Kate’s 2¢: “The House of Eve: a Novel” by Sadeqa Johnson

“The House of Eve: a Novel” by Sadeqa Johnson

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares her thoughts about what she reads. Inho…

   Nicole Lewis did a good job of narrating this story for us. While this story reflects the caste society within the black community, it also reflects the human foibles of all of us. I liked this story and appreciated the wrap-up ending.

From the WEB:

Sadeqa Johnson is a best-selling author1who is originally from Philadelphia2. She is the author of Yellow Wife, And Then There Was Me, Second House From the Corner and Love in a Carry-on Bag1. Her accolades include being the recipient of the National Book Club Award, the Phillis Wheatley Award and the USA Best Book Award for best fiction1. She is a Kimbilo Fellow1. Johnson is also the co-founder of 12th Street Press, a boutique publishing company specializing in unique voices2.

   Sadeqa Johnson is the New York Times best-selling author of five novels. Her accolades include being the 2022 Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy finalist, a BCALA Literary Honoree, and the Library of Virginia’s Literary People’s Choice Award winner. She is a Kimbilio Fellow and teaches in the M.F.A. program at Drexel University.

   A native of Philadelphia, she currently lives with her husband and children in Richmond, Virginia. When Sadeqa Johnson was growing up, she used to visit the library every day on her way to school. She used to be very close with the local librarian who would pick out the best books for her.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

The house of Eve: a novel DB112651

Johnson, Sadeqa Reading time: 10 hours, 31 minutes.

Nicole Lewis; Ariel Blake

Historical Fiction

Psychological Fiction

Romance

“From the award-winning author of Yellow Wife, a daring and redemptive novel set in 1950s Philadelphia and Washington, DC, that explores what it means to be a woman and a mother, and how much one is willing to sacrifice to achieve her greatest goal. 1950s Philadelphia: fifteen-year-old Ruby Pearsall is on track to becoming the first in her family to attend college, in spite of having a mother more interested in keeping a man than raising a daughter. But a taboo love affair threatens to pull her back down into the poverty and desperation that has been passed on to her like a birthright. Eleanor Quarles arrives in Washington, DC, with ambition and secrets. When she meets the handsome William Pride at Howard University, they fall madly in love. But William hails from one of DC’s elite wealthy Black families, and his par­ents don’t let just anyone into their fold. Eleanor hopes that a baby will make her finally feel at home in William’s family and grant her the life she’s been searching for. But having a baby—and fitting in—is easier said than done. With their stories colliding in the most unexpected of ways, Ruby and Eleanor will both make decisions that shape the trajectory of their lives.” — Provided by publisher. Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

Download The house of Eve: a novel DB112651

Kate’s 2¢: “Yellow Wife: A Novel” by Sadeqa Johnson

 “Yellow Wife: A Novel” by Sadeqa Johnson

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares her thoughts about what she reads. Inho…

   Robin Miles did an excellent job of narrating this novel based on the extensive research done by Sadeqa Johnson.

     You cannot deny that the cruelties portrayed in this book happened, because there is so much documentation on the era. It is time to let the wounds heal and go forward to never let it happen again.

From the WEB:

Sadeqa Johnson is a best-selling author1who is originally from Philadelphia2. She is the author of Yellow Wife, And Then There Was Me, Second House From the Corner and Love in a Carry-on Bag1. Her accolades include being the recipient of the National Book Club Award, the Phillis Wheatley Award and the USA Best Book Award for best fiction1. She is a Kimbilo Fellow1. Johnson is also the co-founder of 12th Street Press, a boutique publishing company specializing in unique voices2.

   Sadeqa Johnson is the New York Times best-selling author of five novels. Her accolades include being the 2022 Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy finalist, a BCALA Literary Honoree, and the Library of Virginia’s Literary People’s Choice Award winner. She is a Kimbilio Fellow and teaches in the M.F.A. program at Drexel University.

   A native of Philadelphia, she currently lives with her husband and children in Richmond, Virginia. When Sadeqa Johnson was growing up, she used to visit the library every day on her way to school. She used to be very close with the local librarian who would pick out the best books for her.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Yellow wife: a novel DB102908

Johnson, Sadeqa Reading time: 9 hours, 33 minutes.

Robin Miles

Historical Fiction

Born on a plantation, Pheby Delores Brown has lived a relatively privileged life. She is promised her freedom, but instead she finds herself thrust into the bowels of the most infamous slave jail in Virginia. Some violence, some strong language, and some descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2021.

