The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline

The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved so many of the women characters in this historical fiction novel about women who suffer at the hands of society and are sentenced to jail in London's Newgate Prison, only to be sent to Australia because they are deemed a menace to society. Also the whites have pushed put the Aboriginal people and one of their own, Mathinna, becomes a focal part of this story with Evangeline and Hazel. There was terror going by boat from London to Australia, not only seasickness but sailors who rape the prisoners. You will be riveted by this story of strong female friendship, survival, and hardship! A must read!

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Before and After: THe Incredible Real-Life Stories of Orphans Who Survived the Tennessee Children's Home Society by Judy Christie and Lisa Wingate

Before and After: The Incredible Real-Life Stories of Orphans Who Survived the Tennessee Children's Home Society by Judy Christie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for the Albright College Zoom Book Club and the stories these adoptees had to tell, as well as those that they met (new family & new friends) was engrossing. There were about 15 stories and this book came about as a result of the novel published by Lisa Wingate-Before We Were Yours which explored the Georgia Tan Adoption Scandal that stole babies from unwed mothers, mothers, parents and placed them with those who wanted to adopt babies. The reunion in Memphis was very special and poignant to all who came. A must read!

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Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosocozka

Sunshine: A Graphic Novel by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I so loved Hey Kiddo & this book is just as great--as a teen Jarrett becomes a camp counselor for kids with terminal illnesses and as fearful as he is, once he gets to Camp Sunshine, he sees it as so much more (for himself, the kids & parents, & the staff who do this every summer) There are many funny, sad, and fierce moments & Krosoczka is masterful in his telling, drawing, and thoughts. A must read for middle school & high school!

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The Sun Does Sine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton

The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This audiobook forward was read by Bryan Stevenson & narrated by Kevin R. Free. This nonfiction story written by Anthony Ray Hinton is about his 30 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. He is a good man who is first astonished he is convicted & then remains in angry stony silence for a few years because he can't imagine why this travesty happened to him. But when he begins to let himself turn a corner because his mother and best friend visit him weekly; he also gets involved in reading & sharing it with his fellow prisoners in a book club. Bryan Stevenson is the lawyer who changed things for Anthony Ray---becoming his friend and believing in his innocence. This is a must read that will make you angry and make you cry, but Anthony Ray keeps a positive outlook and believes he will one day be free--but he sees many of his prisoner/friends die in the electric chair as he fights the battle for his freedom.

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The Little Flower Shop (Indiana Summers Series, #2) by Lori Foster

The Little Flower Shop by Lori Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this latest book in the Indiana Summers Series! Emily & Saul are good people in small town where gossip is a favorite past time. The story of how they CONNECT is a great read; full of fun and laughter.

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The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford

The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Cara McBrien for giving me this book to read! I really enjoyed all the daughters & Afong Moy as I read about their lives, romances, hardships and issues dealing with trauma, bias, and secrets. The theory of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance was so new to me and I will certainly be reading more- especially the book in the afterward that Jamie Ford has listed 1st in recommended reading. I have a copy of that book and I purchased it (The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.) based on Tara Smith's recommendation! This is a fierce read, this Chinese family and their daughters is explored as well as anti-Chinese bias in America, resulting in a must read!

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Demon Copperhead by Barbra Kingsolver

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Casey Ciocca for telling me what a great book this is & Tara Smith for lending me her copy!!! What a thoroughly mesmerizing read! I loved Demon (also known as Damon Fields) his voice, his mind, and his heart! From his beginnings born to a drug addicted mom in Appalachia, Demon is a thoroughly likable character who goes from foster home to foster home and none of them good until he meets his grandmother Betsy who pounds into him her belief in a good education and once he promises her, Betsy sends him to live with one of her other fosters, Coach. Demon's trauma follows him through life as he frets about being thrown out of his next place to live. But as he grows older, he begins to enjoy popularity, athleticism & girls. But in this bright period, he meets Dori & falls madly in love. I rooted for Demon, but his life with Dori & Maggot who introduce him to drugs, takes him down a dark and twisted road. I loved seeing his ability to draw, his friendship with Tommy and Angus, the adults in his life he believes in, and through this, I prayed for a GOOD LIFE for Damon, he deserved it. A must read, you will not be able to put it down!!!

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