so-so⭐️⭐️
9 likes
Listen to the audio book of this one and loved it. A little triggering having lost a parent. The accent of the reader is mesmerizing
Maame | 
pickExcellent. Beautiful writing. Beautiful story. At times difficult but relatable and eye opening in a lot of ways. I loved the characters and the rawness of this book. It was so true and honest and portrayed grief in a way that was real. I see why everyone loved this book and I‘m so glad I finally got around to reading it. (Edgar especially loved that it consumed so much of my time to allow me to snuggle with him while I read 😊)
pickThe characters in this novel were distinct. Some I liked a lot and others were toxic. The plot developed around Maddie and her family. Maddie is inexperienced in with worldly situations. It felt as if the reader is taken on the journey to living and learning with Maddie. I went from being frustrated to having fun, from grief to finally feeling she had her place in the world. Many topics and lots of “googling” helped Maddie along the way.
We always think we‘ll see death coming and that we‘ll have more time, until we‘re reminded otherwise 😢
—
It‘s an ordinary week within the most extraordinary circumstances because apparently—and this is what everyone fails to mention about the grieving process—I still have to live 🌱
pick6th book finished for November.
Maame is an excellent debut novel by Jessica George covering Maddie‘s exploits following moving out of the family home at 25, where she has been looking after her sick father whilst her mother lives in Ghana, and her brother is off living his own life.
pickI get the buzz around this one! I loved Maddie's story - any frustrations I had were because I wanted the world for her, not due to annoyance with the character. Very rich, very real. #contemporaryfiction #bildungsroman
pick5/5 ⭐
An emotional and remarkable story. 🩷
In my top 10 of the year for sure!
pickSoft pick. This novel was a mixed bag for me. I think the novel solidly portrayed mental illness, grief, and toxic family dynamics, but in other ways it fell short. Maddie has had to grow up fast with many responsibilities foisted on her, but she was also strangely juvenile in a lot of unrealistic ways for a 25 year old. Some of the side characters had more personality than her. In the end though, I was rooting for her as she found her voice. 3⭐️
"When do you think she's going to stop reading and take us for another walk?"
"Just keep staring at her. She'll take pity on us eventually."
Happy Sunday!
I woke up ready to drive two hours to a bookstore in rural Nebraska (I've heard it's amazing) only to find out they're closed today. 😂 Plan B: real allllll day. 📖
pickI fell in love with Maame. I understood her struggle and found myself hoping with each new page that she would find her happiness and where she belonged.
This book is a coming-of-age story, but it's about a late bloomer. Maame has spent her entire life doing the right thing and taking care of others, but now she wants more.
Beautiful story of family, the sacrifices we make for them, and how we find ourselves in the craziness of it all.
pickI liked that Maame tackled so many important themes. In that sense, it was refreshing and I found some topics relatable. There were a few things that I wasn‘t crazy about … like how relationship heavy Maddie was, and I didn‘t think it was realistic that her therapist just happened to be Ghanaian as well. I know that helped tie the story up, but the novel just ended up having a fairytale ending when it felt more complex than that. Worth reading.
On page 86 and loving the tone of this book. I would read more from Jessica George!
pickIt‘s hard for me to review books right after I‘ve read them, it‘s looking back that I realize how much I enjoyed them or how a book has effected me. I‘m a person who takes time to process. So, I wasn‘t expecting Maame to be my favorite book so far this year, but looking back at my lists, it came out on top
pickWhat an incredible debut!! A coming-of-age story of a young girl who is the main caretaker for her father who has Parkinson‘s. I was so incredibly moved by this book and I just inhaled it.. Maddie, the youngest in her family feels like the most responsible..This book is about grief, loss, guilt, family, work aggression , romance and friendship.. one of my 2023 favourites already!
pickThis is the perfect book for the “late bloomers” who feel left behind.
Maddie had to put her life on hold when her dad got sick so she could be his carer. When her mom comes back and takes over, Maddie is set adrift.
She battles through repeated loss and disappointment and finally allows herself to take care of her for once.
