While

I didn't love or even really like like like Heather, The Totality I am glad that I didn't read the goodreads reviews.  I don't generally let them impact my decision to read a book, but these were so bad.  And the book wasn't THAT bad.  I mean I think that one has to look at the bigger picture and think about it, you know?  I mean as I think about the characters a little.  It is written by Matthew Weiner who is one of the guys behind Mad Men and The Sopranos.  I can see this being a movie so that makes total sense!

Sadly, This is America

An American Marriage is one of the best books I have ever read.  It is sad that we who work in libraries don't let people know about the databases we have.  In our county we have two eAudio sites, Hoopla Digital and Overdrive.  We have another one, but it is terrible.  Anyway...with Overdrive, there are a set number of copies and only one patron can listen or read a book at one time.  So there are waiting lists.  Right now on Overdrive there are about 100 holds for An American Marriage on audio download.  But with Hoopla, I can listen, you can listen, we all can listen at the same time.  No waiting.  So I was SO fortunate to check both resources and listen to this incredible book.  And then I got to hear Tayari Jones on this podcast and this one!  Simply excellent.  Must-read.  And it is Oprah's Book Club pick, currently! 

Battle of the Books

I have facilitated battles of the books for groups of students and for families, but I have never participated in one, but that is all going to change at the end of November!  The Vacationers is the first book I have read from the list and I have made notes for myself and my teammates!  I gave this one 2 stars but it is more like 2 1/2 stars, I guess.  Thing is, this is NOTHING like my kind of book.  Nothing at all.  It is so far away from what I read and like that it is in another galaxy!  But a lot of people would like this book!  And the thing is, I didn't hate it, even though it is NOTHING like books I enjoy.  It's a family story and about marriage and infidelity and no one gets murdered.  I know that sounds terrible, but there is no mystery.  It reminded me in a way of Last Night at the Lobster just because nothing happens.  But for me, Lobster was much more enjoyable.  Still I am super happy to be a part of the BOB in Bethel Park!  Only thing is, as I was just looking at what tags to put on this entry, I came across Dysfunctional Families and remembered that the theme of the BOB books is Dysfunctional Families. But to be honest, I can't say that the Post family is "dysfunctional."  In fact, out of all of the books I have written about here, I have only dubbed two as such.  And whoa, they were pretty dysfunctional! I wonder if the families in the other books are as dysfunctional as those I have tagged as such or pretty normal, like I found this family to be.

God Does Not Care Whom We Love, Only That We Love

Loving vs. Virginia:  a Documentary Novel of the Landmark Civil Rights Case is the story of a case that I embarrassing admit, I was unaware until the movie Loving came out last year.  Loving v. Virginia (1967) is a case that should never have had to come to trial, like Brown v. The Board of Education of Topeka (1954).
The movie was good.  This book is excellent.  It is especially important for anyone and everyone to read.  It is so very, very well done in poetry and incredible illustrations.  This is a must-read.
It's a novel, so I guess it is technically historical fiction?