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elsieols's reviews
198 reviews
All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley's Sack, a Black Family Keepsake by Tiya Miles
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
i was initially going to rate it closer to a 3.75 but then the latter section of the book introduced connections between the intersection of gender and race through specific kinds of needlework at specific points in history, and that take was just so new and fascinating that it pumped up my rating to a 4.25. i adored the talk of embroidery and how it brings the incomplete narrative of this family to life.
The Nightingales are Drunk by Hafez
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
i wanted to read this book mostly for how ridiculous the name was, but i did not expect this incredible quality of verse. i feel like these poems were written just for me and with just my taste in mind. truly wonderful.
Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Brittney Cooper
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Paradise by Toni Morrison
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
oh yes how the idea of happy, unconventional women in their town drives men murderous. the way that black women’s sense of contentment and belonging makes people so angry that they conspire to take them down truly echoes the reality of the world.
i enjoyed the setup of this novel and the in-depth exploration of each character throughout. i also enjoyed the depiction of unconventional, homoerotic sexuality among the women of the convent. the interchanging of “convent” and “coven” among the men towards the end is a great touch as well. overall, this story is well-written, fascinating, aggravating, and tragic. toni morrison, you’ve done it again.
Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre by Brandy Colbert
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.25