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Take My Hand
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
"Deeply empathetic yet unflinching in its gaze... an unforgettable exploration of responsibility and redemption, the dangers of good intentions, and the folly of believing anyone can decide what's best for another's life."--Celeste Ng Inspired by true events that rocked the nation, a profoundly moving novel about a Black nurse in post-segregation Alabama who blows the whistle on a terrible wrong done to her patients, from the New York Times bestselling author of Wench. Montgomery, Alabama, 1973. Fresh out of nursing school, Civil Townsend has big plans to make a difference, especially in her African American community. At the Montgomery Family Planning Clinic, she intends to help women make their own choices for their lives and bodies. But when her first week on the job takes her down a dusty country road to a worn-down one-room cabin, she's shocked to learn that her new patients, Erica and India, are children--just eleven and thirteen years old. Neither of the Williams sisters has even kissed a boy, but they are poor and Black, and for those handling the family's welfare benefits, that's reason enough to have the girls on birth control. As Civil grapples with her role, she takes India, Erica, and their family into her heart. Until one day she arrives at the door to learn the unthinkable has happened, and nothing will ever be the same for any of them. Decades later, with her daughter grown and a long career in her wake, Dr. Civil Townsend is ready to retire, to find her peace, and to leave the past behind. But there are people and stories that refuse to be forgotten. That must not be forgotten. Because history repeats what we don't remember.
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Djspens
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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This is my first order since we‘ve moved! Oh how I‘ve missed cheap book orders from #betterworldbooks! Building #grammaslibrary one(?) book at a time!

Suet624 So fun!!! 1mo
29 likes1 comment
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Kitta
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow, I loved this. On the edge on my seat and finished it in two days.

It‘s about a newly graduated Black nurse in Alabama working at a family planning clinic in 1973, shortly after the uncovering of the Tuskegee syphilis experiments. She fiercely fights for her patients, including a pair of young girls, ages 11 and 13. This novel jumps through time between 1973 and 2016 where she reflects on their case.

Highly recommended.

Texreader Excellent review 7mo
Kitta @Texreader thank you! 7mo
29 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Kitta
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Willow helping me read outside today.

Christine 😻 7mo
britt_brooke Adorable! 7mo
julieclair So sweet! 7mo
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dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 7mo
Ruthiella 😻😻😻 7mo
RaeLovesToRead Great picture!! 🥰🥰 7mo
peanutnine 😻😻 pretty kitty 7mo
40 likes7 comments
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Kitta
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Borrowed from a friend who‘s also a #botm BFF!

Have high expectations for this one!

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LatrelWhite
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Finally started this today… Takes place in my home state and my hometown is mentioned in the beginning. A win win!!!

Aimeesue It‘s really really good. 8mo
LatrelWhite @Aimeesue I already can‘t put it down☺️ 8mo
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marleed
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

I was so emotionally invested in this story. Although the characters are fictional, the government sponsored sterilization of poor, black, and sometimes mentally-challenged young girls is a disturbing piece of not-so-distant American history that should be documented and understood.

January #BookSpin Category: Historical Fiction @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 9mo
CBee I LOVED this book so much. 9mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks On my shelf 📚 9mo
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marleed @TheAromaofBooks I can‘t believe I finished both my BookSpin and DoubleSpin in less than a week. And fun tidbit - both these physical books were LFL finds from 2023! 9mo
marleed @CBee Oh for me too! It was a different story than I was expecting expecting. I think the gorgeous cover had me thinking the time period was much earlier than it was. …@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks - I think you are going to love this! Do you have a physical copy? If not, I‘ll send you mine. 9mo
marleed @Alwaybeenaloverofbooks Hey Misty, I don‘t think my tag for you worked in the previous comment! 9mo
TheAromaofBooks Nice!!! It's always extra fun to get LFL gems!! 9mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @marleed I do!! Thank you so much though! Did the package I sent make it to you? ❤️❤️ 9mo
marleed @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks yes, it arrived early Friday just minutes after I finished a book so I started it immediately. I‘m almost to the epilogue. If I finish it, I‘ll post tomorrow. You are beyond wonderful! 9mo
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Sarahreadstoomuch
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

Emotionally difficult read, but an important story based in fact surrounding terrible practices by government medical programs in “helping” poor black women in the south in the 1970s. Investigations that came from this case expanded victims to include women of Latin descent. The authors note includes examples of this practice still happening today.

