The Hate U Give book review

 

Buy it here

 

My rating: 5 stars

Goodreads rating: 4.62 stars

 

 

Inside Cover: Sixteen-Year-Old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor black neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends.  The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend, Khalil, at the hands of a police officer.  Khalil was unarmed.  Soon afterward, Khalil's death is a national headline.  Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger.  Starr's best friend at school suggests he may have had it coming.  When it becomes clear the police have little interest in investigating the incident, protestors take to the streets and Starr's neighborhood becomes a war zone.  What everyone wants to know is: What really went down that night?  And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.  But what Starr does or does not say could destroy her community.  It could also endanger her life. 

 

 

"T-H-U-G L-I-F-E, The Hate U Give Little Infants F*** Everybody, meaning what society gives us as youth, it bites them in the but when we wild out."  Tupac

 

My Thoughts:

WOW!  Imagine a picture of someone with their mouth open wide, well that is my response.  With all the racial tension in this country, this book spelled out true emotions regarding this hard topic.  The main character, Starr Carter is me when I was 16.  I grew up in the city where life was/is hard.  Where violence, drug dealing, gangs, and drama was or is still a problem.  Where children grow up in a lifestyle where it is hard to get out of.  Starr knows what life is like in both worlds and switches her specific persona with each location.  Once both worlds are combined, Starr is unsure how to be herself.  The emotions described from the characters in the books, especially of the main character are pure, honest, and real.  If you have never witnessed a police shooting or someone being killed especially at a young age, the author clearly defines how it can affect you mentally and emotionally. 

 

I recommend everyone to read this book.  White, black. Rich, poor.  City dweller or suburban resident.  Democrat, Republican. EVERYONE!  Our country is plagued by hate and violence therefore talking with those who seem different from us is hard.  We have opinions that we love to share but often lack respect.  This book will put you in perspective of those who are victims of gun violence, police brutality and poverty.  If you need great, urban read with Tupac quotes and young adult slang, this book is for you.  If you are looking for a book that makes you think of other people than yourself, this book is for you.  If you stand against racial discrimination and police brutality, this book is for you. 



"Amish Weddings" Leslie Gould



amazon.com Amish Weddings


My Rating: 3 stars
Goodreads rating: 4.43 stars

Back cover: Gregarious Rose Lehman, who's always the life of the Amish youth singings, is determined  to marry the bishop's son, Ruben Byler - until the handsome Army buddy of her future brother in law shows up in Lancaster County.  In comparison to Trevor, Reuben seems downright boring.  Trevor shares Rose's sense of fun and adventure, and her easygoing disposition.  When her sister Lila is injured in a devastating accident, Rose finds herself with more freedom than she's ever experienced in her life.  Only Reuben seems to notice, but he never voices his concerns.  Part of her relishes the freedom she's found with Trevor, but the other part wishes Reuben would finally express his love and "fight" for her.  Have her choices ruined her best chance at love, or is there another path to happiness she just hasn't seen yet?

Amish Wedding is Book 3 in the Neighbors of Lancaster County and focuses on the younger Lehman sister, Rose.  Rose is a fun character who seems to be the life of the party in her Amish community.  She hopes to marry her bishop's son, Ruben however after meeting Trevor an army friend of her brother to be, she finds herself drawn to his easygoing nature.  Rose finds herself in a tough predicament, since her sisters gets injured in an horrible accident and Rose now has to be the "mom" of the family and finds out some disturbing news.  Rose know has to make tough decisions, those ones that she thought she would never have to make. 

I enjoy reading Amish fiction due to being  an urbanite it helps me escape my fast paced reality and enter into the country life of the Amish.  I think despite that this is a book on the Amish, I feel as women, we might have felt like Rose at one point.  Being with one man, but drawn to another.  Making important decisions that will affect your future.  Being heartbroken and torn.  It was easy to get lost in Rose's world, because she is like that friend that you just want to save and help. 

