Zikora By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie | Book Review

 

Synopsis: 

THE EMOTIONAL STORMS WEATHERED BY A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER YIELD A PROFOUND NEW UNDERSTANDING IN A MOVING SHORT STORY BY THE BESTSELLING, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF ‘AMERICANAH’ AND ‘WE SHOULD ALL BE FEMINISTS’.

When Zikora, a DC lawyer from Nigeria, tells her equally high-powered lover that she’s pregnant, he abandons her. But it’s Zikora’s demanding, self-possessed mother, in town for the birth, who makes Zikora feel like a lonely little girl all over again. Shunned by the speed with which her ideal life fell apart, Zikora turns to reflecting on her mother’s painful past and struggle for dignity. Preparing for motherhood, Zikora begins to see more clearly what her own mother wants for her, for her new baby, and for herself.


Review:

4 Stars 

Zikora is a strong well written short story. Chimamanda always does an amazing job with story telling. This story is about a Nigerian woman living in Washington DC and works as a lawyer. She gets pregnant by a man she with and he leaves her. Zikora has to navigate being pregnant by herself, the pain, being sick the uncertainty of having a father less child.


Once Zikora gives birth she’s very protective of her child but still has hope that the man who got her pregnant will be there for her and her baby. The guy doesn’t want nothing to do with Zikora or the child. And it’s set in her mind that her child will have to go through what she went through not having one parent around when a child needs two parents.


I enjoyed this quick short story it definitely helped me and my reading slump. Zikora does give me a lot to think about.


May 2020 TBR — What I Want To Read For the Month

 I will be participating in a readathon hosted by booktuber Mande Garrett [Link to Mande’s video] it’s called the Fire readathon and there are 3 prompts. This readathon runs the whole month of May.

1. The book that has orange, red, or yellow or all of the colors on the cover. — City Born Great by NK Jemisin [already read and rated]
2.Have the word ‘FIRE’ in the title or spelled out somewhere on the book or has a fire on the cover– With the Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo
3. Read a book that has anything related to fire example Kingdom of Ash— A Phoenix Must Burn by Patrice Caldwell

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Synopsis: With her daughter to care for and her abuela to help support, high school senior Emoni Santiago has to make the tough decisions, and do what must be done. The one place she can let her responsibilities go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness. Still, she knows she doesn’t have enough time for her school’s new culinary arts class, doesn’t have the money for the class’s trip to Spain — and shouldn’t still be dreaming of someday working in a real kitchen. But even with all the rules she has for her life — and all the rules everyone expects her to play by — once Emoni starts cooking, her only real choice is to let her talent break free.

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Synopsis: Sixteen tales by bestselling and award-winning authors that explore the Black experience through fantasy, science fiction, and magic.

Evoking Beyoncé’s Lemonade for a teen audience, these authors who are truly Octavia Butler’s heirs, have woven worlds to create a stunning narrative that centers Black women and gender nonconforming individuals. A Phoenix First Must Burn will take you on a journey from folktales retold to futuristic societies and everything in between. Filled with stories of love and betrayal, strength and resistance, this collection contains an array of complex and true-to-life characters in which you cannot help but see yourself reflected. Witches and scientists, sisters and lovers, priestesses and rebels: the heroines of A Phoenix First Must Burn shine brightly. You will never forget them.

Authors include Elizabeth Acevedo, Amerie, Dhonielle Clayton, Jalissa Corrie, Somaiya Daud, Charlotte Davis, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Justina Ireland, Danny Lore, L.L. McKinney, Danielle Paige, Rebecca Roanhorse, Karen Strong, Ashley Woodfolk, and Ibi Zoboi.



These next books I want to read if have more time in the month (but won’t make any promises if I’ll get to all of them)–

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Synopsis:
With a bootylicious body like Beyonc� and a face that would put any top model to shame, Toi McKnight has all the cuties coming her way. Who could blame them? She was always rocking the latest fashion trends and hanging at every bangin’ party in the city. But all that came at a price, and now Toi McKnight is the seventeen-year-old mother of a baby boy.