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Aimeesue
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Very well done and based on a true story. POC and intellectually disabled people have been victims of eugenics movements and attempts to control their bodies through violence, enslavement, coercion, imprisonment, and medical means. Incredibly disturbing, but as today‘s struggles with reproductive rights and the distrust of the healthcare system have their roots in these stories, it‘s an important read.

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Books_et_al
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Mehso-so

I nearly forgot to post about this book, which probably says it all.
Covering the undoubtedly important and horrific topic of forced sterilisation in the US in the 1970s I found that the way the book was written didn‘t do anything for me.
#booked2023 #reproductiverights

azulaco That‘s a shame about the writing. It‘s such a potent subject. A well-written book could be devastatingly good. 1y
Cinfhen TOTALLY AGREE with your review 1y
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Jas16
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

Civil starts her new job as a nurse in 1973 filled with desire to help people but soon realizes that her clinic is subjecting its poor Black patients to harmful procedures without consent. As she becomes involved in the lives of two of her young patients she is determined to put a stop to the cruel practices. The two timelines were unnecessary and treated so unevenly but thankfully did nothing to lessen impact.
#booked2023 #aboutreproductiverights

Itchyfeetreader Good choice for this prompt, found myself thinking on this since I read last year 1y
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TorieStorieS
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

I‘m looking forward to discussing this #BOTM pick with my real-life book club this weekend! Set primarily in 1973 Montgomery, AL Perkins-Valdez sheds light on an ugly part of American history that is often glossed over— if not ignored completely. It‘s a heartbreaking read that I think will lead to an interesting conversation with our club. The 2016 storyline isn‘t as strongly developed & some of the points get repeated, but overall well-written!

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Tamra
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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I‘m struggling with this one half way in - it feels sloooowwwwww and repetitive in the moralizing. Novellas & essays are fabulous so I don‘t understand why publishers & writers feel compelled to pad the stories.

Prairiegirl_reading I loved this one but I listened to the audio. I could have listened to the narrator talk for days!! 2y
Tamra @Prairiegirl_reading I like the narration! Maybe I just need to speed it up. 2y
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Bookbuyingaddict
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Pickpick

Finished ✔️ on a rainy Easter 🐣 holiday afternoon ; this book would make a great film. 3.5 stars ⭐️ for me as I thought the ending could have been a bit sharper more punchy instead of just fizzling out, but still a great read and an important one.

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Bookbuyingaddict
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

Finished ✔️ on a rainy Easter 🐣 holiday afternoon ; this book would make a great film. 3.5 stars ⭐️ for me as I thought the ending could have been a bit sharper more punchy instead of just fizzling out, but still a great read and an important one.

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Bookbuyingaddict
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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1st read of April didn‘t get to read as much as I wanted to in March due to the death of our beloved German shep Lola 😪and the sudden arrival of mollies brother into our home 2weeks later, as he‘d been abandoned.Anyone who says animals don‘t grieve should have witnessed our little mollie at the death of her fur sister,so fingers crossed she‘ll bond with Teddy lots of teeth showing but Wer getting there.so this one started slowly for me

Jari-chan I'm sorry for your loss - sending lots of hugs and love. 2y
26 likes1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

I didn‘t pay much attention to this one when it came around last year, but then I heard someone talking it up on a podcast and I‘m glad that led me to it. Despite taking place largely in 1973, it is a timely look at the importance of allowing women to have agency over our own bodies. Highly recommend.

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jlhammar
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

Good read for #BlackHistoryMonth. Engrossing and eye-opening. I‘m glad to know more about this troubling and heartbreaking history. #BOTM

Prairiegirl_reading Sooo well done and important! 2y
Bookpearl Literally closed the book after prolonging the last 10 pages. I wasn‘t ready for it to end or better yet, I wasn‘t ready for the ugly cry that I knew was coming. 😩 2y
jlhammar @Prairiegirl_reading @Bookpearl Yes, one that I think is really going to stay with me. Powerful. I'll have to try another one of her books sometime. 2y
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NikkiKey94
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

This book has such a powerful message and it was so beautifully written. At times I was so mad and heartbroken at the unspeakable things done to these young girls. I loved it. I‘m so glad I read this book.

