Scan barcode
bookedupandbusy's reviews
152 reviews
River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer
3.0
3.75/5
Set in Barbados, 1834, slavery has just been abolished and Rachel who was a runaway slave is trying to find her 5 children whom she lost whilst working on the plantation.
This is a story about a time in history that is not often told. How did slaves rebuild their lives once slavery was abolished? This is a grey area for me and this is why the book piqued my interest. ‘’This is NOT a story about slavery, but what comes after it’’.
Rachel’s search for her children is harrowing. The emotions of a mother searching for her children on every single page and not knowing whether they were dead or alive was agonising. The pace of the story is very very slow but this is reflective of Rachel’s journey in finding her children.
I found the first half of the book to be heavily narrative based and I would have liked a lot more dialogue to connect better with certain characters, but this is just a preference and not a hindrance to the story.
As always with historical fiction, I learnt a lot about how black people established themselves at the end of slavery in regards to housing, business/work and status, which was eye-opening!
This is a very important read
Set in Barbados, 1834, slavery has just been abolished and Rachel who was a runaway slave is trying to find her 5 children whom she lost whilst working on the plantation.
This is a story about a time in history that is not often told. How did slaves rebuild their lives once slavery was abolished? This is a grey area for me and this is why the book piqued my interest. ‘’This is NOT a story about slavery, but what comes after it’’.
Rachel’s search for her children is harrowing. The emotions of a mother searching for her children on every single page and not knowing whether they were dead or alive was agonising. The pace of the story is very very slow but this is reflective of Rachel’s journey in finding her children.
I found the first half of the book to be heavily narrative based and I would have liked a lot more dialogue to connect better with certain characters, but this is just a preference and not a hindrance to the story.
As always with historical fiction, I learnt a lot about how black people established themselves at the end of slavery in regards to housing, business/work and status, which was eye-opening!
This is a very important read
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
3.0
3.75
Head girl Chiamaka & Devon are the only two black students in Niveus High School. They are very popular and everyone loves them, until things start to take a turn for the worse and someone exposes all of their secrets. Who is Ace and why are they out to get them?
Even though the book is classed as being for a young audience, the issues dealt with are quite serious and triggering. The story is wild and I began to believe it wasn’t a ‘real world’ and doubted the characters as to whether things were actually happening. This book is very much like the movie ‘Get Out’.
What started out to be very ‘he said she said’ high school drama, turned out to be a wild, dark and very concerning story. The story will take you on a ride, trying to figure out who is Ace and why they are bullying and targeting the only two black students. It’s a thrilling read, however Chiamaka’s chapters and the bullying that takes place is very triggering and unfortunately relatable.
What I didn’t like about the story was that the plot twist came too early and the last 100 pages were the main characters trying to expose information. I was waiting for something else to happen but that something else never came.
Dark academia that focuses on race, class, privilege and LGBT.
Head girl Chiamaka & Devon are the only two black students in Niveus High School. They are very popular and everyone loves them, until things start to take a turn for the worse and someone exposes all of their secrets. Who is Ace and why are they out to get them?
Even though the book is classed as being for a young audience, the issues dealt with are quite serious and triggering. The story is wild and I began to believe it wasn’t a ‘real world’ and doubted the characters as to whether things were actually happening. This book is very much like the movie ‘Get Out’.
What started out to be very ‘he said she said’ high school drama, turned out to be a wild, dark and very concerning story. The story will take you on a ride, trying to figure out who is Ace and why they are bullying and targeting the only two black students. It’s a thrilling read, however Chiamaka’s chapters and the bullying that takes place is very triggering and unfortunately relatable.
What I didn’t like about the story was that the plot twist came too early and the last 100 pages were the main characters trying to expose information. I was waiting for something else to happen but that something else never came.
Dark academia that focuses on race, class, privilege and LGBT.
Assembly by Natasha Brown
3.0
This story follows a black woman during a weekend trip to her wealthy boyfriend’s white family garden party where she will be the only black person present.
I enjoyed this story for three main reasons:
1. Even though the narrative was very different for me and it took me a while to get into that flow, it is lyrical and felt poetic at times, and the writing is beautiful.
2. The author explores race, gender and micro-aggressions in genius way. Natasha Brown is clearly a talented writer.
3. We are never told the name of the protagonist. I found reading a story and not knowing a person’s name to be quite eerie yet a powerful stance from the author.
The story is relatable in terms of the challenges a black woman faces in her career and relationships, however I would have liked to see more emotion from the protagonist when dealing with these issues. Her emotions felt flat.
A short and quick read (100pages) that is very powerful!
I enjoyed this story for three main reasons:
1. Even though the narrative was very different for me and it took me a while to get into that flow, it is lyrical and felt poetic at times, and the writing is beautiful.
