Book Review: The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson

A graphic novelist, Leia, meets a man at a Comic-Con. After a night of fun and drinking, she becomes pregnant. Not certain whether to contact the father of the baby, she learns her grandmother needs her. Consequently, she returns to Alabama from Atlanta to visit her grandmother who needs help sorting out her estate. Her grandmother, a once dignified and independent woman, has become ill with dementia. She now relies on her close friend, Wattie, to help her with daily tasks. While cleaning out the attic, they uncover a box containing bones. What is the story? Could this be the body of a relative?

Her grandmother’s secret will change the course of Leia’s life and all that she has known about her grandmother. Meanwhile her perfect step-sister’s marriage is falling apart. And Leia needs to tell everyone that her baby will be biracial. How will they react to the news?

Filled with delightful characters, this book is a fun romp for a long weekend or beach read. As a plus, the audiobook is read by the author who is outstanding.

“Things feel hard now, but it will pass. Everything passes, and something new comes along to fill the space.”

The Almost Sisters, Joshilyn Jackson

Book Review: The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

Two siblings, Maeve and Danny, bond after their mother Elna leaves home. That home, the Dutch House, has a hold on their father who bought it from an estate sale. It was a surprise for his wife, but she never liked it. As Danny gets older, its obvious he is just like his father; he loves architecture and real estate.

Once their mother leaves, their father remarries a woman with two young girls. Tragically, their father dies of a heart attack. Not long after his death, their stepmother expels Maeve and Danny from the house as if they are part of a horrible fairy tale. Once Maeve realizes their father left them a educational trust, she insists that Danny attend medical school.

Patchett delivered a beautiful and emotionally deep story about the love and connection that keeps families together. Even when that family becomes nostalgic about the past.

“We look back through the lens of what we know now, so we’re not seeing it as the people we were, we’re seeing it as the people we are, and that means the past has been radically altered.”

-The Dutch House

Book review: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Kya, a young girl with a trouble family, is left to care for herself. Alone and in the marshland, she becomes fully independent, not needing human contact, because she is surrounded by nature.

Fully immersing herself in her surroundings, the beautiful marshland and its achingly beautiful creatures, Kya’s life is disrupted by the local wealthy boy. When he is found dead, Kya is arrested for his murder.

The marsh did not confine them but defined them and, like any sacred ground, kept their secrets deep.” 
― Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing

Owens evokes the beauty and serenity of the lowlands. And with it, the mystery of Kya. This book is part mystery, part lyrical novel.

Book Review: An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

Roy and Celestial are two young black professionals who find themselves in love. Roy, who grew up in Louisiana, comes from a hard scrabble background. Celestial, meanwhile, has lived a life of more convenient means. After meeting in college, their paths cross again. And that’s where the story begins to unravel. Less than two years after marrying, Roy is falsely accused of rape. He’s sentenced to 12 years. But is able to get out after 5.

Celestial tries to maintain the marriage but finds them growing apart. And in that time, she begins a relationship with her childhood friend. Living next door to one another, they didn’t connect. But, as adults, their feelings have changed.

“Much of life is timing and circumstance, I see that now.” From An American Marriage

Jones walks us through the dissolution of Roy and celestial’s marriage. And the subsequent issues of a man falsely accused. How will he reclaim and rebuild his life? Read this book and see the human spirit’s ability to overcome almost any circumstance.