Donna's Book Addiction

James by Percival Everett is In development as a feature film to be produced by Stephen Spielberg. James is an instant New York Times Bestseller and longlisted for the Booker Prize. A reimagining of Huckleberry Finn, told from the enslaved Jim’s point of view. I enjoyed the narration by Dominic Hoffman. His voice is clear, and commanding. He also narrates for author James McBride, books such as Deacon King Kong and The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. Wonderful job! “Safe movement through the world depended on mastery of language, fluency.” - Chapter 2; page 21 The author appears to be correcting a wrong in this book by bringing awareness to the hate, racism that so consumed and consumes the views of hatred towards one or other races and religion. Everett says in chapter 2 that ‘…they enjoy the correction and thinking you’re stupid…’ and ‘Religion is just a controlling tool they employ and adhere to when convenient.’ If enough of them kill you, it’s not a crime, they’re innocent… If you

                                                                        Plot Summary The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store opens in 1972 Pottstown, where an excavation operation uncovers a skeleton in a well, sparking an investigation into the town’s past. The story then transports readers back to the 1920s and ’30s, focusing on the lives of Chicken Hill’s residents, a neighborhood marked by its Black and Jewish communities. The novel explores themes of community, survival, and justice, set against the backdrop of racial and religious tensions. It illustrates the complexities of identity and the impact of societal prejudices on individuals and communities.  Introduction This book is a rich tapestry of historical fiction and mystery, set in the 1920s and ’30s in the Chicken Hill neighborhood of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. The narrative weaves through the lives of a diverse group of Black, Jewish, and Italian characters, creating a poignant tale of community, survival, and justice. It is su

        Kerry Washington The ‘Thicker Than Water’ memoirist says she has been on a ‘journey’ since her parents revealed what they had kept from her Book Review Washington professes that this book is the result of her attempts to make sense of herself and her family and to accept the truth about who we are. Her mother and her six siblings were born to Clifford Mancle and Isabelle, Jamaicans who, like many immigrants to this country, came through Ellis Island in 1927 and 1929, navigating the obstacles of not only class, but caste. She later developed ovarian cancer. Her father, Mancle looked like a northern European immigrant—fair-skinned with angular features. He was an alcoholic, and developed COPD. There were moments in the book that magnified her middle-upper class upbringing. Her crime of not returning a library book was not uncommon nor an attention grabber, in my view, stealing a granny’s apple for a role in a movie in order to get the emotional effect for her character ‘Nie

Expected publication March 5, 2024 My Review:   Thank you to NetGalley for an Advance Reader’s e-proof courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers of ‘Can’t We Be Friends’ a novel of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe by Denny S. Bryce and Eliza Knight  The timeline culminates from 1952-1962. The memories they shared of lost mothers, evil stepfathers, orphanages, and early marriages gone bad. Meeting because of a song. Marilyn Monroe grew up in the foster care system and as an adult actress, cynics and people judged her and categorized her. She must match the image that everyone wants. A sex goddess, desired by many. She holds onto a wealth of sadness (All About Eve). Marilyn wanted to be taken seriously and admired for her talent as an actress. No recent actress has had this much power over her career, owning and operating a production company, a pioneer for women in Hollywood. Inspired by her friend Ella who had control and say so over her career. Ella was filled with guilt of a failing mar

I received this kindle book from NetGalley and immediately wanted to read about Hattie McDaniel, the first member of her race to be so honored with an Academy Award for best supporting actress for her superb performance as Mammy in ‘ Gone With the Wind’  Hollywood clubs, sights, restaurants and digs. Learning how Hattie McDaniel made a name for herself in music, in vaudeville, and onstage in several cities. Her fortune of finding an agent when most white agents didn’t take Negro clients. Hatties’ role as Mammy often got more attention than some of the other players who were considered the stars, so she learned how to embrace it. Hoping that she capitalized on her Oscar win, Hattie believed that her Oscar win was about to open a number of doors, and she didn’t want to block her blessings. Even the First Lady of the United States Eleanor Roosevelt had called Mr. Selznick, demanding that her maid Elizabeth McDuffie (who had no acting experience) be given the part. Hattie was truly tired o