Since this book  is in a series, I recommend reading the first 2 books before reading this one, since you can learn and follow the characters.  Also, if you are new to Amish fiction, research some of their language, since there are a few Amish words that many might not understand.  My overall rating was a 3 out of 5 stars.  It was a great read and I enjoyed it, however I felt as though the beginning of then book was slow.  Also, the ending was rushed but still left you wondering what the future will be for Rose.  I am hoping to see if Leslie Gould would create a book to finish off the series, since I would love to know what might happen in the future for the Lehman family. 



This review is based solely on my opinion. I was only compensated with a free copy of the book.
 

"The Underground Railroad" book review

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The Negro's story may have started in this country with degradation, but triumph and prosperity will be his one day." Colson Whitehead

 My Ratings: 5 stars
Goodreads Ratings: 4.06 stars

 

"The Underground Railroad" follows a young woman, Cora who is a slave on a cotton plantation in Georgia.  She befriends a man name Caesar who tells her all about the underground railroad, which can lead them to freedom.  Of course, this path to freedom does not come easy and leads Cora into some painful situations.  She faces death, hate, and mistrust on this road.  She grows up and begins to find her true self and strength on this journey.  

We all have heard stories about the underground railroad, read books, saw movies, or was taught about this secret path to freedom.  As I read this novel, I must say this was one of the best accounts of history.  I wondered how old Cora was in this story, but being a slave you didn't have a birthday.  I wondered about her family members, however her family could have been sold off, since as a slave you watched your family get sold to other slave owners. 

Being a slave at that time was horrible.  The living conditions were poor, food was scarce or you were given scraps to eat.  You were raped, beaten, and killed all because you were black.  As a slave or if you were free, you were injected with diseases such as Syphilis to help doctors find cures or medicine to fight those diseases. Or if you were a woman, you forced to sterilization just for being what people thought were "ugly" or "too stupid".   Also, while traveling on the underground railroad, you were reminded that your life is on the line by rows of dead bodies hanging on trees.  I guess reminding those slaves that if you slip up and get caught or make a mistake, you will join those dead bodies. 

As an African American, I could not fathom what my ancestors would have went through.  While reading this book, I had to stop many times because well the same hate described in the book is being displayed within our society.  It seems as though it is easy to hate, judge, or hurt those who are different from you or  hate those you  don't understand. 
One point I learned about this hate was that as an African American you are generationally taught to not trust white Americans.  Cora was taught by her mother and grandmother about the abuse they went through and then Cora witnesses this same abuse and mistrust first hand.  Imagine Cora having a family, she would share the same judgements to her children that what she went through and then it goes on and on.  This applies to many African Americans in our country.  They were told stories, then personally they either were hurt by a white American or witnessed something that confirmed that truth and they go on to teach their children to fear  white Americans and then it gets past on and on.  In order to stop this generational curse or hate, we must identify this hate, and acknowledge that it must not continue. But let's face it, that is unrealistic.  So our job is to respect each other and our differences and understand that it is better to love one another than to live in hate.

"And American, too is a delusion, the grandest one of all. The white race believes, believes with all its heart that it is their right to take the land.  To kill Indians.  Make war.  Enslave their brothers.  This nation shouldn't exist, if there is any justice in the world, for its foundations are murder, theft, and cruelty.  Yet here we are."

This review was based solely on my opinion and I was not compensated for this review in anyway.

 



"Monster" Book Review

 

 

 

 

"Monster" Walter Dean Myers

 

My rating: 2.5 stars

Goodreads overall rating: 3.69 stars

Inside cover: Sometimes I feel like I have walked into the middle of a movie.  Maybe I can make my own movie.  The film will be the story of my life.  No, not my life, but of this experience.  I’ll call it what the lady who is the prosecutor called me, Monster.  "You think we're going to win?"............. "It probably depends on what you mean by "win" "

The month of February, which many identify as Black History month has ended.  One reading goals that I want to work on this year, is to read more African American books or books written by African American authors.   “Monster” is the first book on my TBR list. 

I had this book for sale in my used bookstore for awhile and I decided to read it.  My first reaction from the cover was that this book was going to get my heart broken for a child who is in prison for a crime that he didn’t commit.  Well, my theory or guess was right.  A teenage boy was wrongly convicted of crime and seemed to be described as one of the situations of wrong place, wrong time; guilty by association. 

