Showing posts with label Black. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Black. Show all posts

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Book Review - One Blood by Denene Millner

 


One Blood by Denene Millner is about three generations of African American women who are trying to find their place in society. Grace is a teenager who is raised by her beloved grandmother, Maw Maw, in post-segregation Virginia. Grace watches and helps her grandmother deliver babies. She loves her life and living with her grandmother. However, that all changes when, in a span of a few days, Grace’s mother, Bassey, dies and also her grandmother is accused of a crime she didn’t commit. Grace is heartbroken to have her grandmother taken away from her and thrown into jail.  With no other relatives in the area, she is snuck across state lines to live with her Aunt Hattie in the North so she isn’t at risk of being found by persons intending harm.

Aunt Hattie is a formidable and ambitious woman. She wants nothing to do with her Southern roots and wants only to focus on upward mobility. She started a school to teach young girls about manners and hospitality to show that she belongs with the rest of the society. Grace is grateful for having a roof over her head but she quickly learns that her aunt has a different purpose for her. Grace is put to work to take care of the needs of her aunt and her students. She barely has time for herself and she feels trapped because her aunt won’t let her practice any of her Southern rituals that Grace finds comforting. 

Instead, Grace finds comfort with Dale, the son of a prominent family in her aunt’s social circle. Dale believes that the Black community shouldn’t be focused on manners, fancy teas, and pageants. Instead, they should be working towards getting equal rights. He wants them to realize that racism still exists in the North, even though the community likes to pretend otherwise. While attending a protest he gets caught up with the police when the protest turns violent. His mother decides to send him away to avoid Dale getting into more trouble with the police. Dale wanted to spend one last day with Grace before he leaves. The one magical night they spent together leaves Grace pregnant. Grace is scared because she doesn’t know who to trust and she doesn’t have anyone else she can confide in once Dale leaves. When Grace gives birth to her daughter, Hattie takes the baby and gives it up for adoption without telling Grace.

Delores, or Lolo, as she is known to her friends and family is known for her witty and protective nature. She had a hard life growing up and it was filled with heartache and pain. Lolo had a dream of becoming a model but had to put her dreams on hold. She had to find a way to survive with little money and as a Black woman. She decides that having a family and a husband is the best option for her, and she is willing to do anything to obtain and keep her family. 

Lolo finally gets her dream of having a family. She has a doting husband and two kids with a beautiful home. However, when secrets from the past emerge, it threatens to tear apart the family Lolo has worked hard to create. Lolo will do whatever it takes to keep her family and dreams intact.

Rae, Lolo’s willful daughter, finds out she is adopted and learns that is just one of the few secrets that her family has been keeping from her. When Rae finds out that she is about to become a mother herself, she decides to address her past and her family. Will Rae be able to reconcile the truth over her family’s secrets?

I am on the fence for this book. The book was a hefty read and it took some time getting into the writing style. When we were first introduced to Grace, it took some time to understand the Southern dialect. As we get introduced to the later characters (Lolo and Rae), it was easier to read and get into the flow of things.  It was interesting to see how the different characters were connected but at times I was trying to understand the point of the book. Was it to show the demands of motherhood? Is it to show the lengths we go to for the ones we love? Or is it how hard it is and how long it takes before we come into our own? Or perhaps, the decades and generation long struggles of being a woman or a Black woman in society? Or is it the effects of generational trauma and how it affects the future? 

Each of the three main characters were unique and interesting. I didn’t like, though, that after Grace’s chapters were over that we never saw her again. I was interested in learning what happened to her and some of the characters in her story.  I felt attached to some of the characters and wanted to read more about them. I felt like their stories weren’t complete and were left unresolved. The three main characters didn’t really feel connected and their stories felt disjointed. The timelines were also confusing as characters would get older or we would be taken back in time but it wasn’t very clear.

The ending was a bit confusing to me as I didn’t quite comprehend what was going on. Did Grace and Rae finally connect with her blood family? I also didn’t quite understand the magical elements in the book. I felt like it took backstage in the middle until the very end. What was the purpose and role of the magical elements? The book is a powerful and emotional read but also has a lot of sad and depressing moments of how people and children were treated.

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Hank and Henry Stick With It - Blickity Black Eyeliner






I have heard many good things about this brand but, this was my first Hank and Henry product. I was very excited to try the eyeliner because it was a very hyped up product. I was sadly disappointed at the quality of both the product and the packaging. The eyeliner came out very watery and bleed. And usually, the product would start pooling by the tip. And no matter how gently and how I stored the eyeliner, the top would fray the brush making it look dingy after just two uses. For $20, I expected better.


Sunday, January 27, 2019

Clio Gelpresso Waterproof Pencil Gel Eyeliner - Golden Black








The gel eyeliner is richly pigmented and it glides on smoothly. It didn't tug or rub when I was applying it. It also stayed put all day without smudging or fading. I read that it is called Golden Black because it has gold sparkles but, I didn't really notice it.


Monday, June 4, 2018

SmartFx Volume Extend Mascara










No Mascara on

Photos with Mascara



SmartFx Volume Extend Mascara is packed with vitamin B5, sericin, hydrolyzed silk to condition lashes. The mascara promises to provide a clump free full fringe look. I usually use NARS mascara but I decided to try a new one. I saw this mascara on sale and I definitely know why it is on sale. The formula felt a bit dry when applied to my lashes. I also didn't even notice a difference between the mascara on and my natural lashes.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Julep Nail Polish - Fleur











I just found this beautiful nail polish in my stash. Julep lists it as "Evening Bloom Glitter", but  I thought more "Starry Night", but I could see this as midnight blooms. Like all of Julep nail polishes, it is 5 free, vegan friendly and made with green coffee extra and Hexanal. After one coat, the nail polish provides a full coverage and goes on a bit chunky. A fun nail polish to treat myself during the week!

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen - No.2 BlackBlue
















The creamy eyeliner goes on smoothly but smudges very easily. After a while, the satin finished eyeliner just melts away and disappears away. The pencil sharpens nicely but the cream eyeliner sometimes melts and gets stuck in the sharpener or just breaks off. The eyeliner is enriched with vitamin E and natural mineral pigments and is paraben, mineral oil,  and preservative free. The eyeliner is a beautiful blue black color with a hint of glimmer.