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NovelNancyM
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

Loosely based on the 1973 federal case of Relf v. Weinberger where 2 girls are sterilized without consent in AL by a federally funded agency. Told from the POV of Civil Townsend, a 23-YO nurse who works at a women's clinic. The story switches between the past & present as she looks back on this life changing situation while visiting the people involved in the events that unfolded. Plot was both repetitive at times, but also gripping.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I‘m pulling this one off the shelf to read next!! 2y
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LaraReads
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Finally starting my #bookspin book today, and it seems like the perfect day.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I can‘t wait to read this one ❤️ 2y
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CleverGirl
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

Read all the way to the end, don‘t skip the Author‘s Note. It‘s still happening.

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ChaoticMissAdventures
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

This title comes from MLKs last words which is fitting for the time and substance of the book. An important topic of America 's forced sterilization of women in the 1970s while the topic is heavy the characters are vivid and likable and drawn with much love.
An important and engrossing read.

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SanjanaGhosh
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

"There is not greater right for a woman than having a choice, Anne. And I exercised that right. Fully and consciously."

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ncsufoxes
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

I remember in 2010 in NC when they set up a victims fund for people that endured forced sterilizations as part of the eugenics program in the state. I always remember how shocking it was to hear stories from people that were still alive & were sterilized when they were young. Stories like this continue to be told to shed light on the painful past that too many people had to endure. Such a great story even though it was sad & difficult.

BookBosomed1 Listening to this on audio right now. 😞 2y
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 2y
21 likes2 comments
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Bookpearl
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Last read of the year and my emotions are all over the place. I don‘t know what to feel, Do I cry? Be mad? Or spread the word about how this is a must read for all.

jlhammar I‘m planning to read this in February. Looking forward to it. 2y
Bookpearl @jhammar It‘s a must read for sure and eye opening as well. 2y
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RenePenn
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

If you like historical fiction this is a great read. Based loosely on a federal case in Montgomery, AL in the 70s regarding unauthorized sterilization of poor, black and/or disabled women, and the people who had the courage to address it.

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CBee
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

Thanks to #shesaid, I finally read this and am SO glad I did. I learned about a part of history that I really didn‘t know much about - and am particularly sad (and so angry) about the fact that events described in the book (no spoilers) are still happening. @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I was thinking of reading this one soon!! 2y
CBee @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks it‘s a tough read at times but it was so good! You‘ll need tissues! 2y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

Hello #SheSaid!

This one was a tough part of history to read (and sadly not as far in our past as we may wish it was… the fight for individual choice is still ongoing), but it was so well done I still flipped pages to see what happened next. I wanted a bit more about her personal decisions after the history, but as a story that brought the bigger issue into focus it was very well done and I really enjoyed Civil‘s voice and the nurses POV.

TheBookHippie I listened to this last night you may enjoy it https://www.instagram.com/tv/CmNfH6hg86a/?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE= One of my fav IG peeps. 2y
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vlwelser I thought this book was really well written. I was not new to this topic. It's horrible, really, that this is still a current problem. 2y
CBee @Riveted_Reader_Melissa just finished this. Thanks for the push to read it via #shesaid! 2y
staci.reads I was fascinated by the dynamics among the characters. So many of the relationships were an interesting mix of tender and loving at times, yet unbalanced and uneasy at times. I appreciated the exploration of the savior role and intentions vs impact. 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @staci.reads I agree… it could have made it too busy or distracting, but for me it made it more human and real. And yes, that exploration was well done. 2y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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I think that one‘s pretty close 😉