Download Yellow wife: a novel DB102908

Kate’s 2¢: “Down The Aisle” Book 4 by Barbara Hinske

“Down The Aisle” Book 4 by Barbara Hinske

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares her thoughts about what she reads. Inho…

   Laura Hatch did a good job of narrating this fourth story. Hinske has put all the drama of a chicklet romance into an accurate portrait of a blind woman’s life, not to mention the very emotional ending. Wow, what a twist to have her father walk her down the aisle to the rich and handsome Grant. Job well done.

From www.barbarahinske.com:

USA Today Bestselling Author

Barbara Hinske is an attorney who recently left the practice of law to pursue her career as a full-time novelist. Her novel Guiding Emily was conceived during a tour of The Foundation for Blind Children. She was inspired and moved by their mission and is donating half of her proceeds from the book to the Foundation. Barb is also the author of the bestselling Rosemont series and the murder mysteries in her ‘Who’s There?!’ collection. Her novella The Christmas Club was made into a 2019 Hallmark Channel Christmas movie.

She inherited the fiction gene from her father who wrote mysteries when he retired and told her a story every night of her childhood. She and her husband share their own Rosemont with two adorable and spoiled dogs. A true homebody, she is besotted with decorating, entertaining, cooking, and gardening.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Down the aisle DB116315

Hinske, Barbara Reading time: 7 hours, 59 minutes.

Laura Hatch

General

Animals and Wildlife

“When a cyberattack threatens to destroy Emily’s company, she does what she can to counter the threat. Her efforts, however, are thwarted until she’s promoted to oversee both her team and the cyber security group. With the company’s survival at stake and in her hands, she knows the one person she can turn to—Dhruv. Meanwhile, work deadlines and family emergencies repeatedly interrupt Emily and Grant’s plans for a romantic weekend. Luckily, Zoe and Diedre are determined to keep things on track so they can become stepsisters. Eventually, a simple family wedding will hold a touching remembrance. Join Emily and Garth as they walk down the aisle…” — Provided by publisher. Some strong language.

Download Down the aisle DB116315

Kate’s 2¢: “Over Every Hurdle” book 3” by Barbara Hinske

“Over Every Hurdle” book 3” by Barbara Hinske a

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares her thoughts about what she reads. Inho…

   Laura Hatch Did a good job of narrating this third story in the Guiding Emily series. Many aids that enable a blind person to be all they can-be are mentioned in this story.

   Hinske has portrayed a blind person’s personal and professional challenges with accuracy and compassion.

From www.barbarahinske.com:

USA Today Bestselling Author

Barbara Hinske is an attorney who recently left the practice of law to pursue her career as a full-time novelist. Her novel Guiding Emily was conceived during a tour of The Foundation for Blind Children. She was inspired and moved by their mission and is donating half of her proceeds from the book to the Foundation. Barb is also the author of the bestselling Rosemont series and the murder mysteries in her ‘Who’s There?!’ collection. Her novella The Christmas Club was made into a 2019 Hallmark Channel Christmas movie.

She inherited the fiction gene from her father who wrote mysteries when he retired and told her a story every night of her childhood. She and her husband share their own Rosemont with two adorable and spoiled dogs. A true homebody, she is besotted with decorating, entertaining, cooking, and gardening.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Over every hurdle DB111986

Hinske, Barbara Reading time: 6 hours, 52 minutes.

Laura Hatch

Disability

Animals and Wildlife

“Emily’s new relationship with Grant is jeopardized by adolescent animosity between Zoe and Diedre. Will Gina swoop in to calm troubled waters? Meanwhile, Emily and Garth travel to Denver to assist their company’s cyber security team—only to find that their unsolicited aid is most unwelcome. There’s no time, however, to worry about workplace drama. Emily and Zoe are busy with Gina’s wedding, followed by the surprise birthday party they’re throwing for Stephanie. Is Stephanie the only one who will be surprised at this party?” — Provided by publisher. Some strong language.

Download Over every hurdle DB111986

Kate’s 2¢: “The Unexpected Path”Book 2  by Barbara Hinske a

“The Unexpected Path”Book 2  by Barbara Hinske a

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares her thoughts about what she reads. Inho…

   Laura Hatch Did a good job of narrating this second story in the Guiding Emily series. Many aids that enable a blind person to be all they can-be are mentioned in this story.

   Hinske has portrayed a blind person’s personal and professional challenges with accuracy and compassion.

