melaninuncorkedbc's reviews
146 reviews

Isaac's Song by Daniel Black

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Read “Don’t Cry for Me” first; although it’s labeled as a companion book - I think it brings the story together beautifully. 

Let’s just start with, I really wanted to see a happy ending with Matthew and Jessie Lee, I know it wasn’t about that, but I needed it 😂.

I have recommended Don’t Cry for Me to so many people, mostly men but everyone. It’s such a great novel. So when I found out Daniel was writing Isaac’s Song, I had to request it. 

Without spoiling anything, this book goes through Isaac’s life from his POV. His relationship with his father wasn’t the best. Isaac was a gay man who had trouble identifying as such due to societal standards and his own inner challenges. He goes through this book from childhood to adulthood and eventually begins therapy (and my oh my do I want Isaac’s therapist). He is challenged to write to himself and he starts to uncover things he didn’t know how to acknowledge as a child, or even things that he thought he knew was true (we do that a lot as humans). As he dive into his roots, and after Jacob’s death, he uncovers letters and we get to see the letters from Isaac’s POV and that is where so much of Don’t Cry for Me brings this full circle. I want to read it again honestly. 

All in all, Isaac discovers not only himself, but he’s able to forgive the man he thought his father was, he was able to understand his father’s childhood and what he had to sacrifice to allow for Isaac and his mom to live without working. He was harsh, hard, cruel at times - but now Isaac knew more behind the why. I would absolutely recommend this novel to anyone and Daniel has been an auto buy author for 
We're Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union, Gabrielle Union

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4.0

This book was a page turner. I did get a glimpse into Gabby’s life, which I resonate with A LOT! So it was interesting hearing about her growth, and how she was once a mean girl in the industry and how she shifted her life in general. Definitely drank wine while turning just about each page.

Last year our book club read this book, and we all were able to relate to her.
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

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5.0

I really enjoyed reading this book. Queenie took me through several emotions, and many I related to at some point in life. I think that it was important to touch basis on the West Indian culture, the reality of being black in white spaces, and what a lot of women in the African American community experience at some point in their lives.

Queenie finally was able to feel and deal with her emotions with the help of her therapist, Janet, and some solid friends. She experiences heartbreak, pain, discomfort and much more throughout this book. Hats off to Candice and her crew for a great read.
The Good Samaritan by John Marrs

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5.0

This book is literally a page turner. I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen next and each chapter surprised me even more. John did an amazing job with each intricate detail of the characters. I truly appreciated this work of art. There has to be a part two, and I’ll be waiting for it. He’s earned a new reader for his work.
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates

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4.0

At first, I did not think I was going to finish this book. Coates definitely has a special writing style. There are so many layers to this book, and so many stories within stories. Once I was able to catch on, I started to live through the characters. We read this for my book club for the month of April, and I am glad that it was added to the list.

His writing allowed me to feel, and understand more in depth, things I already knew. I didn't know it was based off a true story. I am looking forward to reading the recommendation that this was branded off of at the end of the book.