Between bills to pay and adult responsibilities to meet, she’s got zero time for sizzling gossip, chilling with her friends or doing the things she used to. So when unexpected sparks start flying between her and six-foot-two, deliciously fine Harlem, Toi knows she’s got to dead any chance of a relationship fast since he doesn’t date teenage mothers–and she’s vowed to never love again. But every time Toi tries to cut Harlem loose, she falls harder for him. And all the other drama in her life doesn’t help the situation any, especially when her son’s father comes back around. Toi tries to do the right thing, but doing the right thing just may put her on heartbreak express for good.

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Synopsis: 
Will their romance fade with the music?

Bailey’s settled for working in her mother’s salon instead of pursuing her dream. Music. She has the soul of a singer. Melodies speak to her heart. She could face her fear, but that would take courage and ignoring the disapproval of those close to her. When an incredible opportunity comes her way, she must decide whether to take the risk or live in regret.

Jackson’s a musician determined to make it into the business with his band. After years of hard work, his dreams may come true. He can make amends for the past. He can let go of his guilt.

When Jackson and Bailey meet online, their love for music forms an extraordinary bond. Once they both pursue their passions, including the one between them, there’s no going back. But there’s a secret. A secret that will make Bailey question everything. 


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Synopsis:
Fall in love, break the curse.

Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year, Prince Rhen, the heir of Emberfall, thought he could be saved easily if a girl fell for him. But that was before he turned into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. Before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.

Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, Harper learned to be tough enough to survive. When she tries to save a stranger on the streets of Washington, DC, she’s pulled into a magical world.

Break the curse, save the kingdom.

Harper doesn’t know where she is or what to believe. A prince? A curse? A monster? As she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what’s at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.

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Synopsis:

Zoe Washington isn’t sure what to write. What does a girl say to the father she’s never met, hadn’t heard from until his letter arrived on her twelfth birthday, and who’s been in prison for a terrible crime?

A crime he says he never committed.

Could Marcus really be innocent? Zoe is determined to uncover the truth. Even if it means hiding his letters and her investigation from the rest of her family. Everyone else thinks Zoe’s worrying about doing a good job at her bakery internship and proving to her parents that she’s worthy of auditioning for Food Network’s Kids Bake Challenge.

But with bakery confections on one part of her mind, and Marcus’s conviction weighing heavily on the other, this is one recipe Zoe doesn’t know how to balance. The only thing she knows to be true: Everyone lies.


Small Ghost By Trista Mateer | Book Review

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Synopsis:

Small Ghost is a brief narrative collection of poetry about depression and anxiety with a central focus on coping mechanisms.

Book Review: 


Small GhostSmall Ghost by Trista Mateer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The one thing I can mention about Small Ghost is the writing style it’s not something I’m naturally use to. But I guess you get use to it while you are reading through it. These poems talked mainly about anxiety and depression and how it has affected the author (or anyone for that matter) for someone who actually deals with anxiety on the daily basis — the author did depict anxiety and depression correctly without being triggering (at least for me)

I liked the art work, and I loved that there was a happy ending (a dog to help ease and bring happiness to the author) in the end she took off the sheet and was able to live life. It’s very hard to live with a mental illness (I should know) but knowing you can live and still be happy while getting help. So I enjoyed Small Ghost I wanted most artwork though.

The Princess Saves Herself in This One By Amanda Lovelace | Book Review

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Synopsis: “Ah, life- the thing that happens to us while we’re off somewhere else blowing on dandelions & wishing ourselves into the pages of our favorite fairy tales.”


A poetry collection divided into four different parts: the princess, the damsel, the queen, & you. the princess, the damsel, & the queen piece together the life of the author in three stages, while you serves as a note to the reader & all of humankind. Explores life & all of its love, loss, grief, healing, empowerment, & inspirations.