From www.barbarahinske.com:

USA Today Bestselling Author

Barbara Hinske is an attorney who recently left the practice of law to pursue her career as a full-time novelist. Her novel Guiding Emily was conceived during a tour of The Foundation for Blind Children. She was inspired and moved by their mission and is donating half of her proceeds from the book to the Foundation. Barb is also the author of the bestselling Rosemont series and the murder mysteries in her ‘Who’s There?!’ collection. Her novella The Christmas Club was made into a 2019 Hallmark Channel Christmas movie.

She inherited the fiction gene from her father who wrote mysteries when he retired and told her a story every night of her childhood. She and her husband share their own Rosemont with two adorable and spoiled dogs. A true homebody, she is besotted with decorating, entertaining, cooking, and gardening.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

The unexpected path DB109069

Hinske, Barbara Reading time: 6 hours, 57 minutes.

Laura Hatch

Disability

Animals and Wildlife

“After Emily Main loses her sight, she and Garth work to forge their future in Emily’s new normal. Convincing her well-intentioned but misinformed coworkers that she’s as capable as ever is her biggest challenge–until Connor shows up on her door. Can they heal old wounds and give their fledgling marriage a fresh start? Meanwhile, tragedy strikes young Zoe, and Emily has a life-changing choice to make. Follow along as Garth and Emily step out, together, to meet every challenge.” — Provided by publisher. Some strong language. 2021.

Download The unexpected path DB109069

Kate’s 2¢: “Guiding Emily, book 1” by Barbara Hinske a

“Guiding Emily, book 1” by Barbara Hinske a

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares her thoughts about what she reads. Inho…

   Laura Hatch Did a good job of reading this engaging story, the first is a series about Emily and her guide dog. Hinske portrayed the experience of going blind with accuracy, emotion, and understanding.

   Good information was imparted to the reader of the drama of losing vision, even if a pre-existing diagnosis was known before it actually happened.

   Interjecting the information on how a guide dog is trained keeps the suspense moving along to the happy meeting of handler and guide.

From www.barbarahinske.com:

USA Today Bestselling Author

Barbara Hinske is an attorney who recently left the practice of law to pursue her career as a full-time novelist. Her novel Guiding Emily was conceived during a tour of The Foundation for Blind Children. She was inspired and moved by their mission and is donating half of her proceeds from the book to the Foundation. Barb is also the author of the bestselling Rosemont series and the murder mysteries in her ‘Who’s There?!’ collection. Her novella The Christmas Club was made into a 2019 Hallmark Channel Christmas movie.

She inherited the fiction gene from her father who wrote mysteries when he retired and told her a story every night of her childhood. She and her husband share their own Rosemont with two adorable and spoiled dogs. A true homebody, she is besotted with decorating, entertaining, cooking, and gardening.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Guiding Emily: a tale of love, loss, and courage DB109068

Hinske, Barbara Reading time: 7 hours, 49 minutes.

Laura Hatch

Disability

Animals and Wildlife

“Sometimes the perfect partner has four paws…. Emily Main had it all: a high-powered career with a leading technology giant and a handsome fiancé bounding up the corporate ladder. Their island wedding and honeymoon were idyllic–until a tragic accident causes her retinas to detach. Her well-ordered life is shattered as all treatments are unsuccessful and she slips into blindness. How will those around her cope with her tragedy? Can she rebuild her life in this most unwelcome, new normal? Meanwhile, a black lab puppy named Garth fulfills his destiny to become that most esteemed of all creatures: a guide dog.” — Provided by publisher. Some strong language. 2020.

Download Guiding Emily: a tale of love, loss, and courage DB109068

Kate’s 2¢: ”Apartment in Athens” by Glenway Wescott

”Apartment in Athens” by Glenway Wescott

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares her thoughts about what she reads. Inho…

   Here’s proof that war is a lose/lose situation.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Glenway Wescott (April 11, 1901 – February 22, 1987) was an American poet, novelist and essayist. A figure of the American expatriate literary community in Paris during the 1920s, Wescott was openly gay.[1] His relationship with longtime companion Monroe Wheeler lasted from 1919 until Wescott’s death.

Early life[edit]

Wescott was born on a farm in Kewaskum, Wisconsin in 1901.[3] His younger brother, Lloyd Wescott, was born in Wisconsin in 1907. He studied at the University of Chicago,[3] where he was a member of a literary circle including Elizabeth Madox Roberts, Yvor Winters, and Janet Lewis, but left after contracting Spanish flu.