#pantone2022 @Clwojick

Wesleypaker Hello how are you doing today? 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Wesleypaker I‘m good, how are you doing? 2y
Wesleypaker @Riveted_Reader_Melissa Well I had a very busy day at work but I‘m good thanks for asking 2y
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Wesleypaker It‘s my pleasure to meet you here I‘m Wesley 2y
Clwojick Way to go! Such a good match! 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Wesleypaker It‘s nice to meet you here too, I hope you like Litsy…even though it usually makes your reading list grow bigger. I‘m in the United States…you? 2y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Finishing this book tonight, and it also completes my #Pantone2022 challenge for this year. Thank you for this fun one @Clwojick

Funny it‘s my last book for this one, happens to be the center square, and wasn‘t picked by me at all but the #SheSaid reading group pick. #Serendipity #Bookendipity

Clwojick Woohoo! Way to go! ❤️ 2y
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vlwelser
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

This book is beautiful even if the subject is rather difficult to absorb without feeling upset and a bit angry.

#SheSaid @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 2y
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staci.reads
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

This was a powerful book. Hard topics and flawed humans make for a compelling, though heartbreaking story. Highly recommend! #SheSaid

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Karisa
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

Powerful and sad, Take My Hand focuses on the topic of rights and justice for children, people of color, and for the poor. It‘s fiction but based on a trial from the 1970s involving two sisters in Alabama. The main character, Civil, is a young nurse whose sometimes misguided desire to help is compelling. This one is an all too real heartbreaker.

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megnews
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

Excellent storytelling for a serious and important topic.
#SheSaid

Prairiegirl_reading So good on audio. Perfect narrator. 2y
56 likes1 comment
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TheKidUpstairs
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Dutch gingerbread cakes are breakfast for, right?

My current read is engaging and heart wrenching. I have to keep reminding myself that it's taking place in the 70s and not father in the past. Some of the attitudes are just so backwards, they deserve to be extinct. Unfortunately, similar things have happened as recently as 2018 here in Canada 😡

Johanna414 I love that mug!! 2y
Karisa Reading that book with #SheSaid right now too. So frustrating and heartbreaking! So many examples of trying to control other people‘s reproductive rights, but that it was happening to children makes it even more sad. 2y
Karisa (and the mug is fantastic!) 2y
BookBosomed1 Listening to that book right now, and I‘m having to take breaks bc 💔. 2y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Hello #SheSaid

How‘s everyone this week? And how is the book treating you with the aftermath of a few gut wrenching cliffhangers from Part 1.

vlwelser This book is so good but I'm behind and haven't finished Part 2. 2y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa @vlwelser I‘m a bit behind too, hopefully can finish part 2 tonight 🤫. 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @vlwelser How‘s the trip going? 2y
vlwelser We just got back last night. I definitely recommend Edinburgh if you want something lovely and low key with castles. 2y
MallenNC @vlwelser Glad you had a good trip! Scotland is on my travel list. 2y
MallenNC I am rereading this one and part 2 is my favorite. The visit to Washington was well-written and it made me look up the characters to see if they were real. (edited) 2y
Karisa I just finished part 2. Such a great book! Like @MallenNC it is leaving me wondering who is based on real life people? Like the lawyer Lou and the girls themselves. The story is sad but also hopeful. The moment when Civil found out there‘d been 11 girls sterilized at her clinic alone was heartbreaking. As a teacher, I can relate to Civil at times, “I had never known that good intentions could be just as destructive as bad ones.”⬇️ 2y
Karisa How can we be sure we are helping without overstepping and causing more harm than good? When is it better to just leave people alone? This book is so good at capturing the complexity of the situation. 2y
Karisa @vlwelser Wow! Your trip sounds wonderful. It‘s definitely a place I‘d like to see someday too. 2y
MallenNC @Karisa That same quote really resonated with me too. The author said the book is about saviors vs advocates. The girls in the book are based on a real case but the characters are fictional. They seem so real. 2y
CBee I am loving the book! Heartbreaking though. I‘ll be researching more about it after we finish. I knew about Tuskegee but not as much about the forced sterilization. Not exactly something they teach in school (tho they should)! 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @CBee I never really knew much either until someone (I wish I remembered who) mentioned it when there was a Roe v Wade discussion years and years ago. That when they fight to make sure some people can‘t prevent having babies, there is always the flip side of that same coin where they are not allowing others to get pregnant at all. That those controls on pregnancy, travel together…. I again wish I could remember who said it, but the fact that ⤵️ 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa ↪️ she mentioned her own abortion and roe v wade passing in this story too, means she knows of that history too. (edited) 2y
CBee @Riveted_Reader_Melissa thanks for the article - draconian laws indeed. It‘s infuriating and heartbreaking. My son is autistic and it scares me that laws like this still exist. So much suffering inflicted on so many people for NO reason. (edited) 2y
megnews @karisa @MallenNC that quote resonated with me as well. 2y
megnews I knew this existed just not as late as it did. You‘d think the situation at Tuskegee would have sounded the alarm on lack of consent! I didn‘t know the history re: Depo. I‘ve used that and so did my daughter!! This was a great pick. I‘m hoping to finish on audio today. 2y
CBee @Karisa that quote is spot on for me too. When do good intentions become too much and end up going in the opposite direction? I‘ve been there. 2y
45 likes20 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Hello #SheSaid! I hope you are all having a nice relaxing week before (or in-between) the holidays.

