“Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.”

– Mary Schmich

 

Novel Blondes August Book Reviews

 

It’s time for the August Book Reviews! Even though I ditched the Unread Shelf Challenge a few months back, my reading hasn’t slowed down. In fact, August was a banner month for reading, in part thanks to the highly liberating, life changing library app, Libby. Total GAME CHANGER in terms of being able to enjoy good books in a variety of situations. With this app, I think my reading totals doubled for the month.

I’m drilling down to provide short reviews for three NetGalley ARCs I read in August, mainly  because I put myself on download restrictions until I caught up on reviews on the NetGalley site. House Girl and Goodbye, Paris are now available for purchase or borrowing. Josephine Baker’s Last Dance will be available in December 2018.  All three were enjoyable reading, and provided enough variety in subject and writing style to keep me interested and satisfied.

 

 

 

House Girl: A Novel

House Girl, by Michael Donkor takes readers to Kumasi, Ghana and London, England as we watch three young girls navigate life within the confines of societal rules. Belinda and Mary, house girls for a well to do family in Ghana, are like sisters. Belinda is older, and has a strong sense of practicality and responsibility. As head house girl, she is training Mary to perform as well. The two develop a true affection as they bond over work, with Belinda attempting to rein in Mary’s coltish behavior, all the while appreciating her zest for life.

Belinda is pulled from her stable circumstances to travel to London with Nana to become a companion to Amma, Nana’s daughter. Amma, once full of potential, has turned sullen and withdrawn. Nana decides that Belinda’s steady influence and maturity will be the remedy. However, the girls don’t take well to each other, and a rocky relationship ensues. Over the months, the two girls reveal secrets they each have held closely, and bridge a cultural and social divide. Just as friendship and understanding begins to develop, Belinda is called back to Ghana. Tragedy has struck, and she returns to stoically deal with the aftermath.

Three young female characters are introduced, each dealing with where they are, who they are, and where they are from. It is in many ways a classic coming of age tale, set in exotic and unfamiliar Ghana. All three characters have much to recommend them, and the tale is a worthwhile experience.

 

 

 

 

Goodbye, Paris: A Novel

In  Goodbye, Paris, Grace Atherton is a gifted musician who refuses to play for others. Nevertheless, she has managed to build a career as a luthier making and repairing string instruments. She seems at best accepting of life inside a small box, not performing her music, and not married to the man she loves. He is married to someone else.

When Grace spends the weekend in Paris with David, her married lover, an event happens that changes their relationship entirely. The fall out of a rescue is the undoing of Grace’s carefully constructed box, and all the small lies she has allowed herself to believe about her relationship. David has misrepresented himself dreadfully to Grace, and as she falls apart as she begins to realize the depth of his deceit, and her sacrifices for him.

Luckily, her saviours arrive in the form of an angst ridden teen age girl and an elderly neighbor. Both lend support when Grace most needs it, as well as a swift kick in the pants when Grace needs more than support. With their help, she rebuilds a particularly meaningful instrument, and more importantly, her life.

 

 

 

Josephine Baker’s Last Dance

Josephine Baker’s Last Dance, by Sherry Jones, presents a last imagined performance by Baker. Throughout, she reminisces about the highs and lows of her life. From Josephine’s mean streets beginnings to her grand success in France, the escapades and frustrations are revealed.

The story telling takes place through the lens of one last autobiographical performance, which presents a somewhat uneven but highly entertaining view of highlights from her life.  She truly was a trailblazer on many fronts, including performance art, civil rights, and equality. The author fairly balances the story of her personal and professional struggles, but rushes to the finish line. The later chapters of Josephine’s life, including how she supported herself after the war, how she built her rainbow tribe, and her later years are not covered in as much depth as the earlier periods of her life. Even so, Sherry Jones provides a wild ride with Josephine, encouraging readers to set aside inhibitions and enjoy the trip.

 

All three of these books provided hours of enjoyment. The subject matter, settings, and characters provided an interesting variety, with consistent writing provided by the authors. For every reader there is a book, and here I’ve offered three more options!

A sincere thank you to NetGalley for providing me with these ARCs to review. In exchange I have provided my honest, unbiased opinion.