, but overall I was underwhelmed. The book simply fell flat to me. There were too many characters that were introduced but not needed, and the book was too long. I think the author could have benefited from heavier editing. She even noted in the podcast that she could have lived with these characters for a long time, and the reader can certainly tell that, making the plot weaker. The ending felt rushed, like perhaps she was meeting a deadline, and I was left feeling largely unsatisfied. 

Recommendation: I think Ms. Paul has potential, and I would give her writing another try. She had an intriguing overarching idea, I think she just needs a tighter execution. This one just didn't quite do it for me. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeannette McCurdy

Rating: 4 of 5 stars 

Pages: 320 pages
Published: August 2022

I’m not gonna lie. When I first read the title of former child star Jennette McCurdy’s book, I’m Glad My Mom Died, I thought it was a little harsh. Who really thinks that? Who actually says that? Who writes that down for all the world to see? Well, apparently, Jennette McCurdy does. And after reading her memoir, I’m less judgey about her title. Honestly, I’m kinda glad her mom died too. 

McCurdy grew up in a dysfunctional household with a manipulative narcissist for a mother who coerced her into child acting well before the age of 10. Many parents and their children grew to love her as she played the character of Samantha Puckett on Nickelodeon’s iCarly and spin-off Sam & Cat sitcoms. I do not have children, and I was too old to watch these shows at the time they aired, but what seems like a fun thing turned out to be a grueling career - especially for someone so young. 

I think McCurdy did an excellent job with the writing in this book. She presents her autobiographical information in such a way that the tone and thought processes align with her age at the time being described and not her synthesis of it as a young adult. I think this made the book very engaging and also allowed the reader to feel the emotions she was feeling. There were so many times when I just wanted to give 6-year old Jennette a big ole hug. The first third of the book is dark, the second third is very dark and the last portion of the book offers some hope and much-needed light. The reason for my less than five-star review is that I felt that some of the stories jumped around a bit and often made it difficult to follow the timeline. Having said that, if you don’t get caught up in those details and just focus on the emotion and challenges, I don’t think it takes too much away from the story. 

I took away so many things from McCurdy’s story, but one of the main things that is still troubling me after completing the book is the use of child actors for such graphic shows and films. For example, do we really need to be employing and featuring child rape victims on Law & Order? Yes, I get that those situations and storylines are a reality, but do we need to subject real children for fictional stories to satisfy our need for entertainment. Additionally, I think every child actor should have a third-party advocate that stands to gain no financial benefit from his or her career but rather be put in place to guard against children basically being forced into a career with grueling schedules like McCurdy faced. Overall, we must work to protect the physical and mental well-being of children. 

Recommendation: This was a difficult but necessary read. I pray blessings and continued growth for McCurdy. I wouldn’t recommend reading this book at a dark time in your life as it is very depressing in certain parts, but I would encourage everyone to read it - especially mothers. And take it in bite-sized chunks. This is easily accomplished with the short 91 chapters in 320 pages. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Love of my Life by Rosie Walsh

Rating: 3 of 5 stars 

Pages: 384 pages
Published: March 2022

Full transparency … I chose The Love of my Life by Rosie Walsh because I liked the cover art and the title. Being in a very romantic stage of my life with a wonderful person made the title resonate with me. So, yes, I shallowly chose a book because of its cover. Judge me. I don’t care. 

This Book of the Month selection is about a woman with a heavy past that catches up to her in present day. The main character, Leo is living a happy, “normal” life with his wife of 10 years, Emma, and young daughter, Ruby. Emma is a well-known marine biologist. Leo is an obituary writer. When Emma suffers an illness, Leo tasks himself with crafting her advance obituary, which requires him to begin to dig into Emma’s past. As he researches more, he learns his wife is not who he thought she was. Her name is not even Emma. Emma doesn’t exist on paper at all. The suspense-filled mystery leads Leo to the truth and Emma to face the dark truth about her past. 

Book of the Month categorizes this novel as psychological and romance; however, after completion, I would call it a mystery. I found the the title is a little misleading, but the story is intriguing. It kept me reading to the complete conclusion. As a reader, you experience some of the feelings that Leo is experiencing as he learns the truth about his beloved wife. The alternating perspectives add to the suspense and speed up the pace to an otherwise slow novel.  

Recommendation: This was not the best book I read so far this year, but it certainly isn’t the worst either. I never thought I would put it down. I always intended to finish reading the story. So, the burning question: Should you judge a book by its cover? I don’t know. It wasn’t as good as the cover and title led me to believe, but it sure does look nice on my book shelf. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Dream of You by Jo Saxton

Rating: 5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 240 pages
Published: January 2018

I first met professional author and speaker, Jo Saxton, at a women’s conference hosted by a local church. When my favorite online ministry, Proverbs 31 decided to facilitate an online Bible study in the fall based on Saxton’s book, The Dream of You: Let Go of Broken Identities and Live the Life You Were Made For, I hurriedly registered to participate. 

In this short book, Saxton has offered concise yet powerful information on how to see yourself differently, specifically focusing on how God sees you. Each chapter begins with a thoughtful, heartfelt letter to the reader from Saxton and is then followed with practical applications based on Biblical principles. The non-fiction book is somewhat autobiographical in that Saxton bears her soul by sharing some of her most vulnerable moments with the audience. Additionally, the piece is targeted toward Christian women; however, as with most motivational literature, anyone can benefit from the overarching themes and message. 

Saxton’s writing style is educational and simultaneously conversational. Many of the ideas she presents are done in such a way that any reader can relate and understand. Having heard her speak and following her on Instagram, I would say she has a bubbly personality and that definitely comes through in her writing. 

Recommendation: Overall, I would say that Saxton has a way with words and is a Biblical scholar. I would recommend this book to any of my friends seeking to rid themselves of negative self-talk and improve on self-perspective and reflection. This book is a must read! 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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