After the Fire: A True Story of Friendship and Survival, written by Robin Gaby Fisher, narrated by Richard Powers
A random selection because it was available immediately, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A 2000 dorm fire at Seton Hall University took the lives of three students and injured many more. This book is the story of two roommates who were severely burned and their long recoveries, as well as of the investigative process. I loved learning about their experience, but I'm glad the book also delved into the lives of some of the others who were involved in the story.
I heard about this excellent book from a friend in June of last year. The author, a reporter for The New York Times, spent eight years immersed in the life of Dasani, a girl living in New York City. From the heritage that preceded her existence through the present, hers is a story of brokenness and strength, mistreatment and love. This is a book about trying to survive when the odds are stacked against you, systems that can either help or hinder a person's success, the impact of racial inequality on individual lives, how intertwined the different facets of our lives are, the significance of having someone believe in and advocate for you, and the critical importance of family.
Lady Tan's Circle of Women, written by Lisa See, narrated by Jennifer Lim and Justin Chien
I really enjoyed this novel set in China during the 1940s. Based on a true story, the protagonist is a girl who's part of elite society, but is also trained to be a doctor by her grandparents. Her education is frowned on culturally, but the women she secretly (and eventually publicly) helps are forever grateful for her knowledge. The environment of extreme wealth and poverty, arranged marriages, concubines, Chinese medicine, foot binding, gender norms, and more is completely unfamiliar to me, so the decades from childhood into Lady Tan's fifties were interesting to read about. She lived respectfully in the culture she was part of while simultaneously working to improve the lives of its women.
A Lesson Before Dying, based on the novel by Ernest J. Gaines, written by Romulus Linney, narrated by Rick Foucheux, Keith Glover, Jamahl Marsh, Linda Powell, Jefferson A. Russell, Jerry Whiddon, and Beatrice Winde
A Season of Gifts, written by Richard Peck, narrated by Ron McLarty
Tyler and I loved this final book in a middle grade trilogy. Grandma is just as rough on the outside and soft on the inside as she was in the first two books. She's sly, funny, and doesn't tolerate any nonsense. The first book was written from the lens of her grandson, the second from her granddaughter, and this one from a twelve year old boy who moved in next door once her grandkids were grown. I didn't plan on listening to the first one with Tyler and neither of us knew it was part of a trilogy until after we finished it, but the whole series was entertaining for both of us.
Small Things Like These, written by Claire Keegan, narrated by Aidan Kelly
I enjoyed this two hour audiobook I heard about from a friend. The novel's set in Ireland during the 1980s and the main character is a man committed to his family, employees, and community. A weaving of his childhood and the people who were integral parts of it with the present day and a scandalous situation that the community turns a blind eye to, the story is his chance to pay kindness forward, do the right thing when others won't, and give hope to someone who needs it.
Their Eyes Were Watching God, written by Zora Neale Hurston, narrated by Ruby Dee
I discovered this sequel existed right after I finished The Pecan Man, then lamented on Facebook that it wasn't available in print or audio through my library system. It showed up at my doorstep two days later, kindly sent by someone who remained anonymous. I loved this follow-up, a story that focused on the impact of decisions made decades earlier, the burden of secrets and freedom of honesty, the hard work of owning our contribution to problems and learning new ways to live, and the importance of letting others into our lives.
