New York, My Village: A Novel
by Uwem Akpan
New York, My Village (8/24/2021)
"New York, My Village" by Uwem Akpan is a novel about a Nigerian editor that receives a fellowship to understudy at a New York publishing house. After twice being refused a visa at the American embassy in Nigeria, the publishing house in New York intervenes on his behalf. This is just the beginning of Ekong's taste of American racial biases. At his apartment building, his workplace, and even at a Catholic church he experiences racism of many kinds. As he navigates this America, he is drawn back to confront the tribal differences and biases in his own village. It is hard to read about the atrocities that the Nigerian people suffered during the Biafran Civil War and Akpan does a good job of adding humor and sarcasm to the novel to make it a little easier to take. I felt the book started to get a little tedious towards the second half, but it was ultimately an informative and rewarding read about New York and a little village in Nigeria.
When Broadway Was Black: The Triumphant Story of the All-Black Musical that Changed the World (aka Footnotes)
by Caseen Gaines
Shuffle Along (3/29/2021)
"Footnotes" by Caseen Gaines is an important account of early twentieth century Black artists and how they were able to break into the New York Broadway scene. It also recounts the struggles to maintain their influence and continue with successful musical performances. This would be a great book for people who want a very in depth look at these artists and their strengths and weaknesses. For just a casual reader, I found it a little drawn out. I really enjoyed the final chapters where Gaines discusses the role "Shuffle Along" has in relation to current cultural issues.
The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz
by Erik Larson
Another great book by Larson (1/13/2020)
"The Splendid and the Vile" by Erik Larson is another excellent book by this author. Larson takes a moment in history and brings it to life in a way that makes you feel like you are there. You get a sense of the true emotion of the people living through the events of the time. I think everyone knows a little (or a lot) about World War II however Larson takes this one year in the beginning of the British entry into the war and tells it through the eyes of some of the people closest to the decision making process. The personal lives of Churchill's daughter, private secretary, and others come into vivid focus and allows for an entertaining read. If you have enjoyed other books by this author you will not be disappointed!
Edgar and Lucy
by Victor Lodato
Thought-provoking and enjoyable! (11/18/2016)
"Edgar & Lucy" by Victor Lodato is a wonderful book about love, loss, and reconciliation. Edgar is an eight year old boy who lives with his grandmother, Florence and his mother, Lucy. Florence, who was the nurturing woman in Edgar's life, dies unexpectedly and Edgar and Lucy must learn to love and care for each other in a whole new way. This is a book about growing up and the many ways people change through the hardships and challenges of life. I recommend this book to readers who are looking for a thought-provoking story that can be read in a leisurely way.
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