“Theo Of Golden” By Allen Levi

By: Saint Twenty
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An old man named Theo shows up in Golden, unwilling to give his surname or purpose for relocating to the South from New York City. Searching for a good cup of joe, he stumbles upon The Chalice. A coffee shop that adorns its walls with portraits of their guests, done by local artist Asher Glissen. An admirer of the craft, Theo decides to track down the muses and bestow their pictures. Having meaningful heart to hearts with those who show up. His benevolent behavior and life altering conversations creates a ragtag family for him. Theo’s identity remained enshrouded in mystery to the residents and readers alike, until a traumatic event unspools it all.

Complaining about the religious undertones of the novel is idiotic, you clearly missed the point of the story and it shows. At first I was irritated, suspicious even, of Theo’s good guy act. Upon self reflection I realized my reaction had everything to do with my worldview, not his actions. It said everything about my distrust of others based on personal experiences. Removing my trauma from the narrative I shifted my perspective, growing attached to him. If more people behaved as such I wouldn’t’ve been rubbed the wrong way, initially.

At 86 Theo knows he doesn’t have much time left. He’s focused on what matters before exiting this earthly plane. Sage and wealthy, he knows money doesn’t amount to much in the end. The soul is all it comes down to. That’s the meaning of the religious theme. More people need to understand this and act accordingly. There is an afterlife and the material world disintegrates, down to the body, rendering it worthless. Love, time, gratitude, how we make each other feel, are all that matters when it’s said and done. The reader sees how Theo got to this epiphany at the end of the book. High key I cried then wept during the final chapters (the court case, the violent incident, true love- being blessed to feel its power). For that I will not forgive Allen Levi. The elites who don’t understand what awaits them upon dying, and those who claim beliefs their actions don’t align with, need to read this more than anyone. A reminder of the importance of spiritual alignment, it was an honor. Via: Simon & Schuster

“Yellow Wife” By Sadeqa Johnson

By: Saint Twenty
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Pheby Dolores Brown is the daughter of Master Jacob and his slave, Ruth. Unable to produce an heir, Master Jacob’s wife Miss Delphina takes her anger out on Pheby. Who receives special treatment for being kin. Her late aunt Sally taught her to how read, write, and play piano amongst other things. Credentials that serve her well when she’s sold for helping her lover Essex Henry, escape the plantation. Delphina, forbidden from whipping her, has her taken while Master Jacob is delayed due to an injury on his return home. Specifically instructing she becomes a fancy girl. In response Pheby curses Delphina before boarding the wagon. Use to privileges deemed illegal for other slaves, Pheby remains hopeful that her father will track her down immediately. Keeping his promise to set her free on her 18th birthday and paying for schooling in Massachusetts. Master Jacob never comes.

In a twist of fate Pheby finds herself the yellow wife to jailer Rubin Lapier, who removed her from the auction block upon her refusal to strip naked publicly. Deciding to keep her for himself based on beauty and pedigree. Discovering she’s with child, Pheby finds herself at his mercy, knowing she must protect her baby at all costs.

Based on the true story of Mary Lumpkin, this book deals with themes of: motherhood, colorism, slavery, love, violence, betrayal, gender, loyalty and survival. The protagonist can no longer afford the luxury of planning to escape North, re-prioritizing once her child is born. Proud of her black roots, she fights to maintain her integrity as she helps run a jail that dehumanizes her people. Leaving the reader to grapple with the morality of the time period, what you would and wouldn’t be willing to do for a taste of freedom, for the safety of your kids. An amazing historical fiction. I devoured it. Definitely reading more Sadeqa Johnson books.

*Spoiler Alert*

Did the means meet the ends in the end when Pheby inherits everything? Or was Brenda right to say she was selfish and spit in her? Via: Simon & Schuster

“Lost Souls Meet Under A Full Moon”

By: Saint Twenty
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A living person who is lucky enough to contact a go between can request to see someone who has passed away. The dead person must accept for the meeting to go through. The living can only meet with one dead person and the dead can only meet with one living person, that’s it, both parties must choose carefully. The get together will occur on the full moon. The go between will make the arrangements, give time and place, waiting downstairs until it’s over.

