Memphis Reads Archive

Labels: Bookstock 2016, Reviews by Darletha Matthews, Staff book reviews

Labels: Historical Fiction, Reviews by Darletha Matthews, Women's Fiction

Labels: African-American Fiction, Reviews by Darletha Matthews

Darletha reviews YES, CHEF: A MEMOIR by Marcus Samuelsson (Random House, 2012)

Grab your passport and pack your appetite for this globe-trotting memoir from Marcus Samuelsson.  He is a recognizable face to anyone familiar with the food competition shows Chopped or season two of Top Chef Masters.  

Darletha Matthews, South Branch Library

Labels: Memoir, Nonfiction, Reviews by Darletha Matthews

Nonfiction/History

Darletha reviews THE BLACK COUNT:  GLORY, REVOLUTION, BETRAYAL, AND THE REAL COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO by Tom Reiss (Crown, 2012)

Alexandre Dumas was born Thomas-Alexandre in 1762 to a French marquis named Alexandre Antoine Davy de la Pailleterie and a female slave, Marie Cessette Dumas. Antoine is described as a rake who lived off the wealth of relatives and had affairs with female slaves on his brother’s sugar plantation in Saint-Domingue, French colonial Haiti. When Antoine became a wanted man he changed his name and fled into the mountains where Thomas-Alexandre was born. Thomas-Alexandre joined his father in France in 1776.

There is extensive detail about the French Revolution that slows down the pacing but it doesn’t take away from discovering that General Alex and other blacks and mixed-race men enjoyed equal rights and opportunities in 18th century France. Reiss details how “Thomas-Alexandre” became “Alexandre Dumas,” rejecting his noble upbringing to begin his military career as a low-ranking dragoon. General Alex was fearless in battle and possessed a physical presence so commanding that the Egyptians took a more favorable notice of General Alex over “short” and “skinny” Napoleon.

Reiss' narrative style fills each chapter with intrigue and action. Through military records, correspondence, and unpublished documents General Alex is depicted as an highly-respected man with strong principles who was also despised, imprisoned, and tragically forgotten in history. Alexandre Dumas (the author not the general) borrowed from many of his father's experiences to pen his classic novels. Art truly imitated an amazing life.

Darletha Matthews, South Branch Library

Labels: History, Nonfiction, Reviews by Darletha Matthews

Science Fiction

Darletha reviews BLOODCHILD, AND OTHER STORIES by Octavia Butler (Four Walls Eight Windows, 1995)

Octavia Butler passed away in 2006, but I wish she was still alive, publishing her amazing novels. Her works explore thought-provoking social issues within a science fiction or fantasy setting. On the search for a quick read, I selected  Bloodchild, a brief collection of five novellas and two essays.

The book’s namesake, “Bloodchild” depicts humans as walking incubators for alien offspring. It is the goriest of the five, reflecting a theme I associate most often with Butler’s science fiction novels—complex relationships between aliens and humans. My favorite story is “Speech Sounds,” a Hugo Award winner set in Los Angeles where an epidemic has stripped the population of the ability to read, write or understand verbal language. From the perspective of a widowed teacher we see how society collapses when normal communication is gone.

What pleased me the most about this collection are the afterwords written by Butler at the end of each tale. Her anecdotes describe how story ideas grew from reading other books or her personal experiences. The first essay, “Positive Obsession,” is an autobiographical piece about Octavia’s determination to write, despite skeptics and endless rejection letters as a black woman writing science fiction. “Furor Scribendi” lists her rules for becoming a writer. You’ll have to read for yourself what the title means and why she considers talent and inspiration “potential impediments.”

Readers who want to know more about the science fiction pioneer who created Kindred and Wildseed will enjoy this book. I can read the rest of Octavia Butler's novels with a better understanding of the person behind them.

Darletha Matthews, South Branch Library

Labels: African-American Fiction, Reviews by Darletha Matthews, Science Fiction

Fiction/Horror

Darletha reviews ‘SALEM'S LOT by Stephen King (Doubleday, 1975)

A recent article described vampires as " The New Prince Charmings." It is true that in many of today’s novels and television shows, vampires are depicted as day walkers, loyal boyfriends, or attractive high school students. How refreshing to read about evil vampires again, thanks to 'Salem's Lot.

