Happiness, Like Water | 
pickA short story collection focusing on Nigerian women-- some in US, some in Nigeria. The themes are motherhood (wanted and unwanted), freedom of choice, relationships with parents, and domestic violence. I found the most affecting stories here to be the ones about dom. Violence and what options the women had. Same author wrote Under the Udala Trees, also excellent. Get this on Hoopla as ebook!
pickAnother great one from Chinelo Okparanta. I loved all the stories but there were a few unlikable characters that although necessary affected my overall rating (if that makes any sense). I still recommend this book.
pickWhat a powerful collection of short stories, mostly about Nigerian women, mostly failing to find happiness or finding it ephemeral when they do: "Happiness is like water," says a character in the story "Grace." "We're always trying to grab onto it, but it's always slipping between our fingers." Lean prose and characters to ache for -- this is how you write a story.
pickThe same gut-wrenching prose from UNDER THE UDALA TREES, but this time in a collection of short stories. The stories, except two, are unconnected. Each story centers around a woman who is grappling with pain that is indescribable.
Okparanta is a genius and is now on my autobuy list.
#ReadHarder- collection of stories by a woman
"Happiness is like water," she says. "We're always trying to grab onto it, but it's always slipping between our fingers."
This book is full of pain. These stories are so sad. Good, but sad.
Background: One of my several collectible Barbie dolls. I am serious about Barbie.
I hadn't realized that I didn't have any #smashthepatriarchy reads on my TBR, so I've added this slim collection of short stories.
Okparanta is a little underrated to me. I loved Under the Udala Trees. I'm sure this one will be just as good.
#24in48
