Book Six: Sugar

Incredible! Its been over a month since I read this book and the characters are still with me. There were so many unbelievable turns, twist, and tear worthy moments. My goodness, this book is so well written - the picture is so vivid - even during moments that you wish it weren't. This was a great read - I definitely recommend it. Just know that it is extremely heavy.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sugar-Novel-Bernice-L-McFadden/dp/0452282209/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334594152&sr=1-2

From Publishers Weekly

With her eponymous anti-heroine, debut novelist McFadden breaks the mold of a venerable stereotype. Here, the hooker with a heart of gold is instead a hooker with a past so tarnished no amount of polishing can change her fate. As a baby, Sugar is abandoned by her mother and raised by a trio of prostitutes who run an Arkansas bordello. Turning tricks at age 12, and leaving town four years later to try her luck in St. Louis and then Detroit, brings more degradation, along with an ever-hardening heart. Upon her mother's death in 1955, Sugar is willed a modest home in Bigelow, Ark., but when she moves into town, and supports herself the only way she knows, the female population rises in wrath against her. All except Pearl, Sugar's next-door neighbor, who more than a decade ago lost her beloved daughter, Jude, to a vicious rapist/murderer. Pearl is struck by Sugar's uncanny likeness to Jude, and is determined to become Sugar's friend in spite of vocal disapproval. Although the two women are opposites in nearly every way, they bring out the best in each other: Sugar convinces Pearl to loosen up and accompany her to a Saturday night juke joint, and Sugar promises to go to church for two months of Sundays. Hypocritical gossip spreads among the townsfolk and tension grows when it turns out that nearly every married man in Bigelow pays a visit to Sugar, leaving the apparently frigid wives planning to run Sugar out of town. Pearl gives it her best shot to transform Sugar, but both women's painful pasts come back to haunt them in a crescendo of violent reenactments, betrayals and surprising revelations leading to a poignant, bittersweet ending. While hampered by a forced and compressed backstory, a surfeit of maudlin moments and some overwriting that is inadvertently funny, this ambitious first novel will appeal to readers who can appreciate Sugar's determination to come to terms with her past and fashion a viable future. Agent, James Vines. (Feb.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

195 Reviews 5 star:  (148) 4 star:  (31) 3 star:  (10) 2 star:  (3) 1 star:  (3)

Average Customer Review 4.6 out of 5 stars (195 customer reviews)

Oppss....Slippin'

Just like in the summers with my mom and in grade school - I read the books, but always dreaded the reports. Now, I don't know why I will sit around and write whatever floods my mind, but when it's time to add some structure into my life - I choke. I procrastinate. I don't do it. So, in order to get the books that I read out there and to extend a little empathy to myself - I've decided to give short descriptions and my review on the books. I will also include the amazon page for each book.

Book 5: Desert Flower

Ashley wrote a review on it and she definitely hit it on the head!

But for my rating, I would give it a B+, because I found it to be both interesting and also educational. Ashley read it in two days. Yes, the main character annoyed me - she definitely seemed unappreciative. But then again, she survived encounters with lions, men, a woman that mutilated her genitals (without pain killers) and the crazy world of modeling...for that BRAVO.

Although she is a harsher critic than I (ratings wise), to be honest, Ashley's review is amazing and why fix what's not broken:

Click here for her full article.
Recommended by: Shelby, but she was slightly apprehensive when handing it over.  “Let me know what you think about this one.  It’s…interesting.”

Genre: Non-fiction

Synopsis: Waris Dirie, a Somalian supermodel, shares her personal journey from being a nomad in the Sahara desert to finding superstardom.

My Recommendation: C.  I greatly appreciated the rags-to-riches story she presented, but was greatly disappointed in her lack of humility and sense of entitlement that she expressed throughout.  She was brutally honest about everything from her torturous personal account of her own female genital mutilation rite of passage to her flight from an arranged marriage with a 60+-year-old man, to her time spent playing maid/housekeeper in London for Somalia’s ambassador to her time struggling to obtain a legal passport that enabled her to become an international supermodel.  On the other hand, she seemed quite unappreciative of all the liberties she enjoyed as a result of others bending over backwards for her…she describes how harshly she spoke/treated to others around her and lacked a certain level of humility that I would expect people, of all cultures to have when interacting with others.