Wescott travelled to Santa Fe to recover from Spanish flu, where he wrote his first published poetry collection, titled The Bitterns.[4] Although, he began his writing career as a poet, he is best known for his short stories and novels, notably The Grandmothers (1927), which received the Harper Novel prize,[3] and The Pilgrim Hawk (1940).

Career[edit]

Wescott lived in Germany (1921–1922), and in France (c. 1925–1933),[3] where he mixed with Gertrude Stein and other members of the American expatriate community. Wescott was the model for the character Robert Prentiss in Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises. After meeting Prentiss, Hemingway’s narrator, Jake Barnes, confesses, “I just thought perhaps I was going to throw up.”[1] In the Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas (1933), Gertrude Stein wrote about him, “There was also Glenway Wescott but Glenway Wescott at no time interested Gertrude Stein. He has a certain syrup but it does not pour.”

Wescott and Wheeler returned to the United States and maintained an apartment in Manhattan with photographer George Platt Lynes, whom they had met in France in 1926. When his brother Lloyd moved to a dairy farm in Union Township, near Clinton in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, in 1936, Wescott along with Wheeler and Lynes took over one of the farmhand houses and named it Stone-Blossom.[5] Lynes ended his relationship with Wescott and Wheeler in 1943 to be with his studio assistant, Jonathan Tichenor. Nevertheless, Wescott was at Lynes’ bedside when he died of lung cancer in December 1955.[4]

His novel, The Pilgrim Hawk: A Love Story (1940), was praised by the critics. Apartment in Athens (1945), the story of a Greek couple in Nazi-occupied Athens who must share their living quarters with a German officer, was a popular success. From then on he ceased to write fiction, although he published essays and edited the works of others. In her essay on The Pilgrim Hawk, Ingrid Norton writes, “After…Apartment in Athens, Wescott lived until 1987 without writing another novel: journals (published posthumously as Continual Lessons) and the occasional article, yes, but no more fiction. The Midwest-born author seems to slide into the golden handcuffs of expatriate decadence: supported by the heiress his brother married [Barbara Harrison Wescott], surrounded by literate friends, given to social drinking and letter-writing.”[6]

Later life[edit]

In 1959, when his brother Lloyd acquired a farm near the village of Rosemont in Delaware Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Wescott moved into a two-story stone house on the property, dubbed Haymeadows.[5] In 1987, Wescott died of a stroke at his home in Rosemont and was buried in the small farmer’s graveyard hidden behind a rock wall and trees at Haymeadows. Monroe Wheeler was buried alongside him following his death a year later.[7]

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Apartment in Athens DB11297

Wescott, Glenway. Reading time: 7 hours, 36 minutes.

Read by Guy Sorel.

Psychological Fiction

War Stories

Story of the inhumanity of Germans in occupation of defeated countries describes the influence of a German officer on a simple, middle-class Greek family.

Downloaded: March 6, 2024

Download Apartment in Athens

Kate’s 2¢: “Murder in the grave: a Redmond and Haze mystery” by Irina Shapiro

“Murder in the grave: a Redmond and Haze mystery” by Irina Shapiro

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares her thoughts about what she reads. Inho…

   I read this book a while ago, but it is still on my mind. I think it was the shocking findings that I can’t shake off. Andrew Randall did a good job of varrating this story.

About – Irina Shapiro Author Page:

   To write a novel was a dream of mine since I was a child. Life, my practical nature, and self-doubt got in the way, so it was decades later that an opportunity to write finally presented itself. I honestly didn’t think I had what it takes to write a full-length novel, but once I faced the blank screen and my fingers touched the keyboard, everything disappeared except my characters and their surroundings, and suddenly I knew that this was what I was born to do.

   Since then, I’ve written many books and have enjoyed some positive reviews, but sometimes, when I stop to reflect, I’m still amazed that I’m living my dream.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Murder in the grave: a Redmond and Haze mystery DB113405

Shapiro, Irina. Reading time: 7 hours, 26 minutes.

Read by Andrew Randall.

Historical Fiction

Mystery and Detective Stories

“When the body of a newly appointed curate is found in a freshly dug grave, Inspector Haze and Lord Redmond are called to investigate. According to friends and family, the unfortunate man was a veritable saint who’d wanted nothing more than to dedicate his life to God and good works, but the savagery of his murder and the attempt to hide his corpse tell a different story. Facing increasing pressure to solve the case of the “Cleaved Curate,” Daniel and Jason must delve deeper into the life of Sebastian Slade, only to discover that even men of God have their secrets and that the reckoning can be biblical in its scope.” — Provided by publisher. Some violence and some strong language.

