Customer Comments

Colson Whitehead does it again! Sometimes hyped novels let me down, but this one absolutely delivers. The setting is pre-Civil War America. And the Underground Railroad is an actual railroad. Cora is escaping her owner, Mr. Randall. The book wends its way through Cora's history as we discover her mother's escape, Cora's escape, and the places she flees to. There are enough twists and turns to keep the plot interesting. The writing is beautiful. And the entire setting reminds us of the gruesome reality of owning human beings. The author does not pull any punches - he deftly tells of the selling of slaves, the beating of slaves, and the casual violence perpetrated in the South. Highly recommend for everyone to read.

What a fun book for kids! I loved how bright and interesting the illustrations were. I read this with my friend's five year old and we all had fun following the adventures of Lorenzo as he first eats pizza and then tries to remember how to make it for his friend. There's a little moral at the end, but mostly it's just a lighthearted tale of a lobster who loves pizza. Who doesn't love that?

Another intense and gripping tale from Jesmyn Ward. I highly recommend this book! The story follows JoJo, a 13 year old biracial boy, growing up in Mississippi. Most of the narrative follows JoJo as he accompanies his black mother to pick up his white father, who is being released from prison after three years. Along for the ride are his little sister and his mother's friend. The story takes some twists and turns, but through it all, the author paints a picture of this family and the community they exist in that is enlightening and despairing all at the same time. Hang in with the bit of magical realism she throws in. A truly modern look at the state of one family in the South. While this book is certainly fiction, it feels so real.

This books captures the horrifying nature of war without being over dramatic. It also captures moments of beauty in the midst of desolation. The characters are extremely well-written. The book pulled me in and didn't let me go. Best book I read in 2010.