Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Yellow Crocus
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
Moments after Lisbeth is born, she's taken from her mother and handed over to an enslaved wet nurse, Mattie, a young mother separated from her own infant son in order to care for her tiny charge. Thus begins an intense relationship that will shape both of their lives for decades to come. Though Lisbeth leads a life of privilege, she finds nothing but loneliness in the company of her overwhelmed mother and her distant, slave-owning father. As she grows older, Mattie becomes more like family to Lisbeth than her own kin and the girl's visits to the slaves' quartersand their lively and loving communitybring them closer together than ever. But can two women in such disparate circumstances form a bond like theirs without consequence? This deeply moving tale of unlikely love traces the journey of these very different women as each searches for freedom and dignity.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
blurb
Blueberry
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image
Eggs #blameitonlitsy 💜💛💜 5mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Pretty 💜💛 5mo
46 likes2 comments
review
Bookfan3
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
Pickpick

Excellent historical fiction about the unlikely friendship between a young white girl and her black wet nurse in Virginia in the 1800s.

review
whatkhrysreads
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image
Pickpick

This was a really good book with my only criticism being that the ending was a bit too tidy. Otherwise it was a quick and intriguing read for me and I‘m interested to read the next two books in the series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

blurb
Andrew65
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💛💛💛 4y
Eggs Sounds good 💛📒🌼 4y
64 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
SonyaBeatty
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image
Pickpick

I absolutely loved this story. The story was intriguing, emotional, and disturbing in some ways. The treatment of some of the slaves is heartbreaking. The two main characters of Lisbeth and Mattie really pulled me in. I can't wait to see how the next book ties in. This is the 1st in a series of 3 books.

review
Cazxxx
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
Pickpick

I absolutely loved this book, I cried many times throughout at the mistreatment of the slaves and how things used to be. I really liked the two main female characters and wept tears of joy at the end. I‘d highly recommend this to everyone, best book I‘ve read in a while

blurb
Cazxxx
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image

Today‘s read yellow crocus
This was free on prime reading and I‘ve heard good things about it
#kindle

blurb
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image

Hey #sagittarius #readyoursign folks... If you are looking for something to fulfill the flower prompt, this book is free with Prime Reading right now (or $1.99 if you aren't a member). No idea if it's good, but I wanted to share if you were looking for an economical way to check this off your list.

review
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image
Pickpick

An excellent story about an enslaved wet nurse and her young charge, and how their relationship evolves over the decades. Comparable to The Secret Life of Bees or The Kitchen House.

#BlackHistoryMonth

sblbooks This is really good on audio too. 5y
Catherine_Willoughby Where black african women hired as wet nurses to white children? This is new to me. What era was this ? Which American state? Not American so most of my knowledge is from tv programs or documentaries that mostly cover the late 50s/early 60s civil rights movement. Modern history in schools here is more on WW1/WW2 /Irish Independence /Cold War /West & East German & Modern Irish Politics (the troubles in NOI). Basic American History is covered 5y
ljuliel The audio of this was terrific. Whoops, sorry, just repeated the comment above ! (edited) 5y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego @Catherine_Willoughby This book is pre american civil war, so early 1800s. The wet nurse is actually a slave who was taken from her own child and forced to become a wet nurse for the white family. Which was fairly common practice at the time. I definitely recommend it for you and the other two I mentioned in my review! 5y
97 likes2 stack adds4 comments
blurb
megnews
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image
Megabooks Love this! 5y
Crazeedi Love this cover 5y
40 likes2 comments
review
Allthingsbooks
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
Pickpick

Amazing story❤️

blurb
megnews
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image
review
Kathrin
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image
Pickpick

At times this story felt very naive and glossed over... especially in some of the dialogues, but in the right moments it was convincing for me.

review
Samara_Kipnis
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
Pickpick

Well done. There is a lot of longing and nostalgia in this book, wanting closeness without being able to keep it, or even truly get it in the first place. It‘s an important book, how it gives a glimpse into the impact of slavery.

1 stack add
quote
Samara_Kipnis
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image

This song Mattie sings to her son is so honest. When did we start pretending that children don‘t know what‘s really going on? Is it actually helpful? Or would recognizing and scanning them for what they‘re going through be more productive ?