The story is in play or script form.  The scenery is created by the narrator of the story, which is the young teen.   He enjoyed drama and media so creating a movie about his experience with the legal system help him stay sane in a dysfunctional situation.  The young man dealt with late night crying in the jail, fighting that lead to physical harm or even death of the inmates and lack of support for those who are trying to fight for him in court.  Many of his so called friends betrayed him and many decided to use this man as a crutch to get out their own prison sentence.  This young man endured trouble after trouble and at times felt alone.  While reading my heart ached and tighten because all I wanted to do was to scream at the judge and lawyers that this boy is innocent.

The story is in play or script form.  The scenery is created by the narrator of the story, which is the young teen. I don’t mind script form writing, however I was unable to connect with the characters.  There should have been better character description with each scene change.  With script form, I wish a character introduction was included in the beginning of the story, to better understand or connect with the characters.

With this being a YA (young adult) novel, I was disappointed. I yearned for more description of the characters and description of the prison.  I know that the author was trying to have the reader understand life of an African American teen dealing with the injustice of the judicial system, however I was hoping for more displayed in the book. 

Even with a low rating of this book, it would be a great read for a teenage boy to read to see how being at the wrong place at the wrong time can get you in trouble.  Also it teaches about the injustice that people of color deal with at any given time.  It seems as though time after time we watch the news or read in the paper about the injustices people of color face and sadly some of us might have been in a situation similar to this young man.  Our hearts often break because of the lack of justice there are for people of color and after reading this book, I still feel heartbroken.  The horrible names, nasty attitudes, and the lack of compassion that the prosecutor, judge, and law enforcement displayed in this book, help revealed us to the grim reality that these situations happened daily in the lives of people of color.

 

 

This review is based solely on my opinion and was not compenstated in anyway.

 



"The Wish" - Beverly Lewis

amazon.com

Rating: 4 out of 5

Back Cover: Leona Speicher got the "sister" she always dreamed of the day Gloria Gingerich and her family move to Lancaster County.  The Arkansas newcomers seem to be the answer to Leona's prayers-until Gloria's father is expelled from their Old Order Amish church for reasons no once will discuss.  Much to Leona's dismay, the Gingeriches suddenly pack up and disappear.  Then, after a silence of several years, Gloria unexpectedly contacts Leona, who makes up her mind to go after her friend.  Yet Leona's fiancé- the deacon's son-is alarmed.  Will Leona's dearest wish lead to her own undoing?

I would first say that I am drawn to the Amish lifestyle and love the writing of Beverly Lewis.  So when her new book was offered to read and review, I was excited to get my hands on it.  Even though, I enjoy books by Beverly Lewis, this was the first book that I had a hard time getting into despite my excitement to read.  It started off slow but once the story evolved, it picked up and I was eager to read to see how it finished.    I felt very drawn to the characters and became the outside friend of Gloria and Leona. 

A while ago, I started asking myself what can I get out of a book, once I am finished reading it.  After I finished this book, I asked that same question and I figured that I learned about friendships.  Gloria and Leona were best friends and connected to each other despite differences in their family and the way that they were raised. Even though both grew up in the Amish church, their family had different ways of living.  Both girls didn't allow their family differences to interfere with their friendship.  I thought about the friendships or lack there of in today's society.  I have noticed that when there is a difference in opinion, religion, color, race, etc, relationships and friendships are destroyed.  I have seen people end life long friendships over this election, and it saddens me. 

When Leona found out the real reason of Gloria's family leaving their church, Leona could have ended their friendship.  Even when she found out that they left the Amish faith and became "English", she could have ended their friendship.  But all in all, Leona prayed earnestly for her friend.  I thought about us as Christians, if we would pray for our friends how our relationships would change. 

Beverly Lewis has a way sharing the gospel without you feeling like you are being preached to.  I enjoyed this book despite that slow beginning and I would recommend this to anyone. 

I received this book from Bethany House publications solely for a honest review of the book.  This review is based solely on my honest opinion and was only compensated with a free copy of the book. 

Beverly Lewis "The Atonement" book review

Amazon.com

Our past sins or choices often haunt our present, which affects our relationships with others and our daily life.  Beverly Lewis' character, Lucy Flaud understands this very well. 