This story takes place in the mid-1970s in Jerusalem’s Lot, Maine, also known as ‘Salem’s Lot. Writer Ben Mears returns to his hometown to pen a novel about Marsten House, a vacant mansion with a violent history. Marsten House is the location of a troubling experience for Mears, who hopes to face his demons by completing the book. The house has two new occupants—antique dealers named Barlow and Straker. As the men set up shop in ‘Salem’s Lot, people disappear and bodies are found drained of blood. Ben, his girlfriend, and a few locals agree that vampires are behind the deaths and they devise a plan to stop the spreading evil before it consumes the town.

‘Salem’s Lot is a finalist for the Vampire Novel of the Century Award. Although this novel was written in 1975, the suspenseful storytelling is timeless and the imagery haunting. After reading my share of novels with human-friendly vampires, I enjoyed reading a story with traditional vampires as blood-thirsty predators who loathe sunlight and crucifixes.

Darletha Matthews, South Branch Library

Labels: Fiction, Horror, Reviews by Darletha Matthews

Labels: African-American Fiction, Mystery, Reviews by Darletha Matthews

Fiction/African American

Darletha reviews MAMA RUBY by Mary Monroe (Kensington, 2011)

Ruby Upshaw is the seventh daughter of a preacher who resides in Shreveport, Louisiana in the mid-1930s. Ruby’s parents think she is an obedient, upright child, but like her six older sisters, Ruby has been leading a double life since she was eight years old. By the time she is fifteen, she will have enough street smarts to do whatever it takes to survive.

Ruby lives in a racially-segregated town, but she isn’t afraid of anybody. As a plus-sized girl with a tough demeanor and pocket knife for protection, people are afraid of her! Ruby becomes best friends with Othella, the daughter of a well-known prostitute. Despite her father’s warnings to stay away from “fast” girls, Ruby sneaks out of the house regularly to party at Othella’s house and fool around with several boys.

Ruby’s promiscuity leads to the secret birth of a child she is forced to give away. In subsequent years, Ruby and Othella relocate to New Orleans in hopes of finding good husbands, but what they actually encounter are a series of bad situations involving prostitution and violence. Ruby lives a difficult life that will transform her into a bitter, vengeful woman with a score to settle.

This novel is the prequel to Monroe’s debut novel, The Upper Room, which continues the Ruby/Othella story. What stood out to me the most were Ruby’s endless misfortunes, which I might better understand when I read The Upper Room. Readers who love plenty of drama and a candid writing style will enjoy this book. There are many, many shocking moments, so there is plenty to talk about with friends or in a book club setting. As a bonus, the hardback version contains discussion questions and brief interview with Monroe.

Labels: African-American Fiction, Reviews by Darletha Matthews, Women's Fiction

Fiction/Thriller

Darletha reviews IMPACT by Douglas Preston (Forge, 2010)

I read this book based on my personal “read a random book from the shelves” challenge. The cover art intrigued me, since I’m always game for a potential disaster type of novel. I also chose this book because the title reminded me of the movie, Deep Impact, which has a similar theme of Earth’s possible destruction by really big rocks from space.

The story begins after a meteor crashes off the coast of Maine. Another crater is discovered on the opposite side of the world in Cambodia. A scientist who was researching the ominous presence of gamma rays in the solar system has been murdered; the hard disk containing his classified research information is missing.

The plot unfolds from the alternating perspectives of a waitress, a scientist, and a government agent. Abbey, a Princeton dropout-turned waitress, witnessed the meteor event as it flew across the night sky in Maine. She uses her father’s lobster boat to hunt for the crater site, hoping to profit from any findings. Mark Corso has been promoted to the same position once held by the murdered scientist at the National Propulsion Facility. By digging further into the classified gamma ray research, Corso’s job and his life are on the line. Wymon Ford is a former CIA-agent sent on a mission into Cambodia to find the source of rare, but radioactive, gemstones.

