Welcome to Litsy!

This is the February Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick, so I just started reading it

Read for book tour review last week. I love good historical fiction that gives me different perspectives & this one certainly did. About two strong young black women from different backgrounds in the 1950s & the difficult choices they were forced to make. I‘ve read multiple books on unplanned pregnancy in the era but none from a black perspective. Told from both points of view, one in first person & one in third, it had me engrossed. While a bit⬇️

I was unsure whether to try this or not, but I‘m glad I did. It follows 2 women from 1948 forward a few years as each strives to overcome racism and societal expectations. It‘s themes work well, reflecting our current era and our expectations/control of women by society. Plus, it has some absolutely fabulous lines.

An emotional look at the story of two very different Black women bound by a secret. Johnson does a beautiful job of fictionalizing her grandmother‘s origin story.

Ruby is trying desperately to better herself and escape her neighborhood, but a chance meeting with a Jewish boy may upend her plans. Eleanor is a student at Howard when she falls for a medical student from an upper class family. Despite their love, she has trouble entering his world.

“This is my first book by this author. I do own a copy of THE YELLOW WIFE and intend to read it when I get a break.
This book is like none I have ever read. It's about two young women, one in high school and one in college, who are both black and both fighting for what they want out of life. To rise above their stations in life. To make something out of their lives. To be proud black women.“

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/42uk6av7

This story is told from dual perspectives by two women in the 1950s. Ruby is in Philadelphia where she is working to be the first person in her family to graduate from college. Eleanor lives in Washington DC where she‘s training to be a library archivist. Both women fall in love before they finish their goals and are looking for redemption. This bittersweet tale intertwines race, social status, family, and love in one dramatic and riveting novel.

I started this while visiting Philly last week, and it was the perfect read while I was there! Started off slowly, but I quickly got sucked into the dual storyline. I ended up making a playlist of all the different songs referenced and even took a trip to the old Wanamaker‘s store (now Macy‘s) that was mentioned in the book. How could a Mannequin fan not do that? These things made the story come alive for me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I think I felt all the emotions possible reading this. Mostly anger. It's a powerful story that needs to be told and that the author tells so well.

@Catsandbooks here‘s the books so far.

https://aardvarkbookclub.com/your-first-aardvark-box/

4 bucks for first box 👀

This was somewhat predictable, yet interesting read touching on racism, colorism, how education is critical and choices are limited for those without a boost by generational wealth. (There‘s an interesting twist on generational wealth here.) Those Catholic homes for unwed mothers - no excuses - nuns knew better.

Today was nothing short of amazing as the Book Pearls jump started the year with their first author signing of 2023 @rvabookbar. @sadeqasays is a New York Times Bestseller and proud is an understatement. Yellow Wife tugged at our soul and left us grappling with a reality that the world wants to erase. The House of Eve has shown up at our doorstep and walked right up to the front door to say hello. Finally meeting a IG friend was more than amazing

@AardvarkBookClub February arrival ♥️

Weekend reading

Wow. Just a really well-researched and honest look into the realities of life for different classes of black Americans in the 1950's.

My Aardvark box arrived today. I used up my two extra credits from previous months and then cancelled. I might consider rejoining if they start giving the option to skip a month and not be charged, like Book of the Month.

This story about two young black women in early 1950's America is about ambition, love, racism, pregnancy, abortion and adoption and is a wonderful read. Johnson did a great job of creating women who had ambition beyond their families circumstances and how easy life can get in the way. She also captured the difficulties of being female at that time in history. I also loved her novel “Yellow Wife“ and look forward to more by this author. 4.5!

Ok so I filled both my #Aardvark and BOTM boxes this month. It's been a stressful few weeks and there are too many good options. Sue me 😂

Word on the street is that this will be an #Aardvark pick in the near future! Pub date is Feb 7, so if not in Feb than March 👏🏽

Well this looks good. Coming out in February