What this post covers
How I rate fiction books (1 to 5 stars)
How I rate non-fiction books
How I rate memoirs and biographies
What each star rating actually means
How to interpret my book reviews
I went into Sister of Mine thinking I was getting a fairly straightforward story about family. It’s not that. It’s much more layered, and sits in that slightly uncomfortable space of identity, belonging, and the things families choose not to say out loud.
Aaron Foley’s Boys Come First is that book—the one that had me laughing, cringing, and shaking my head like, “Y’all really out here living like this?” It’s a messy, hilarious, and brutally honest look at friendship, love, and trying to keep it all together when life insists on falling apart. But more than that, it’s […]
Roots and Legends: Folktales from African Culture is a vibrant, enchanting blend of African and African American folklore that will captivate readers of all ages. As someone who grew up with Anansi’s clever escapades and the mischievous tales of Brer Rabbit, I was delighted to discover even more of the rich oral traditions that this collection […]
Some books resonate across generations, their themes refusing to be silenced. Ama Ata Aidoo’s Our Sister Killjoy, first published in 1977 and now reissued by Faber Editions in 2025, is one such novel. A searing critique of European imperialism, alienation, and the disillusionment of African intellectuals abroad, this book remains as urgent and thought-provoking as […]
Elaine Adu-Poku 