Literary Fiction by People of Color discussion

A buddy read for Saving Ruby King will begin 8/8. Hope you can join us!

The audio book and ebook are both available on Hoopla!

The audio is very good - multi-cast reading!

Excellent! I had planned on listening to this book.

Oh goodness. Forgot this was upon us. If you all want to start the discussion on Friday, feel free to do so. I lost track of time and likely won’t be able to start reading it til late next week; probably Thurs.

I’m looking at late next week, too, Columbus. Time just keeps getting away from me!

Reading schedule:

Prologue thru Chap 6 - Aug 13-17
Chap 7 thru chap 12 - Aug 18-22

Entire book open Aug 23rd

How does that sound?

I Just started the book 10 minutes ago.

The schedule looks good, Columbus.

Lata wrote: "The schedule looks good, Columbus."

Great. Can’t wait to start discussing.

Saving Ruby King is a light read but it’s just the type of book I need now. I’ve been reading a lot of tomes, classics recently and some of them a little heavier than I expected.

I like these characters and within this family drama we have a murder mystery. Who killed Alice? Was it Lebanon, her abusive husband? He had the means and his alibi is rather skimpy. Or was it a random attack?

I also love that Calvary narrates a chapter. You learn all the secrets and hear all the gossip from within the church walls. An unusual device but effective.

ColumbusReads wrote: "Saving Ruby King is a light read but it’s just the type of book I need now. I’ve been reading a lot of tomes, classics recently and some of them a little heavier than I expected.

I like these char..."

I was pleasantly surprised by this book!
I agree with what you said - great characterizations, great pacing and holding the tension.
The multi-narrators definitely adds to the enjoyment of the story.

Yes, the Calvary chapters work well and as the saying goes "if walls could" and Calvary does. It was an effective way of providing background information. (actually I am reading another book where the building is a character - My Mother's House, and I seem to look forward to those chapters)

Loved the three generations are flushed out and each is portrayed realistically for their times/attitudes.

Definitely a page turner!

Beverly wrote: "ColumbusReads wrote: "Saving Ruby King is a light read but it’s just the type of book I need now. I’ve been reading a lot of tomes, classics recently and some of them a little heavier than I expect..."

Calvary narrating immediately reminded me of James Hannaham’s, Delicious Foods, novel. In that book, Scotty (crack cocaine) narrated sections of the book. Again, very unusual (and I initially had doubts about it) but it was very effective.

ColumbusReads wrote: "Beverly wrote: "ColumbusReads wrote: "Saving Ruby King is a light read but it’s just the type of book I need now. I’ve been reading a lot of tomes, classics recently and some of them a little heavi..."

Ha! How could I forget Scotty!! Yes, very effective!

Lata, have you started it yet? Enjoying it?

I’m actually trying to finish reading The Turner House as fast as I can so I can get started on Ruby King.

Lata wrote: "I’m actually trying to finish reading The Turner House as fast as I can so I can get started on Ruby King."

Ooh, setting in my hometown - the Big D! I enjoyed that book.

ColumbusReads wrote: "Lata wrote: "I’m actually trying to finish reading The Turner House as fast as I can so I can get started on Ruby King."

Ooh, setting in my hometown - the Big D! I enjoyed that book."

I haven't been to Detroit in many years, but I'm liking The Turner House a lot!

What I’m enjoying about this book are several things: a) I love how the author has interspersed social relevancy and important Black Chicago history (southside/northside divide) in this dramatic family story. b) within this rather dark story she’s used well-placed humorous moments that keep the novel from becoming depressing. I think this keeps the story fresh and readable.

Started this morning and loving it so far. That Alice chapter broke my heart.
And I love the multiple POVs, including Calvary’s. This POV actually reminded me of a character in Anne Leckie’s last book.

ColumbusReads wrote: "What I’m enjoying about this book are several things: a) I love how the author has interspersed social relevancy and important Black Chicago history (southside/northside divide) in this dramatic fa..."

I so agree with your points.
I am finding that my including history of an area into storyline enhances the reading experience for me. I thought that Catherine Adel West did an excellent job of providing this relevant information without it overpowering the storyline.

I also love the dialogue - those this book looked at the actions of three generations - I thought each generation just "popped" off the page in such a realistic way.

And the well-placed humorous moments was just another element that added to the realistic atmosphere of the story.

Finished this earlier today, and I loved it: the multiple POVs, the way the author illustrated how abuse and secrets can affect future generAtions, the terrific dialogue, the friendships between the different generations of women....hard to believe this is a first novel, it’s so well written.