The suspenseful plot takes off after a mysterious apparatus is discovered on Mars. The apparatus wasn't placed on Mars by humans, so how did it get there?

This was a solid, well-paced story with a good balance of science and intrigue.

Darletha Matthews, South Branch

Labels: Fiction, Reviews by Darletha Matthews

Fiction/Mystery

Darletha reviews CROOKED LETTER, CROOKED LETTER by Tom Franklin (William Morrow, 2010)

Larry Ott is a 41-year-old white man living in Chabot, Mississippi. As a child, he wasn’t the strapping boy a father would be proud of and he struggled to find his place in a desegregated school. When he was sixteen, Larry’s date disappeared and was never found. Larry was never charged with a crime but he still became known as “Scary Larry.” When crime occurs in this small Mississippi town, Larry is automatically considered a person of interest. Larry lives as an outcast with only mail-order books and pet chickens as his company.

Silas “32” Jones is a black man who works as Chabot’s only constable. He was Larry’s only childhood friend. Silas grew up poor but he eventually became a popular high school athlete and Ole Miss graduate. A young woman from a prominent family is missing. All fingers point to Larry since he was the prime suspect in a similar crime 25 years ago. This latest investigation forces Silas to face an old friend and a past he has avoided for many years.

This somber novel is a combination of coming-of-age story, mystery, and human drama. Some of the most painful passages capture Larry being bullied and his eventual isolation as an adult. The southern setting allows Franklin to explore race relations and how they dictate the way blacks and whites interact.

I decided to read this novel because of its rave reviews. I liked the title, which is part of a childhood rhyme about Mississippi that we learned as children in the South. I was expecting a typical investigative mystery but Franklin does more with this story, creating an introspective tale of reconciliation and redemption.

Darletha Matthews, South Branch Library

Labels: Fiction, Mystery, Reviews by Darletha Matthews

Fiction/Women's Fiction

Darletha reviews GODS IN ALABAMA by Joshilyn Jackson (Warner Books, 2005)

This story begins with one of the best first liners: "There are gods in Alabama: Jack Daniel's, high school quarterbacks, trucks, big tits, and also Jesus."

Chicago transplant, Arlene Fleet, has avoided Alabama, its gods, and all family gatherings since she graduated from high school ten years ago. After she killed Jim Beverly, the high school quarterback, she made a promise to God that she would stop fornicating, never lie, and never return to Possett, Alabama, if the body was never found. Unfortunately, Arlene’s past has arrived in Chicago in the form of Rose Mae Lolley.

Rose Mae, the missing quarterback's girlfriend, is searching for answers to his disappearance. Even worse, Arlene’s African-American boyfriend thinks it's time to be properly introduced to her family, despite warnings of their racist views. Arlene must decide if she is ready to travel down south to come to terms with her not-so-pretty past.

This was a funny but sad novel I couldn’t stop thinking about after I finished reading it. The story is told from Arlene’s perspective, utilizing flashbacks to pull the reader into her inner thoughts and her unexpected, sometimes disturbing, actions. Like many Southern novels, there are quirky but likeable characters. My favorite was Aunt Florence, the proud Southern Baptist who unloads a ton of guilt on Arlene with her sharp wit. Be prepared to laugh and cry because this novel pulls heavily on your emotions.

Darletha Matthews, South Branch Library

Labels: Chick Lit, Reviews by Darletha Matthews, Women's Fiction

Nonfiction/History

Darletha reviews FORT MOSE: COLONIAL AMERICA'S BLACK FORTRESS OF FREEDOM, by Kathleen A. Deagan and Darcie MacMahon (University Press of Florida, 1995)

This non-fiction offering details the history and rediscovery of Fort Mose (pronounced mo-SAY), a Spanish colonial fortress in Florida. Originally built by free black soldiers, Fort Mose served as a military stronghold against English invasion. According to researchers, it was the first free black town in the United States, and the only known fort of its kind where black families worked and lived in a thriving community.

