Summer of the Cicadas

"They have yet to invent a test for invisible lumps." ~ pg. 35

After attempting a self-mastectomy, Viola Moon escapes south to a small historically black university. She is determined to leave her summer stay at a mental health institution in the past. But Viola finds herself alienated surrounded by southern elite classmates, kids from two-parent households, and a Greek system she doesn't understand. Uncomfortable and alone, Viola is forced to confront the past and heal in order to keep sane.

"Can you imagine the consistent strain of having to double think every move, every word, every thought." ~ pg. 70

Summer of the Cicadas was recommended by my Ace Boon Bookheart, Vern. She loved it but warned it is not a feel-good novel. Well said. By page 8, I was hit hard with emotions but prepared. I knew a story was about to unfold that would weigh heavy on my fictional heart.

TBQFH (to be quite fucking honest), I am not sure how to feel about this book now that I finished. I am thoroughly confused and unsure of what I just read. What was real, imagined, history or present-day? Is there a CliffsNotes version? Because this story most certainly went over my head. Can a bookheart help me out here?!

"You, peopleless girl, are a nigger." ~ pg. 94

Summer of the Cicadas reminds me of a school-assigned book in English class. The writing is on a deeper level. The main character struggled through life due to a mental illness. It is original but made me flinch at times; calling this novel "heavy" is an understatement. It can be very triggering. But like those good 'ole classics we had to read in school, you need a friend to discuss it with before writing that book report. Then years later, you realize it is very well written and the story sticks with you long after turning the last page.

So would I recommend reading Summer of the Cicadas? Yes! Read it. Digest it. Discuss it.

Title: Summer of the Cicadas 
Author: Cole Lavalais
Published: December 2016
Pages: 206
Edition: eBook
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤

 

Series Sunday: Sistah Speak Queen Sugar

(Sistah Speak: Queen Sugar) 

Special Series Sunday is a meme hosted by Sistah LM. I encourage all of my fellow podcast hosts to play along.

• Listen to an episode of a podcast series.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the podcast title and episode info.

My Series Sunday pick is Sistah Speak: Queen Sugar S2E11. Listen to the Sistahs discuss the OWN original television series from a Sistah's point of view here. After listening, refresh your page and be prepared to LOL as the Sistahs talk about wicker sex, puffer fish and S2E12.

Podcast: Sistah Speak Productions
Co-Hosts: Sistah A, Sistah J, Sistah K and Sistah LM
Time: 2 Hours, 23 Minutes

First Lines Friday

First Lines Friday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Grab your current read(s).
• Share the first line(s).
• Include the title and author.

"The police had taken my pistol the day before but I wasn't without heavy arms. I'd been stockpiling weapons at the studio. Glocks, MAC-10s, ARs fitted with scopes and hundred-round monkey nuts. All out in the open for easy access. I was in Tony Montana mode, bracing for a final standoff."

~ The Autobiography of Gucci Mane by Gucci Mane with Neil Martinez-Belkin

 

Turtles All the Way Down

"Everybody disappears eventually." ~ pg. 82

Much as I tried not to have high expectations from John Green for the book following The Fault in Our Stars, I have to admit I did. I knew it would not be another tearjerker or cancer book. I knew it would involve finding someone or something, because that's kinda John Green's signature theme. So when I read the synopsis, I seemed pretty on target on what Turtles All the Way Down is about.

Sixteen-year-old Aza and her best friend are eager to claim a $100,000 reward if they find the missing fugitive billionaire. The only information they have is through the news and hearsay until Aza rekindles a childhood friendship with the billionaire's son. Solving this mystery is a good temporary distraction but Aza is still fighting to stay ahead of the tight spiral of her own thoughts.

"Whoever is authoring me, let me up out of this." ~ pg. 211

Main characters with special quirks hold a place in my heart. I immediately empathize and root for his/her happy ending. From the first chapter, readers learn that Aza is as unique as her name. She cannot control spiraling thoughts, OCD or worse-case scenarios playing in her head. Her anxiety is through the roof yet she tries hard to control it through therapy and breathing exercises. Sometimes authors miss the mark when writing characters with mental health issues. But John Green deserves a pat on the back for his portrayal of Aza.

"Maybe you don't choose what's in the picture, but you decide on the frame." ~ pg. 277

What I still cannot figure out, however, is why he chose this title. Yes, it is catchy and stands out. But it was only referenced once and (to be petty) makes a lengthy hashtag. There are so many more titles that could've been chosen for this story. But the cover I understand! This is a small complaint of mine that should not deter you. Nor should my average 3-heart rating stop you. Turtles All the Way Down is just moreso for young adults and will leave little impact or discussion for more mature readers.

Title: Turtles All the Way Down
Author: John Green
Published: October 2017
Pages: 286
Edition: Hardcover
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤

 

US vs. UK

The UK is my hometown glory but I live in the US. The US vs. UK bookish meme compares book covers published in the two countries. We left off on a tie last time so let's break it! Enjoy the battle of the book covers below, bookhearts!

