THE GOLDFINCH
Photo by John Manno from Vanity Fair
I started reading books that have won the Pulitzer Prize over the past several years. The Goldfinch was on my radar having won the Pulitzer in 2014. When I started reading this book (last year) I thought I would be done in no time however, I found myself savoring it like teenage old whisky. The story telling is beautiful, Tartt draws you in the story with her vivid description that making you feel as if you are right there. Drawn in.
I took my time reading it because 700 hundred pages is no joke.
Apparently, this book was written in a span of 12 plus years or so. The characters are many but the story revolves around the life of 13 year old Theo Decker who life takes a turn after a bombing at the Met where his mum passes away. The turn of events takes us from New York to Vegas and Back to New York then somewhere in Europe. It’s a ride, an epic one that involves suspense, drama, and beautiful prose – you just have to be committed to it.
THE GLASS CASTLE
Image courtesy of Amazon
My friend Hanh and I decided to jump on this book because we wanted to go watch the movie which has been based from this book. Woody Harrelson who I am a huge fan of is a major character in the movie.
The book is memoir based on the life of Jeanette Walls. It's a quick, easy read on how she was raised by her very unconventional parents. Walls writes the story with such an honest and poignant view. There is zero judgement on how her parents raised her and her siblings.
It's an amazing story that left me stunned and sometimes my mouth was left wide open trying to figure out her family's complexity. This book will hook you in from the first page to the last.
Hanhy - let's schedule out movie date. :)
BORN A CRIME
Amazon
After reading When Breath becomes Air, I needed something lighter to read. My sister Flo has been talking about Trevor Noah’s book forever and I figured that would provide some much comic relief and boy did Mr. Noah deliver. Trevor opens up the book by mentioning that he was thrown out of a moving car. By his mother!!
He writes about being born a crime in Apartheid South Africa and the circumstances that made him who he is today. He has a profound love for his no- nonsense mother who the book mostly centers on. He hilariously pokes fun at his religious upbringing, talks about the racial segregation brought about by Apartheid, growing up in poverty and the abuse he lived with.
He is brutally honest about his experience and narrates the story as if talking to a friend. Over some drinks. This book will teach you the power of strength, resilience and optimism.
Favorite lines. – There are soo many!!! Ok I chose 5!!
If you think too much about the ass-kicking your mom gave you, or the ass-kicking that life gave you, you’ll stop pushing the boundaries and breaking the rules. It’s better to take it, spend some time crying, then wake up the next day and move on.
Women like to be noticed. Come acknowledge me and let me know that you see me. Don’t just see me when you need something.
You do not own the thing that you love.
We tell people to follow their dreams, but you can only dream of what you imagine. And depending on where you come from, your imagination can be quite limited.
Learn from your past and be better from your past. But don’t cry about your past, because life is full of pain. Let the pain sharpen you, but don’t hold on to it. Don’t be bitter.
I get why my sis had nothing but praise for this book.
Grab a copy. Definitely worth the read.
WHEN BREATH BECOMES AIR
Courtesy of Amazon
Once a year, or probably twice. I read books that talk about life and something we know that will happen to all of us eventually. Death!
I was drawn to this book early this year. The book is about a neurosurgeon who finds out he has stage IV Lung cancer. He is only thirty six. He decided to write this book as a memoir while facing death. His words are powerful! It will make you think about the meaning of your life. Of the uncertainty of everything and how you should embrace the moments you have now, today and cherish them with your loved ones.
I cried. A lot! Pondered on some words, read a passage a number of times to get his point.
Favorite line in the book – If the unexamined life in not worth living, was the unlived life worth examining?
He died while writing this book. The epilogue, written by his wife will move you to tears. This book is touching, heartbreaking, and powerful. I highly recommend it.
YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!
Girls from Benin City who set out voluntarily, like Blessing, can become caught in a network of forced labor and sex work.
PHOTOGRAPH BY ALEX MAJOLI / MAGNUM FOR THE NEW YORKER
Follow this link to read - THE DESPERATE JOURNEY BY BEN TAUB
Sometimes we complain about nonsensical things. First world problems! Why your iPhone crashes all the time, why the shower is too cold. The Apple update is taking too long, I have things to do. The AC in the building is like a freezer. Then you read stories like these and they shake you to the core. What if you never had a choice. No choice about the food you eat, the people you meet, the life you lead? The only thing that is dear to you is the fact that you can live to see another day.
My emotions are all over the place after reading this piece. It’s sad, it’s heavy, it’s beautifully written.
Count your blessings.