While England, Spain, and American Indians were engaged in conflict, African slaves from the Carolinas escaped to St. Augustine, a city located in Florida's Spanish-controlled territory. Runaway slaves were granted freedom after converting to Catholicism and pledging their allegiance to Spain. As more runaways arrived in the early 1700s, Spain established "Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose" as a city for escaped slaves. The fort and surrounding homes were abandoned when Florida became an English colony. With legal and financial support, Kathleen Deagan began research on marshland believed to be the location of Fort Mose in 1986.

I recommend this book for adults and teen readers who enjoy learning little-known facts from history. Short paragraphs and captions are provided throughout this 53-page book; photos of artifacts, artwork, and maps stimulate the eyes. This book provides an enlightening view of blacks in early America who lived independently decades before the Emancipation Proclamation. The history of blacks in America isn't limited to slavery--this book successfully proves that.

Darletha Matthews, South Branch

Labels: Nonfiction, Reviews by Darletha Matthews

Fiction/Horror

Darletha reviews FULL DARK, NO STARS by Stephen King (Scribner, 2010)


Full Dark, No Stars consists of four short stories in which the darker side of
four main characters surface.

The first story, “1922,” is the lengthy confession of Wilfred James, a farmer from Nebraska. He devises a sinister plan to prevent his wife from selling her larger portion of the family’s farmland to a slaughterhouse. Gory details and downspiraling events make "1922" a true horror piece in this book.

In “Big Driver,” a cozy-mystery writer named Tess becomes the victim of a violent crime, when she takes a short cut on her way home from a book engagement. After she is left for dead, a vengeful Tess emerges. With the guidance of some unexpected helpers, the unassuming author pursues her attacker. The portions that reveal Tess' psychological state are unforgettable.

“Fair Extension” is the third story. Dave Streeter, a man with terminal cancer, meets George Elvid, a roadside vendor who has more to offer than material goods. Elvid gives Dave the opportunity to reverse his misfortune, but only at the expense of another person. What follows is a grim timeline in this short, ironic tale.

In “A Good Marriage,” Darcy Anderson makes a shocking discovery--her husband of over 20 years is a serial killer. What appears to be a satisfying, predictable marriage changes in an instant--simply because Darcy needed batteries for a remote control.


King uses these engrossing character-driven stories to depict what farmer Wilfred says: "there is another man inside every man, a stranger..." Be prepared to cringe at or cheer on these individuals--you won't forget them.

An interactive website is also available. Visit http://www.fulldarknostarsbook.com/

Darletha Matthews, South Branch

Labels: Horror, Reviews by Darletha Matthews, Short Stories, Suspense

Nonfiction/Memoir

Darletha reviews THE NAKED TRUTH: YOUNG, BEAUTIFUL, AND (HIV) POSITIVE by Marvelyn Brown (Amistad, 2008)

HIV is a serious topic most people wouldn’t want to read about. To be honest, I probably wouldn’t have chosen this book if the cover didn't catch my attention on the shelf. When I picked up The Naked Truth, I noticed the profile of a pretty African American lady on the front cover. Another draw was from the book's description--the author was a Tennessee native! I knew I was in for a story that would hit very close to home.

Marvelyn Brown begins her story as a carefree high school athlete living in Nashville. The self-professed tomboy deals with her share of teen issues: fights with her mother, conflicts with female classmates, and the hunt for a boyfriend. After high school she meets a handsome man she only identifies as Prince Charming. He has a good job, suave personality, and a nice apartment--basically the kind of guy every single lady hopes to meet. Marvelyn falls in love with a seemingly perfect man, until Prince Charming infects her with the HIV virus.

Marvelyn becomes stigmatized in town as the "girl with HIV." She tries to maintain a normal life as a college student, but the whispers and dirty looks become unbearable. She could have easily disappeared into a quiet, private life; instead, she uses her youth and lively personality as an advocate for HIV awareness.

Marvelyn presents her story in an unpretentious way. Marvelyn's conversational voice makes you feel like you're reading her diary, sprinkled with humor and sadness. Photos of Marvelyn, her family, and friends connect real faces to her recollections. The writing is so honest you can’t help but think of other young women in your life—like a sister or a best friend-- and how their lives would change if they were diagnosed with HIV or AIDS.

