Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem

"Words were power, and reading—reading closely and carefully—had kept us from losing our power." ~ 9%

The memoir opens with a prologue sent in Harlem, 1989. Even though it was midnight, the lights were on and the door unlocked to Dapper Dan's Boutique. It was open "all day every damn day for nine straight years." Many people chose to shop and get styled by thee Dapper Dan. This night was no different except for it being a premonition to what was to happen a week later.

Rewind in time to the young Daniel, one of seven children. He tells a captivating coming-of-age story and does not mince words. It is evident how raw the retelling of his life is. He does not paint a pretty picture either. Being poor, his mother's alcoholism, his own addiction to drugs, rolling dice and "gang" activity is laid bare for readers' judgment.

"Our glass ceilings were a lot lower." ~ 28%

Harlem is a main character too. The capital of deferred dreams. Dapper Dan is about Daniel as much as it is about the city of Harlem in the midst of its Renaissance. Its gritty existence. Its swinging jazz and bebop music. Its glamour at night. Its addictions like drugs, alcohol and gambling. Its streets full of hustlers, go-getters and sharply dressed men such as Tenorman Dan—the original Dapper Dan.

The journey of Daniel Day to Dapper Dan is more than interesting. But I couldn't help but to side-eye how he "customized" brand clothing and balked at raids. So while I don't agree with the foundation on which he handled business, I recommend this memoir to anyone who enjoys a good ass coming-of-age story, likes fashion and has a hustler spirit.

Happy Early Pub Day, Daniel R. Day. Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem will be available Tuesday, July 9.

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: Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem
Author: Daniel R. Day
Published: July 2019
Pages: 304
Edition: Galley
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤

Series Sunday: T is for Trespass

(Kinsey Millhone #20) 

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.

My Series Sunday pick is T is for Trespass, the 20th book in the Kinsey Millhone alphabet series by the now-deceased Sue Grafton. In the first style of its kind in this series, the narrator shifts from the main character, Kinsey Millhone the Private Investigator, to Solana Rojas—a sociopath. Or whatever her real name is because this one was stolen. Readers see firsthand what Solana Rojas is up to but the suspense lies in when, and how, Kinsey finds out.

"I believe, as many people do, that things happen for a reason. I'm not convinced there's a Grand Plan in place, but I do know that impulse and chance play a role in the Universe, as does coincidence. There are no accidents." ~ pg. 199

T is for Trespass just may be the most unsettling novel of the series. It addresses elder abuse, manipulation, private caregiver horrors and identity theft. I must say, Kinsey Millhone handled her own and showed readers a compassionate side to her character.

My 5-heart rating is a big improvement from the last book I read of this series, S is for Silence. Thank goodness the whole series didn't go downhill from there. I am quite impressed that Sue Grafton kept up a strong heroine and storyline for 20+ books. Indeed an accomplishment! My dear mystery bookhearts, if you still have not started this series...join the reading challenge and catch up!

Title: T is for Trespass

Author: Sue Grafton

Published: December 2007

Pages: 387

Edition: Hardcover
Challenge: Perpetual Kinsey Millhone 

Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

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.

"I don't know why I'm writing this. That's not true. Maybe I do know and just don't want to admit it to myself."

~  The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides 

Juneteenth Dedication

Take a moment to reflect, rejoice and celebrate Juneteenth. We are because our ancestors were risk-takers, brave hearts and fearless leaders. Be proud, carry on the legacy and remember those we lost.

06.19.2019 is dedicated to my cousin. Heaven couldn't wait for you.

And to everyone else: Live and Love free-ish! 

  

The Escape Room

"How much trouble could four investment bankers get into in a locked elevator?" ~ 96%

An escape room challenge becomes a life-or-death situation. Four young professionals participate in a team-building activity. Emotions and imaginations rise when the lights go out and they are trapped. But the cryptic clues are more like dangerous truths. Terrible deeds they committed climbing up the corporate ladder are revealed. It becomes clear that someone has to die in order for others to survive.

Was it realistic? For sure. Especially for people that have participated in an escape room before with only minutes left on the clock to decipher senseless clues and no escape in sight. Oh, just me? Okay. Well, the feeling of being trapped is real. Teamwork becomes every man looking out for him/herself. Then when you finally escape, you think of how you overanalyzed the whole scenario. Kind of how I felt about this new book. I overanalyzed the storyline so the ending fell flat.

"This is too fucking real for my liking." ~ 11%

There was so much buildup in The Escape Room. Lots of information for readers to wade through. Perhaps it was the author's tactic for a suspenseful thriller; although, it seemed like filler material. It gave me R.L. Stine Fear Street vibes. I loved those but I was not expecting it from The Escape Room. Nevertheless, I finished reading with a sense of nostalgia for the simpler times of thriller. 

Happy Early Pub Day, Megan Goldin. The Escape Room will be available Tuesday, July 30.

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: The Escape Room
Author: Megan Goldin
Published: July 2019
Pages: 352
Edition: Galley
Rating: 🖤 🖤

Series Sunday: The Girl Who Could Move Sh*t With Her Mind

(Unknown Series #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.

My Series Sunday pick is The Girl Who Could Move Sh*t With Her Mind, presumably the first book in a series by Jackson Ford. (It is not categorized as a new series but the story continues in a book to be released later.)

Why did I choose to review an advance copy of The Girl Who Could Move Sh*t With Her Mind? Well the cover grabbed my attention first. Random objects are flying in space such as a pair of Chucks, a rubik's cube, cup of coffee, movie theater popcorn bucket and a yellow rubber ducky. I read the title next and now I am reeled in. This must be good, right?

"Hell has nothing to do with fire." ~ 86%

The ever so witty Teagan Frost has psychokinetic powers. The government uses her secret skill for odd missions. It's all paid fun and games until a dead body turns up at the last job site. Guess who is suspect #1? Teagan has 24 hours to clear her name and protect her beloved hometown of Los Angeles. S/O to Slauson Ave 💙

The easygoing writing style and language makes the main character so darn likable! Too bad this book is better suited for young adults; the dialogue is simplistic with sprinkles of juvenile cursing and the storyline itself is nothing to mull over. Us grown folk will lose interest real fast and grow bored very quickly. If it were not for the main girl, I would have given up reading far sooner. Yes, I like easy reads in the warmer months but not this basic.

If you are looking for a book to occupy a teenager during the summer school break, this is ideal. And just maybe they will be interested in Random Sh*t Flying Through the Air where the story continues.

Happy Early Pub Day, Jackson Ford. The Girl Who Could Move Sh*t With Her Mind will be available Tuesday, June 18.

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: The Girl Who Could Move Sh*t With Her Mind

Author: Jackson Ford

Published: June 2019

Pages: 352

Edition: Galley

Rating: 🖤 🖤

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.

"It was a midnight like any other at the store. The lights were on out front, the door unlocked, the grate rolled halfway up. Dapper Dan's Boutique was open."

~ Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem by Daniel R. Day