Review: The Last Black Unicorn

The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was unexpected. I wasn’t very familiar with Tiffany Haddish’s life or work before reading this book. I saw her give a few interviews while promoting the book and found her to be quite entertaining. I decided to listen to the audiobook because it is read by Haddish herself, which, for me, adds to the experience. I love when I get the chance to hear a person’s story in their own voice.

Like so many other comedians, Haddish’s past is full of sad and traumatic events. Yet, she has been able to find the funny in otherwise unfunny situations. Her narrative is witty, observant, and honest. I laughed out loud throughout the whole thing and was brought to near tears during the painful parts. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook.

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Review: Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-ins and Breakdowns That Put Donald Trump in the White House

Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-ins and Breakdowns That Put Donald Trump in the White House by Donna Brazile
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was horrified by the 2016 presidential election for many reasons. I was upset by the discourse, the choice of candidates, the lack of civility and the polarization of our two-party system. When it was reported that the DNC had been hacked by the Russians, that added a whole new dimension to the election. A hostile foreign nation made a concerted effort to influence our fair and free election, the hallmark of our democracy. Politics is a dirty game, probably dirtier than we would all like to admit.

While I consider myself an independent, I do tend to lean Democratic. However, like the Republicans, I think the Democrats have also forgotten who they are and what the core values of their party are. I read this book to get Brazile’s side of the story. I knew going into the book that it would be a biased account and that it was her opportunity to address some of the criticism hurled at her during the campaign. But I didn’t disagree with a lot of her ideas. She stressed the need for both parties to take a step back and reevaluate who they are and what they really stand for. I agree with her that the Democratic party needs to get back to and embrace the grassroots movements that are happening all over the country and work to embrace the base, as well as to grow it. I also agree with her point that the government needs to do more to prevent foreign enemies from interfering in our elections.

I don’t think this book will change anyone’s opinion about Brazile and the DNC’s handling of the 2016 presidential election, although I do not feel that the full blame rests on her shoulders. It certainly offers a window into what happened behind closed doors and to the many mistakes that led to the Democrat’s defeat in the election. The DNC has a lot of soul-searching and rebuilding to do.


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Review: The Zookeeper's Wife

The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked this one. I have always found the World War II era fascinating and have spent a lot of time studying it and reading about it. I think what draws me to the era is that it represents both the best and worst of humanity simultaneously. I have read many accounts surrounding this era, but I haven’t read much about Poland, Hitler’s first target. While the novel is nonfiction, it reads like a fiction novel, although I felt that the fiction feeling wasn’t consistent throughout the whole novel. Overall, I thought it was a beautiful story and I was struck by the bravery and resilience of the Polish people and the Zabinski family.

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Review: A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story

A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story by Linda Sue Park
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was another school read for me. It was chosen as one of the choice books for our social justice unit and it’s one of the few choices that I haven’t read yet, so I decided that I would read it this year. The story is told through two parallel stories - one of a girl set in 2008, who walks to get water every day and the other of a boy set in 1985, who is forced to flee his home when rebels attack. The stories seem to be divergent but come together in the end with a twist. The stories are sad and, in many ways, heartbreaking. My students responded really well to the novel and it generated a lot of great discussions. Many even felt inspired to help and the book has an addendum about a school that helped to put in a well in a village.

What I liked about the novel is that it accessible to a lot of students. The reading level isn’t difficult and the structure of the novel keeps the reader engaged and interested. Having students read stories like A Long Walk to Water is important because it expands their worldview, as the experiences of Nya and Salva are so vastly different from many of their own. What I also like, is that it is more than just a sad story. It also gives students a concrete way to help and make a difference. Our 7th-graders have also responded very well to the novel so I think it’s been a good addition to our unit.

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Review: The Alienist

The Alienist by Caleb Carr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I first read The Alienist in high school as part of a project where we had to “diagnosis” the killer. I loved it then and I loved it just as much when I re-read it recently. I took it off the bookshelf (yes, I still own my copy from high school) to re-read it after TNT announced that it was going be adapting the book into a mini-series.

This novel is set in New York City in 1896, which adds a wonderful dark element to the narrative. This was the height of the crime bosses and government corruption and when psychology as a science was in its infancy. As a history lover, the setting of this story adds an additional element to love. I get to read a novel where Teddy Roosevelt is the police chief? Yes, please! New York City, one of my favorite places on Earth, is as much a character in this novel as Moore or Kreizler. It make the history nerd in me super happy.

On top of that, the narrative grabs you from page one and takes you on a journey into the mind of a seriously disturbed killer. The story is full of suspense and Carr’s writing makes you feel like a part of Kreizler’s team as they race against the clock to catch a killer. It is a truly entertaining narrative and is one of the best psychological thrillers I have ever read.


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Review: Exit West

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a rather timely narrative with all the discussion and tension surrounding immigration right now. I found Hamid's writing style to be very lush, romantic, and evocative. The story had an interesting concept and was incredibly creative. I think Hamid did a good job of representing the different side of this issue through various characters. This book has received quite a lot of praise and attention and I think it deserves it.

On a side note, the audiobook is read by the author, which I love.

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