Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Publisher: Fourth Estate Ltd

Format: Paperback

Rating: 5/5

Goodreads

Synopsis from Goodreads:

From the award-winning author of 'Half of a Yellow Sun,' a powerful story of love, race and identity. As teenagers in Lagos, Ifemelu and Obinze fall in love. Their Nigeria is under military dictatorship, and people are fleeing the country if they can. The self-assured Ifemelu departs for America. There she suffers defeats and triumphs, finds and loses relationships, all the while feeling the weight of something she never thought of back home: race. Obinze had hoped to join her, but post-9/11 America will not let him in, and he plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London. Thirteen years later, Obinze is a wealthy man in a newly democratic Nigeria, while Ifemelu has achieved success as a blogger. But after so long apart and so many changes, will they find the courage to meet again, face to face? Fearless, gripping, spanning three continents and numerous lives, 'Americanah' is a richly told story of love and expectation set in today's globalized world.

I wasn't going to write a review for Americanah because honestly, what is there left to say?! It's truly spectacular. My only complaint was that the writing was sooooo small! It's my fault really because I'm used to reading on Kindle/iPad/Nook and making the text HUGE. Anyway, all that aside, I'll just go through a few standout points for me.

It flowed beautifully. It takes a masterful writer to navigate two points of view and flit back and forth through time and space. The characters were wonderful. I loved Ifemelu the most but I felt genuine warmth toward the majority of the supporting characters that passed through her life and Obinze's life too. I don't know the first thing about Nigeria so I really enjoyed the rich descriptions of Ifemelu's home, past and present. 

Finally, this is very much a dialogue about what it means to be black both in a predominantly black society (Nigeria has the highest concentration of black people in the world, followed by Brazil - something I learnt from one of the million different documentaries on Brazil that have been shown) and then as a minority in places like the US and the UK. I've heard that this has been a bone of contention amongst a few readers as some thought it became very preachy when really they wanted a love story. I think in parts it was supposed to be a bit preachy. Ifemelu starts a blog in the US about race and culture - most people with a blog are a little bit preachy at times, right? Especially a blog that deals with sensitive topics. Then Ifemelu decides to go natural with her hair. Now, for those of you who don't know, hair - for whatever reason - is a big deal in the black community. I would certainly recommend Chris Rock's Good Hair documentary if you want to find out more. Those of you who have bravely dipped a toe into the world of black haircare blogs and forums will laugh knowingly whilst reading this part of the novel. Ifemelu sounded A LOT like the natural hair bloggers who pretend they're not judging others for relaxing their hair but they still manage to get a few digs in here and there! At the end of the day, whilst we are growing, we all go through these stages. It is not the author's job to present us with a likeable character and a perfect love story - that would be a deservice to the craft of writing. It's our job as readers to get into the heads of thse characters and take a walk in their shoes. 

As I said in this week's Top Ten Tuesday post, if you want to gain an idea of what it is like to be a black woman in the 21st century - make that a black woman in the US because my own experience is still different to Ifemelu, Britain has its own race problems - then give this book a go. Or maybe wait until the film starring Lupita Nyong'o comes out (can't wait!). Either way, come back here and we'll talk about it! 

We Need Diverse Books

I'm sure by now you've all seen #weneediversebooks on Twitter, which is part of the We Need Diverse Books campaign. Obviously, as a black Caribbean Brit, this is very important to me and I wholly back the campaign. I think it's obvious (or at least it should be) that we do in fact need diverse books and a shame that we have to campaign for it. However, for those who need convincing, here are a few reasons why I personally feel we need more diverse books.

First and foremost, so that young children today can see themselves reflected in the media in the same way I did when I was a child. Looking back on everything, I don't think I ever really questioned my identity. I have always been proud of who I am and where I come from and this all stemmed from good parenting, a strong faith, and the media I had access too. Growing up in the 90's, I never had to look very far to see someone like me reflected on the TV and my parents went to great lengths to make sure our books were diverse too. When we got home, we could watch Sister, Sister and Moesha and Smart Guy and The Proud Family. During the school holidays, our national TV stations had no problem showing The Cosby Show, Hangin' With Mr Cooper, Martin, The Oprah Winfrey Show and so many other shows featuring people who looked like me. This was so important considering we moved from a very diverse area to a predominantly white area. For a long time, my sister and I were the only black children in our primary school but we never experienced any problems and were always healthy, happy children. So much so, I never questioned the diversity issue until I started really getting into this blogging thing, particularly the YA section, and realised actually yes, all the characters in these YA contemporary books that I devour are rather homogenous. Where did it all go wrong?

