What I'm Reading

post by Monique


Hey ladies! This month I have jumped on the Fifty Shades of Grey bandwagon. I was a bit hesitant to pick this book up since the rumors were that it was similar to Twilight and you guys know how much I love Twilight. I can't have anyone playing with my emotions and mimicking a book after it. 

After completing the first book in a few days, I have to admit that I'm hooked. Not because its the best writing (its far from it) but there is some underlying thing that just pulls you in and keeps you there. Maybe its the mystery that is Christian Grey and his past life, or maybe its Anatasia's weird attraction to a man that wants to harm her in a good but naughty way. Either way I'm now on the second book and to complete the series to see if I finally get it. 

Catching Up

Hello Fellow Book Lovers! It seems we've taken an unplanned hiatus, but don't worry, we are all reading away. 


We have not designated a person to make the July book recommendation so if you would like to be that person, please let us know. 


In the meantime - what are you reading?

April Book Selection Discussion

Below are discussion questions from Traycee's April Book Selection. Feel free to post your responses in the comments section.

1. Two narratives are used to tell this story, the conversation between Sherry and her mother Dumpling and the history of their ancestors. Did you find this confusing while reading the story?
 
2. This story made me think about my own family history. Did it do the same for you?
 
3. One part of the story was about slaves living for two years in a not-very-isolated or remote area without hearing about the end of the Civil War. Do you think this is realistic?
 
4. Sherry seemed to be haunted by an unwarranted slap to her face given by her mother. Do you think Sherry had a right to ask her mother about it after all those years or do you think she should have been over it?
 
5. What do you think about Lou sacrificing her son (don't have the book in front of me and I can't remember his name) because he was considered "slow" for the much stronger son, Jeff? 
 
6. Overall how did you like the book?

April Book Selection: Nowhere Is A Place

Hello everyone! The April Book Selection will be hosted by Traycee and the book of choice is "Nowhere Is  A Place" by Bernice L. McFadden.

Her spectacular debut novel, Sugar, established Bernice L. McFadden as a writer to watch in African-American literary fiction. In Nowhere Is a Place, she spins a fully realized and memorable portrait of a young woman on a journey of self-discovery.

Sherry has struggled all her life to understand who she is, where she comes from, and, most importantly, why her mother slapped her cheek one summer afternoon. The incident has haunted Sherry, and it causes her to dig into her family’s past. Like many family histories, it is fractured and stubbornly reluctant to reveal its secrets; but Sherry is determined to know the full story. In just a few days’ time her extended family will gather for a reunion, and Sherry sets off across the country with her mother, Dumpling, to join them. What Sherry and Dumpling find on their trip is far more important than a scenic site here and there— it is the assorted pieces of their family’s past. Pulled together, they reveal a history of amazing survival and abundant joy.

The discussion for the post will begin on April 30.

March Selection Book Discussion

Hello ladies! I hope you all enjoyed "Bring on Blessings" by Beverly Jenkins. Below are a few discussion questions but feel free to keep adding and commenting in the comments section.

1. This book touches on various themes: forgiveness, redemption, love, faith, hope. What other themes  can you identify?
2. Who was your favorite character(s) and why?
3. What was one of the most memorable scenes to you?
4. Bernadine Brown divorced her husband [Leo] and decided that instead of getting even, she was going to do something for the greater good. What do you think that says about her character?
5. Would you put your town up for sale on the internet to save it?
6. Trent and Lily have a complicated past that took a couple of divorces and years to heal. Do you think they have truly moved past their issues?
7. Adoption is such admirable thing to do but its not always the easiest. What are your thoughts on adoption?
8. Each child came from a troubled home and/or the foster care system. Was there a child who's story really touched your heart?
9. What do you think about Beverly's writing style?
10. Overall, how did you feel about this book?

Reminder about the March Selection

Greetings Ladies!

Just a friendly reminder from your March host that we will be discussing this month's book selection, Bring on the Blessings by Beverly Jenkins, on March 30th. We are still confirming what format we will be using for the discussion so hang tight.

I'm so happy to see all your tweets about how much you love the book. Some of you have even finished the others in the series. Kudos to you! Just a little tidbit, she also have a 4th book in the series coming in April so be sure to check her website for information!

Thanks,
Monique

March Book Selection: Bring on the Blessings

Hello everyone! This month's book host is Monique and she has selected "Bring on the Blessings" by Beverly Jenkins. A brief description of the story is below:

On Bernadine Brown's fifty-second birthday she received an unexpected gift—she caught her husband, Leo, cheating with his secretary. She was hurt—angry, too—but she didn't cry woe is me. Nope, she hired herself a top-notch lawyer and ended up with a cool $275 million. Having been raised in the church, she knew that when much is given much is expected, so she asked God to send her a purpose.

The purpose turned out to be a town: Henry Adams, Kansas, one of the last surviving townships founded by freed slaves after the Civil War. The failing town had put itself up for sale on the Internet, so Bernadine bought it.

Trent July is the mayor, and watching the town of his birth slide into debt and foreclosure is about the hardest thing he's ever done. When the buyer comes to town, he's impressed by her vision, strength, and the hope she wants to offer not only to the town and its few remaining residents, but to a handful of kids in desperate need of a second chance.

Not everyone in town wants to get on board though; they don't want change. But Bernadine and Trent, along with his first love, Lily Fontaine, are determined to preserve the town's legacy while ushering in a new era with ties to its unique past and its promising future.

We will conduct a podcast or have a discussion board available to review the book on March 30. If you have any questions, you can contact the host (Monique) or email the Mocha Sistahs Book Club email box at mochasistahsread@gmail.com .