2. The author explores race, gender and micro-aggressions in genius way. Natasha Brown is clearly a talented writer.
3. We are never told the name of the protagonist. I found reading a story and not knowing a person’s name to be quite eerie yet a powerful stance from the author.
The story is relatable in terms of the challenges a black woman faces in her career and relationships, however I would have liked to see more emotion from the protagonist when dealing with these issues. Her emotions felt flat.
A short and quick read (100pages) that is very powerful!
Things I Have Withheld by Kei Miller
5.0
A 5 star read!
As I was reading, I totally forgot that this is a non-fiction book, as Kei’s storytelling and writing style is exceptional and all the essays read in a fictional style.
This book is full of Kei’s anecdotes. True stories and experiences, that are candid and direct and wrapped in lyrical prose. Kei speaks on race, gender, homosexuality, relationship/family dynamics and more. The stories also travel from Africa to the Caribbean, to the UK & USA.
I particularly loved the essay ‘The Crimes That Haunt The Body’. Kei tells us the ways in which our bodies can make us victims to certain crimes based on factors such as race and gender. I read this essay twice because it was outstanding! I have never read anything twice before in one sitting!
An extra star for Kei’s chapter discussing the Gully & Gaza conflict in Jamaica and the Gully Queens. I have watched many documentaries on these topics, but Kei’s perspective was from a fresh angle and was enlightening.
This is a great book for people who don’t usually read/like non-fiction as it feels so fictional!
As I was reading, I totally forgot that this is a non-fiction book, as Kei’s storytelling and writing style is exceptional and all the essays read in a fictional style.
This book is full of Kei’s anecdotes. True stories and experiences, that are candid and direct and wrapped in lyrical prose. Kei speaks on race, gender, homosexuality, relationship/family dynamics and more. The stories also travel from Africa to the Caribbean, to the UK & USA.
I particularly loved the essay ‘The Crimes That Haunt The Body’. Kei tells us the ways in which our bodies can make us victims to certain crimes based on factors such as race and gender. I read this essay twice because it was outstanding! I have never read anything twice before in one sitting!
An extra star for Kei’s chapter discussing the Gully & Gaza conflict in Jamaica and the Gully Queens. I have watched many documentaries on these topics, but Kei’s perspective was from a fresh angle and was enlightening.
This is a great book for people who don’t usually read/like non-fiction as it feels so fictional!
Aphrodite and the Duke by J.J. McAvoy
3.0
Didn’t love this one, but I liked it.
A jilted beauty and a regretful duke discover that second chances can be divine.
My first British regency romance! I love that this book is a regency book with black people! The first half of the story felt very much like Bridgerton, the coming of age girls having their seasons, awaiting marriage as we are introduced to suitors and love interests. Controlling parents, girls trying not to be ‘ruined’ and more. It was the second half of the story that felt more original and engaging.
Even though this is a second chance at romance story, I felt the focus was more on status, titles, and society’s perceptions of women and marriage in the 1800s.
I love that the story was a black beauty who was seen as a Goddess to everyone in the ton, who loved her siblings and parents.
If you love Bridgerton, then this book is for you, equally, if you don’t, I would still recommend it. I would have liked a little more drama and depth to the story but it is a very easy read with some highly entertaining and funny moments.
A jilted beauty and a regretful duke discover that second chances can be divine.
My first British regency romance! I love that this book is a regency book with black people! The first half of the story felt very much like Bridgerton, the coming of age girls having their seasons, awaiting marriage as we are introduced to suitors and love interests. Controlling parents, girls trying not to be ‘ruined’ and more. It was the second half of the story that felt more original and engaging.
Even though this is a second chance at romance story, I felt the focus was more on status, titles, and society’s perceptions of women and marriage in the 1800s.
I love that the story was a black beauty who was seen as a Goddess to everyone in the ton, who loved her siblings and parents.
If you love Bridgerton, then this book is for you, equally, if you don’t, I would still recommend it. I would have liked a little more drama and depth to the story but it is a very easy read with some highly entertaining and funny moments.
Rootless by Krystle Zara Appiah
4.0
4.5
This is an exceptional piece of work for a debut novel. At 410 pages this book had me in my feelings throughout, but even more so at the 400 page mark… I did not see that ending coming, It threw me, and I wasn’t ready for it.
This book is a heartbreaking emotional rollercoaster. Not all marriages are perfect but Efe and Sam try their best to make things work. Sam is grounded and a great family man, but something is always holding Efe back. However, pressure begins to build when they have their first child and this is when we see Efe’s true feelings on motherhood. Set between London & Ghana we are taken through Efe’s struggles in motherhood. She also faces the pressures of her Ghanaian mother, Elders and pastors of what a ‘true’ mother and wife is.
