May was a really busy month but I did manage to squeeze in 15 books. I was traveling a lot this month so I got a lot of reading in on the various flights or during my time on the beach. Below are the books in order of ratings.
5 Star
How to Love A Jamaican by Alexia Arthurs
Read if:
– You are a Jamaican, know a Jamaican, been to Jamaica or know anyone from the Caribbean.
– You are looking for a great collection of short stories that perfectly captures the nuances of Jamaica and Jamaican.
– You are looking for a short but impactful read this summer.
4 Star
Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper
Read If:
– You are woke, but you want to be more woke.
– You have that good rage that keeps getting silenced.
– You are looking for a great commentary on what life is like for a Black Woman in America.
– You a budding black feminist.
Ayiti by Roxane Gay
Read if:
– You are a fan of Roxane Gay’s work but you’ve never read her debut novel.
– You are looking for a great collection of short stories that explores life as a Haitian in Haiti and in America.
– You want to be wowed.
You Think It, I’ll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld
Read if:
– You love a great collection of short stories
– You are looking for a great book to take to the beach
– You like short stories that packs a huge punch
The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya
Read if:
– You watched Hotel Rwanda and wanted to know more
– You are looking for a heavy but necessary read
– You want a memoir that will stick with you forever
Half of A Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Read if:
– You are a fan of Ms. Adichie
– You’ve read Americanah
– You love books that are told from various points of views
– You love books that are set in Africa
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
Read if:
– You love a great rags-to-riches story
– A story set in India with the thoroughly engaging narrator
– If you are up for a light but somewhat funny read.
3 Star
22 Jamaican Short Stories
Read if:
– You want breezy read on life in Jamaica in the 80s and 90s
– You are looking for a laugh
All The Beautiful Lies by Peter Swanson
Read if:
– You want thriller that will pull you in
– You are a fan of Peter Swanson’s work
– You enjoyed Girl on the Train
Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris
Read if:
– You are a fan of B.A. Paris
– You like unreliable narrators
– You like to be kept on your toes
The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea
Read if:
– You are looking for a heart-warming read
– You like a story about redemption and forgiveness
Kingston Noir edited by Colin Channer
Read if:
– You are a fan of the Noir series
– You are a fan of Kwame Dawes and Marlon James
– You are looking for a solid commentary of life in Jamaica
Arrow of God by Chinua Achebe
Read if:
– You want to complete the African Trilogy
– You’ve read “Things Fall Apart”
2 Star
How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
Read if:
– You are looking for a predictable read, one that you can totally see coming from the first chapter
– You are looking for a super light, fluffy beach read
– You are looking for romance
I have to say my favorite from this lot was “How To Love a Jamaican” this book ticked so many boxes for me. Look out for the upcoming post where I gush all about it.