RochAnn Interesting! Maybe a middle ground between brutal honestly and happily ever after? 6y
1 like1 comment
blurb
Andrew65
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image


Week 4/52 2019- #BookStats
4 Books Finished, 2070 Pages

Books Read 18/200
Pages Read 8322/85000
#Chunksters 2/25 (0 this week)
#CenturyOfBooks 13/100 (1 this week)
#LitsyAtoZ 9/26 (4 this week)
#SeriesUpToDate 1/25 (0 this week)
#SeriesCompleted 1/15 (0 this week)

Buddy / Group Reads Completed : 6 (0 this week)

Butterfinger I enjoy reading your numbers. 6y
Andrew65 @Butterfinger Thanks 😊 It allows me to track my reading. 6y
92 likes2 comments
blurb
Andrew65
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image

This was a delightful book, which is so well written! Some of the ways the slaves were treated is hard to take, but you feel duty bound to read this, if we don‘t learn from the mistakes humans made we are likely to repeat them. The relationship that develops between Maddie and Lisbeth is so special and totally alters the way Lisbeth sees things and the way she acts in the future. However, given this I found the Epilogue sad. A great audiobook.

86 likes1 stack add
blurb
Andrew65
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image

Starting Yellow Crocus as a an audiobook, not planned as only bought it yesterday but it is calling to me. Read by Bahni Turpin who did such a great job with The Help. Should be good!

Now up to 20 hours 5 minutes on #24B4Monday #Readathon

TheBookgeekFrau Nice time!! 6y
Andrew65 @C.Perone Thanks 😊 It‘s been a fandabulous Reading weekend. 6y
BarbaraJean 20 hours!! 🙌🏼 I‘m hoping to make 20 hours total! 😏 6y
See All 12 Comments
ColleenIsReading On my TBR for this year—its the Y book on my Litsy A to Z! 6y
Andrew65 @BarbaraJean That will be great! 🙌 (edited) 6y
Andrew65 @ColleenIsReading I‘m doing authors this year, so will be my I. 6y
BeansPage Enjoy my friend. You're doing splendidly! 🤗💕 6y
TheBookgeekFrau @Andrew65 I see what you did there 😉 6y
Andrew65 @C.Perone 😊🤣 6y
TheBookHippie I cried reading this!!! Get Kleenex!!!! 6y
Andrew65 @TheBookHippie 😢Oh no but does suppose that should be a surprise. 6y
88 likes1 stack add12 comments
blurb
Kathrin
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image

I thought the Cyber Monday Deals in Audible were pretty disappointing, but Goodreads has been telling me for years that I should read this book. So here we go! 😁

review
TheReadingNurse
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image
Pickpick

Yellow Crocus is a moving story about a girl and the slave who raised her. Mattie's viewpoints throughout the book had me in tears. Her determination to survive and provide a better life for her children made her character so dynamic.

8 likes1 stack add
blurb
TheReadingNurse
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image

Very excited to jump into this book

review
jouleian
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 This was nothing short of amazing. If you are a historical fiction addict this book is a notch you should have on your proverbial headboard. Mattie and Lizbeth are a true love story with a true ending.

quote
jouleian
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim

I want a good man more than a good husband, and I believe you are that man..."

???

blurb
jouleian
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim

This book and it's storytelling is devastatingly beautiful 💜💜💜

review
shellleigh33
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
Pickpick

Just finished up this book on my kindle. I don‘t normally read on my kindle but circumstances lead me to do otherwise the other day. I am not disappointed. This was such a great book that I couldn‘t put down! Definitely would recommend it to anyone that likes historical fiction.

Cinfhen Great review! I‘m not a fan of ebooks either but sometimes they prove worthy‼️ 7y
18 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Vertabrain
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image
Pickpick

This is my Public Service Announcement for the day...If you have yet to discover this book, it‘s a Goodreads deal, today only. It‘s wonderful, heart-breaking, and ultimately filled with hope. I devoured this novel in practically one sitting, and the characters will be part of me forever.

26 likes2 stack adds
review
AHT2411
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
Pickpick

Nice plot.

1 stack add
review
prowlix
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image
Pickpick

I started this on audio this Saturday and finished it last night! I didn‘t expect to love this so much. The narrator is the same for The Hate U Give and I need more from her now. This novel took some unexpected turns and I really did love it. Recommend for anyone looking for some historical fiction ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

33 likes1 stack add
blurb
winemom
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image

This book is giving me so many feelings. Could you imagine having to stop caring for and feeding your own child because you‘re forced to feed and tend to someone else‘s? The traumas black wet nurses experienced then are still felt today; though they have increased, there is still a large discrepancy between the breastfeeding rates of black mothers and white mothers. This is why events like Black Breastfeeding Week are so critical.

blurb
winemom
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image

I wasn‘t going to start yet another book (What is that? 4 now? 😶), but I needed something I could listen to on my run. This was probably the wrong one to choose, because I was crying while trying to run and breathe and push a stroller. I looked like I really hate working out, when I was just that moved by this powerful book. The best narration I‘ve listened to all year!