I laughed, I cringed, I cried, I related, and I respected the googling.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Maddie is a vivid, sympathetic character that readers will be compelled to root for and fall in love with in this moving coming-of-age story. The audiobook is also narrated beautifully! 🎧
I am attending another virtual Read with Jenna event. Maame is a fantastic book. I highly recommend it. Find my review of it here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60784605
pickI really enjoyed this! So much about Maddie as a later-blooming, overthinking heroine was likable and relatable. Lots of interesting supporting characters, too, and thoughtful cultural commentary throughout. Quite a bit of food and cooking in the story, which I loved. Excellent audio narration, and obviously the cover is magnificent. ❤️
pickIn Maame, Jessica George has created a coming of age story for a 25 year old, who has held too much responsibility at home and missed out on so many things. This book is a great combination of literary and commercial fiction, with a satisfying plot, great character development, and some wonderful turns of phrase. It‘s a beautiful start for a very talented writer.
pickMaddie has a difficult life caring for her dad with no support from any of her family members. When her mum comes back from Ghana she suggests Maddie moves out for a while. This is a period of self growth as she becomes independent and learns about love, loss and all the other things her friends have been experiencing for years. I thought this was really good, it felt fresh and relevant and I really liked the narrator‘s performance.
#netgalley
so-so#UnpopularOpinion I really wanted to love this book but too much of it felt fabricated - A contemporary story of Maddie, a 25 yr old British girl born to Ghanaian parents. Maddie‘s father suffers from Parkinson‘s and she‘s his main caregiver leaving little time for herself & her own pleasures. A story of growing up, familia love, grief, acceptance and self love. Good for a debut but overall lackluster. #NetGalley #CoverCrush
pickOhhh, this is a great story. Not everyone experiences their coming-to-age as a teenager, but Maddie/Maame proves that 25 can be a good age to reckon past with present. I love how this story was told and how the resolution was a key part of the story rather than a let‘s-just-wrap-this-thing-up final chapter. I can‘t stop thinking of the meaning of Maame and it‘s impact - positive and negative.
Feb #DoubleSpin - Published 2023
pickFive ⭐️! This book is about self-discovery. It is about the complicated feelings that accompany being a young woman, especially a woman of color, in modern-day society. I devoured this book. Full review: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60784605
Book haul! The two books in front are my #botm picks for February and the two above them I got from a #littlefreelibrary near me! The two on the ends are from my library and I just got an email that another hold is ready so I guess I‘m headed back there tomorrow….no idea when I‘ll read any of these 🤦🏼♀️. For those that have read any of these, are there any I need to move to the top of the TBR?
Weekend book haul from the local bookstore. I‘m in love with all of these book covers. 💘 I‘m currently reading Maame. It‘s the debut novel for the author. I started it yesterday, and I‘m loving it. Also, Read with Jenna is having an author virtual book event for Maame. Tickets are on sale now.
Mid-afternoon wine date with my gal. The wine bar, Corvina Wine Company, has a living room area, which is perfect for reading. It includes blankets. A lovely Saturday.
“In African culture—Wait, no, I don‘t want to be presumptuous or in any way nationalistic enough to assume certain Ghanaian customs run true in other African countries.”
First Line Fridays
@ShyBookOwl
I always get nervous on #BOTM day! I‘m hoping these are good!! 📚❤️
What did you choose?!
#LitsyLove
#LitsyLoveReads
https://www.mybotm.com/cqx3qrjrjovzehfr?show_box=true
pickThe #BOTM hint indicates this will be a February pick (though it‘s available next week), and I can definitely see why! Maddie narrates this story that opens with her own, in some ways, delayed coming-of-age when her mother returns from Ghana, giving Maddie a chance to step out of her role as primary caregiver for her father. Personal, raw and emotional, I really enjoyed this book that touches on a range of topics but at its heart, deals with love.
pickOnce again an ARC for the win. This needs to be one of the books you pick up in February. Maddie was such a likable character. You will want to take her journey through life‘s ups and downs with her. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 read.
pickThis debut novel about a 25-year-old Londoner-of-Ghanaian-ancestry late-bloomer is worth the read. Read my full review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#maame
Publication is expected January 31.
#NetGalley #MacmillanAudio #Maame
pick
What a journey the reader takes with Maddie as she navigates family tensions, cultural differences, the online dating world, and the friendships that bring us through even our worst times. With each generation, the idea of the "coming of age" novel changes to reflect the times, and this debut novel perfectly captures the world as it is today, with heart, humor and tremendous insight and wisdom.
pick
What a journey the reader takes with Maddie as she navigates family tensions, cultural differences, the online dating world, and the friendships that bring us through even our worst times. With each generation, the idea of the "coming of age" novel changes to reflect the times, and this debut novel perfectly captures the world as it is today, with heart, humor and tremendous insight and wisdom.
pickGet ready for this wonderful novel out January 31.
Maddie has been living with her dad who has Parkinson‘s being his caretaker. Now her mom is moving back in and Maddie can move out and start living her life. This is a tender story about Maddie‘s path to self discovery. I absolutely loved it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.
