Book Chatter

An American Marriage
By Tayari Jones
Algonquin Books, 9781616208684, 2019, 336pp.

The Short of It:

Not what I expected. Tense, but exhausting.

The Rest of It:

Roy and Celestial are newly married. Both, have promising careers on the verge of success but one night, Roy is falsely accused of rape and they are torn from one another. It doesn’t matter that his alibi is solid, he’s black and the woman accusing him of the crime is not backing down. Roy is sentenced to twelve years for a crime he did not commit. Celestial is left wondering how to navigate this kind of marriage. Is it a marriage? Can she commit to a marriage like this? One where your husband is behind bars for twelve years?

This was a difficult read for me. These characters flirt with virtue and then do the opposite, over and over again. Although I could see their logic and often their justification for their actions, I quickly grew tired of the push and pull.

Additionally, I really had a problem with how Celestial is made out to be a piece of property over and over again. It didn’t fit her personality as she is very strong-willed and independent. Perhaps that’s why it bothered me so much that the author even went there. There is an entire section of the book where she’s referred to as “my woman” and that just rubbed me the wrong way.

Is An American Marriage a good book for a club to discuss? I think there is plenty to discuss. Between the false accusations and imprisonment, what it means to be married, the issues centering around race and class, and the importance of family, a group would have plenty to chew on.

Source: Borrowed
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

Sunday Matters

I really love this time of the year. It helps that I have a lot of time off scheduled, but the change in the weather, holiday meal planning, and everything else that goes along with this time of the year, makes me happy.

The museum job that my son was supposed to be offered fell through. Due to increased restrictions, they aren’t reopening after all. This is disappointing on many levels but it almost guaranteed he would be home for Thanksgiving since they aren’t open on holidays. Now? We have no idea. If he gets a job between now and then it may not work out.

Right Now:

I am trying really hard to focus on health. This weird pain I had and the ultrasound that followed has prompted an in-person appointment to discuss results. They were very vague and either didn’t want to discuss it on the phone or the nurse who called me didn’t know. The soonest appointment, December 8th.

That said, I’ve been meal planning and walking a ton more. Just trying to focus on me for once. Trying to get more sleep too even if that means a mid-afternoon nap. Although, I must tell you that the election results helped tremendously in the sleep department.

Later, my youth group is meeting at the church for the first time in a long time but outside, for a worship night. I plan to claim my space with my mask on. Hopefully it won’t be too cold.

This Week:

More college audition invites have come in for my daughter. This is good. You aren’t invited to audition unless you pass their video pre-screens so this is good.

Reading:

I kind of gave up on reading this week. I thought my focus would be better since most of the election was behind us but turns out, I was too pre-occupied with life in general. The only book I am reading at the moment is the one for book club this week, An American Marriage.

Watching:

I haven’t picked up any new shows. Again, kind of distracted. If you have any to recommend, I’d be interested in hearing about them.

Grateful for:

A cozy, heated home. It’s been brisk. I am already wearing sweatpants and socks and could live like this indefinitely.
Lunch or coffee dates with friends. Done safely, of course.
The Tiny library that my neighbor has down the street. I don’t get much from it as I have way too many books of my own but on my walks I bring at least 2-3 of my own to put in there and I get excited to see them fly off the shelf.

Tell me how you are doing.

Chatting with friends about books and life…