Final Thoughts: I still can’t get over how Dirie confronted Iman about why Iman didn’t use Dirie, a fellow Somalian, to model for Iman’s cosmetic line.  Dirie did it with such a level of aggression, hostility and entitlement that it turned me ALL the way off.  For a second I contemplated not finishing the book.  I was so over her and her diva tactics.  If you can see past that, I guess it was a good read.  Ultimately, it left a sour taste in my mouth.


 Click here for Ashley's list...

 Here is the movie trailer for the movie, Desert Flower, just in case you are more of a film person


P.S. Did you guys notice my FAVORITE model in the world, Liya Kebede, plays the lead. I definitely want to see this film!!!

Book Four: Hunger Games

Recommended by: Deniece
Amazon Review: 

4,538 Reviews 5 star:  (3,479) 4 star:  (652) 3 star:  (203) 2 star:  (96) 1 star:  (108)

Average Customer Review 4.6 out of 5 stars (4,538 customer reviews)

 Book Description: Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.

My Review: B+. This was my "out of my shell" book. When I saw this book was young adult literature, I literally wanted to put the book right back on the shelf; however I'm happy I didn't. This was a HANDS DOWN page turner. I never read during the day. That said, I can honestly say, I rushed home to read this. Only reason why it's not an A, is that the characters were teens - kinda hard for me to fully commit to teenagers and the romance was "off" for me. But honestly, other than the romance, the characters' ages, a few "wish I had more details" moments, and my overall detachment - this book was great! I honestly, get why people loved it and debated (heavily) giving it an A. I hands down recommend this book - there's not a lot to say other than it's a thrilling page-turner. To briefly explain my detachment,  I found myself enjoying this book the way that one enjoys a fairy tale. Although I admired Katniss,  I didn't feel connected to the characters (okay Rue tugged at my heart strings). I will say, though, when Kat steps in her younger sister's place - I GOT THAT! I'm the older sibling of two amazing people, I get that need to protect. I totally responded to that loyalty - I would DEFINITELY take Renny's (or Kenny's) place when she was 12, now that she is 20, and when she is 77.

All in all, this book didn't leave me pondering life, wanting to be a better person or to travel to a foreign land - it was just a great story (point-blank). Loved it! 

Pairing: This book pairs well with your favorite childhood candy and soda. I had the best time reading under the hairdryer, nails freshly painted, enjoying Sour Patches and Pineapple pop.

Book 3: Nectar in a Sieve

Genre: Fiction/Signet Classics
Paperback: 208 pages 134
Average Amazon Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars (134 customer reviews)
Review Breakdown:  5 star: (40) 4 star: (56) 3 star: (16) 2 star: (11) 1 star: (11)

Brief Amazon Book Description: Named Notable Book of 1955 by the American Library Association, this is the very moving story of a peasant woman in a primitive village in India whose whole life was a gallant and persistent battle to care for those she loved. 

Review: Rukmani, a peasant from a village in India, lives a life of constant struggle, yet she is a source of strength for many. At age twelve she marries a man she has never met and moves with him to his rented farmland. Over the years their marriage fills with love, mutual respect, and children: one daughter and many sons. A tannery built near their village forever alters Rukmani's life, for the tannery takes away farmland and silence, and while it provides jobs, they come with great costs. The changes in village life from an agricultural to an industrial community frighten Rukmani; her life becomes one of "Hope and fear. Twin forces that tugged at us first in one direction and then in another...Fear, constant companion of the peasant. Hunger, ever present to jog his elbow should he relax. Despair, ready to engulf him should he falter."

My Review: A-. Literally could have been one of  the most depressing books I've EVER read (similar to the sadness I felt while reading, The Kite Runner), but it wasn't. For me, it was like reading the most beautiful love story. It's funny, because there were so many characters - all dealing with their sadness, pain, hunger, depression - to feel sorry for.  In this book there was prostitution, the hungry were killed,  children with rotten teeth and limbs missing, our heroine dealing with an overwhelming amount of tragedy, and all around destitute; however there was a love story...not the traditional love story...not the butterflies in your belly love story...or the passionate lust love story...but this unknown kind of love story. It was so beautiful to me that I found myself, putting the book down, because it was so heavy and I needed time to digest it all. The speaker is point-blank inspirational. If you are going through a "ingrate" phase, which we all do, please read this book. It will definitely give you a jolt of gratefulness.

Pairing: This book is best with black tea, esp. Darjeeling and Ceylon (an Indian black tea). I also really enjoy Orange Pekoe (combined with a coconut based black tea). Make sure to add cream or milk to all teas - along with a touch of honey. And I believe all black tea should be accompanied by a sweet tea biscuit with jam (preferably Mango jam - keeping to the Indian fruit tradition). I also found myself yearning for Indian cuisine - the descriptions are fantastic.