Just in time for World AIDS Day, December 1st, I wanted to share a great book about a courageous young woman who speaks her truth. This is a book that should never collect dust on the shelves. It is a great discussion choice for adults and teens.

Darletha, South Branch

Labels: Memoir, Nonfiction, Reviews by Darletha Matthews

Fiction/Horror

Darletha reviews ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER by Seth Grahame-Smith (Grand Central Publishing, 2010)

I first discovered this book after reading an article about monster mashup novels. I had to read for myself how Smith depicted a renowned United States president as a vampire slayer. Judging from the bloody book cover, I initially thought this would be a ridiculous parody. What I found was a story that made me wonder if we’ve been kept in the dark about this nation’s REAL history.

Abraham Lincoln discovers the existence of the undead as a young boy, after his beloved mother becomes ill and dies. When Lincoln learns that a vampire contributed to his mother's death, he vows to kill all vampires. He reads all he can find about them and strengthens his tall physique with rigorous farm work, especially chopping wood. A sharpened ax becomes Abraham's signature weapon--later adding an arsenal of weapons hidden inside his long coat.

Not all blood suckers are evil in Lincoln’s story. A vampire ally named Henry helps Lincoln enhance his vampire-hunting skills. Henry also sends Lincoln on secret missions to kill the most ruthless of the undead, under the guise of travelling away for work. Lincoln’s secret diary reveals that vampires also chose sides in the Union-Confederacy conflict. As president, Lincoln makes decisions to guarantee the Union wins the Civil War--preventing full vampire domination of the United States.

I was pleasantly surprised with this story. Despite the gory violence, it is crafted as an authentic historical biography. Within the pages are sketches and Civil War photographs provided as evidence of vampires in America--some of which were funny to me. Historic figures like Edgar Allan Poe and Jefferson Davis make memorable appearances in the plot. Consider this story an adventure-filled mashup of historical, horror, and speculative fiction with an amusing twist at the end.

Darletha Matthews, South Branch

Labels: Fiction, Horror, Reviews by Darletha Matthews

Darletha reviews THE LAST CHILD by John Hart (Minotaur Books, 2009)

I decided to read this book after it was awarded the Mystery Writers of America's 2010 Edgar Award for Best Novel. I wasn't familiar with Hart's novels, so reading this book gave me the chance to see why he is a two-time winner of the Edgar Award. (Hart won in 2008 for the novel Down River)

This story begins a year after the unsolved kidnapping of Johnny Merrimon's 13-year-old twin sister, Alyssa. This tragic event has torn Johnny's family apart. Johnny's father leaves home and his mother, Katherine, numbs her grief in a fog of addiction. Johnny searches for suspects on his own, which exposes him to the dark secrets of residents in his North Carolina town.

Detective Clyde Hunt was the lead investigator of Alyssa's kidnapping case. His obsession with the Merrimon case damaged his relationship with his family and tainted his reputation as an investigator. He knows Johnny and Katherine are in a bad situation and he is determined to make things right for them.

When Johnny makes a shocking discovery, he becomes more determined than ever to find Alyssa. With no faith left in authority, Johnny and his only friend venture into a dangerous world where a wanted fugitive is on the run and another young girl has disappeared. As the boys attempt to stay ahead of the police, they journey down a path that will change their lives forever.

This was an unforgettable, intense mystery. It goes beyond the typical crime-solving plot and depicts how a tragic event connects different people. For me, this story is all about Johnny. I thoroughly enjoyed following Johnny's transformation from an isolated, quiet boy into a self-empowered young man. I'm adding John Hart's novels to my very long list of books to read.

Darletha, South Branch

Labels: Mystery, Reviews by Darletha Matthews

Nonfiction/Memoir

Darletha Matthews reviews THE LEGS ARE THE LAST TO GO: AGING, ACTING, MARRYING, AND OTHER THINGS I LEARNED THE HARD WAY by Diahann Carroll (Amistad, 2008)

For me, Diahann Carroll is Hollywood royalty. She is always poised and impeccably dressed during her public appearances. I've always admired her versatility as a television, stage, and movie actress. The gentle widowed mother from Julia transformed into the overworked single mother Claudine, who later became the beautifully vicious Dominique on Dynasty. I decided to read this book to learn more about the woman behind some of the most unforgettable female characters in entertainment history.

