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Back to topTalia
After many years as a preschool teacher, nanny, & Early Childhood Educator, Talia now spends her days selling books, singing songs, reading & playing with puppets (on Thursdays at 11a.m.) to small children & adorning her Bunch of Grapes apron with what is affectionately referred to as "flair" (pins.) Born & raised on the island, she is a true "Vineyarder" & her love & passion for the ocean runs deep. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her dog, reading, writing, walks on the beach & pursuing her passion for social justice.
Winner of the National Book Award for YA, this book was an absolute joy to read. Perhaps one of the best YA books ever, & definitely one of my personal favorites, I read it in one night & wanted to read it again & again.
If you love poetry, you will love this book. If you have ever felt unheard, unseen, or misunderstood, you wil love this book. If you have ever been in love, you will love this book. If you have ever been a teenager, you will love this book. In short, YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK!
This debut book of short stories has been getting a lot of well deserved press lately, not only due to the fact that the author is a young Black man new to the publishing world, but also because his talent is crystal clear. Each of these stories is as absorbing & interesting as they are violent & haunting. Adjei-Brenyah takes horrifying aspects of our current culture & turns up the volume, so to speak, mixing real life, science fiction & social commentary in a unique & straightforward way that leaves the reader thinking about things in ways they may not have before. If you enjoyed the Netflix show Black Mirror, you will love this book! These stories leave the reader equal parts emotionally exhausted & intellectually stimulated. A must read!
Winner of the National Book Award, this book is as beautiful as it is painful. I was utterly blown away by the honest way Ward tells a story, with such stunningly gorgeous language to describe some of the most sad & painful topics. This book deserves all the praise it has received thus far & then some. Not an uplifting story by any means, but one with moments of hope, nonetheless.
This epic novel tells the story of two families through eight generations, dealing with issues of identity, history & humanity. Gyasi's writing is exquisite & her story telling ability is truly unforgettable. I learned things I didn't know before having read this book, while simultaneously being drawn in by each character's story.
This classic Hindu scripture is part spiritual text, part poetry & part religious literature. Much like Arjuna, who is being shown the truth of his own soul, as well as the universe itself, by the God Krishna, once you read this book it will be nearly impossible to see the world in the way you once did. For me, reading this book was truly life changing.
This autobiography of political activist, writer & fugitive, Assata Shakur is at once a page turner & a fascinating life story of a woman who escaped prison almost 39 years ago. Her story reads like a thriller, interspersed with some of her own powerful, poignant poetry, leaving the reader questioning some of the systems we are taught to trust most. This book is thought provoking & transformational in every way, telling the story of a remarkable woman whose story we should all know.
This classic story about a young girl & her close relationship with the animals on her farm, including one very special pig, is one of my favorite books of all time. Perfect for all ages to read aloud or alone, this book is moving, funny & unforgettable.
One of the few books I have read many times, this story about a girl who discovers a family that never dies & the stream from which to drink to also become immortal, is a thought-provoking journey both simple & deep. Babbitt is a remarkable story teller that never disappoints. If you have never read this book, you must!
In this timely, thought provoking book, Rhodes beautifully tells the story of a young Black boy shot & killed by a white police officer & the one person who is able to see him as a ghost; the daughter of the man who killed him. These two young people are forced to grapple with thoughts & emotions far beyond their years, ultimately causing them to form a unique bond that has the potential to change the course of the future we find ourselves in. This book is a must read for all ages!
A finalist on the longlist for the 2019 PEN American Literary Award, this debut book of short stories is an original & honest look at a variety of aspects of American modern life, by a bold new voice in literature. If you enjoy short stories (or even if you don't) you will absolutely love this collection. From the clever titles of each story to the subtle ways each story is connected, this book keeps you thinking, feeling & questioning some of today's most prevalent topics.
As an Islander (born & raised on th Vineyard) there are very few books I have read that take place here that I feel do my home justice. This book is one of those rare books that captures the unique beauty & idiosyncrisies of the island & its inhabitants. Tseng's writing is exqusite & this story is at once a pasionate & touching love story, a story about finding one's self, & a contemplation of life, time, & the things that bring us joy & pain. This book felt like a gift to read & once I picked it up I could not put it down. A must read for anyone who has ever loved & lived to tell about it.