This is a serious subject, but I am enjoying the the fiction flow of reading this month. Anyone else listening on audiobook, the narrator has such a great buttery? voice… loving that. And the way they weave in the history with the individual stories is great.

How are you doing so far?

BookBosomed1 I‘m listening on audiobook, and I am really enjoying the narrator‘s voice. Taking the book slow bc the subject is heavy. Little x little. 2y
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Bookwormjillk I‘m hoping my library copy comes in soon so I can catch up! 2y
TheKidUpstairs My hold just came in over night, so I hope to start tonight 😁 2y
SamAnne I‘m headed on vacation and won‘t be able to start this until middle of the month. But looking forward to it! 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @SamAnne It‘s always a busy month with family and holidays and travel, so just catch up when you can. 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @BookBosomed1 Yes, it is a serious heavy subject matter. 2y
MallenNC I am rereading this one. It‘s one of my top reads of the year. I think it is an empathetic telling of a part of recent history that I didn‘t know much about. I also like that it‘s sensitive about the MC “saving” this family. 2y
CBee Starting shortly 😊 2y
megnews I‘m loving it so far. I love Civil and her mom and Erica and India and Ty and his mom. I am reading it but I listened to a few chapters to finish this section in time and the audio is great too. 2y
vlwelser I'm also loving this so far. And holy cliffhanger, Batman! It was SO hard to not continue reading. This reminds me of a Diane Chamberlain book I read years ago for another book club. Trying to get that out of my head and stop making assumptions about where the plot is headed. 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @vlwelser Yes! Quite the cliffhanger at the end of this section.. that‘s be great at the end of season 1 of a tv show adaption! 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @megnews All the characters are so well drawn, I feel pulled into them and their stories too. 2y
Karisa It‘s clear to see why this book is on some best of the year lists. I didn‘t know anything about it going in to it and have been surprised by the turns it is taking. Civil is wonderful and the whole premise is just heartbreaking. So many moral dilemmas. What is helping and hurting as well as when to trust and when to doubt. It‘s so well done! Can‘t wait to dive into part 2, but also gritting my teeth after what just happened to the girls. 2y
CBee @Riveted_Reader_Melissa just finished part 1 and I might keep going, especially with that cliffhanger! Really great so far 😊 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @CBee You can! We are all reading Part 2 this week…there are some benefits to starting late sometimes 😂 2y
CBee @Riveted_Reader_Melissa this is true! I‘m so glad I decided to join y‘all 😊 2y
staci.reads I got a late start and just finished part I. I'm really enjoying the storytelling so far! The end of part 1 is heartbreaking. 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @staci.reads Hello, and good to see you. How are you doing? 2y
staci.reads @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I'm good, thanks. Just needed to step back on some challenges for a few months and focus on reading from my tbr stacks. I needed to read for escape for awhile 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @staci.reads That‘s my plan for next year too… the over-extended feeling must be in the air because I few people have mentioned that need to read for fun again goal too. 2y
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LitsyEvents
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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repost for @Riveted_Reader_Melissa:

Hello #SheSaid

The schedule is ready for December, I‘m looking forward to some fiction myself…fingers crossed it‘s a good one. 😉

#BuddyRead

Original post: https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2508573

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vlwelser
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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How pretty is this edition? It's large print. I'll take it back if someone requests it.