The way the author depicts post natal depression and mental health issues is top tier. This is the first book exploring postnatal depression that made me consider the affect on the husband. Both Efe and Sam’s actions are questionable throughout the story, but this is a clear display of how mental health affects people’s actions. There was also an emphasis on how traumatic events that take place in our childhood can seriously affect us in adulthood.
It has been hard for me to review this book without spoilers, but as distressing as the topics are, this is a great book and I am really looking forward to reading more from this author.
***There are many trigger warnings in this book, however to name them would be spoilers. If you don’t mind the spoilers please research this book before reading.
This is an exceptional piece of work for a debut novel. At 410 pages this book had me in my feelings throughout, but even more so at the 400 page mark… I did not see that ending coming, It threw me, and I wasn’t ready for it.
This book is a heartbreaking emotional rollercoaster. Not all marriages are perfect but Efe and Sam try their best to make things work. Sam is grounded and a great family man, but something is always holding Efe back. However, pressure begins to build when they have their first child and this is when we see Efe’s true feelings on motherhood. Set between London & Ghana we are taken through Efe’s struggles in motherhood. She also faces the pressures of her Ghanaian mother, Elders and pastors of what a ‘true’ mother and wife is.
The way the author depicts post natal depression and mental health issues is top tier. This is the first book exploring postnatal depression that made me consider the affect on the husband. Both Efe and Sam’s actions are questionable throughout the story, but this is a clear display of how mental health affects people’s actions. There was also an emphasis on how traumatic events that take place in our childhood can seriously affect us in adulthood.
It has been hard for me to review this book without spoilers, but as distressing as the topics are, this is a great book and I am really looking forward to reading more from this author.
***There are many trigger warnings in this book, however to name them would be spoilers. If you don’t mind the spoilers please research this book before reading.
Jackal by Erin E. Adams
4.0
A young black girl goes missing in the woods. She’s not the first and won’t be the last. Liz Rocher is noticing a pattern, black girls going missing on the same day, each year in the same place. When her God Daughter Caroline goes missing, she takes the investigation into her own hands.
The story is chilling because it is so true to life. Girls missing and not making national news because of the colour of their skin.
The majority of the story is a thriller but there are some horror elements. I didn’t find the horror aspects of the novel scary, it was manageable, so don’t worry, just read it in the day time. It is fast paced with a plot twist.
Liz is of Haitian decent and it was nice to see Creole throughout, a language I haven’t read much of in books.
Liz is a strong character, she is determined to find her God Daughter even though she has to face her own fears of the woods. We also learn about her own experiences in the woods when she was younger, which is heartbreaking. During her search, Liz encounters racism and a lack of cooperation from the police and Caroline’s family (Caroline is mixed race).
There are SO MANY underlying messages about race and class and the reason for black girls disappearing. There was also a slight undertone surrounding the privileges of being mixed race in both the abductions and during the investigation which was interesting to read.
Towards the end there are some supernatural elements which are confusing. It was disappointing that the book made this shift but I have a theory about this, but can’t discuss as it is a spoiler. I think the supernatural elements may come off better as a screen adaptation.
The story is chilling because it is so true to life. Girls missing and not making national news because of the colour of their skin.
The majority of the story is a thriller but there are some horror elements. I didn’t find the horror aspects of the novel scary, it was manageable, so don’t worry, just read it in the day time. It is fast paced with a plot twist.
Liz is of Haitian decent and it was nice to see Creole throughout, a language I haven’t read much of in books.
Liz is a strong character, she is determined to find her God Daughter even though she has to face her own fears of the woods. We also learn about her own experiences in the woods when she was younger, which is heartbreaking. During her search, Liz encounters racism and a lack of cooperation from the police and Caroline’s family (Caroline is mixed race).
There are SO MANY underlying messages about race and class and the reason for black girls disappearing. There was also a slight undertone surrounding the privileges of being mixed race in both the abductions and during the investigation which was interesting to read.
Towards the end there are some supernatural elements which are confusing. It was disappointing that the book made this shift but I have a theory about this, but can’t discuss as it is a spoiler. I think the supernatural elements may come off better as a screen adaptation.
The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
4.0
4.5 stars
This is the story of two black women, living in Washington D.C. Eleanor falls in love with William. William hails from one of DC’s elite wealthy Black families, and his parents don’t let just anyone into their fold. Ruby is 15, she is about to be the first person in her family to attend college, but a taboo love affair threatens to pull her away from her dreams. The way these two women’s lives collide is profound.
This story is a beautiful display of privilege, class, colourism and passing within the black community. There is a heavy focus on fertility and some of the challenges that were faced in the 1950s that comes with motherhood and fertility such as embarrassment, shame, burdens and coercion.
What stood out for me was the dual narrative writing style. I love this way of storytelling, it is skilful and genius and the anticipation of waiting to see how the lives of Ruby and Eleanor intersected was exciting.
