Of sisterhood’s and friendships. Of love relationships and betrayals. Damilare is a gifted story teller whose writing kept me engaged all through.
I dOf sisterhood’s and friendships. Of love relationships and betrayals. Damilare is a gifted story teller whose writing kept me engaged all through.
I didn’t mind the third person narration for Temi and also didn’t mind the different POV’s because the story being told and how it was being told was engaging enough. ...more
Although I usually avoid non-fiction and anything that might affect my mental health, I made an exception for “The President Ghana Never Got” by ManasAlthough I usually avoid non-fiction and anything that might affect my mental health, I made an exception for “The President Ghana Never Got” by Manasseh Azure. My father insisted, and since I had previously ignored a book he bought me in 2019 (“The Fourth John” by the same author), I decided to give this one a try. Manasseh's storytelling is exceptional—so much so that even when I felt enraged and heartbroken, I couldn’t stop reading. His language is colorful, witty, and peppered with humor and proverbs. Manasseh proves that it's possible to discuss serious national issues in a way that's accessible to everyone, using plain language without losing depth or meaning.
Before reading the book, I was already disillusioned with the state of our nation, but now I feel utterly hopeless. Our current batch of leaders are not just corrupt; they are masters of gaslighting, masking their wrongdoings in legal jargon and intellectualism, all while the consequences of their actions worsen our situation. The political landscape in Ghana is such that it feels futile to hope for better from anyone, even so-called “independent” candidates. Politics and the presidency have become big business ventures, leaving me deeply saddened.
The book also addressed a question that had puzzled me for over four years—why does it seem that the media, which was highly critical, sometimes even to the point of rudeness during the Mahama regime, is now so quiet? This book provided the answer.
It also offers a revealing look into the nature of politics in Ghana.
Though there were a few typos, I would highly recommend this book, especially if you live and work in Ghana....more
I am yet to come across a Kate Quinn book I didn't enjoy. This came close but the sentiment changed. Probably because the structure was different fromI am yet to come across a Kate Quinn book I didn't enjoy. This came close but the sentiment changed. Probably because the structure was different from her previous books I've read so it took some getting used to.
At the end I felt full. Completely satisfied. Loved it....more
Loved the story. The style of writing, not so much but the story was great.
Of course if I have the means, going off to another country, change my namLoved the story. The style of writing, not so much but the story was great.
Of course if I have the means, going off to another country, change my name and just see what life brings…… I’ll do it without batting an eye! I so need a sabbatical from my current life. ...more
Very well written. Characters well developed. Felt like I was watching a movie. The conflicts, resolution and history at the end! Completely worth theVery well written. Characters well developed. Felt like I was watching a movie. The conflicts, resolution and history at the end! Completely worth the time. ...more
Very touching. I bawled my eyes out when Marge was in jail and it seemed like there was no hope. And when it seemed Alice and Fred were not going to bVery touching. I bawled my eyes out when Marge was in jail and it seemed like there was no hope. And when it seemed Alice and Fred were not going to be together! Ahhhh. A beautiful book of women banding together to fight ; friendships ; purpose; finding love.
I loved loved the book. Maybe because I’m single, 39 going on 40 in 2 days. I could identify, identify with the discussions on identity linked to age I loved loved the book. Maybe because I’m single, 39 going on 40 in 2 days. I could identify, identify with the discussions on identity linked to age and how invisible women get as we age. Ooo could I relate!!!! And I bawled when Solene had to lie to Hayes to break up with him. Life. Sad when you find perfect love in the wrong place and time. ...more
It took me a while to pick this book because I didn't quite enjoy 'Before I let go'. I thought it was too wordy, and winding. But 'This could be us' wIt took me a while to pick this book because I didn't quite enjoy 'Before I let go'. I thought it was too wordy, and winding. But 'This could be us' was a sweet, romantic read! Got me feeling all sweet and fuzzy inside, like Christmas.
I admired the friendships of Yasmen and Hendrix and the sisterhood of Lola and Nay. Loved the community in Skyland, rallied and supported Cora and her home as she battles cancer and the now famous Festival.
It wasn't a jeezy romantic read, the author took time to develop the characters and the story so much that by the time Judah and Soledad got together, I felt that in my bones!!!!! Ahhh. Now I want more recommendations like this....more
As I read this book, two other works on the evils of humanity came to mind:
- *The Earth is Singing* by VanessREVIEW
Heartbreaking. Wholesome. Healing.
As I read this book, two other works on the evils of humanity came to mind:
- *The Earth is Singing* by Vanessa Curtis, which also deals with the Holocaust and which I read about five years ago. - *We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families* by Philip Gourevitch, which explores the Rwandan genocide.
This time, the book had a whole new meaning for me. Having visited Germany, walked along the Berlin Wall, seen the memorial grounds, and met an Israeli Jew who shared her family's history, I experienced a profound connection.
Indeed, the heart of man is desperately wicked. My heart broke for Nico, who lived such a lonely life in his bid to atone for 'his sins.' It made me think of an acquaintance who is a pathological liar, and I wonder what trauma might have shaped him and whether he will ever find healing. Life is truly complex.
All 4 main characters had different motivations but that’s all they needed to survive and make it through the years.
FAVORITE QUOTES
“...a lie told once is easy to expose, but a lie told a thousand times can look like the truth. And destroy the world”
“It is a sad fact I have noticed with humans. By the time you share what a loved one longs to hear, they often no longer need it.”
“But I am the shadow you cannot outrun, the mirror that holds your final reflection. You may duck my gaze for all your days on Earth, but let me assure you, I get the last look. I am Truth.”
“Never be ashamed of a scar. In the end, scars tell the story of our lives, everything that hurt us, and everything that healed us.”
“Like many decisions that change a life, it comes silently, without fanfare.”
“A man, to be forgiven, will do anything.”
“And with that silence, he changed his brother’s life forever. Sometimes, it is the truths we don’t speak that echo the loudest.”
“But the lies you tell by daylight leave you lonesome in the dark.”
“Sometimes, it is the truths we don’t speak that echo the loudest.”
SYNOPSIS Eleven-year-old Nico Krispis has never told a lie. His schoolmate, Fannie, loves him because of it. Nico’s older brother Sebastian resents him for both these facts. When their young lives are torn apart during the war, it will take them decades to find each other again. Nico’s innocence and goodness is used against his tightly knit community when a German officer barters Nico’s reputation for honesty into a promise to save his loved ones. When Nico realizes the consequences of the betrayal, he can never tell the truth again. He will spend the rest of this life changing names, changing locations and identities, desperate to find a way to forgiveness—for himself and from the people he loves most....more