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I was expecting an historical fiction about the formation of Liberia and found myself in a Fantasy super hero tale. Gbessa, our MC, is a wonderful character whose life unfolds in unexpected ways. The other characters were not as well formed but I liked the idea of them. Good first outing for this author. #sjp #bookclubcentral #liberia #readingaroundtheworld

This was an odd read, but I really enjoyed it. I‘m not usually one for anything focused on modern history, but by blending African-American history with mystical tales of witches and curses, Moore managed to have me hooked from the start. The only thing that I think may have added to the book is more detail on each of the characters - I found I just didn‘t develop any strong attachments to these characters. Overall though, a pretty great read ðŸ‘�ðŸ�¼

“If she was not a girl or if she was not a woman... She would be kingâ€�. - Wayétu Moore, ‘She Would Be King‘

Of all the lines in this wonderful book, this resonated with me the most. ��?

Keen to make a start on this baby and what better way to do that than with a coffee in hand? Yay for Saturday mornings 📖☕�

This book is a retelling of the creation of the nation of Liberia and is the most recent book I‘ve read that is set in #Africa. I listened to the audiobook, which is read by the author. I really liked her reading style. #LetsTravelJuly

I didn't know "She Would be King" was historical fiction about Liberia when I first started reading, and ended up being pleasantly surprised. I loved Norman Aragon, June Dey, and especially Gbessa. I wanted them to win; to get through all hurdles that came their way. This is a book I'd come back to.

I wanted to read this because I thought the title was dope... I didn't know what I was about to get into, and it's been a pleasant surprise. When I have time to read, I have a hard time putting it down.
#SheWouldBeKing #HappyFriday #books

I enjoyed this book, which was recommended for me by @bookriot through their Tailored Book Recommendations (TBR) program. I listened to it and that made me a little confused at times about what was going on, but overall I enjoyed it. There's magical realism in this story, which is something I don't usually read. What I liked best were the strong women characters. I also liked hearing the author read her own work.

"They told us we had no history but darkness, so they kept the books away for fear we might understand the truth better, and thus find those lost selves"

I had a tough time getting into this book in the beginning, but really starting enjoying it about a third of the way through. I loved learning the history of the founding of Liberia. For once, I actually feel like this story would be stronger portrayed on screen than as a novel.

My current audiobook. I‘m just starting to get a good idea of what‘s happening but I like it. The author does the narration and she is great.

I'm glad I got to read this book. Despite a difficult beginning (quite fuzzy), I was able to really enter into the story. It reads well, I liked the use of magical realism which here looks more like tales & legends. It was a very interesting book to read, I just wished it had been more detailed so the characters would have been more developed. It's between so-so and pick...

💛💛💛 So glad I ended up buying the audiobook instead of going with the physical book from the library, thus I could binge listen. So good. So, so good. Probably my favorite book so far this year. #audiobook

This book is intense already 😧

Editor-in-Chief Katie Rainey is reading Wayetu Moore‘s She Would Be King with her 9th graders this year â�¤ï¸�
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#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #amwriting #amreading #writerslife #writingcommunity #writersofinstagram #readingseries

I‘m a but disappointed with myself for not paying more attention during the first half of the book. I thought these were short stories at first, then when I realized they weren‘t I also realized that I should have figured that out earlier 🤦â€�♀ï¸� Great book though!

6/10 Struggled to keep track of the characters and story line. Stopped a 1/3 way in, may try to read again at a later date

I read this book like I used to savor candy bars when I was a little girl: enjoying the book in small chunks to extend the experience and savor the magic of it.
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This is beautifully written story.

Actual perfection. Three blessed (or cursed) souls fight for versions of freedom, intermingling with one another and the history of the founding of Liberia. So, so good. Magical realism at its finest, paying tribute to African folklore and with lyrical prose. All the stars. All of them. #readingblackout #onceyougoblackout

Next up! #readingblackout #onceyougoblackout

I loved this book. Loved the way the three different narratives converged and separated. Loved the way Moore explored the different aspects of the world from colonialism, racism, colorism, classism, superstition and religion. Her writing was haunting and unsettling yet stark. I couldn‘t put it down.

