Topics of Conversation by Miranda Popkey

A very unique book - I’m not sure I “enjoyed” the experience, but it was addicting and compelling enough for me to keep picking it up until I had read all of it. And I must say, it was worth it! While I can understand how there might be some who won’t like this book (unusual, crass, even repulsive at times), there is a lot of merit between its pages too. The narrator/protagonist definitely has her flaws, as do a lot of the other characters we meet, but there is something so fundamentally “real” about them all; conversations that feel vulnerable, relatable, and unearth the deepest thoughts a lot of us might have that we never really bring up!

The journey of the book almost felt “Kerouac-esque” to me, but with majority female characters with a few sidelined male characters peppered through. A quote towards the end of the book made me pause, and think upon the lines I had read as well as what the book was attempting, and it all made sense: “The writer who depicts an abhorrent male character still demands that the reader pay the abhorrent man his attention” - similarly, how many abhorrent women have we, as readers, been demanded to pay attention? I believe this book attempts to do just that, and with that in mind, I’ve determined that it was a pretty good read! 

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré

 As I sit here and ponder over what to tell you about this incredible book, I’m at a bit of a loss for words. Every once in a while, a book comes into your (my) life that leaves you feeling all sorts of things, that has an impact deep within, that perhaps has a profound effect on that way you think or feel. This one started a bit slow, the style of language threw me a little, but I quickly got over it as I found myself enveloped into the mind, heart, and world of the protagonist, Adunni. She is feisty, strong, never gives up and has simply become one of my favorite literary characters! I am usually a plot-favoring reader; I always want to know what's going to happen next. For the first time (in recent memory), I found myself enjoying the plot, but enjoying the main character even more. 

Adunni's journey is harrowing and unique. The troubles she faces are monumental, especially for someone her age (14). However, the driving force in this novel is Adunni's spirit. She never gives up, is the strongest version of herself at each step, and meets a fate that her determination and strength deserve (if not a lot more). In recent years, my reading has increased quite a bit - from health issues keeping me at home, to lunch hours escaping from the work day, to my book of the month membership and some amazing debuts to all the book clubs I'm a part of - whatever the reason, my reading has gone from 10-12 books a year to almost 40! And I must say, at the pace of 30-40 every year for the past 3-4 years I've met a lot of characters, fallen in love with a lot of books, and overall had great impressions left upon my heart and soul. However, I cannot recall ever meeting a character like Adunni. She has become one of my favorites. A character that I know will stay with me for years to come. 

An excellent read that deserves all the stars and one that I highly, highly recommend! If you only pick up one of my recommendations this year, please make it this one!

In parting, I would like to leave you with one of my favorite quotes from this book: 

“Everybody in the whole world be speaking different...We all be speaking different because we all are having different growing-up life, but we can all be understanding each other if we just take the time to listen well.”