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What I’ve Read Lately

I’ll be honest guys, this whole global pandemic thing has really cramped my reading style. My last recap was in April! But, at the end of the day, the only energy I can usually muster is to watch an hour of TV and go to bed by 10PM. My “books read” list for 2020 will be far shorter than 2019, but that’s ok. Here are a few that I’ve gotten into lately:

Clap When You Land

Summary: Camino always looks forward to when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport only to learn of the planes crash. In New York City, Yahaira is called to the principal’s office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father has died. Separated by distance and secrets, the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are intertwined by the learning of each other and the reason they’ve been apart.

Would I Recommend: I LOVED this. I couldn’t put it down. Don’t let the poetry format scare you; it’s beautifully written and so engaging. Definitely read this.

The Perfect Stranger

Summary: When Leah Stevens’ career implodes, a chance meeting with her old friend Emmy Grey offers her the perfect opportunity to start over. Emmy convinces Leah to come live with her in rural Pennsylvania where she can be a teacher and escape her past. When the town sees a spate of vicious crimes and Emmy Grey disappears, Leah begins to realize how very little she knows about her friend and roommate. Unable to find friends, family, a paper trail or a digital footprint, the police question whether Emmy Grey existed at all. And mark Leah as a prime suspect. Fighting the doubts of the police and her own sanity, Leah must uncover the truth about Emmy Grey—and along the way, confront her old demons, find out who she can really trust, and clear her own name.

Would I Recommend: I thought the beginning was a bit slow and formulaic, but the end twist [which definitely wasn’t anything revolutionary but still exciting] redeemed it. It’s not the best thriller I’ve read, but it was good enough. It has some Mary Kubica vibes, so if you enjoy her, you’ll probably like this.

The Vanishing Half

Summary: The Vignes twins may look identical, but after growing up together in a small, southern black community and running away at age sixteen, their lives take massively different turns. Many years later, one sister lives with her black daughter in the same southern town she once tried to escape. The other secretly passes for white, and her white husband knows nothing of her past. Still, even separated by so many miles and just as many lies, the fates of the twins remain intertwined. Weaving together multiple strands and generations of this family, from the Deep South to California, from the 1950s to the 1990s, this story shows how the influence of the past shapes a person’s decisions, desires, and expectations.

Would I Recommend: This story captivated me. Every character was so complex and the way it was all woven together was masterful. This is another one I’d HIGHLY recommend.

So, there you have it. A quick recap of what I’ve read lately. 2 of these are written by women of color and I’d honestly recommend them all.

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