Lovecraft Country. Matt Ruff. 2016. Picador. 330 pages. [Source: Personal Copy.] I was late to the party on this one. I saw advertisements for the HBO series prior to its release and knew I’d check the show out on the strength of who was connected to it. I was not, however, committed to reading the book until I actually saw the first episode. Now I’m pretty invested. Lovecraft Country is centered on Atticus, a young Chicago native who’s returning from military service at the request of his father, Montrose. Montrose has long been obsessed with understanding the family history of Atticus’ late mother. Things take an odd turn when Montrose sends a letter that compels Atticus to meet him in Ardham, Massachusetts. It’s the heart of Lovecraft Country, a literary world made famous by the author of the same name. It’s filled with evil creatures, but Atticus finds that not all monsters are figments of imagination. What struck me most about this book is how deeply it looks at racism in America. Some examples are glaring — sundown town, anyone — but many are insidious, like the lies than are easily told about “the help” that cost them their livelihoods….

Let Me Hear a Rhyme. Tiffany D. Jackson. 2019. Katherine Tegan Books. 384 pages. [Source: Public Library.] If there was ever a book written that speaks directly to the soul of 14-year-old me, it is Let Me Hear a Rhyme.  On its surface, it’s a touching story of a group of friends refusing to let their friend become another anonymous victim of street violence. But it really feels like a long-overdue homage to the New York hip-hop scene at one of its most pivotal periods. The story takes place on the heels of the Notorious BIG’s murder, and opens with the funeral of Steph, a 16-year-old aspiring rapper.  With that major spoiler out of the way, the book turns to his sister Jasmine and his two best friends, Jarrell and Quadir, as they reckon with his loss and attempt to secure his legacy as one of the best to put on for Brooklyn. During their quest, they discover that each of them knew less about Steph’s life than they could have imagined.  Let Me Hear a Rhyme doesn’t leave out any of the memorable people, places, and sounds of the New York hip-hop scene in the late ‘90s. Anyone who…

Living in the Middle. A. Robert Allen. 2019. 247 pages. [Source: ARC provided courtesy of author.] There’s no greater challenge than finding the balance between how you see yourself and how others see you. Living in the Middle effectively conveys the notion of identity being fluid and the impact of external forces. I found the opening chapter to be confusing and difficult to understand prior to the introduction of Jimmy, which made it challenging to get into the book. The historical accuracy of the book throughout is phenomenal, but was presented in a rudimentary manner which makes it better suited for those without extensive knowledge or familiarity with/on the Tulsa Race Riots. Overall, I appreciated this book more for its historical relevance then for its novel components – the romantic relationship between Mercy and Jimmy was irrelevant, as were the Grimes/Glax interactions. I often found the dialogues to be strained and unbelievable. Sadly, the parts I loved most were the parts that were the quickest to read, leaving me hungry for more. The build up to the actual insurgence, the day of, and the immediate aftermath could’ve easily been more than half of the book. Three stars for Living in…

Wench. Dolen Perkins-Valdez. 2010. 308 pages. Harper-Collins. [Source: personal copy.] An amazing work of historical fiction, I was impressed at the historical accuracy yet intriguing style that the author wrote with. I’ve considered reading his many times yet was hesitant. Few can do historical fiction with the flare of Lalita Tademy’s Cane River — honest, accurate and captivating. However, it was a concise review that made me say it was worth trying. I’m pleased to say this author is of Tademy’s caliber. I enjoyed the characters, found myself invested in their future and willing to think beyond what she hinted at. 5 stars, I’d love for her to write a sequel that tells Mawu’s next step or even the results of Drayle’s promise.  

The Woman on the Orient Express. Lindsay Jane Ashford. 2016. Lake Union Publishing. 332 pages. [Source: ARC provided courtesy of NetGalley.] I selected this because I love Agatha Christie. I fell in love with her writing as a teenager and was excited to read a fictionalized account of her tumultuous life.   The Woman on the Orient Express doesn’t disappoint. It is based on several high-profile aspects of Christie’s life, such as her failed first marriage and her subsequent trip to Baghdad on the Orient Express.  Despite being fiction, it manages to fill in gaps that are not only believable but seem authentic. As noted by Ashford, these events simply form a frame for the book. The author’s take at recreating the experiences Christie had on her trip and the people she encountered are frighteningly believable.   Agatha is still reeling from her failed marriage and the reality of her ex-husband moving on so quickly to start a new family.  Her two-month trek is meant to give her a boost in moving forward; she goes as far as to travel under an assumed name to do so.  An unexpected bunk-make, Katherine, has her own secrets as she mourns the death of her husband and…