Donna's Book Addiction

                                                                                                            Book Review  " All the Sinners Bleed " by S.A. Cosby is a powerful crime thriller that explores racial tensions, religion, and justice through Sheriff Titus Crown's investigation in the fictional Charon County. The novel tackles challenging themes including: - The complexities of being a Black sheriff in a Southern county with Confederate sympathizers - Religious hypocrisy and the "Christ-haunted" nature of the South - A horrific case involving murdered children - The "Last Wolf" serial killer - Systemic racism and its effects on justice The story seems to balance intense crime thriller elements with prof...

With this unflinching account, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson invites readers into her life and world, tracing her family’s ascent from segregation to her confirmation on America’s highest court within the span of one generation. Review This memoir of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson paints a vivid and inspiring portrait of her journey as the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. It offers a rich blend of personal history, family legacy, and historical context. Her family’s story—from her grandparents’ experiences in the segregated South to her parents’ dedication to education and advocacy—provides a profound backdrop to her accomplishments. Ketanji Onyika means “Lovely One” instilled in her a love for the law, as a federal public defense Attorney. She has a type A perfectionist personality.    Her husband, Patrick is a top general surgeon. Two beautiful daughters, Talia and Leila.  Justice Jackson’s life is a testament to resilience and excellence. Growing up...

The daughter of an affluent Black family pieces together the connection between a childhood tragedy and a beloved heirloom in this moving novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake, a Read with Jenna Book Club Pick. The story has historical markers such as the Fugitive Slave Act. The author notes that while doing research, she learned of the history of David Ruggles from the mid 1800s, who  ran the nation’s first African American bookstore and journal in Florence and is said to have assisted more than six hundred fugitives on the Underground Railroad. Also, David Drake, a real-life potter following the end of his enslavement. This is a multi-generational narrative packed with themes of resilience, identity, and reckoning with history. It’s s layered with personal and historical tensions, where family legacies collide with personal tragedy and societal prejudice. Ebby seems caught between her heritage and her present struggles. Her evolution from effortless beaut...

Review This was a deeply emotional and reflective experience with Sadeqa Johnson’s novel, The Yellow Wife .   This is my first novel read by Sadeqa Johnson. The novel captures the pain and resilience as well as the strength of Pheby Brown as a character. It captures Pheby’s journey, her sacrifices, resourcefulness, and determination to protect her children, is compelling and a testament to the powerful storytelling.  As I read the story of Pheby Brown and learned that this fictional account of real historical events, people and places was the inspiration for Sadeqa Johnson really scored points with me. As Pheby came to terms with her fate and making her life better she made "Masre Rubin"  promise to never sell her son away from her and to not take a wife as long as she resided at his jail, his allegiance is to her.  I appreciated that the author referred to Master Rubin Lapier as the “Jailer” as to not amplify his persona as a worthy human being.  Pledging her ...