Trump Country

What You Are Getting Wrong about Appalachia was eye-opening for me in some ways.  In other ways it was affirming because I have often questioned a lot of the "Trump Country" rhetoric  and well, I am a suspicious person!  Elizabeth Catte has done an excellent job of addressing the book Hillbilly Elegy.  After reading this I was tempted to go back and rate HE much lower, but then I figured that wasn't fair.  But I just don't know.  How can I give five stars to that one and five stars to this one?  But the thing is, at the time, I didn't have this information and the information I researched independently after reading this.  So at the time, I gave HE the best rating I could with the information I had at the time. 
This is a very important book.  Especially for people who think that racism doesn't exist any more. 

I told you so!

Kinda!

When I was ripping on The Stand here, I wanted to make it clear that I don't always pan a book because I don't like the author.  But Hillbilly Elegy:  a Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis is proof- kinda.  I mean, I don't dislike J.D. Vance at all.  I really, really liked him.  But I didn't expect too, since I am biased against conservatives and he is a conservative.  But man, now that I read what REAL self-proclaimed conservatives are saying about him, I figure there is no reason at all not to like this guy!  They really rip him a new one.  As conservative and liberals are want to do.  

Lost and Found

The Search for Belle Prater is the sequel to Belle Prater's Boy.  I was so glad to see this available for download.  In it, Woodrow and Gypsy make some new friends who help them in their search for Woodrow's mother.  I liked also, being that the book is set in 1954 that the issue of prejudice and discrimination is addressed when the kids meet Joseph Lincoln, an African American boy who is looking for his father, like Woodrow is looking for his mom.

Belle of the Ball

Belle Ball is a pretty bad name.  I mean, I thought my name was bad.  But Belle Prater had Belle Ball as her name until she married her husband.  Yeah. Belle Ball.
That is neither here nor there!
I have often seen and heard tell of Belle Prater's Boy.
But I had not read it until now.
This is just SUCH a great book.
And it won a Newbery Honor!
This is the story of Gypsy and Woodrow, cousins.  Woodrow is Belle Prater's boy, Belle went missing, just up and left.  And Gypsy's dad died and I won't give away any more about that.  And they are both dealing with the loss of a parent.  And life and rumors in a small town.  And family secrets and just being middle school aged.  They live in the fictional town of Coal Station, VA and White's writing just brings the place to life.  There is also a sequel, The Search for Belle Prater, which I hope to read as well.