Memorable Quote: There were so many, but I loved

"Bend like the grass that you do not break."

Book Two: The Red Tent

Recommended by: Nana
Author: Anita Diamont
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 321
Description: Her name is Dinah. In the Bible, her life is only hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the more familiar chapters of the Book of Genesis that are about her father, Jacob, and his dozen sons. Told in Dinah's voice, this novel reveals the traditions and turmoils of ancient womanhood--the world of the red tent. It begins with the story of her mothers--Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah--the four wives of Jacob. They love Dinah and give her gifts that sustain her through a hard-working youth, a calling to midwifery, and a new home in a foreign land. Dinah's story reaches out from a remarkable period of early history and creates an intimate connection with the past. Deeply affecting, The Red Tent combines rich storytelling with a valuable achievement in modern fiction: a new view of biblical women's society.
Amazon Reviews:

5 star:  (1,006) 4 star:  (267) 3 star:  (102) 2 star:  (96) 1 star:  (160)

Average Customer Review 4.1 out of 5 stars (1,631 customer reviews)

Purchase Information: http://www.amazon.com/Red-Tent-Anita-Diamant/dp/0312195516

My Grade: B

My Thoughts:  First and foremost, I learned something about myself after going to the play The Mountaintop (depiction of MLK Jr) and reading this book, I have a really hard time reading non-fiction books about fictional people. It's hard for me to get into the author's imagination about a real person - I am constantly thinking about the facts. I am just not for the "loosely based" thing - unless it's a lifetime movie about someone or something that I don't know anything about. I tell you this, because this story is very well researched, but very loosely based on a bible figure. And although Dinah was a very "minor" figure in the bible, her brother Joseph is one of my biblical heroes. I know their story very well - so to read this I was slightly thrown off my Ms. Diamont's interpretation of events. 

All that said, it was a great book. It's obvious that Ms. Diamont knows her biblical history (as far as the culture, food, etc.) and took the time necessary to research. In the beginning the book starts off slow, but heats up big time by the middle. Once Dinah becomes a "woman" (gets her period) - you are on an inspirational roller coaster. This book is the first book that made me proud to have a period - that's for sure. It really awakened my imagination to a world without antibiotics, Advil (medication), tampoons, pain killers, and doctors. Although I was in no way envious or nostalgic of the women's lives in this book, there was a bit of intrigue and yearning...and wanting to...I dunno...be a Genesis kind of woman. It's hard to explain, but I will say that it is a book that I will definitely recommend. But be ready for

Pairing: This book pairs well with a glass of red wine or black tea. It's best suited for winter or fall. A big blanket either outside at night or on the couch curled up.

Book 1: It's Your Time

It's Your Time

By Joel Osteen

pgs. 300

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Its-Your-Time-Activate-Increase/dp/143910011X

118 Reviews 5 star:  (83) 4 star:  (12) 3 star:  (5) 2 star:  (4) 1 star:  (14)

Average Customer Review 4.2 out of 5 stars (118 customer reviews)

Recommended by: Mike, he read it and gave it to me stating that "it changed his life." He'd been asking me to read it for the last six months. His mother bought him the book. Mike read it right before starting his new job. I literally watched (and heard about) the book transforming his way of thinking. There were many nights that he got extremely excited about the book and read me his favorite passages

My Grade: B

My thoughts: First thoughts - "I already know this stuff." I wasn't really excited about reading this book, because Mike already talked to me about it. Additionally, I'm very familiar with Joel Osteen - I've read one of his books, get his emails, and I've heard his messages. This was nothing new; however in the middle of the book something changed. It got to be incredibly inspiring and really did make me think about my faith. I noticed myself talking, thinking, and believing differently - better. I will say though, by the end of the book, I made a complete 360 and was back at the feeling "I already know this stuff."


Recommendation: I'd recommend this book, esp. if you haven't read a Joel Osteen book and you are looking for an inspirational read. However if you've read a Joel Osteen book, I would say you get the point. No need to rush out and grab this book, there was recycled information and stories in this book.


All in all, it good. Inspirational. Joel Osteen stays true to his brand in this book. Once you've read one - you've read them all.

Pairing: This book is best paired with a big cup of coffee with cream and sugar (iced or hot). Best read when about to start a new phase of life or in the spring. Have your highlighter handy.