BOOK BINGO 2025

 I'm trying to read some diverse literature. and in an attempt to help me toward that goal I am doing BINGO to help keep my reading pattern from getting redundant. It will also help towards my goal of reading 25 books this year. (I know that 25 books isn't much to most bookies, but I have been so busy with work that I can barely find time to read, but things are beginning to look up.)

REVIEW: Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray

 

Synopsis

The extraordinary story of Jessie Redmon Fauset whose exhilarating world of friends, rivals, and passions all combined to create the magic that was the Harlem Renaissance, written by Victoria Christopher Murray, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Personal Librarian.
 
In 1919, as civil and social unrest grips the country, there is a little corner of America, a place called Harlem where something special is stirring. Here, the New Negro is rising and Black pride is evident everywhere…in music, theatre, fashion and the arts. And there on stage in the center of this renaissance is Jessie Redmon Fauset, the new literary editor of the preeminent Negro magazine The Crisis.
 
W.E.B. Du Bois, the founder and editor of The Crisis, has charged her with discovering young writers whose words will change the world. Jessie attacks the challenge with fervor, quickly finding sixteen-year-old Countee Cullen, seventeen-year-old Langston Hughes, and Nella Larsen, who becomes one of her best friends. Under Jessie’s leadership, The Crisis thrives, the writers become notable and magazine subscriptions soar. Every Negro writer in the country wants their work published in the magazine now known for its groundbreaking poetry and short stories. 
 
Jessie’s rising star is shining bright….but her relationship with W.E.B. could jeopardize all that she’s built. The man, considered by most to be the leader of Black America, is not only Jessie’s boss, he’s her lover. And neither his wife, nor their fourteen-year-age difference can keep the two apart. Their torrid and tumultuous affair is complicated by a secret desire that Jessie harbors — to someday, herself, become the editor of the magazine, a position that only W.E.B. Du Bois has held.
 
In the face of overwhelming sexism and racism, Jessie must balance her drive with her desires. However, as she strives to preserve her legacy, she’ll discover the high cost of her unparalleled success.

Format 400 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 4, 2025 by Berkley

ISBN 9780593638484 (ISBN10: 0593638484)

About the Author

Victoria Christopher Murray is the author of nine Essence bestselling novels, including The Ex Files; Too Little, Too Late; and Lady Jasmine. Winner of the African American Literary Award for Fiction and Author of the Year (Female).

She has received numerous awards including the Golden Pen Award for Best Inspirational Fiction and the Phyllis Wheatley Trailblazer Award for being a pioneer in African American Fiction. Since 2007, Victoria has won nine African American Literary Awards for best novel, best Christian fiction and Author of the Year — Female. After four nominations, Victoria finally won an NAACP Image Award in Outstanding Literary Work for her social commentary novel, Stand Your Ground.

Victoria splits her time between Los Angeles and Washington DC. 

Learn more about the author on their website

Setting / Location

This book is set in Harlem in the 1920s amid the Harlem Renaissance.

James Van Der Zee, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

My Thoughts

I thrust open the taxicab's door, and the moment my t-strap heels hit the pavement, a cacophony of city sounds welcomes me.

Jessie Redmon Fauset, photographer unknown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

W.E.B. DuBois, photographer Battey, C. M. (Cornelius Marion), 1873-1927, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Victoria Christopher Murray's Harlem Rhapsody is a compelling and emotionally charged novel that beautifully weaves together history, passion, and social activism. Set in the heart of Harlem, the book takes readers on a journey through the lives of two remarkable figures, W.E.B. DuBois and Jessie Redmon Fauset, whose real-life contributions to African-American history are celebrated in the pages of this inspiring novel.

While the novel primarily follows the story of Fauset's contributions to the African-American movement in the arts, W.E.B. DuBois is also a central figure. Murray does a wonderful job of delving into their personal struggles and triumphs. W.E.B. DuBois, known for his groundbreaking work as an intellectual and civil rights leader, is portrayed with a deep respect for his complex, and at times contradictory, character and his profound impact on African-American thought and our impressions of the African-American community. Fauset, though lesser-known, is equally significant in her role as a passionate advocate for the community and their expression through the arts. Murray’s exploration of both Fauset's personal and professional life adds depth to the story, highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of women in history.

The author’s rich prose is filled with historical detail, yet accessible enough for readers who may not be familiar with the time period or the individuals themselves (like me!). Murray masterfully captures the spirit of Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance, infusing the novel with the cultural vibrancy of the era, and introducing other historical characters like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Countee Cullen who entered the human consciousness during the Harlem Renaissance.

"Something is happening here, Jessie. It's happened on the stage, it's happened in music, and now, this movement has come to literature. We're telling our stories in every form of the arts."