Review: The Princess Saves Herself in This One (Women Are Some Kind of Magic, #1)The Princess Saves Herself in This One by Amanda Lovelace
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

To be honest and fair I been following the author since her tumblr days. I honestly owned a copy of this poetry book when it came and just didnt read it for a long time. I guess thinking it was …I don’t I wasn’t going to like it. I have access to the audiobook and to hear the author actually speak her words the way they should be read felt great to hear.

Amanda talks about mental illness, being alone, about her mom, relationships, rape culture, having issues with weight, ect I loved this poetry book! Her voice is so soothing she doesn’t rush the words, she want’s you into her life word by word. I will be reading all her other books. 

#RecentReads Jan Thru April 2020

Hey everyone this is my new blog which I’m starting over. This weeks post will be about what I recently read over the last few months. I have been reading a lot since the covid-19 virus quarantine has lockdown my state. So theses are the books I read before most of this took place. So instead of long drawn reviews I will give short bursts of my thoughts instead on each book. 

All I WantAll I Want by Alexandria House
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was was Navy and Lakeland story. Their story was so was honest and loving and the fact that it happened around Christmas time made it even more special. Great story.

SumWhereOvaRainbows: A Poetry CollectionSumWhereOvaRainbows: A Poetry Collection by Aubreé Pynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I always enjoy Aubree’s poetry and this was no different. Very strong, sensual, dark, and erotic words that she writes to express a love a loss and new love found.

Black Girl MagicBlack Girl Magic by Mahogany L. Browne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this! I enjoyed the flow of this and the important message behind the words. Not just black girls but black boys need to read this, so important for young children!!

Everything Fades AwayEverything Fades Away by Zane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was really good and well written. This was Amanda and Gideon’s story of how they met in such a short period of time and how it all ended. In a way this story unexpectedly was a tiny bit sad at the end. I know this is a novella/short story but I would had loved more back story on Amanda. And more information on Amanda and Gideon’s current marriage’s. As usual Zane came through with the sexiness and I loved every moment of it!

Peeping Tom: A Short StoryPeeping Tom: A Short Story by J.A. Peters
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a very a sexy short story. This is story about Thomas basically eating the lustful fruit and being stung later for it. I liked how the sex scenes were described which were believable to read as a reader. I really wanted this story to be longer in a way but I understand not every story gets to be told in 300 pages. This was really good and I definitely will look out for more by this author.

The A.I. Who Loved MeThe A.I. Who Loved Me by Alyssa Cole
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

DNF.
I wanted to like this but I just couldn’t. Finding a A.i. sexy I thought is weird to me. It was just a meh story to me. I gave it a shot, not for me.

Thirteen Reasons WhyThirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

DNF @ 76% Smh!! Thirteen Reasons why is a terrible way to depict suicide in a novel especially for teens. I felt as though Hannah was manipulative and would and say anything to make herself look like a victim. 

There are tons of people who commit suicide in the U.S. alone each year and I personally feel this story didn’t do a good job at capturing that essence. Now maybe the Netflix TV series might be better I have no clue. But I might come back to update this much later after I have watched the TV series. This was a big disappointment but not really. I once tried to read this 8 years ago and stop didnt get very far then. My way of thinking was the glamorization of suicide and I didn’t like that. Now that I listened to big part of it on audiobook I just can’t take it anymore. It’s written poorly I simply hate it, so 1 fucking🌟

VengeanceVengeance by Zane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Vengeance by Zane I think was really good. This particular novel touched on a few topics such as mental illness, rape, the LGBT community, and suicide. I felt as though Zane made her points without filling the book up with so much sex that the reader misses the points at hand.

For Caprice/ Wicked she was simply dealt a messy hand in life. And all she wanted to do was escape it. She meets Hannah (who I loved btw!) Who becomes her aunt. Caprice finds out she can sing and she signs a deal becomes Wicked. Caprice is now focus on getting revenge on childhood friend’s who hurt her years ago. Great story, I enjoyed it!😊💜🌟