To avoid tokenism and exoticism. These days, people in positions of authority seem to think they've passed the diversity test (because inclusion is a chore just like a test?) because there's one background character who is from a minority group. Similarly, this character might be added to the mix to 'spice things up'. Let's put in a 'fiesty Latina or a 'sassy' gay character. That's not cool. It perpetuates 'otherness' and elevates one group over another in a seemingly inoffensive way. 

I've seen a lot of people putting forward the vampire/monster example and think that's perfect. If Edward Cullen can make everyone's hearts flutter, why can't a HUMAN from a minority group do the same?! When you put it so simply, it really makes you think. 

So that when children of today go to interviews in 10-15 years time, they will know it is NOT normal or acceptable for the all white office of a multinational corporation to stop working and gawp as you walk by as if you're an alien. So that their interviewer will not go dead in the eyes when they realise you're not like everyone else in the office so won't be a good 'cultural fit', therefore won't even bother to interview you properly. Instead, said interviewer won't bat an eyelid because they will be interviewing the person whose CV/resume/cover letter suggested they are more than capable of sitting at the table. 

Regarding my own people, so that people know that our story is more than just slavery or poverty or rioting or rapping/dancing/entertaining/playing sports.

Finally, so that when another Lupita comes along (and hopefully there will be many more) we won't have magazines going into overcompensation mode because she's so 'different'. We won't have people who are 'pleasantly surprised' to hear someone like her speak so eloquently or be called beautiful. So that people like Lupita can just go on about their business doing what they love rather than having to carry the weight of all the other dark skinned people out there who have a dream because it will just be normal to have a dream of being on the big screen and be able to accomplish it regardless of your skin tone. 

I could go on forever but those are the first points that come to mind. If you feel we need more diverse books, join the campaign! 

Hooked by Liz Fichera

Publisher: MIRA Ink

Format: Kindle e-book

Rating: 3/5

Goodreads

Fred Oday spends most of her free time hitting balls at the driving range whilst waiting for her dad to finish his shift at the golf club. Fred's generally quiet life is disrupted when the coach for the school golf team discovers her talent and offers her a place on the team. Fred has to weigh up whether taking the spot is a good idea because: firstly, she has to take the place of an existing team member; secondly, the team is comprised of the rich, white boys who either ignore her or show outright hostility towards her and the other Native American students. Ryan Berenger is one of these boys. However, Ryan has his own issues to deal with - he just cannot seem to please anybody, from his best friends, to his parents, and then the new girl on the golf team. Over the course of a semester, Fred and Ryan both learn that you cannot judge a book by its cover. 

I bought this book because just after my first ever golf lesson, I was listening to a +Clear Eyes, Full Shelves podcast and Hooked was mentioned - perfect timing. When I read the synopsis, I thought it sounded like an interesting read because I can't say I've ever heard of a YA book with golf as the featured sport. We've had girls fighting to get onto football and ice hockey teams (Dairy Queen, Catching Jordan, Bittersweet) but never golf. Also, it's interesting to note that all of these sporting girls in male dominated sports have, what are generally considered, masculine or unisex names (D.J, Jordan, Hudson, Fred). Anyway, I really enjoyed Hooked. It's a quiet story with simple but universal themes - don't judge, do what you love, be kind to one another. 

I don't know very much about Native American culture but I loved the imagery and the poems and blessings that peppered Fred's side of the story. As a result, her voice came across as quite lyrical. The end scene in particular was very moving and I could picture it clearly. Fred was different (in a good way) to other sporty, teen protagonists. She was quiet but determined and she didn't whine even when the others treated her terribly. Her love for her family and heritage was evident in all of her actions. On the other hand, Ryan was a little more cliched but his true character shone through in the final act. To be honest, this is really Fred's novel - Ryan provided a peek into the not so perfect world of the rich folk on the other side of town but most of us could have imagined this without his voice. However, I wasn't as against a dual narrative in this story as I was with Eleanor & Park. 

I'm glad I read this and I will certainly read another book by Liz Fichera - hopefully it has a less embarrassing cover! 

Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell

Publisher: Tinder Press
Format: Hardback
Rating: 4/5
Goodreads

It's 1976. Robert Riordan tells his wife Gretta he is popping out to get a paper, as he does every morning. However, Robert does not return. With the help of her grown up children, scattered near and far, Gretta sets about piecing together the mystery of Robert's disappearance and a host of family secrets are forced into the open. 

