Review by Gypsy Culp Houston----Quick Read
Imagine receiving the best conceivable news. Now imagine that before you can share the news with your loving husband, he tells you that he doesn’t love you and is leaving you for another woman. This is the dilemma facing Kennedi Mason in One in A Million.
One in a Million is the story of Kennedi Mason and her quest to adapt to her ever evolving circumstances. Kennedi must learn to live with her exciting news and the demise of her marriage all at once. She is forced to learn who “has her back” and who doesn’t. Sometimes family doesn’t always have your best interest at heart.
Kimberla Lawson Roby does a good job with moving the story along. However, sometimes the story progresses too quickly. With less than 200 pages, this book is a quick read, but it does leave something to be desired. The book lacked the character development, readers have come to expect from Roby. Overall, One in a Million is an interesting book that will have you asking “What would I do?”
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Trading Dreams at Midnight by Diane McKinney-Whetstone
Review by Gypsy Culp Houston----LIKED IT
Trading Dreams at Midnight is the tale of three women and how mental illness has impacted their lives. Each woman has a different perspective and has been shaped differently by the same circumstances.
Nan, the grandmother, has stepped in to raise her grandchildren when her mentally ill daughter abandoned them. Nan has her own cross to bear as she has a few skeletons hanging in her closet, pertaining to her husband and her daughter. She has a hard time accepting and then dealing with her daughter’s mental illness.
The least developed character of the three is Tish. She seems to be little more than a secondary character. Tish’s issues are mentioned, but are not discussed in much detail. Most of the information we learn about Tish is through other characters’ conversations and/or thoughts.
Neena, sister of Tish and granddaughter of Nan is the most disturbed by their mother’s disappearances and has dedicated her life to finding her mother. She finances her search by any means necessary. Some of the things she has done have been questionable. One of the ghosts come back to haunt her and sends her back to Philadelphia, to face a disagreeable grandmother and a fragile sister.
McKinney-Whetstone is a master of description, and setting. She makes you feel as if you are walking around the streets of Philadelphia. Her word choice is always clever and thought provoking. Overall, the book was well written. However, the secondary characters lack depth. Also, while there was new information revealed at the end, there was no true conclusion. The book leaves you feeling like you need more information. Unless this is a marketing tool for a sequel, the book really needed more of a sense of finality.
Trading Dreams at Midnight is the tale of three women and how mental illness has impacted their lives. Each woman has a different perspective and has been shaped differently by the same circumstances.
Nan, the grandmother, has stepped in to raise her grandchildren when her mentally ill daughter abandoned them. Nan has her own cross to bear as she has a few skeletons hanging in her closet, pertaining to her husband and her daughter. She has a hard time accepting and then dealing with her daughter’s mental illness.
The least developed character of the three is Tish. She seems to be little more than a secondary character. Tish’s issues are mentioned, but are not discussed in much detail. Most of the information we learn about Tish is through other characters’ conversations and/or thoughts.
Neena, sister of Tish and granddaughter of Nan is the most disturbed by their mother’s disappearances and has dedicated her life to finding her mother. She finances her search by any means necessary. Some of the things she has done have been questionable. One of the ghosts come back to haunt her and sends her back to Philadelphia, to face a disagreeable grandmother and a fragile sister.
McKinney-Whetstone is a master of description, and setting. She makes you feel as if you are walking around the streets of Philadelphia. Her word choice is always clever and thought provoking. Overall, the book was well written. However, the secondary characters lack depth. Also, while there was new information revealed at the end, there was no true conclusion. The book leaves you feeling like you need more information. Unless this is a marketing tool for a sequel, the book really needed more of a sense of finality.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Reading Record
How many of you are familiar with Good Reads (http://www.goodreads.com/) or Library Thing (http://www.librarything.com/)? These are sites that allow you to keep up with books you have read, are reading or would like to read. There is also a social networking component to these sites. They allow you to see what others are reading and are a good place to get new suggestions. I have tried both and so far I really like them. I have decided to use Library Thing for my library book log. My user name is gypsyreads. If you are a member add me to your list of friends. If you aren't yet a member consider joining.
If you are not that interested in the online book logs, it is still a great idea to keep up with the books you have read. I say this from experience. There have been many times when I see a book that looks interesting and start reading it, only to figure out that I have already read it. If you love reading, this can be kind of a let down. To help prevent the I've already read it let down, UCPL's Multicultural Collection has complimentary Reading Record bookmarks. Take one and start filling it out today. If you like, you can turn the completed bookmark in to the Reference staff and start a new one.
Don't forget that we are always looking for comments, book reviews and suggestions. Please help us to make the Multicultural News Blog a success.
That's all for now. Happy Reading!
If you are not that interested in the online book logs, it is still a great idea to keep up with the books you have read. I say this from experience. There have been many times when I see a book that looks interesting and start reading it, only to figure out that I have already read it. If you love reading, this can be kind of a let down. To help prevent the I've already read it let down, UCPL's Multicultural Collection has complimentary Reading Record bookmarks. Take one and start filling it out today. If you like, you can turn the completed bookmark in to the Reference staff and start a new one.
Don't forget that we are always looking for comments, book reviews and suggestions. Please help us to make the Multicultural News Blog a success.
That's all for now. Happy Reading!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Recent Purchases
The following are recent Multicultural purchases. This list will be updated often, so keep a close watch on this.
Chic Lit:
One Finger Left by Vikki Bell Multiple F BELL
Chritian Fiction:
Too Little Too Late by Victoria Christopher Multiple F MURR
Strongholds by Vanessa Davis Griggs Multiple F GRIG
Never as Good as the First Time by Mari Walker Multiple F WALK
Historical Fiction:
Stand the Storm by Breena Clark Multiple F CLARK
Miscellaneous:
Whatever Gets you Through the Night by Teri Denine Multiple F DENI
Trading Dreams at Midnight by Diane Mckkinney Westone Multiple F WHET
The Messiah Lee Hayes Multiple F HAYE
Anything But Love Gustavo Perez Firmat Multiple F PERE
Mystery:
Dont Ever Tell by Brandon Massey Multiple F MASS
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Welcome!
Welcome to UCPL's new Multicultural Blog! It will be used to feature library materials and to elicit patron comments and reviews among other things. We are new to blogging, so this is sure to be an ever evolving thing. We look forward to user comments and ideas.
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