Bittersweet and beautiful, Mizuki Tsujimura lets the reader glimpse into the lives of various characters seeking the deceased. Everyone has a different reason and not all meetings give closure. The author uses magic realism to explore themes of love, loss, mortality, betrayal and faith. Any questions regarding the intermediary are answered in the books final chapter. A magnificent read. Who would you meet when you’re alive and dead? Via: Simon & Schuster

“The Reformatory” By Tananarive Due

By: Saint Twenty
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Smack dab in the Jim Crow South, Robert Stephens Jr. overcome by emotion, kicks a white boy in the knee. Defending his sister from Lyle McCormacks advances. Noting how unfair it is for white men to fornicate with black women, while black men were murdered for being perceived to covet white women. Unfortunately for Robert Jr., father Red McCormack witnessed his insolence towards the star athlete. A staunch bigot, from a line of slave owners, he boxes the 12 year olds ear and has him arrested.

Robert Jr. is sentenced to 6 months at the towns Reformatory for juvenile boys. Doesn’t matter that Lyle pushed him first, that the advances towards his sister Gloria were unwanted, or that they were parentless children. Their mother died of cancer. Their father Robert Stephens Sr. fled Florida, after being wrongfully accused of raping a white woman and attempting to unionize black workers. His junior is to be an example of, used as bait to lure his father back. Burning their house wasn’t enough, the klan wants him lynched. Despite knowing for a fact the accuser is lying.

Robert Jr.’s biggest fear heading to The Reformatory are the rumors of haints. And boys never returning home. Will the ghost drive him crazy too?

This book isn’t scary, but this little boy goes through it. Robert Jr. is put in conundrum after conundrum, in rapid succession upon entering the prison/school. I mean, he can’t catch a break from the living or the dead. Dark, dark secrets to do with the headmaster, who takes a special interest in him, start to unravel. Leaving his chances of survival slim to none as he plays chess with his life. Unforgettable plot twists, this book deals with the supernatural, race, gender, injustice, abuse and morality. Will Robert Jr. make it out alive? An anxiety inducing page turner. Via: Simon & Schuster

“The Lion Women Of Tehran”

By: Saint Twenty
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After literal MONTHS on Libby’s waitlist, I finally had the pleasure of reading “The Lion Women of Tehran.” It follows the story of Elaheh Soltani & Homa Roozbeh through decades of friendship, from the 50’s through the 80’s. The temporary riches to rags misfortune of the former, led to a friendship with the latter. Although they’re from opposite ends of the class hierarchy, they forge an unbreakable sisterhood. Giving us a glimpse of life before, during, and after the Iranian Revolution. Where Ayatollah Khomeini strips women of their rights based on distortions of the Quran, which come from the Devil. He created misogyny, those who participate in it go where they belong, to hell. There aren’t forty virgins waiting for you in heaven, from my Goddess lips to your ears. You burn in eternal flames, the same as your misguided, vitriolic predecessors. And if the current Ayatollah doesn’t pay what he owes, when a woman, me, saved their bank and prevented world war 3, he’s going to be in trouble deep. I’m gonna learn you, trust (read The Iranian War Was A Set Up). The lord giveth and the lord taketh away. I will fade you. Don’t play with me.

Dealing with classism, religion, feminism, betrayal and politics, this book is a compelling must read. A stark reminder that women’s liberation is worth fighting for. A life without freedom isn’t one of quality. Divines give everyone freewill, even Satan, the father of oppression. Who are you to take basic human rights away? Restrict female bodies?

This novel totally changed my perspective on Tali Farhadian Weinstein: what her mother must’ve endured to get her out to Tehran for a better life, what her life would’ve been if she hadn’t escaped, and what propels her to make a difference in this world (read The Jewish Divines Are A Disgrace). If Homa can forgive Elaheh, I can forgive Nike. I do. Reading is fundamental for this reason, allowing compassion, respect and understanding regarding our differences, cultural and otherwise through perspective shifts. Think for yourself, read more books. Via: Simon & Schuster