bailedI couldn‘t get into it. I think it partly had to be the narrator. The story was meh.
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Balm: A Novel | 
bailedI couldn‘t get into it. I think it partly had to be the narrator. The story was meh.
pickI think this book caught my eye because it‘s set in post-Civil War Chicago. Though set in the city (topographical errors & all), Chicago is a minor player. The story is a character study focused on 3 characters trying to rebuild/restart their lives—Hemp (looking for a lost wife), Sadie (who can speak to the dead) & Madge (a talented healer). Overall, I enjoyed it. Read it if you like gorgeous writing & people trying to find their way in the world.
I‘m really enjoying this book but argh!!! 😡 I hate it when authors—in this case describing one of Chicago‘s main, and unchanging, arteries as going east-west instead of north-south as it actually does—make really basic and obvious topographical mistakes when describing where their story takes place. It can be so jarring & pull you right out of the story! Ugh. So annoying. Especially when it happens more than once...
The library is being used for testing which means I have a little extra reading time this morning. This is the story of three people who make their way to Chicago after the Civil War has ended and what comes after. It‘s also another case of somehow this book caught my attention but I don‘t remember how and oh well. So, diving into my next read.
so-soLisa Renee Pitts' narration voice reminds me of a PDA recording and bothered me in the beginning. But I noticed that her character voices are very true to life and naturally draw the reader into the story. The characters, along with their respective situations, ultimately grew on me. She makes Hemp sound so lovingly pitiful, freeborn Madge so relatable, and "the sisters" so relentless. Pitts is a spirited and talented narrator. #audiobook
so-so"Balm" bears the mark of Perkins-Valdez' beautiful writing. But the plot was a little dark for me. Sadie becomes a widow before her marriage is consummated and is haunted by her late husband's spirit. Madge cannot penetrate the bond between her Mother and aunts ("the sisters"). Hemp's persistence in finding his wife who was sold away is most touching. Pearl Cleage said it best. This is, definitely, a story I've not heard before. #quote
I've come back to Balm. And I'm determined to finish it within the next few days. The year-end clock is winding down. I just had to try the stickers. Thanks, @Litsy 👍🏾
When I saw today's topic, this cover came to mind immediately. #photoadaynov16 #headlesscovers #day18.
OoooKAYYYY -- Not only am I not feeling this narrator. I don't care to listen to embalming details while dining. I'll wait 'til I get home to the print book. I can just keep reading "The Church Builder."
Didn't find a library copy of the ebook -- only audio. So I'm starting with the audio and will switch to print this evening. #NovemberTBR.
Some of my #NovemberTBR selections are:
?The Underground Railroad; Whitehead
?Balm; Perkins-Valdez
?The Writing Circle; Demas
?The Mothers; Bennett
I'm slow-reading "The Church Builder" and need to finish it. And with many of the BSO's on @Litsy et al, I have a tendency to get distracted. We'll see how I do this month. I think I'll start with "Balm" because I've been meaning to read it for quite some time. @RealLifeReading