Diahann, now a mature woman past fifty, reflects on her experiences as a performer, wife, and mother. Revelations from her childhood reveal how she developed her sophisticated style and musical talent. Diahann shines light on the not-so-pretty side of show business, from her humble beginnings to her most recent roles. Things get quite interesting when she talks about her romantic relationships. Diahann comes to terms with the choices that ended her four marriages, including an affair with an Oscar-winning actor. Whether it's breast cancer, racism, or stubborn directors, Diahann speaks with the honest, unapologetic voice of a woman who has paid her dues.

It was a joy to laugh and learn about Diahann Carroll. Each chapter reads like an intimate conversation with a classy, fascinating friend. Brief chapters and great photographs makes this a great selection for fans of celebrities and their stories.

Darletha Matthews, South Branch

Labels: Memoir, Reviews by Darletha Matthews

Fiction/African-American Historical

Darletha Matthews reviews WENCH by Dolen Perkins-Valdez (Amistad, 2010)

This story takes place in the early 1840s and 1850s.

Tawawa House is a resort located in the free state of Ohio, where Northern and Southern whites spend summer vacation. Four slave women--Lizzie, Mawu, Rennie, and Sweet--accompany their respective masters each summer to the resort. They reside in private cottages with their masters, away from the disapproving eyes of Northern guests in the main hotel. The wives stay at home. The resort is located in an area surrounded by anti-slavery residents, but the Southern men are confident that their slaves will not run away.

Lizzie, Mawu, Rennie, and Sweet look forward to reuniting each summer at Tawawa, where they find reprieve from the plantation's confinement. They explore the area between work duties and share stories about their lives and families. Each woman has endured some form of abuse and heartbreak because, as slaves, they have no control over their bodies or the fates of their loved ones.

Mawu is the newest and most outspoken woman in the group. Suffering endless abuse, Mawu resents "being made to feel no different than a cow or a goat or a chicken." The other women don't discuss being slaves but Mawu's questions force them confront their feelings.

Lizzie has mixed feelings for her master, Drayle. She feels she should hate him because she is a slave, but Drayle has favored Lizzie since she was young. Lizzie is allowed to read and speak freely in his presence, hoping that in her submission, he will one day free the son and daughter she has given him. When Mawu tries to persuade the others to escape, dire consequences follow.

Slavery is known as the “Peculiar Institution” and this novel depicts the complexities of male-master/female-slave relationships. Through Mawu and Lizzie, Wench explores the extremes of these forced relationships on a slave woman’s psyche. This novel is filled with shocking and redeeming moments, all described in simple, elegant language. I recommend it to fans of African-American historical fiction.

Darletha Matthews, South Branch Library

Labels: African-American Fiction, Historical Fiction, Reviews by Darletha Matthews

Fiction/Western

Darletha Matthews reviews DEADWOOD by Pete Dexter (Random House, 1986)

James "Wild Bill" Hickock and his friend, Charley Utter, join the gold rush to Deadwood, a violent boom town in the Black Hills. Wild Bill spends his days drinking and gambling in saloons filled with star-struck tourists. Wild Bill is the opposite of his legend—quiet in crowds, suffering from a painful disease, and married to performer Agnes Lake.

Another famous visitor to Deadwood is Calamity Jane, who plays the roles of caring nurse to the sick and love-struck nuisance to Bill and Charley. Deadwood is on the outskirts of civilization where respectable people become corrupt and outlaws show glimpses of virtue.

This gritty Western chronicles actual events and famous people from Deadwood history. There is an array of colorful characters which include prostitutes, Chinese workers, and "paper-collar" businessmen. The unexpected humor in the story derives from the folksy voice of the narrator and the clever dialogue. Although this book is not the basis for the HBO series Deadwood, fans of the show will enjoy the novel’s uncompromising portrait of the West.


Darletha Matthews, South Branch Library

Labels: Reviews by Darletha Matthews, Westerns