The Girl Before Book Review

The Girl Before

JP Delaney

Ballantine Books

Adult Fiction

Publication Date: January 24, 2017

Then: After a burglary Emma needed a home she would feel safe in, a home that would give her a fresh start. She and her boyfriend Simon find that refuge in One Folgate Street, a minimalist stone structure infused with technology to make life simpler. But the modern house comes with a long list of rules created by its austere architect.

Now: After a tragedy, Jane needs to start over. She's instantly drawn to the minimalist stone look of One Folgate Street and is ready to declutter her life. Intrigued but not put off by both the rules of the lease and the house's architect, Jane readily moves in.

The Girl Before shifts between these two women as Jane tries to uncover the secrets that surround Emma - a previous tenant of her house. As Jane dives deeper into the past, her and Emma's lives entangle. Is she bound to follow Emma's mistakes and misfortune?

The Bradbury-esque house at One Folgate Street immediately caught my attention, and while I was interested in how the story would end, middle sections of the novel weren't as intriguing. That being said, I'm glad I read through to the end.

If you’re interested in reading The Girl Before, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Small Great Things Book Review

Small Great Things

Jodi Picoult (Author)

Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine

Adult Fiction

Publication Date: October 11, 2016

Ruth Jefferson, a labor and delivery nurse for more than twenty years who is African American, is removed from caring for a newborn patient by his white supremacist parents. But, when the newborn goes into cardiac arrest and Ruth is the only nurse available to help, how should she react? Does she disobey orders and help the child, or does she abide by the directive given to her and not care for the patient? This incident sets into motion a lawsuit and a candid look at race and racism in America today.

While it's easy to point a finger at overt racism and racists (like the confederate flag and swastika tattooed father), Small Great Things dives deeper illuminating shades of racism from intentional to unintentional to well-intentioned ignorance.

As a white woman, Small Great Things was at times familiar at times eye opening and at times jarring. Small Great Things will make you think about race in America and how you fit into the wider discourse. When you read this book, I highly recommend also reading the Author's Note that explains why Jodi Picoult wrote it. It's important to understand perspectives outside of our own, and even though it is fiction, Small Great Things offers insight into a multitude of experiences Americans live every day.

If you’re interested in reading Small Great Things, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.