Everyone should read this book. I have not seen the film yet, but will definitely be checking it out soon, as well has his documentary True Justice on HBO. Bryan Stevenson inspires readers to become "stonecatchers," to catch the stones people cast at each other. His expertise on capitol punishment, cruel prison conditions, inappropriate sentencing, racial injustice, and the plights of children in the criminal justice system is evident in every sentence. What's most inspiring is that he has witnessed first-hand all of these injustices in our country, and has then dedicated his life to changing the broken system. Each win and fight has to be small and slow, but he has moved this country forward and kept the conversation going around the world. He has made this nation a more better place for so many people, and continues to fight and push for more just mercy.

His experiences have brought to light so many injustices in our criminal justice system that I was completely unaware of. Of course Trina's story stood out to me from the beginning because of her name, but what she's lived through and endured is a remarkable demonstration of her strength, but also totally unacceptable and should upset every American.

The following quote from his conversation with Rosa Parks does not even cover all the arenas in which he advocates for change in this country.

“Rosa Parks turned to me sweetly and asked, 'Now, Bryan, tell me who you are and what you're doing.' I looked at Ms. Carr to see if I had permission to speak, and she smiled and nodded at me. I then gave Ms. Parks my rap. 'Yes, ma'am. Well, I have a law project called the Equal Justice Initiative, and we're trying to help people on death row. We're trying to stop the death penalty, actually. We're trying to do something about prison conditions and excessive punishment. We want to free people who've been wrongly convicted. We want to end unfair sentences in criminal cases and stop racial bias in criminal justice...Ms. Parks leaned back smiling. 'Ooooh, honey, all that's going to make you tired, tired, tired.' We all laughed. I looked down, a little embarrassed. Then Ms. Carr leaned forward and put her finger in my face and talked o me just like my grandmother used to talk to me. She said, 'That's why you've got to be brave, brave, brave.' All three women nodded in silent agreement and for just a little while, they made me feel like a young prince.”

I pretty much wanted to listen to a hallmark Christmas movie at work today. And that’s what this was! Charming and romantic! Chaste and dull! Exactly what I wanted.

Surprise surprise, my first book finished of 2021 is a Bridgerton book! It was a fun listen, but if you've seen the show I'd suggest skipping to the second book. The show is better, and you basically know what's going to happen in this one! And Eloise does not have a single line in this book... I feel robbed! Interestingly, unlike the show, the identity of Mrs. Whistledown is not revealed in this book.

Things do happen differently than in the show. And one thing in particular is a lot more uncomfortable in the book...

I'm ready for number 2! Honestly may just skip to books 4 and 5 because those are the characters I love the most in the show!

Also the second epilogue.... not a fan, except for that we got to know Belinda a little!

Wow. I am glad I didn't finish this book until the new year because now I know I will have a good book on my 2021 list no matter what "smut" I read the rest of the year. I suggest the audiobook for Nigerian accents; I think it helped immerse me in story. Ifemelu and Obinze are two of my favorite fictional characters, and their stories and relationships felt precious.

This book is filled with commentary on race, culture, people, class, influence, and so many other things that it will keep you thinking while you read and beyond. The book is filled with ancillary characters put in positions to share observations that really stick with you.

I was lucky to hear Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie speak at my brother's graduation, and have been a fan ever since. I look forward to reading her other works. I even loved her piece on Barack Obama's A Promised Land in the NYT.

It’s such a hard one to review/rate for me because for the first 300-350 pages I was just like “coooooome ooooooon,” but then the last 60 pages were exciting. Now my instinct is “FOUR STARS!” but for the majority of the book I was telling friends, “skip it. Two stars.” Even the epilogue bored me again and had me counting down pages. You can tell it’s a British novel because of the glacial pace.
That being said, I loved the education it provided on British suffragettes and poets and artists. I’m eager to learn more about Tennyson and Wollstonecraft.

If I had realized what this book was, I wouldn't have started it. About 60% of the way through I realized it wasn't for me. If I had been physically reading it I would have put it down, but since I was listening to it I figured I'd finish it. It's not a bad book! I just didn't like it. The word that comes to mind is "perverted."

It's like the Mexican Get Out.

I enjoyed this book more than the first Bridgerton book, but that is probably because I haven't seen season 2 yet. But I also found Kate to be a more compelling protagonist than Daphne.
I can't wait for season 2!
It's a cheesy as you could hope for, and we finally got some Eloise time!