I can't recall who recommended this novel, but I know it's been on my Amazon wish list for ages. When I saw it was available from the library, I decided to give it a try. While it held my interest throughout because I wanted to know how it ended...... it was not the greatest book I've read recently. But it is decent chick lit.
The story revolves around several couples over many years. At first, there appears to be no connection between them, but soon you can figure out what ties them together. There's also the story of Frances Gerety, the real-life woman who worked for an ad agency and wrote the line "A Diamond is Forever". Her story is quite interesting and she certainly was a successful career woman at a time that there weren't many others.
The writing is good but the book definitely needed more editing. The author had done a lot of research about times and places, and she seemed to want to include everything she'd learned into the book. It could have been reduced by at least 25% and been a better book. - June
Saturday, July 6, 2019
Friday, July 5, 2019
The Master Plan by Chris Wilson
I've mentioned before - and I'll say it again - being in a book club often gets me out of my literature rut and forces me to read books I normally would not choose. This one was selected by my Mother-Daughter club, and we all enjoyed the book as well as the discussion about it.
Chris Wilson is a black man who grew up in a rough neighborhood in DC. The first third of the book focuses on his childhood, his dysfunctional and sometimes violent family, and his friends. He had a few nice memories of his mother, but she was also an abused wife and became abusive herself. He ran in a rough crowd and dropped out of school after 8th grade. After his cousin is murdered, he starts carrying a gun for protection.... until the night he shoots a man, kills him, and is sentenced to life in prison at 17.
The second portion of the book describes his life in prison and how he works to turn himself around. He develops a Master Plan that includes a list of things he wishes to accomplish including getting his GED, going to college, helping others, etc. As he accomplishes each goal, he marks it as "done" on his list, and every year he sends a copy to his mother (who ignores them) and to the judge who gave him his sentence. This part of the book was my favorite as it really helps view what his life was like in prison.
Chris eventually is released from prison and devotes his time continuing to achieve the items on his Master Plan. He speaks to groups about his life in hopes of motivating others. He is a good man. However, the final part of the book left me (and others) a little cold. Perhaps he wrote the book too soon before he had the chance to do the good things he hoped to do. However, that doesn't take away from the overall quality of the book. Definitely recommend this one. - June
Chris Wilson is a black man who grew up in a rough neighborhood in DC. The first third of the book focuses on his childhood, his dysfunctional and sometimes violent family, and his friends. He had a few nice memories of his mother, but she was also an abused wife and became abusive herself. He ran in a rough crowd and dropped out of school after 8th grade. After his cousin is murdered, he starts carrying a gun for protection.... until the night he shoots a man, kills him, and is sentenced to life in prison at 17.
The second portion of the book describes his life in prison and how he works to turn himself around. He develops a Master Plan that includes a list of things he wishes to accomplish including getting his GED, going to college, helping others, etc. As he accomplishes each goal, he marks it as "done" on his list, and every year he sends a copy to his mother (who ignores them) and to the judge who gave him his sentence. This part of the book was my favorite as it really helps view what his life was like in prison.
Chris eventually is released from prison and devotes his time continuing to achieve the items on his Master Plan. He speaks to groups about his life in hopes of motivating others. He is a good man. However, the final part of the book left me (and others) a little cold. Perhaps he wrote the book too soon before he had the chance to do the good things he hoped to do. However, that doesn't take away from the overall quality of the book. Definitely recommend this one. - June
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