The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty is an entertaining read. The style in which the book is written is evident that this book was written to be seen. It’s been a minute since I’ve seen the movie, so I plan to rewatch it to see how it aligns with the source material. As far as feelings go, the book was good. I did not keep me up at night, but it did set off my synapses. There’s a lot of conversation in the book about exorcisms and mental health. I am not well-versed in psychology, psychiatry and it’s verbiage, so I would be remiss if I didn’t suggest that you have a dictionary on hand when you read this novel.

What I enjoyed most about this book is that an exorcism wasn’t the first thing to be thrown out as a solution. The characters literally waited until sis (Regan) was on her deathbed. Talk about tired!

Reading this on the heels of watching Lee Daniels’ The Deliverance was interesting.

I now see why The Exorcist is essentially the blueprint for most, if not all, media forms centered around exorcism or religious horror (Catholic and Christian specific).

I learned a lot.

If you ever do consider reading the book, I recommend that you hybrid read it. Hybrid read with an ebook or physical book and the audiobook. Not just any old version of the audiobook, get the audibook that the author narrates. Excellent performance!

Sidenote: If I had to complain about anything, it would be the detective/police (whatever). Kinderman was mad annoying, but at the end of the day, the man does a thorough job with his investigations.

Gamerville by Johnnie Christmas

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adventurous emotional funny reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

After thoroughly enjoying Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas, I absolutely had to read Gamerville. I knew it was meant to be when I was reminded of its release during some reading/productivity sprints I hosted. My good friend, Keyuiana said she had picked it up for her son, so I followed suit and immediately borrowed Gamerville from local library.

Gamerville is a story that illustrates the importance of balance and embracing change. I personally have experienced a big shift in my family dynamics. Having two boys who’d rather be in front of a screen for hours on end is very relatable. I was just as concerned about Max Lightning’s screen time as his parents were (laughs).

What’s most interesting about this graphic novel is that you visually see the character development and subtle changes that occur over time. Pay close attention to the eyes. The expressions and overall appearance of characters was palpable. This is an element of artistry that I’m always on the lookout for when reading a graphic novel and as expected, Johnnie Christmas nailed it.

I don’t want to spoil the story, but I will say, this is the perfect book to read with your children to spur conversation about screen time, the importance of self-care as a chronic electronic device user, the need to log off, honoring traditions while embracing change, and so much more. You know I’m good for a list, so I will stop myself there. Go ahead and read this book!

Note: I didn’t rate this 5 stars simply because I don’t see myself rereading it and that all boils down to me not really being a gamer. If I were a gamer, I’m sure it would be a 5.

:-)

Cheers!

Single Black Female by Tracy Brown

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dark emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Single Black Female is a fast and enjoyable read. It reminded me of Waiting to Exhale with overtones of elements synonymous with urban fiction. Expect the following:

* Racial Disparity
* Interracial Relationships
* Impact of Incarceration on the imprisoned, their families, friends
* Love after ending a long-term relationship
* Self-awareness and living in one's truth
* Negative impact of gentrification
* Female Friendships
* Good Parenting vs Bad Neighborhoods vs Good Neighborhoods

This is the first book I've read by Tracy Brown and I plan to read more from her backlist. :-)

I may write up a more detailed review and possibly record a podcast episode for this book, as I think that although the themes and subjects aren't new and have been talked about before, it does not mean we shouldn't still discuss them. Why? Because they are still existing issues and they MUST be talked about.

The Manifestor Prophecy by Angie Thomas

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emotional funny informative mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is the easiest five stars I’ve given in a while!

I loved this middle-grade story. It would be a great addition to any classroom curriculum focusing on African American Heroes and folklore.

I wanted to know more, so I picked up The People Could Fly: The Picture Book (I’m pretty sure I’ve read the picture book before) and am looking into the people and stories mentioned.

This is my first book by Angie Thomas and won’t be my last. Her ability to embed these folktales/folklores into a fantasy story full of action, history, friendship, family, folklore, and foes impressed me!

If you can’t tell, I’m excited about the release of the next book in this series. Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Book of Anansi can’t come soon enough! There’s a spot on my shelf eagerly waiting to be filled!

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reading_beyond_the_book_cover's reviews 527 reviews

reading_beyond_the_book_cover's reviews
527 reviews