Irene B’s Book Recommendations: Past, Present & Future
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Little Women
The Scarlet Letter
Where the Crawdad Sings
Harry Potter
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child
Secrets of Divine Love
White Fragility
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia) - C. S. Lewis
Need I saw any more-an absolute classic! I loved this OG book, the follow-on books, the cartoons, movies, all of it! To be transported to a fantastical world of talking animals, an evil witch, crazy adventures, and all via a wardrobe-sign me up!
To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee
This was my first ‘Big Girl’ book, one I’d picked out and read at the prime age of 11, or maybe 12. The story of a black man wrongly accused of raping a white woman, in 1930s Alabama. Truth be told, the book was a hard read. It stirred up many emotions, that I read it again like 10 years later. I love, love this book!
Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia - Jean Sasson
I’m thinking that I stumbled upon this book in my mid-teens. Maybe it was the cool-looking cover? I read the sleeve about the depiction of a Saudi woman’s life, forced marriages, and overall mistreatment etc., and I was like, huh, what, really? I picked it up, mouth was open for most of it, I and didn’t put it down.
Beloved - Toni Morrison
A compelling read, exploring all the effects and devastation around slavery. To me, this story line was a unique one. A former slave, living with the trauma of her memories, and now that of an angry ghost. If this book is new to you, I don’t want to give too much away. It’s fantastic! Toni Morrison always delivers.
The Color Purple - Alice Walker
Yet another great read. Maybe you’ve not read the actual book, but have seen the all-star cast movie instead. I mean Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Nettie Harris, Danny Glover - and directed by Steven Spielberg, to name just a few. Set in the early 20th century, the story is around two sisters, but more so focuses on the one sister, a young African-American girl named Celie Harris, dealing with the problems of physical and emotional abuse, incest, racism, sexism, and poverty. It sounds like a downer, but seeing Celie’s transformation, and finding her self-worth, was what I truly loved about this book. A+!
Harbor Me - Jacqueline Woodson
Now onto something new. My daughter received this book from her friend, on her 10th birthday, I think. In order to bolster her reading habits - we chose this as one we’d read together. Well, blow me down with a feather! This book was so good! Summary: During school, and set up by their teacher, six kids meet for a weekly chat - zero adults around - in the room known as the ARTT Room, short for ‘A Room to Talk’. Nervous and suspicious at first, this space gives the kids room to air their fears and troubles from their home life. I won’t say anything more - it’s just so apt for today! It’s a quick read, meant for a younger audience, but I’ve recommended this book to friends with or without kids. #ThankATeacher. You won’t regret it!
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid
Oh, Evelyn Hugo, you delicious devil of a Diva-you! An offering from my book club, new to all of us - and so much fun! This review from PopSugar, sums it up to a tea: “The epic adventures Evelyn creates over the course of a lifetime will leave every reader mesmerized. This wildly addictive journey of a reclusive Hollywood starlet and her tumultuous Tinseltown journey comes with unexpected twists and the most satisfying of drama.” There are parts you’ll love, parts you’ll hate, overall great read. Don’t skip!
The Kitchen House - Kathleen Grissom
And another winner from my Book Club. The story tells of Lavinia, a seven-year-old, white girl, originally from Ireland, who becomes orphaned during her passage to America. Lavinia becomes an indentured servant in the big house, but is taken under close, loving care by the other black slaves, who live in the kitchen house. She learns to walk a fine line between both worlds, though her skin color sets her apart. There’s everything here; race, class, sexism, abuse, evil, good, love and hate. A real, thought-provoking read.
Now I’m going to throw in two, that I haven’t gotten around to reading yet- but ones trusted friends have hounded me to. Maybe you’ve already read them?
Half of a Yellow Sun - Chimanmanda Ngozi Adicie
The Last Mrs. Parrish – Liv Constantine