The middle of the story dipped for me but the second half was much stronger and more engaging to the point where the storyline became more nerve wracking and suspenseful. I would have also liked a stronger title for the story. I understand the reason for ‘The House of Eve’ but I don’t feel the title is a perfect representation of the story.
There is reference to characters in the author’s first book ‘Yellow Wife’. The way the characters are linked to the characters in this book is a work of art and so special for fans of Yellow Wife.
This is a heartfelt story. I haven’t read a book with such a warm and fulfilling ending in ages and the full circle story was the icing on the cake.
There is a clear message that what one person sees as a curse, is a blessing to another.
The author’s note is touching. The story is inspired by true personal events and the research involved to write this historical story is top tier.
This is the story of two black women, living in Washington D.C. Eleanor falls in love with William. William hails from one of DC’s elite wealthy Black families, and his parents don’t let just anyone into their fold. Ruby is 15, she is about to be the first person in her family to attend college, but a taboo love affair threatens to pull her away from her dreams. The way these two women’s lives collide is profound.
This story is a beautiful display of privilege, class, colourism and passing within the black community. There is a heavy focus on fertility and some of the challenges that were faced in the 1950s that comes with motherhood and fertility such as embarrassment, shame, burdens and coercion.
What stood out for me was the dual narrative writing style. I love this way of storytelling, it is skilful and genius and the anticipation of waiting to see how the lives of Ruby and Eleanor intersected was exciting.
The middle of the story dipped for me but the second half was much stronger and more engaging to the point where the storyline became more nerve wracking and suspenseful. I would have also liked a stronger title for the story. I understand the reason for ‘The House of Eve’ but I don’t feel the title is a perfect representation of the story.
There is reference to characters in the author’s first book ‘Yellow Wife’. The way the characters are linked to the characters in this book is a work of art and so special for fans of Yellow Wife.
This is a heartfelt story. I haven’t read a book with such a warm and fulfilling ending in ages and the full circle story was the icing on the cake.
There is a clear message that what one person sees as a curse, is a blessing to another.
The author’s note is touching. The story is inspired by true personal events and the research involved to write this historical story is top tier.
Geneva by Richard Armitage
4.0
4.5/5
The premise of this book is so original and it was refreshing for me to read a thriller with biotech/medicine being the main theme. For someone who is not very interested in these topics, I was surprised how much I actually enjoyed the story and I found myself more focused on the plot, drama and the emotions and motive’s of the characters.
The dual narratives of the husband and wife are everything, they are both annoying and I loved it! All of the characters are unreliable and this really kept my interest in the story. For someone who usually guesses the plot twist, I closed the book in absolute shock because I felt betrayed. I did not see that twist coming!!
The premise of this book is so original and it was refreshing for me to read a thriller with biotech/medicine being the main theme. For someone who is not very interested in these topics, I was surprised how much I actually enjoyed the story and I found myself more focused on the plot, drama and the emotions and motive’s of the characters.
The dual narratives of the husband and wife are everything, they are both annoying and I loved it! All of the characters are unreliable and this really kept my interest in the story. For someone who usually guesses the plot twist, I closed the book in absolute shock because I felt betrayed. I did not see that twist coming!!
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom
4.0
This is a coming-of-age story about Lavinia, an Irish immigrant who grows up at Tall Oaks, a tobacco plantation in Virginia. When Lavinia’s parents die, she is taken in by Captain James Pike and his family.
Stories set during slavery are always hard to read but I appreciated how this was written. The story is full of characters I hated on the plantation and characters I loved for their resilience and strength.
Told in dual narratives by Lavinia, a white child and Belle, a mixed race slave in the kitchen house, the first half of the story details life as a slave in the kitchen with Lavinia overseeing the dynamics and the second half of the story focuses on Lavinia as a young adult trying to make her own life. The main themes that stood out for me were the lack of rights of women, both black and white and colourism and privileges.
This book was also recommended by Sadeqa Johnson. So if you are a Yellow Wife fan, read this book.
It is a great read, although I had reservations on the author who is white, writing the voices of black slaves in first person. I would like to think that the correct research was carried out and the appropriate people read these narratives for sensitivity.
Stories set during slavery are always hard to read but I appreciated how this was written. The story is full of characters I hated on the plantation and characters I loved for their resilience and strength.
Told in dual narratives by Lavinia, a white child and Belle, a mixed race slave in the kitchen house, the first half of the story details life as a slave in the kitchen with Lavinia overseeing the dynamics and the second half of the story focuses on Lavinia as a young adult trying to make her own life. The main themes that stood out for me were the lack of rights of women, both black and white and colourism and privileges.
This book was also recommended by Sadeqa Johnson. So if you are a Yellow Wife fan, read this book.
It is a great read, although I had reservations on the author who is white, writing the voices of black slaves in first person. I would like to think that the correct research was carried out and the appropriate people read these narratives for sensitivity.