Book Review #53: "Chronicle Of A Last Summer"

Hey Everyone,

     I am going to review the book "Chronicle Of A Last Summer: A Novel Of Egypt," by Yasmine El Rashidi. This book was published on June 28, 2016 by Tim Duggan Books. For those of you who would like to purchase a copy of this book CLICK HERE. This book tells the story of a woman growing up in Cairo, Egypt. This book covers three decades of her life. It is her story of loss over the political backdrop of Egypt.

     Overall I rated this book three stars out of five. The poetic language that the author used to tell this story was beautiful and gave this story life. Her descriptions of Egypt were vivid in detail and it was obvious that these descriptions were coming from deep withing the author's heart. Although it was beautifully written, the language at times did come across as obscure and detached. It at times made it difficult to grasp the events of this story. Overall this was a solid debut. 

     I would like to thank Blogging for Books, Yasmine El Rashidi, and Tim Duggan Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Until the next page,

Jill

Book Review #52: "Bellevue"

Hey Everyone,

     I am going to review the book "Bellevue: Three Centuries of Medicine and Mayhem at America's Most Storied Hospital," by David Oshinsky. This book is hot off the press being published today November 15, 2016 by Doubleday Books. For those of you who are interested in purchasing a copy of this book CLICK HERE. David Oshinsky is a well known American historian, whose previous books are "Polio: An American Story," "A Conspiracy so Immense: The World of Joe McCarthy," and "Worse than Slavery: Parchman Farm and the Ordeal of Jim Crow Justice." This book is basically a narration of the history of Bellevue hospital.  I chose this book to read because my knowledge of Bellevue Hospital consisted of it being a hospital for the insane, and a place where horrific human experiments took place. I wanted to learn more about it, than the misconceptions that I thought I knew.

     Overall I rated this book four stars out of five. I was pleasantly surprised reading this book, as it was a very informative narrative. It wasn't what I was expecting to read, the amount of information that I read was vast and it was an uplifting read. I did want the book to tug at my heart strings and elicit more depth of emotion. I always enjoy when I can feel what the author is feeling while he/she is writing and I just wish I felt more. Because it would be all that much more enjoyable.

     I want to thank Netgalley, David Oshinsky, and Doubleday Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Until the next page,

Jill