One of the book's greatest strengths is its ability to highlight the emotional complexities of both DuBois and Fauset’s lives. Their internal struggles, their relationships, and their drive to shape a better future for African-Americans resonates deeply. Their personal stories are presented as a powerful reflection of the larger societal battles they were part of.

Five words: intriguing, inspiring, measured, historical, fascinating

PreOrder Now (expected release February 4, 2025):

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My final word: Harlem Rhapsody is a celebration of resilience, passion, and the unyielding fight for equality. Murray’s portrayal of these real-life characters offers a heartfelt tribute to their legacies. Whether you’re a historical fiction enthusiast, a lover of richly drawn characters, or simply someone who enjoys a well-crafted, thought-provoking novel, Harlem Rhapsody is a must-read that will linger and encourage you to learn more about the subjects even after you've closed the book.

My Rating:

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The Cerebral Girl is a middle-aged blogger just digging her way out from under a mountain of books in the deep south of Florida.

Disclosure:

I received a copy of this book to review through BookBrowse, in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not financially compensated in any way, and the opinions expressed are my own and based on my observations while reading this novel. The book that I received was an uncorrected proof, and quotes could differ from the final release.

REVIEW: The Story Collector by Evie Woods

 

Synopsis

In a quiet village in Ireland, a mysterious local myth is about to change everything…

One hundred years ago, Anna, a young farm girl, volunteers to help an intriguing American visitor translate fairy stories from Irish to English. But all is not as it seems and Anna soon finds herself at the heart of a mystery that threatens her very way of life.

In New York in the present day, Sarah Harper boards a plane bound for the West Coast of Ireland. But once there, she finds she has unearthed dark secrets – secrets that tread the line between the everyday and the otherworldly, the seen and the unseen.

With a taste for the magical in everyday life, Evie Woods's latest novel is full of ordinary characters with extraordinary tales to tell.

Format 358 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 18, 2024 by One More Chapter
ISBN 9780008706661 (ISBN10: 0008706662)

About the Author

Evie Woods is the author of The Lost Bookshop, the #1 Wall Street Journal and Amazon Kindle and Sunday Times bestseller, which has now sold over half a million copies. She is also the author of The Story Collector, The Heirloom and The Mysterious Bakery on Rue De Paris under her real name, Evie Gaughan.

Living on the West Coast of Ireland, Evie escapes the inclement weather by writing her stories in a converted attic, where she dreams of underfloor heating. Her books tread the intriguing line between the everyday and the otherworldly, revealing the magic that exists in our ordinary lives.

Learn more about the author

Setting / Location

The majority of this story takes place in County Clare in western Ireland.

Minor road from Ogonnelloe to Carrowcore, Co. Clare by P L Chadwick,
CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

On her way to her sister's while nursing a broken heart, Sarah makes the abrupt decision to fly to Ireland after reading a news article. While there she finds an old diary and experiences a love story from a century before.

My Thoughts

Where Thornwood House now stands was once ancient woodland.

The Story Collector by Evie Woods is an enchanting tale that intertwines history, mystery, and romance into a captivating read. Woods' storytelling prowess shines through as she skillfully brings to life a world rich with characters and immersive settings. The dual protagonists' journeys of discovery keep readers engaged and eager to turn the pages.

Sarah embarks on an unexpected journey to a small village in western Ireland after reading a story of a magical fairy tree (and imbibing a bit too much before her flight). After finding herself in a strange town without available shelter, a kind hotel manager finds her lodging in a nearby cottage rented by a local family. She decides to embrace her circumstances and work on healing her broken heart and "finding" herself and then discovers the diary of an old cottage tenant from a century before and the mystery surrounding her.

Oran is the cottage owner, and a single father and widower who is nursing his own broken heart while fumbling to raise a teenage girl. 

"Was he trying to keep the painful memories in or keep happiness out?"

Woods weaves an evocative story rife with descriptive passages that beautifully paint the backdrop of the quaint town, of two people in one timeline navigating pain and grief, and two people in another time navigating life and new love. The blend of historical and contemporary elements adds depth and intrigue, making the narrative both educational and entertaining. The development of relationships, particularly the romantic subplot, is heartfelt and adds an emotional layer to the story.

"Our wills and fate do so contrary run." (Shakespeare)

However, while the book is undoubtedly charming, it occasionally leans on familiar tropes that may feel predictable to seasoned readers. Some plot twists are more foreseeable than surprising, which can diminish the impact of certain revelations. Additionally, the pacing in some parts may feel slow, which might test the patience of readers looking for a more briskly-paced adventure.

My final word: The Story Collector is a delightful read that captures the magic of storytelling with a blend of history, mystery, and romance. Despite some predictable elements, Woods' engaging prose and well-crafted characters make this novel a worthwhile addition to any bookshelf.