US (top) ~ UK (bottom)

• Say Nothing ~ I would most certainly pick up a book with a hand pressed against a window versus plain red cover with white font. UK wins!
• The Sunshine Sisters ~ Nothing says sunshine like the US cover. It features a sandy beach with the bluest of blue ocean. But the UK cover reminds me of a salmon dinner. US wins!
• Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine ~ The US cover has a lady standing with her arms folded. It is the universal symbol of body language saying, "I am completely fine. Nothing is wrong with me." I like the UK cover with the stick figure house but not for this story. US wins!
• Ginny Moon ~ When I think of the moon, I think of stars and astrology. Nothing about the US cover screams that. A ladder, really? But the UK cover looks so mystical. UK wins!
• Dark Matter ~ I am torn on this one. This story is such a mind-fuck that it deserves a cover that will have you shake your head, rub eyes twice and question what you're looking at. It is a-maze-ing fiction. So which cover fits best? US wins! 

Total: US 39; UK 38

If the book covers pique your interest, click the title for my review (if available). In the meantime, which covers do you favor?

 

All the Pieces Matter: The Inside Story of THE WIRE

"THE WIRE keeps getting better, and to my mind it has made the final jump from great TV to classic TV." ~ pg. 189

Who did the character research? Is there a real Omar? How did Idris Elba feel to have Stringer Bell killed off the show? Was Snoop a killer in real life? Was it awkward on set to have kids around not even old enough to vote? Which universities use the show to teach film theory or criminal justice? Was THE WIRE the golden or bastard child of HBO?

As a huge fan of THE WIRE, I claim to know almost everything there is to know about the series, the set, the background and the real-life inspirations behind characters and season plots. I can talk about it in depth and answer most of the questions above. But after reading All the Pieces Matter, I realized I barely knew the real scoop. I learned so much more! There has been a great deal of analysis and critique of THE WIRE since its final episode aired in 2008. But nothing like All the Pieces Matter that gives a behind-the-scenes take on everything from how it was created to its powerful end.

"You don't write for anybody but the story, for yourself and for your idea of what the story is." ~ pg. 177

At almost 300 pages of strictly dialogue, this is not the type of book you can curl up with and read in a couple sittings. After all, it is non-fiction. But thanks to the author for formatting it as an oral history rather than long ass paragraphs. Instead it is like overhearing a conversation among friends simply reminiscing.

"Baltimore and THE WIRE would become eternally linked in an increasingly layered relationship." ~ pg. 77

I suggest reading it at a slower pace to digest what the cast, directors, writers and crew are saying about their experience working on THE WIRE. Most importantly, All the Pieces Matter dives into what other books about THE WIRE barely touch on—the show's main character: City of Baltimore. One thing is for sure: fans will appreciate this inside story and understand more of the best television series to ever air. This is the uncut truth...16 years after its first episode aired.

Happy Early Pub Day, Jonathan Abrams! All the Pieces Matter: The Inside Story of THE WIRE will be available Tuesday, February 18, 2018. Hard to believe it has been almost 16 years since the first episode premiered on 06.02.2002  Let this book take you down memory lane!

Disclaimer: This book was received directly from the publisher for review purposes only. In no way does it influence my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins.

Title: All the Pieces Matter: The Inside Story of THE WIRE
Author: Jonathan Abrams
Published: February 2018
Pages: 280
Edition: Galley
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

 

Series Sunday: You Don't Know My Name

(Black Angel Chronicles #1) 

Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Read an installment of a series.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title, author and series name.

"You think you'd be happy with the picket fence life?" ~ pg. 112

My Series Sunday pick is You Don't Know My Name, the first book in the Black Angel Chronicles series by Kristen Orlando. Seventeen-year-old Reagan is a student, fighter, faker and a spy. A lot, right? She is used to living life with a go bag on the ready, moving in the middle of the night, changing identities and lying to every friend she's ever had. Trained in weaponry and the best Krav Maga from birth, Reagan is expected to follow her parents' footsteps and join a top-secret agency called Black Angels. They save lives, rescue hostages and stop terrorism. It is a life of looking over your shoulder and never getting attached...until Reagan falls in love with the boy across the street.

"You don't understand what it's like to sit in a room completely helpless and wait to hear if the people you love are dead or alive." ~ pg. 157

The series title, Black Angel Chronicles, reminds me of an old television series I really enjoyed titled Dark Angel. It starred Jessica Alba, and like the main character in this book, she was raised and trained to be a super soldier. Hmmm, I wonder if this is where the author got the book's idea. Nevertheless, the story was interesting and somewhat unpredictable.

I am very easily annoyed at YA books that star characters with unrealistic dialogue and personalities. But this was certainly not the case. Reagan is an example of a strong, mature teenager with lots of responsibility; she balances it well with schoolwork and a social life when possible. The story is enough to keep adult readers turning the pages too. Bookhearts with teens: this is a pick for you!

"They're unequivocally shaken and won't tell me why." ~ pg. 90

Do I have to give you more reasons to try reading this book for you or the young reader in your life? You Don't Know My Name is suspenseful, fast-paced with well-developed characters and kept me interested throughout. I am already stalking the bookish net for an advance copy of the second book (to be released in January 2018). What a strong start to a series!

Title: You Don't Know My Name

Author: Kristen Orlando

Published: January 2017

Pages: 220

Edition: eBook

Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