Downloaded: July 14, 2023

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Kate’s 2¢: “Any Bitter Thing: A Novel” by Monica Wood

“Any Bitter Thing: A Novel” by Monica Wood a

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares her thoughts about what she reads. Inho…

   I downloaded this book because it is read by my favorite narrator, Martha Harmon Pardee. She did an excellent job of reading this story and kept me listening almost without stopping until the end. I liked having the prayers of the traditional Catholic Breviary begin many chapters.

A few take-aways:

–The human craving is for story, not truth.  

–Memory embraces its errors, until what is and what is remembered become one.

–The velvety between place…That cushiony , neither here nor there, where my senses both blurred and sharpened

 From www.monicawood.com

Monica Wood is an author of several novels, including ANY BITTER THING, a national bestseller1. Her writing has appeared in O, The Oprah Magazine, the New York Times and many other publications1. She was born on August 16, 1953, in Mexico, ME2. She graduated from Georgetown University with a B.A. in 1975 and from the University of Southern Maine with an M.S. in 19812. She is married to Daniel Abbott, a teacher2. She lives in Portland, Maine  with their cat, Susie.

   Monica’s newest novel will appear in 2023 from Mariner Books. Her most recent novel, The One-in-a-Million Boy, has been translated into 20 languages in over 30 countries. She is also the author of When We Were the Kennedys, a New England bestseller, Oprah magazine summer-reading pick, and winner of the May Sarton Memoir Award and the Maine Literary Award. Her novel Any Bitter Thing was an ABA bestseller and Book Sense Top Ten pick. Her other fiction includes Ernie’s Ark, which has been excerpted on NPR’s “Selected Shorts” and selected by several towns and cities as their “One Book, One Community” read; My Only Story, a finalist for the Kate Chopin Award; and Secret Language, her first novel.

   Her widely anthologized short stories have won a Pushcart Prize and been featured on public radio. She also writes books for writers and teachers. Her nonfiction has appeared in Oprah, New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Parade, and many other publications.

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Any bitter thing: a novel DB62828

Wood, Monica. Reading time: 9 hours, 44 minutes.

Read by Martha Harmon Pardee.

Family

Psychological Fiction

Recovering from a near-fatal car accident, guidance counselor Lizzy Mitchell thinks she hears the voice of her uncle, Father Mike–her childhood guardian who died shortly after he was falsely accused of molesting Lizzy twenty-one years before. Lizzy investigates the charges while trying to save her marriage. Some strong language. 2005.

Downloaded: March 6, 2024

Download Any bitter thing: a novel

Kate’s 2¢: “Another Country” by James Baldwin

“Another Country” by James Baldwin a

NOTE: There is a plethora of in-depth biographies of authors and reviews of their books, that state the title, author, published date, and genre; as well as, describing what the book is about, setting, and character(s), so, Kate’s 2¢ merely shares her thoughts about what she reads. Inho…

   This book was published in 1962. I can imagine the up-roar it must have caused, as it exposes all of the social taboos of the time, except maybe one.

   I did not enjoy the story, although Earle Hyman did an excellent job of narrating the book with his authentic voice.

A few take-aways:

–He was controlled by laws he did not understand. Nor did he understand what force within this body had driven him to such a desolate place.

–A thin tired girl. Unwitting heiress of generations of bitterness.

–His recollections in no way freed him form the things recalled.

–The world is already bitter enough. We’ve got to try to understand.

–Most people have not lived.

He’d merely been taken in the outward adventure of life, in order to avoid the clash and attention of the adventure proceed within.

–Love was a country he know nothing about.Now they were all equal in misery, confusion, and dispare.

From the web:

   I gave up trying to find out more about this author. There were only books to purchase.

   The book jacket tells us he was born in NY and raised in Harlem. “Go Tell It On The Mountain”, Notes Of A Native Son”, and “Geovani’s Room””Nobody Knows My Name””The Fire Next Time” and three plays.

   Why wouldn’t the weg have more information about this prolific author?  

From NLS/BARD/LOC:

Another country DB16421

Baldwin, James. Reading time: 14 hours, 43 minutes.

Read by Earle Hyman.

Psychological Fiction

A talented black musician, his beautiful sister, and his white friend strike out against the conventions of sex, race, and society. Violence and explicit descriptions of sex.

Downloaded: March 6, 2024

Download Another country