#SheSaid @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

Riveted_Reader_Melissa That‘s beautiful 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Yea, I‘m guilty of taking whichever addition is available too 😂. 2y
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Hello #SheSaid

The schedule is ready for December, I‘m looking forward to some fiction myself…fingers crossed it‘s a good one. 😉

CBee Please add me! I‘d planned to read this soon anyway and would love to discuss! 2y
See All 32 Comments
IndoorDame I‘d like to be removed from the tag list. I‘ll probably still join in on a few of the group reads, but I need fewer commitments at the moment. 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @IndoorDame Done! Sorry for the delay…and I completely understand. 2y
merelybookish I read this in the summer. It is pretty good and I definitely learned some important-but-not-often-discussed history. 2y
IndoorDame @Riveted_Reader_Melissa thanks! I love this group and the books we pick, but I need to get back to a place where I‘m reading more of what I already own and taking more time with what I read… 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @IndoorDame I completely understand, I was just commenting in our last discussion with I need to prioritize more “me time” to read again as my New Year‘s resolution starting now (not in the new year). I‘ve fallen into so much caregiving roles, I haven‘t been giving myself reading time. So I completely understand that, please please do what you need to do to keep reading the great escapism/ past time we need it to be. I‘ll try to do the same 😉 2y
vlwelser I'm going to try to keep up with this but fair warning that I'm flying to Scotland on Saturday so I may need to catch up at the end (from Maryland 😂) because I overscheduled myself. 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @vlwelser That‘s wonderful! I was in Scotland many many years ago and loved it! I hope you have a great time! 2y
vlwelser Any hot tips? We're doing Christmas tea at a couple of castles and the Christmas market but the rest is just normal touristy things. 2y
Deblovestoread You can remove my old name kdgordon88 I haven‘t participated in a while so no need to add the new….trying to cut back on my commitments. Thank you! 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @vlwelser my favorite places were Dunnotter Castle, it‘s a ruins, so might not be great at this time of year (cold) but I bet it‘s beautiful. It‘s out on a rocky crag, the Isle of Sky is gorgeous, and of course both Edinburgh and Loch Ness are great stops. All A+‘s if you are a picture taker. 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Deblovestoread You‘re welcome, and I understand 2y
AllDebooks Looking forward to this one, it has amazing reviews 2y
vlwelser We're just doing Edinburgh and going to Stirling on a day trip. The Isle of Skye is on my long list but we don't have enough time in this go. 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @vlwelser I‘m from Pennsylvania, so for me it was surprising how close everything is there…compared to my driving to Harrisburg or Philly, etc. Are you driving or taking the train in between? 2y
vlwelser Train. It's about £8 to get to Stirling and under an hour. Europe is so different from the US. I'm from New York. No one seems to understand that it's a 5 hour car journey from Watertown to Buffalo. 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @vlwelser I know…it‘s so odd but yet refreshing…you can get a bus or train pretty much anywhere…and quickly. And cost effective too. I wish the US would embrace mass transit more, but it‘s almost like…well, we‘re bigger, so we just give up and don‘t try 🤷‍♀️ 2y
MallenNC I read this earlier this year and it is on my favorites list for the year. I wished while I was reading that I had had someone to discuss it with so I am planning to read it again with this group. (edited) 2y
MallenNC @vlwelser I don‘t have any Scotland tips but I wanted to say have a great trip! 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @vlwelser Yes! Have a great time! And post some pictures so we can vicariously travel with you! (edited) 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @MallenNC That‘s a good recommendation then! 2y
MallenNC @Riveted_Reader_Melissa It‘s not a fun story but it‘s well written, about something I didn‘t know a lot about, and with characters I cared about. 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @MallenNC That‘s always a good sign then. Well written can get you through so much else. 2y
megnews This is on my tbr. I‘m in! 2y
Singout I don‘t think I‘ll get it till February, but I‘ll enjoy it then! Skipping January because I‘ve read that one, but it‘s excellent. See you in February! 2y
Reggie Have you read Wench by her? It‘s soo good and heartbreaking. 2y
RebelReader This one is good! @reggie I think Wench sat on my shelf for years and then got culled. Hopefully my library has it. 🤞🤞🤞 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Reggie Not yet, but it‘s been on my radar for awhile. 2y
45 likes32 comments
review
BookNightOwl
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

