#goodreadchallenge

On this pretty snowy day I’m reading a collection of poems. Dean Atta speaks truths - “Rappers, when you use the word ‘nigger’, remember that’s one of the last words Stephen Lawrence heard…”

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Review and Rating

I Am Nobody’s Nigger is not all politics, it a collection of poems which allows you to see the world through Atta’s eyes. This collection includes something for everyone, a few are funny, touching but overall all speak truths. I’m looking forward to Atta’s upcoming book “The Black Flamingo”.

“You can’t really know where you are going until you know where you have been.” - Maya Angelou

Mother daughter relationships, the untold stories within families and how understanding where you come from informs where you’re going. My current read - The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan.

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Review and Rating

This novel is beautifully written and the stories of the four mother daughters are amusing, sad, touching and most importantly I feel as though I've gained an insight to Chinese customs. I appreciate this won't be a complete representation but it's a starting point.

Sometimes our faith wavers and we ask why me!

I always love reading the preface of a book as I get an insight to why/how a work of art was created. From Eisner’s pain we got what is deemed as the first graphic novel. My current read - A contract with God by Will Eisner.

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Review and Rating

There is something special about graphic novels in black and white, the pages seem to come alive. The images of Firmme Hersch walking through the rain filled me with sadness. My favourites stories were A Contract with God and The Street Singer. As each were relatable stories, the wavering of faith and the missed opportunities due to tunnel vision. The Super was a rude awakening, a reminder that money is the root of all evil, even if you're age 10! I'm left wanting more!

Super excited about my next read… The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

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Review and Rating

An amazing, funny and heartbreaking story. It's unimaginable that anyone has to endure and witness so much pain and loss, to see it in black and white illustrated on pages does something to your soul.

On this snowy morning I’m making a start on my @brixtonbookgroup read - The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood -----------------------------------------------

Review and Rating

This is the type of adventure that unfolds when there is corporate control and self deception...apparently! Charmaine, Charmaine, Charmaine… she is a character which I loved to hate. There were too many sides to her all equally as irritating. Overall I felt this was a very wacky read, I understand Atwood was trying to show the multiple layers of our needs i.e. basic, psychology and self-fulfilment however the sex robots, sex with chickens and teddy bears seemed very unnecessary.

In remembrance of the holocaust, I’m reading a classic -”The Complete Maus” by Art Spiegelman @spiegcomix

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Review and Rating

Vladek's story is all too real through Spiegelman's black and white artwork. Is it just me, by Spiegelman's illustrating the Germans as cats and the Jews as mice is he stating it was inevitable the Germans killing the Jew. As it was in their nature, as cats kill mice.

Definitely a must read.