Lucy has made some unwise choices in her past, which affected her and her family.  She loses the trust of her family, the inability to love, and lost faith in God.  Within the story, Lucy befriends several people who help shape and restore her faith and bring her to repentance. 

We all have made some bad or unwise choices in our past.  Those same choices that we made still affect us to this very day.  They affect how we live, how we love, who we are around, and our relationships, especially with God.  We must understand that "our burdens are too heavy to carry, and he alone is faithful to cover our sins". 

This book was a great read, not only for enjoyment, but to help guide you toward your true repentance of sins that are holding you hostage.  This is a Christian book and applies some Amish beliefs.  Regardless being an Amish book, anyone who is struggling with anything will be convicted to repent and will bring upon you a peace that you will not be to describe.


This review is based solely on my opinion.  I received this book from Bethany Books to read and give my honest review.  If you are an author, writer, publisher, or editor looking for an honest review, please contact me at jbjari123@yahoo.com.

"Out of Sorts" Sarah Bessey

Sarahbessey.com
 

Rate: ♥ ♥ ♥ / ♥♥♥♥♥
            3 1/2 out of 5 hearts

   Out of Sorts - a state of being in one's heart, mind, or body.  (describes sense of self, things to figure out, and / or coping with change)

Sarah Bessey best explains in her book, "Out of Sorts", how to gain peace in our faith.  This book of course is a Christian or religious book, so the topics that are covered in the book relate to the Christian life. 

I really enjoyed reading this book.  Bessey blends her life stories with biblical scripture to share her thoughts on sorting out our lives.  Bessey states, "Whether its in our relationship with God, or with our own families, at some point we find that it is time to sort."  Sarah uses the analogy of a rummage sale and our faith.  We as Christians, especially women, have so much baggage and stuff that we hold on to despite any real use and despite any negative memories or feelings that are attached with it.  With all the "stuff" that we have, we must come to realize that we need to sort out our lives. The things that we hold on to that has no real meaning, we must throw it out.

The book has many topics that we must sort out in order to gain peace, that include: our faith, our church, our relationships, and ourselves.  We as people and Christians are a hot mess.  We struggle daily (some hourly) with sin.  With the being said, we require a Savior who can pull us out of our mess and help clean it up. 

Sarah Bessey's writing is theology based.  She uses Biblical scripture to back up her points, which I LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! Many Christian writers lack biblical insight. 

Her love for God, people, her family, church, and of course the Charismatic denomination, drawn me to read her book.  She is not that Christian writer that uses big words, stuck up, or holier than thou.  She but is a writer who is full of grace, truth, and her readers can relate to her.  She writes the things that we think but to afraid to speak on. 

If you are looking for a great book for group studies, there are discussions questions included.  If you are not, but just looking for a book with truth, please check this book out.   I would recommend this book to anyone and I am looking forward to reading anymore of her books as well.


This review is based solely on my opinion.  I didn't receive any monetary reimbursement, books, or any other products for this review.  If you are an author, writer, publisher, or editor looking for an honest review, please contact me at jbjari123@yahoo.com.

For the Love -Jen Hatmaker

 

From amazon.com

 

I have received this book as a gift from a raffle drawing during the IF Gathering 2016 that was held at my church.  If you don't know what IF is all about, check it out here. 

 

First I would like to say that I would recommend this book to anyone.  Christians, non Christians, the young, the old, mothers, wives, etc.  Anyone and everyone should read this book.  Jen Hatmaker's writing includes humor, truth, sarcasm, and honesty.  I mean, in one of her Thank you chapters, she pays homage to spanx.  If that is not honesty, I don't know what is!! (I will not disclose if I wear spanx or not but I guess you will never know :) ) 

 

In the book, "For the Love", Jen includes topics on women, moms, wives, also on friends, enemies, the church, the unchurch, and God.  She applies our everyday life to biblical scriptures, which is important.  Jen reminds us that "we have a free life in Christ" and that we should often remove those things that suck us dry.  She reminds us that social media at times can provide a false positive and we try to reach this impossible perfection that many portray on social media. 

