Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.6 AVERAGE
4.6 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My first five star of 2025 is The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers!
This is one of those books that will stick with me for a while. If you’re into multi-generational family stories and open to exposing yourself to those darker parts of history, this is one you’ll want to bump up on your TBR. Like seriously. This book is so rich and full of complexity, but it reads so effortlessly. Structurally speaking, that is. The topics featured in here are heavy. But history is heavy. And we have to look back in order to move forward in meaningful ways to reshape our society into something better than what it currently is.
Don’t be intimidated by this book’s length either. You’ll become so engrossed by these characters that you won’t even notice!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Incest, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide, Violence
challenging
dark
sad
tense
A lot of trauma. If easily triggered, I would avoid.
Incredibly captivating, moving, and beautifully written. One of my favorite books of all time - I couldn’t put it down.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
informative
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Masterly told story that will break your heart and impress with its brilliance.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Such an interesting, important story and such compelling characters, but alas, there was simply too much graphic sex that really wasn't necessary to make a good book great. Too often, it was as though the author seemed more determined to demonstrate her prowess at writing sex scenes than she was to tell what was a truly phenomenal story. I've recommended it to friends, but not without a disclaimer.
Outstanding storytelling. Great characters and important to think about.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes