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Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood
Trevor Noah | 2017 | Biography
9
9.2 (16 Ratings)
Book Rating
Funny and poignant
BORN A CRIME was engaging from start to finish. I have to recommend the audio of this book because you get Trevor Noah as the narrator and that truly was everything. The narration, the amusement and feelings that his own narration evoked, enhanced this book ten-fold.

So many issues and topics were covered in this book but most of all, I’ve been educated. I grew up with apartheid being reported daily on the news, I remember the celebration at it’s demise but being a close spectator to life in Soweto and other places, beginning to understand Trevor’s position as not black and not white was truly eye-opening. All this could be such a heavy topic, but actually Trevor brings his naughtiness as a child, the funny side of things and the very tragic too.

Both my kids listened to chapters of this with me in the car and thoroughly enjoyed it. My eldest commented on it being relevant both to her politics and sociology classes, my youngest just loved the ride, especially the tale of Fufi the dog. Some of the book wouldn’t have been suitable for my youngest, but I will be buying it for him when he’s older.

Even if you’re not a biographical or non-fiction reader, give this a go. I think you’ll find yourself unable to look away.
  
The Hate u Give
The Hate u Give
Angie Thomas | 2017 | Children
10
8.4 (54 Ratings)
Book Rating
Everyone needs to read this
Wow, what a stunning and unforgettable read/listen. I have been through a number of emotions with this book and most of those emotions have been extreme. This is a book of intense situations with tension pulling at the seams of the characters and therefore, the reader.

The protagonist, Starr, is as real as characters come, a black girl originally from The Projects, sent to a white, privledged school to try and protect her and her brother somewhat from danger. Her family and friends are more than background characters in this book and their connections are complicated. Starr finds herself in a situation that is heart-rending and there it all begins. The beginning of my tears, the beginning of my anger, the beginning of empathy so overwhelming. The emotional pain that Star experiences is utterly palpable; you cannot but help feel it.

The storytelling was exceptional with the ability to move from the profound to the ordinary and back seamlessly.

I don’t have eloquent words but I can recommend this to all and everyone, whatever genre you might normally read. This is for everyone. My daughter now has a copy, I am shoving it under my husband’s nose.

I listened to this on audio and the narration was superb in every way, bringing emotions to life.

Read it.
  
Show all 3 comments.
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Micky Barnard (542 KP) Mar 15, 2019

Thank you. I enjoyed her latest too.

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Kristy H (1252 KP) Mar 15, 2019

@Micky Barnard Yes, me too!

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