During these current trying times, where we are faced with unloving, hostile people, Jen points out that "thorny people or thorny for a reason" and that we should handle those with grace.  Just as God has shown us his grace. Yes, we at times can be thorny, especially toward the ones we love or even to God.  We as Christians or I as a Christian will be surrounded by hostile people who will need to see our love or God's love. 

 

If you need a book that will have you laughing and thinking at the same time, this is the book.

 

"Love God, Love people

Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly,

treat people as you want to be treated,

If you want to be great, be a servant."

Jen Hatmaker

 

 

 

This review is solely based on my own opinion. I was not compensated for this review in anyway. 

 

 

 

 



Amish Promises Book Review

"Love thy neighbor as yourself."  That was the theme from the book: "Amish Promises."   I would like to say that this book was a very easy read and a "I can't put you down until I am finish" type of book. 

 

This story takes place in Lancaster County within the Amish community.  Shani and her family moved from the city life in Philadelphia to the quiet country life in Lancaster County.  She thought moving from the loud, fast pace city life to the quiet slow pace, would help rehab her husband who is an injured Iraqi war veteran. 

 

The move started off not being a great idea due to the fact that her neighbors are Old-Order Amish and have complete opposite views on life.  Shani befriends her nieghbor's sister, Eve and they become very close.  Despite Eve's brother's wishes to stay away from the family, Eve and her neices and nephews become closer and closer with Shani and her son, and even closer to a family friend. 

 

Despite the difference in culture and religious belief both families learn to cohabitate together in this neighborhood. 

 

Even though this story takes place in the Amish country, it is not written with Amish dialect or bashing the Amish faith.  I love the fact that this book shows pros and cons about living within the Amish community. 

 

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.  This book is not just for Christians but for those who are struggling in their faith and need a push to find faith in God.  I am anticipating the next book in this series!!

I received this book for a honest review.  This review was based on my interest in Christian literature and interest in the book.  Thank you..




http://www.christianbook.com/1-amish-promises-leslie-gould/9780764215087/pd/215087


http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/amish-promises-leslie-gould/1120581720?ean=9780764215087


http://www.amazon.com/Amish-Promises-Neighbors-Lancaster-County/dp/0764215086

Book Review: "The Secret Keeper" by Beverly Lewis

Beverly Lewis did it again with "The Secret Keeper."  Her insightful knowledge of both the "English" and "Amish" world helped her bring life into this book.  

The story involves an "English" or non-amish woman name Jenny Burns, who wishes to become Amish.  She had these feelings ever since she was a child.  Her family and friends considers her as an "old soul" and doesn't understand her desire to join the Amish church.  She makes the decision to leave behind the luxuries of the modern world to seek out life as an Amish woman.

During her time seeking out the life in the Amish community, she befriends a young man, who she happens to fall in love with.  She also discovers secrets within the community that make her question whether or not to stay and join the Amish church.  

Being a non-Amish woman seeking the Amish way of life seems to be harder than Jenny imagines.  Despite the friendships that she makes and the relationship with her lovely beau, does she stay and join the church or does she leave to return back to the comforts of the modern world?  The only way to find out is to open the book and enter in the community of Hickory Hollow.

Must say that this book is great.  If you are into clean Romance, Faith, and suspense, this book is for you.  After reading, this book it made me think about the desires in my heart that I would like to fulfill.  I can't wait to read the next in the series, "The Last Bride."

 

Divergent Book Review

BOOK REVIEW!!!  I haven't completed a book review in ages!!

 

"Divergent" by Veronica Roth

 

"Divergent" is indeed an "eye glued to every turning page, can't sleep until I am done" type of book.  Many people have related this book to "The Hunger Games" series, however I tried to read that series and didn't really follow and get into the book.  "Divergent" had me hook from the first page, (actually from the first sentence). 

 

"Divergent" is a dystopian novel similar to "The Hunger Games".  In this country the people are divided into different factions or you can say classes based on their personal characteristics.  At a point in the young adult's life, they have to take a test to see which faction they will belong to, and then they have a choice to pick the faction that they want to live in.  The main character, Beatrice or "Tris" takes this test and finds our that she is a "divergent". 
 

