Book Review, Catch Up: Part 5

Assata: An Autobiography by Assata Shakur

• Powerful read, highly recommend. Read it, listen to it, research references, learn, expand your view of our current society. Completed in 4 days, rated 5 stars on GR.

War Against All Puerto Ricans: Revolution and Terror in America’s Colony by Nelson A. Denis

• This book is heartbreaking, how could it not be when its a telling of the heartbreaking political history of 1950’s Puerto Rico, my homeland. This book is very well researched, absolutely recommend for anyone interested in Puerto Rico &/or political history. Rated 4 stars on GR.

The Broken Heart of America: St. Louis and the Violent History of the United States by Walter Johnson

• I rated this book 5 stars on Goodreads because although it was a boring read I don’t expect history to be fun. The true history of this country is rarely taught, pick this book up a learn another piece of it.

An African American and Latinx History of the United States by Paul Ortiz

• I rated this book 4 stars on GR. Same as above this is a political history book, not a fun subject but important to learn.

Will by Will Smith

• This book made me see Will Smith’s relationship with his wife (JPS) differently to say the least. Their relationship has always been portrayed as two people blissfully in love, a perfect match… bueno yo no se. Granted I don’t know these people I’m judging from stories told by one person but wow do those stories paint a picture. Will Smith is very open & candid in this book. I rated 5 stars on GR.

Out of Orange by Cleary Wolters

• They say there is always two sides to a story, or is it three at this point because the show made quite a few changes too. I initially thought this book was going to be another pov of the same story, it wasn’t really. We don’t even get to prison until the end of the book, I guess her gripes with the show & other book are part of the story but did I care, no. There was too much filler details, I don’t need to know how much parmesan was on your pasta to get the story. Overall I rated this book with 3 generous stars.

The Desolations of Devil’s Acre by Ransom Riggs

• This series fully feels like the Fast & Furious franchise at this point, why are we still going. I hate that I dislike these last few books despite loving the story but it’s just gone on too long. This book felt like a scramble of ideas thrown together to not not use the ideas. I like the story, it just got dragged out too long in my humbles opinion. Rated 4 stars on GR.

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

• This was another Liane Moriarty hit for me. Told from multiple Delaney family members pov’s, a missing mom, maybe murdered by dad, everyone has secrets. A family obsessed with perfection, looking the perfect part, from the outside at least. In the end it’s all a big misunderstanding & that is the plot twist I didn’t see coming. Rated 5 stars on GR.

You Can’t Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain by Phoebe Robinson

• I didn’t realize this book was supposed to be funny at all until after I’d already finished it, over a year after having started it. This book was a chore to finish, almost DNF’d. Rated 1 star on GR.

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson

• This book was very informative, well researched & written. An examination of the caste system that shaped the USA & the origins of those ideas. Finished this book in just two day, definitely recommend. rated 5 stars on GR.

The Cellar #1 by Natasha Preston

• I mostly finished this book to know what happened in the end, not because I was invested in the story. I found myself getting confused on what flower was who, the limited character description made it hard to get a picture of the story. Although I finished this book quickly, at under 400 Pages it was an average read to me. I just so happened to have the time & spirit to read & ended up finishing it in a day. I found some parts repetitive & annoying, kidnapping, sexual assault, violence & death trigger warnings for sensitive readers! ultimately rated 3 stars on GR.

When a Killer Calls (Cases of the FBI’s Original Mindhunter #2) by John E. Douglas

• I listened to this book on audible, finished it in one work day, it was a doozy. True crime books are a wild ride, it’s so scary to think about the fact that these things happen. This book focuses on a specific serial killer, Larry Gene Bell, his crimes & victims. I rated 5 stars on GR, the case details were shared in a way that wasn’t gruesome for shock value & felt respectful to the victims & their memory.

Part 6 coming soon…