REVIEW: The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

 

Synopsis

Christina Lauren, returns with a delicious new romance between the buttoned-up heir of a grocery chain and his free-spirited artist ex as they fake their relationship in order to receive a massive inheritance.A

Anna Green thought she was marrying Liam “West” Weston for access to subsidized family housing while at UCLA. She also thought she’d signed divorce papers when the graduation caps were tossed, and they both went on their merry ways.

Three years later, Anna is a starving artist living paycheck to paycheck while West is a Stanford professor. He may be one of four heirs to the Weston Foods conglomerate, but he has little interest in working for the heartless corporation his family built from the ground up. He is interested, however, in his one-hundred-million-dollar inheritance. There’s just one catch.

Due to an antiquated clause in his grandfather’s will, Liam won’t see a penny until he’s been happily married for five years. Just when Liam thinks he’s in the home stretch, pressure mounts from his family to see this mysterious spouse, and he has no choice but to turn to the one person he’s afraid to introduce to his one-percenter parents—his unpolished, not-so-ex-wife.

But in the presence of his family, Liam’s fears quickly shift from whether the feisty, foul-mouthed, paint-splattered Anna can play the part to whether the toxic world of wealth will corrupt someone as pure of heart as his surprisingly grounded and loyal wife. Liam will have to ask himself if the price tag on his flimsy cover story is worth losing true love that sprouted from a lie.

Format 352 pages, Hardcover
Published May 14, 2024 by Gallery Books
ISBN 9781668017722 (ISBN10: 1668017725)

About the Authors

Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners and best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The #1 international bestselling coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced twenty New York Times bestselling novels. They are published in over 30 languages, have received multiple starred reviews, won both the Seal of Excellence and Book of the Year from RT Magazine, been inducted into the Library Reads Hall of Fame, named Amazon and Audible Romance of the Year, a Lambda Literary Award finalist and been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. They have been featured in publications such as Forbes, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Time, Entertainment Weekly, People, Today, O Magazine and more. Their third YA novel, Autoboyography was released in 2017 to critical acclaim, followed by Roomies, Love and Other Words, Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, The Unhoneymooners, In a Holidaze, and The Soulmate Equation, Something Wilder, The True Love Experiment and The Paradise Problem.

Lauren Billings (but everyone calls her Lo) received her doctorate in neuroscience from UC Irvine, and before she started living the dream as a full-time writer, spent her days researching neurodegeneration in aging. She lives in California with two cuddly dogs, two less-cuddly teenagers, and one mountain biking, homebrewing scientist husband.

Christina Hobbs (but you’ll always hear Lo call her PQ) used to spend her days in a junior high counseling office surrounded by teenagers. These days you can find her at her desk, writing, or watching BTS videos. She lives in Utah with her husband and daughter, thinks she’s the luckiest person in the world to write books with her best friend, and is an unapologetic lover of boy bands and glitter.

Visit their Website https://christinalaurenbooks.com/

Follow them on X (Twitter) @ChristinaLauren

Check out their Instagram @ChristinaLauren

Setting / Location

Most of this story takes place on an isolated resort tropical island.

Created by Meta AI

Two college kids had a fake marriage of convenience, and several years later the ex-husband shows back up needing his ex-wife to fill in once again as his "wife" in order to help him inherit a large family inheritance. But then romance and sexual attraction set in, and they find something more growing between them.

My Thoughts

The day my husband moves out of our apartment is also the day Resident Evil Village releases for PlayStation, and you might be surprised which of these things lands with a greater emotional impact.

Christina Lauren, the bestselling author duo behind such books as The Unhoneymooners and Love and Other Words, has done it again with The Paradise Problem. This novel of two damaged souls who find themselves faking it 'til they make it weaves together biting wit, charm, and heart, creating a captivating story that is hard to put down.

The book follows the (initially) tactless, uncouth, unpretentious and unemployed Anna Green and Liam "West" Weston (Anna's reserved and composed "ex"-husband with daddy issues) as they navigate a fake marriage on a luxurious island in an attempt to secure an inheritance. What begins as a practical and mutually beneficial arrangement soon blossoms into something unexpected and beautiful amid the bickering and biting of West's family. The characters are well-developed, with Anna's quirky and creative spirit balancing perfectly with Liam's introspective and family-oriented nature.

Christina Lauren shines in this novel with sharp dialogue, humorous situations, and heartfelt moments. The tropical island setting adds an extra layer of allure, making it a perfect escape for readers.

Five words: sexy, witty, tense, delightful, contentious

Buy Now:

See purchase options on their website.

My final word: The Paradise Problem is a delightful mix of romance, humor, family complexities, and spice, and a story that can be surprising in its emotional depth. If you're looking for a feel-good romance with relatable characters and a touch of escapism, this book is a must-read.

Warnings:

Sexual situations, vulgarity, bawdy humor

Rating

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The Cerebral Girl is a middle-aged blogger just digging her way out from under a mountain of books in the deep south of Florida.

This book was the August 2024 selection for The Booksta Book Club.