Above Beyond

As a European I obviously also have an interest in US politics since it affects us all. Liz Cheney’s book I think is a very important read for all who still have any doubt about the evil man that is Donald Trump. How anybody can follow him is frankly beyond me, and after having read this book I seriously question the mental state of any Trump supporter. Education (through books like this) is most important and vital especially at times like these. The fact that Trump has been nominated again as the Republican nominee is beyond my imagination. Perhaps this book lacked publicity but in this time and age it is more difficult than ever to convince people of the truth when it is so much easier to follow the lies of losers on social media. The book is an eye-opener on so many levels, and gives a true insight into the details that unfolded January 6th at the Capital. I have nothing but respect for Mrs. Cheney and wish her luck in her fight and future!

Utterly unique, beautifully and fearlessly written yet incredibly sad, heartbreaking and overwhelming at times. Written in his adopted second language English this is a brutally honest letter written by a young man to his mother in which he reflects on his Vietnamese heritage and culture, his homosexuality and his coming of age in the company of a heroin addict. Another fine example of the lives of so many refugees, who are often doomed to live on the edges of society, never really fitting in. A fantastic book dealing with contemporary issues of racism, discrimination and drug addiction.

This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. It takes a moment to get used to the Southern way of speaking but it sets the tone and atmosphere of this extraordinary story of Kya, known generally as the marsh girl. Growing up alone and completely abandoned by everyone in her family she is educated and guided according to the laws of nature, rather than the laws of man. As she comes of age and falls in love, she finds herself in an to her alien world and has to learn to trust boys which brings its own set of problems. Delia Owens masters the narrative by describing in beautiful detail the life in the marshlands of NC, drawing you into Kya’s world so rich of coastal life you feel you can hear the seagulls, touch the shells and feel the feathers and all else that lies beyond Where The Crawdads Sing. Fabulous!