The idea for this book is so good, but the execution falls flat. The chapters on Edna Lewis and Maya Angelou are mostly excellent, but in so many other chapters, it feels like the author picked someone she liked, but when she didn’t have a lot to say about them, she did a “book report” of sorts on their work instead of being happy with a shorter chapter just on their lives. It was so disappointing to read. 

This book is so difficult to read. I had to skip parts because the descriptions of the author’s own sexual assault were too much for me to take in. That said, it tells the story so compassionately and brings light to the devastation effects of rape culture in locker rooms and in college campuses across the country. So well written. The crossover between the author’s investigation and her own personal abuse made this read more difficult to read, and I ended up
Skipping several pages because of personal  triggers. 

The audio is grating and chapter divisions are multiple essays long. 

Shannan again brings us along as she learns what it means and how to live in community. This book is less descriptive of her life and backstory than her previous books and reflects much more on how she relates to the people around her. I found it to be an incredibly inspiring reminder that life happens in the mundane and it’s better when we bring others along. 

This book is such a hopeful book. The characters who come to the cafe have some heartbreaking troubles, but everyone in the story wants only good things for the other characters. So touching and so well written. The translation is also well done. 

Just enough tension to keep it going, but absurd enough to keep it light. Perfect.