18 likes2 stack adds
blurb
Donna_sBookMinute
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image

This has been a great year for listening. These are my #TopReadsOf2016 (audio). I'm getting inspiration from your lists. Thanks so much, @RealLifeReading, for inspiring us to share.
#Donna_sBookYear2016 #SeasonsReadings2016 #Day31

🎧Born a Crime (Noah/Noah)
🎧Only the Strong (Asim/Jackson)
🎧 of Mine (Waldfogel/Turpin)
🎧Troublemaker (Remini/Remini)
🎧The Girl on the Train (Hawkins/Corbett, Fisher, Brealey)
🎧Yellow Crocus (Abraham/Turpin)

HardcoverHearts What a great montage!! 8y
Lwsmith I listened to Crocus on Audible as well. Was totally mesmerized. LOVED the reader... 8y
Donna_sBookMinute @Lwsmith, yes, Bahni Turpin is the cream of the crop. I was spellbound throughout this one. She also narrates "Sister of Mine" and many others. 8y
40 likes4 comments
blurb
Aseleener
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image

#seasonsreadings2016 Some #xyz books I found on my Kindle. Kind of representative of the different readers in our family! @RealLifeReading

30 likes1 stack add
blurb
Donna_sBookMinute
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image

This is my first #seasonsreadings2016 post. But I've been keeping up with the hashtag. 🎄Season's Greetings🎄

#titlesstartingwithxyz #seasonsreading2016

http://litsy.com/p/eUVJUEZhVnhU

review
Donna_sBookMinute
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image
Pickpick

Before I decided to read this book, I had to determine the author's authority and motive. "Yellow Crocus" is a story about two women of different stations who live according to the same values. Early on I could see the impact Mattie's pureness of heart would have on her young charge, Lisbeth. More than a wet nurse, Mattie poured much more into "Miss Elizabeth" than the milk that flowed from her breast. Respectable treatment of a sensitive topic.

Foxyfictionista Thanks for the review! This sounds like an interesting book. 8y
28 likes1 comment
review
Michellesibs
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
Pickpick

I had hit a reading slump and couldn't get into anything but this book has cured me. from the first chapter I was intrigued as to where the story would go. This is the second book I've read on this period in history and i enjoyed it throughly. I was left cheering at the end of the bravery of the women in this book. would definitely recommend it

blurb
Donna_sBookMinute
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image

Audio is good for "Yellow Crocus." Turpin's impeccable delivery is unhindered by the aspects of race and/or age. From impressionable toddler to cantankerous slaveholder, she handles each role with such finesse. If this goes to movie, I'm imaging Margaret Avery as Mattie. At around the 1845 dateline, I found myself wondering if a sequel would be published. I'm interested to see how Ibrahim would develop freeborn characters. Great listen.

Donna_sBookMinute . . . imagining Margaret Avery . . . 8y
22 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
Donna_sBookMinute
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image

Ibrahim seems to have skillfully merged the responsibilities of wet nurse with her own background of birth doula (I had to look it up) to come up with her main character, Mattie. I started the audiobook this morning; and will most likely finish this weekend. My objectivity ebbs and flows. Personal interest helps.

TsahaiMakeda I did this one more via audio and I enjoyed it. I thought it was well-placed, written, and executed. Hope you enjoy it! 🤓📚💝 8y
Donna_sBookMinute @TsahaiMakeda -- I think I would take to the print version as well. I'll probably purchase one to mark in. Even though it's fiction the truth it contains is beneficial. 8y
20 likes2 comments
review
RachelS89
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
Pickpick

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Bahni Turpin. Usually audiobook narrators annoy me, but Turpin did a great job (I believe she won an Audie Award for her performance). The story itself is good, too. Some people accuse it of having a"fairy tale ending," but I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

review
TsahaiMakeda
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image
Pickpick

This book here. Excellent on all fronts. Story was great. Narration was great. Right amount of angst, drama, and love. I am going to read the actual book when I get a chance.

Donna_sBookMinute @TsahaiMakeda -- I enjoyed listening to this book immensely. And I'll definitely add the print edition to my collection. Beautifully written. 8y
22 likes1 stack add1 comment
quote
mrldg
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image

Although my family "owned her", although she occupied the center of my universe, her deepest affections lay elsewhere.So along with the comfort of her came the fear that I would lose her someday. This is our story.

10 likes1 stack add
review
Brwnsknswty
Yellow Crocus | Laila Ibrahim
post image
Pickpick

I cried, I laughed and finished this book with a smile.

1 like2 stack adds