Started this today and so far I‘m really enjoying it. She has done a really great job with world building and I am here for all of it. I‘m halfway through my TBR pile and so far this month I have not been disappointed. #readBlackwomen

I wanted to love this book so much, but it didn't meet up to my expectations. I give it a "so-so" rating because the 1st half was excellent and made me go through so many emotions but the second half, *le sigh*, it fell flat. There was so much build up in the 1st half but that momentum was unfortunately lost as the story continued. I recommend to read only because the first part was so good and unique and who knows, maybe you can look past rest.

#currentlyreading #africa #liberia

Incredible book. Just finished for #24in48

I really enjoyed everything about this book, but I was slow reading it and often found myself distracted and having to reread passages. I can‘t figure out why. Possibly because it‘s written in the style of a long-form folktale and I‘m simply used to this style in short story format. Regardless, I still think this is a book worth picking up.

Here's a #staffpick from Basement bookseller Andrew: "I love books that feel like a folktale, that are familiar without being stale. Wayétu Moore‘s debut She Would Be King feels like a favorite story I haven't heard since childhood. Magical realism at its best, refracting the founding of Liberia in a prism so that, through the other side, we may see our modern world all the more clearly. Equal parts funny, sweet, romantic, brutal, and wondrous." ✨

“Kindred souls will always collide.�

This is a beautifully written book. I‘m about halfway done.

She would be Queen ijs!!! Yes! I‘ve waited for this book and now I have it! Happy Reading to me📗🥰

I found the story very uneven and some characters added solely for interest and not for the story. The first part was stronger with some good character-development, but the second part failed to use those characters to their potential. While centered around an interesting part of history, the book overall was bland. 2.5�� #indiebuddyreads

An interesting snippet of history focused on the beginning of Liberia told with touches of magical realism.

#weekendplans let‘s see how much reading the kiddos let me get in!

Sigh. I really thought I would love this one. There are some brilliant elements and the story is a fascinating one, however it just never quite comes together convincingly. The pacing is very strange as well. At times, it feels so rushed that the characters aren‘t developed and at others, it feels weighted and plodding. It‘s not terrible by any means, but it isn‘t great either.

#indiebuddyreads

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This a tough review to write because my feelings on this book are so mixed. On one hand I learned a terrific amount about the foundation story of Liberia. But it is certainly a novel of two parts, the first section I enjoyed much more than the second.
The magical realism had a tendency to drift into a super-hero caper in parts. A solid if not entirely successful debut.

Bring on more stories from Liberia !

I'm an engineer, so magical realism doesn't always work for me. I like Real. And I like Obvious Magic. Magical elements that make me question accepted reality - not so much. But, I LOVED THIS BOOK. it's based on the founding of Liberia. The desire for freedom by the 3 main characters is also the beginning of the nation's formation. But, like most people grounded in reality I now want to know the "real" story of Liberia.

I love to read by the Christmas tree in the morning before getting ready for work. Only 50 pages left in this book, but I don't think I have enough time to finish it this morning.

Iced coffee sounded good with breakfast today even though it is only 15F outside.

Snow storm on the way? Bring it on. I've got a book and a blanket and no reason to leave the house.

In my happy place...

What you can't see is The Christmas Chronicles playing on Netflix above the fireplace. It's the most wonderful time of year!

Planning to shop small tomorrow at our local downtown. There are a couple of lovely bookstores I plan to go to.

Working my way through my recent purchases. Picked this for my next read because I can't handle the chunkster or another political nonfiction read.

Really interesting story. Heavy but important history.

A reimagining of the founding of Liberia, with fantastical elements woven into the story. Hard to describe but a compelling read.

A good book is the best of friends, the same today and for ever.

I picked this up and now I can‘t stop reading it.

Library book haul!

Sampling a sheng puerh from crimsonlotustea.com with my new read. #ReadWomen #tea

Library #bookhaul this morning! Recommendations for what I should read first?

New #indiespensable book haul! ��