Wow. I loved this novel. This is my first Maggie O'Farrell and there's no denying that she's a gifted storyteller. It just goes to show, the simplest idea can make for the best story when handled properly. Oftentimes, a book has a brilliant, original premise but then it goes off the rails somewhere near the middle (like The Age of Miracles) but this seemingly common plot was given a new lease of life by Maggie O'Farrell. I actually wanted someone to read it to me (preferably in an Irish accent) and I usually dislike audiobooks (mainly because I associate them with going to sleep). 

First of all, the characters were so very vivid and vibrant and whole. I think I once heard that one of the differences between Pixar films and other animated films was that the Pixar characters had a sense of weight to them, which added to the realness (please correct me if I just made that up). Anyway, the characters in Instructions for a Heatwave had weight - they were alive. Even the children and the characters who were not actually present. Gretta might be one of my favourite characters in a long time - partly because she reminded me of my own grandmother who's name is very similar. I truly felt for Monica too - such a complex character but I think many eldest daughter's will relate to her. 

Secondly, the setting: the heatwave of 1976. As Maggie O'Farrell mentions in the notes at the end of the book, the heatwave is part of our nation's collective memory. My mum always talks about how they gave out ice lollies during her exams. You could feel the heaviness, the closeness, the irritability caused by this drought and Robert's disappearance. 

Again, as with Eleanor & Park, there was the theme of identity - first generation/ second generation issues. Gretta's thoughts about the treatment of the Irish in England made me think of my grandparents' stories. They frequently speak of the signs back then proclaiming "No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish". Then Gretta's anger at the way her entitled children have grown up, not knowing the kind of prejudice she experienced but complaining nonetheless. Yes, they got teased at school but it wasn't quite the same. This whole internal argument on pages 258 - 259 definitely required pause for thought. 

I could go on for ages about this novel but I really couldn't do it justice. I would just be saying 'I loved this...I loved that' for pages so I will stop here and suggest you get a copy for your summer holidays. 

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Publisher: Orion

Format: Nook book
Rating: 3/5
Goodreads

The year is 1986. Eleanor is the new girl. Park is just managing to fly under the radar. At least until Eleanor decides to sit next to him on the school bus. Over the course of a school year, against all odds, Eleanor and Park become friends and fall in love over a shared appreciation of music and comic books.

It took a while to get into this book but in the end I appreciated Rainbow Rowell tackling some big issues wrapped up in a story about finding love in the bleakest of times. First of all: inter-racial relationships. I cannot think of many books that I have read featuring inter-racial couples. Diversity in YA in general isn't that great but that's a HUGE topic that I shall leave to the professionals. 

Rainbow Rowell managed to subtly open a dialogue about what defines us. Park is American with Korean and Irish heritage. Despite living a fairly 'normal' American life, he spends a lot of time pondering his Korean side - perhaps because he is closer to his mother. The scene where he admitted to not feeling 'sexy' because there aren't many Asian crossover, male heartthrobs was heartbreaking but there was a thread of truth. I can totally see where he is coming from as I think most people who cannot see themselves reflected in the media have this feeling at least once in a while. Park's questioning of why Eleanor found him attractive was depressing but then again didn't he have a right to know why? There was an interesting debate the other day on Celebitchy after something Viola Davis said along with continued interest in Michael Fassbender's inter-racial relationships- the ladies were debating how big a difference there is between preference and fetish (Read if here. For what it's worth, I agree with Kaiser). I kept thinking about this debate whilst reading Eleanor & Park- their relationship, Park's parents' relationships. Perhaps Rainbow Rowell wanted to challenge us in this area? Eleanor never really mentioned her Danish heritage, except at Christmas when confronted with her step-father and his demand for an American Christmas dinner with pumpkin pie. It made me think, what pushes us over the edge and makes us pull out our inner heritage? 

Rainbow Rowell also sensitively handled Eleanor's horrible family situation without turning it into an after-school special type story. Her construction of Eleanor's world was more along the lines of 'this is how it is- what can you do?' This added to the poignancy that underpinned the story. 

None of the characters were particularly likeable- except for perhaps Park's mother, Mindy- and a few were unnescessary. For example, Cal and Kim - I didn't get that part of the story. It seemed to be more filler than anything else, which was a shame. Also, I'm usually a big fan of dual narration but I didn't like it here. I would've liked to hear just one story and have it go into more detail - probably Eleanor's first and then perhaps a sequel, a year on, with Park. He'd definitely have more to explore internally and externally after meeting Eleanor, making his character a lot more three-dimensional. 

However, Eleanor & Park was an interesting read. It was a little bit more than your run of the mill, YA love story because it was more about friendship amidst adversity. All you need is that one person to send you a half smile and BOOM - day made.