Susan Straight Boeken

The Thompson clan tries to deal with the chaos after their family patriarch finds the burning bodies of two white women on his property and is then acidentally gunned down by police

A rich, lyrical and passionate novel which portrays the life of a black woman growing up in America's Deep South.

"In inland Southern California, near the desert and the Mexican border, Susan Straight, a self-proclaimed book nerd, and Dwayne Sims, an African American basketball player, started dating in high school. After college, they married and drove to Amherst, Massachusetts, where Straight met her teacher and mentor, James Baldwin, who encouraged her to write. Once back in Riverside, at driveway barbecues and fish fries with the large, close-knit Sims family, Straight--and eventually her three daughters--heard for decades the stories of Dwayne's female ancestors. Some women escaped violence in post-slavery Tennessee, some escaped murder in Jim Crow Mississippi, and some fled abusive men. Straight's mother-in-law, Alberta Sims, is the descendant at the heart of this memoir. Susan's family, too, reflects the hardship and resilience of women pushing onward--from Switzerland, Canada, and the Colorado Rockies to California. A Pakistani word, biraderi, is one Straight uses to define a complex system of kinship and clan--those who become your family. An entire community helped raise her daughters. Of her three girls, now grown and working in museums and the entertainment industry, Straight writes, "The daughters of our ancestors carry in their blood at least three continents. We are not about borders. We are about love and survival." In the Country of Women is a valuable social history and a personal narrative that reads like a love song to America and indomitable women."--Jacket

The narrative explores the lives of individuals in a lesser-known black neighborhood of Southern California, offering a nuanced perspective that contrasts with typical portrayals of the region. Through tender and insightful writing, the author delves into the unique experiences and challenges faced by the community, revealing a deeper understanding of their realities.

"A California epic following several native, diverse Californians grasping for air in a world that continues to marginalize them."--

A haunting novel set in early-nineteenth-century Louisiana, "A Million Nightingales" follows Moinette, a slave girl navigating her journey from captivity to freedom. Through her own vibrant voice, she reflects on her life, her separation from her mother, and her determination to escape her fate.

The narrative follows a young Mexican mother as she faces the emotional challenges of reconnecting with her child while navigating life in America. This poignant story delves into themes of motherhood, identity, and the immigrant experience, offering a raw and powerful exploration of love and resilience. Praised for its emotional depth, the novel captures the struggles and triumphs of a mother's journey in a foreign land, making it a compelling read.

In the 1800s, African-American and Mexican-American families fled violence and segregation to come West, to make home and family in the promised land. Their descendants keep traditions and loyalty alive in driveways, boxing rings, restaurants, churches, and on the sidewalks filled with stories and kinship and laughter, rememory and love.

The book offers a profound exploration of a black woman's life, characterized by its rich detail and emotional honesty. It delves into the complexities of human thought and feeling, presenting a narrative that captures the intricacies of her experiences. The depth of the portrayal allows readers to connect with the character on multiple levels, making it a remarkable and insightful read.