What Comes After by Joanne Tompkins

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Pages: 432 pages
Published: April 2021

When I finished reading What comes After, a debut novel by Joanne Tompkins, all I had the emotional energy to offer was: Lovely writing! And I promise, that statement is accurate. Tompkins definitely has a way with words, but the story she crafted was so emotionally raw yet beautifully done, that's the only two words I could put together at the time. This book is not for the faint of heart. Upon opening in the Pacific Northwest, we learn that two childhood friends are dead - one killed the other, then himself. The town is grieving but specifically the parents of the boys left behind. Enter Evangeline, who knew the boys shortly before their deaths. Young and in a bit of a predicament herself, she interjects herself into the life of Isaac, who is the father of the murdered son. Then Isaac reaches out to Lorrie, the mother of the murdering son. From there, the story takes the reader on an arresting journey of loss, grief, but also, hope. 

This is not a book to be rushed through. At 400+ pages, it's a hefty read in both quantity and quality. I read this book over the course of a week and was simply mesmerized by the way the author was able to so vividly capture not only visual elements of the landscape setting but also the emotional ones that come with heavy topics such as death and (physical and sexual) abuse. While the topic is dark, the book is whole and offers the reader light and hope in the end. This book made me feel similar to Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano. 

My only criticisms of this book, hence the rating shy of 5 stars, is the inclusion of the Quaker religion. I listened to an interview with Tomkins on @NYTBooks Instagram account, and she noted that she is not a Quaker, so I am not sure why she felt compelled to include so much of it in the book. Additionally, she mentioned that Jonah's character was calling out to her to have a voice in the novel. While the chapters told from his perspective help fill in the gaps of the mysterious elements of the book, it also broke the flow of my reading. I'd also love to know if there was any intention by ascribing religious names to so many of the male characters. 

Recommendation: I'd highly recommend this book when you have time to read and also put the book down for a bit so you can ponder before picking it up again. It's an equally cerebral and rewarding 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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Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Pages: 432 pages
Published: May 2020

Clap When You Land is my second read by Elizabeth Acevedo. It is written in verse. I read that Acevedo's first book, The Poet X, is also written this way. Her second book, and my first read, With the Fire on High was written in a more traditional way. While the stories are different, the writing is captivating; however, I did enjoy the format of With the Fire on High more.

Acevedo's books are categorized as young adult fiction, but I find that she takes on some heavy topics told through the eyes of teens that any reader can appreciate. Clap When You Land is about two half sisters: Camino who lives in the Dominican Republic and Yahaira who lives in United States. Neither sister knows about the other until a tragic plane crash kills the father they both share and love so dearly. The story is about them learning who they are through their shared connection. Because of the topic, there is grief and sadness, but it's realistic and handled appropriately for the age group of the book's target audience. The book also touches on colorism, sex trafficking, forgiveness and healing.

"The kindness of a stranger, simply because she sees in us something worthy of this small gift."

I truly enjoyed this book. It was a summer read that lifted my heart. When I landed at the last page, I too wanted to clap.

Recommendation: This is a great book for teens or older adults. There are serious topics that are handled very well by this highly skilled and talented writer.

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 Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare

Rating: 5+ of 5 stars
Pages: 384 pages
Published: February 2020

Oh! How I fell in love with Adunni, the main character in The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare. This emotionally wrought story is about a 14-year old child whose mother has died and her father sells her (his only daughter) to a dirty, old polygamist in a rural town in Nigeria. All Adunni wants is an education so that she may one day become a teacher and have a voice in her own life and circumstances. Afraid of becoming impregnated by the polygamist "husband" and the abusive sister-wife, she runs away only to be thrust into another abusive human trafficking situation.

I know the plot sounds dire, and it is, but there are elements of hope and redemption. Adunni is a heroine. She is courageous. She is the perfect protagonist to read about any time, but this read was especially inspiring to read during Women's History Month. The novel featured several strong female characters. As an author, Dare did an excellent job with this debut, painting vivid imagery without being too graphic. I enjoyed that she wrote in the voice of a young person who was struggling to learn English. It made the book feel more authentic.

This book gave me all the feels and left me pondering about what lie ahead for Adunni. It also made me think about how truly fortunate I am to have grown up in a place where education is readily available to boys and girls alike. I truly have no complaints about this book. It was executed very well and well worth the read.

Recommendation: I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

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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Free Cyntoia by Cyntoia Brown-Long

Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Pages: 319 pages
Published: October 2019

I first learned about Cyntoia Brown (as she was known then) when celebrities started sharing her story and documentary on social media. When she was released from prison, I celebrated with her and her family. And when she published her memoir, I knew I had to read it. (Thanks to the Fort Worth Public Library for the digital borrow.)

Going in, I thought that I would learn about what a difficult childhood Cyntoia had, how she came from a broken home with no stability or parental support. Serves me right for making assumptions and applying stereotypes! That is not what I learned as I read her story. In my opinion, she had a good foundation but made some poor, and ultimately detrimental, life choices. During the first third of her autobiography, I was so frustrated with and mad at her. By the middle of the book, my heart began to soften, and by the end of the book I was absolutely enamored by the transformation she had made. Essentially, just as I changed my mindset in reading her book, she changed hers over the course of nearly two decades.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Cyntoia Brown-Long (as she is now known). I appreciated the journey she took me on as a reader, and I am grateful for her being vulnerable and sharing her story in this way. It is not a pretty one, but it is a beautiful illustration of God's grace and mercy.

Recommendation: This is an interesting true account of a young life, and how our criminal system impacted it. It is non-fiction but definitely a read for mature audiences. Even if you are not a Believer, I think you can appreciate the maturity and personal growth written about in this book.

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.

Read More