This book takes place in the 1970s in Alabama. It is loosely based on real life facts. Civil is a nurse who makes house visits to young black girls to get them the depo shot to prevent pregnancy. Until she finds out that she just gave it to a young child who hasn‘t even started her monthly. She takes it upon her hands to take care of this family and do all it takes to make sure they are ok. I really enjoyed this book.

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amma-keep-reading
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Pickpick

A hard read but a necessary read.

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Cinfhen
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

#DualTimeLine 1973 Alabama/ 2016 Tennessee- Civil Townsend reflects back to the early days of her career as a young black nurse working at a woman‘s health clinic in rural Alabama with aspirations of serving the community. Instead she finds herself embroiled in a horrific situation. Now she‘s a retired physician who still can‘t let go of the past. This was an eye-opening read, shedding light on a topic I knew little about. #HF #BOTMbacklog

jlhammar This is part of my backlog too. Looking forward to it! 2y
Reggie Her book, Wench, is fantastic and leaves scars on your heart. 2y
Cinfhen I‘ll look for that one @Reggie although scars on your heart makes me a little apprehensive 😕 2y
Cinfhen @jlhammar I definitely think you‘ll find this a quick read with an infuriating piece of history- story is solid 2y
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Cinfhen
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Catching up on my #BOTMbacklog - so far this is good. But this sentence cracked me up @alisiakae

squirrelbrain Wow, that‘s a bit weird! 🤣 2y
TrishB 😮 weird indeed. 2y
TrishB 😂😂 oops 2y
59 likes4 comments
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Addison_Reads
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

This historical fiction book opened my eyes to a tragedy that I didn't know much about. The story follows a young nurse who discovers her clinic doing forced sterilizations on young girls and women. I found the part set in the past too be the strongest storyline. I became a little bored with the present-day chapters and Civil at times bugged me.

Overall though, this is a great read and an important read.

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veebib
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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"??? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ???????? ?? ??. ????, ????????, ?? ????‘? ??????. ????? ???? ??? ??????, ??? ?? ??? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ?? ?? ???? ????. ?? ??? ?? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ??, ?? ?? ?? ????‘? ???? ?????? ?? ?????????."

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Lauren890
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I‘m on a roll with great books this month! This one is important, and is based around actual history. I highly recommend it.

Prairiegirl_reading It‘s definitely one of my favourites this year. So important. 2y
Lauren890 @Prairiegirl_reading It‘s one of my favorites too. I agree - such an important book! 2y
Reggie I‘ve only read one of hers and it‘s called Wench. It was so good and devastating. I should pick this up. 2y
Lauren890 @Reggie Yes! I read Wench too years ago - very good book. You‘d probably enjoy this one! 2y
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MysticFaerie
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

5🌟/5🌟

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Itchyfeetreader
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

Final book of the holiday finished on the plane. I thought this was overall really powerful - main storyline sits in 1973 and follows a nurse in a Mississippi family planning clinic and the consequences of the forced sterilisation of young, poor, black girls. Whilst I didn‘t love the main character I think that was kind of the point and she meddled and helped this is everything I love about a good historical fiction novel

Ncostell I just heard about this book a few minutes ago on a book podcast and think I am going to check it out. 2y
42 likes1 comment
review
bookandbedandtea
Take My Hand | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Mehso-so

I'm struggling with how to rate this. I appreciate the author shining a light on some history I had never learned but I wish she had told it from a different perspective. It was too much Civil's story and I couldn't muster much interest in her. The 2016 storyline seemed especially boring and pointless to me. If Mrs William's perspective had been included I think the story would have been stronger and more emotional. #unpopularopinion