Tris picks another faction other than her own at the ceremony.  Does Tris survive this new faction? Also, how does Tris deal with being labeled as "Divergent?

This books really keeps you hanging at the edge of your seat to see what will happen next.  If you are into dystopian type books are looking for a new read.  This book is a must.  Since I brought this book through Amazon, I put this book at a 4 stars.  I am very critical about what I read, so being at a 4 stars is a great read. 

 

"The Shack" book review

range from $2.55-$6.75 on Amazon

Powerful book!  Mackenzie "Mack" Philips, father, took his children on a family camping trip.  While on the trip, his daughter was abducted and  murdered and her body was found in shack that was located in  the middle of nowhere.  This painful loss had affected Mack's family even the other children.  One day a suspicious note was sent (from God) requesting Mack to come back to the shack.  Mack questions to go back to that painful place, but he eventually decides to go.  

"The Shack" answers the question most people ask, "Why me, God"? The portrait of God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy spirit has been portrayed in a way that you may not believe or imagine.  Mack questions regarding faith and hope are answered in the end of the book.  Mines were answered too!! 

When I read this book, I didn't relate to the fact that I lost a child, but I was related to the fact that God is omniscient and omnipresence and he knows all, sees all, and is everywhere I am.  

If you are going through some trials and may question God, this is a must read!!

Book Review on "Daughters of Lancaster County"

Another book review!!  Well I enjoy reading Amish fiction books for a couple of years now.  Most books that I have read were by the author Beverly Lewis. ( I have The Fiddler review on this blog also.)  I have decided to check out another author who writes Amish fiction, Wanda Brunstetter.  Her writing is similar to Beverly Lewis, ( which includes Bible Scripture, Amish language or Pennsylvania Dutch or German. 

Also her characters are personable and they draw you into the story.  I have read all 3 books from this series, "The Storekeeper's Daughter", The Quilter's Daughter",  and "The Bishop's Daughter".   These books in this series correlate to each other and you must read the 1st book to get to know the characters and what is taking place. 

This series starts out with an dysfunctional family, lost in the death of their mother.  It seems that all is lost with their family and while the family tries to move passed their mother's death, it seems as though there is trouble on every corner.

The several characters in this series, faith is tested and must rely on the Good Lord to get them passed all of the hurt and trouble that they have faced.  Many characters in this series bring hope to each other, but to the reader as well.

I have read the book 1 and book 2 within a week, that I have received them from the library.  When it was time to get the 3rd book, it was checked out.  But one thing I can tell you is that once that 3rd book was checked back in, I quickly got it and read it in 2 days. 

This is a must read series, and I am ready to read another series from this author.

First Book Review :)

"The Fiddler" by Beverly Lewis

An unsure direction we make in life, may lead us to the location where God want us to be. This is true for both main characters in the story, “The Fiddler” by Beverly Lewis. For those whom have not read any books by Beverly Lewis, her books are filled with not only Amish heritage, but mystery, true romance, and unforgettable characters.
In this story, the two main characters, Amelia Devries and Michael Hostetler are both finding their purpose in life. They both make unsure choices to figure out themselves. Both Amelia and Michael are coming from different religious backgrounds and cultures, but both seemed to struggle with handling expectations within their family. Following their own heart and putting their faith in God, Amelia and Michael are able to become comfortable in who they truly are.
I enjoy reading this book. Actually, all the books that I have read written by Beverly Lewis, I enjoyed. I first got sucked in the Amish culture, by watching documentaries on television, and I saw a member in my church reading one of her books, I had to run to the library. My first series (most books by Beverly Lewis are written in series, so you get really involved and attached to the characters) was “The Heritage of Lancaster County”. The characters seemed so personable, and I fell in love with her writing.
Not many people understand the Amish culture and the strict ordinances that they follow, but once you read one book by Beverly Lewis, you will see another view of the Amish culture. For those who either play the violin or love music, this book is for you, since the main character, Amelia is a violinist. If this review is not drawing you to this book, I say those who love true romance (not the sexual, risqué type) and enjoy reading about other cultures, this book is a must read.