You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

One of the group reads for September is Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson Please discuss the book in this thread.

Kristie will be leading the discussion.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. have read the book before or during September 2023.
2. discussed it in this thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favorite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc. You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread. Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.
3. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread (include a brief summary of what you thought of the book).

A note on discussion: Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favorite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc.

In addition to this, the group reads are meant to be a "read along" so it is preferable that you discuss the book as you read rather than wait until you've finished the book.

And finally, discussion is not about just listing your thoughts. Please interact with the other group members, comment on their thoughts, and if they comment on yours, respond to them. This is what makes a good book discussion!

You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread.

Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.

General Rules:
1. Please mark your spoilers with the spoiler tags along with mentioning what stage of the book you are at so other's don't get a nasty shock. Chapter numbers/titles are generally best as they are the same across all formats and editions. See our spoiler policy
2. The book may be combined with the Year Long Challenge, Topplers, and Monthly Challenges.

Happy reading!

I will be starting this one as soon as I finish my current read. I already have it from the library.

I will be joining you. I need to finish my current one also.

I started this morning and am at 8%

I’m reading the Kindle version and it’s broken up by points of view not numbered chapters.

(view spoiler)[ There is a nice setup with estranged siblings meeting for the reading of their mother’s will. Looks like family secrets are about to be spilled. (hide spoiler)]

I at 15%.

I think this book will be several stories in one. I’ll need to be patient to see how they relate.

(view spoiler)[ I’m in the Caribbean now and a lot is going on. Lots of social issues are being touched upon like gambling addiction, child abandonment, consent issues and so on.

The island atmosphere is interesting and just read about a hurricane, which is ‘‘tis the season. (hide spoiler)]

Planning on starting the book today.

I'm so behind. I still haven't finished my last book, but will start this one in a day or two.

I’m at 26%

The pacing of this book makes it easy to decide braking points to discuss since my copy has no chapters.

Back with Benny and Byron.

(view spoiler)[

Firstly, the lack of urgency these two feel about listening to their mother’s audio recording is head shaking. Family secrets are spilling and Benny decides to pause the recording to nap? I can not relate.

I am definitely more invested in the Caribbean storyline. (hide spoiler)]

I'm reading the HB edition and am finding it difficult to figure out how to mark where I am in the read for discussion. There aren't any page numbers or chapters. The book just goes back and forth between the present and the past with varying points of view.

I'm at the section marked "Then" before the first Covey header. Update: page 34
(view spoiler)[ I really am enjoying the flow and rhythm of this book. The prologue has already set-up tension in the story and it is building as we meet Byron and Benny who are both reeling from the death of their mother.
The mother has just revealed to Byron and Benny in an audio message that they have a sister, but I think that there will be more secrets and heart ache before this book is over. I don't know what happened between the siblings, but I hope they make amends. I'm beginning to wonder if they have the same father. (hide spoiler)]

Marnie wrote: "I started this morning and am at 8%

I’m reading the Kindle version and it’s broken up by points of view not numbered chapters.

[spoilers removed]" I also think that (view spoiler)[this book will be filled with many secrets. The first one was huge (hide spoiler)]

Jayme wrote: "I'm reading the HB edition and am finding it difficult to figure out how to mark where I am in the read for discussion. There aren't any page numbers or chapters. The book just goes back and forth ..."


Not very Book club friendly...guess we just do the best we can.

I didn't check into how the book was broken up before nominating. I don't like when there's no good way to distinguish where you are in the book. Especially no page numbers, that's just strange.

Kristie wrote: "I didn't check into how the book was broken up before nominating. I don't like when there's no good way to distinguish where you are in the book. Especially no page numbers, that's just strange."

Forget what I wrote. There are page numbers, but they are so faint that I didn't even notice them. lol

Oh, haha. Well, that's good at least.

Oh heck…if I double click on the page I can get a page number too.

So I can add page numbers to % from now on. I was thinking of just talking in chunks since the story bounces.

I have the audio, so will have to use %. I'll try to add something identifying as well so we know its the right spot.

I am at 26% - before the Chapter called "The Shadow"

(view spoiler)[

I quite like the way the book has kicked off and gives me a feeling that it will slowly unveil a lot of things. The sibling's relationship seems strained and it would be good to see how their mother's account would alter this relationship. I really want to know what has happened in the past. I should say the mother is quite dramatic in disclosing her secrets in such a way. I kind of reminds me of one of my favourite movies - Incendies.

(hide spoiler)]

I was looking up recipes for Black cake. I’d never heard of it before this book. It has between 15 and 22 ingredients depending on the recipe and needs a couple days prep to make.

I think I’d buy a slice in a bakery just to say I’ve tried it but won’t be making one. Anyone in here tried one?

I live in Florida so I have hopes to run across it eventually.

I'm on page 142 and just about to start Part Two of the book.
(view spoiler)[ Well I did think that Covey and Mrs. Bennet were the same person. I can't believe Covey's dad. Marrying his daughter to that thug to payoff his debts. Covey didn't kill Little Man, but she did know that the lilac iced flowers were poison and didn't stop him from eating the cake with the flowers.
I'm now beginning to think that their mystery sister was fathered by Gibbs and not their dad. (hide spoiler)]
This is a fast read that I am enjoying.

Marnie wrote: "I was looking up recipes for Black cake. I’d never heard of it before this book. It has between 15 and 22 ingredients depending on the recipe and needs a couple days prep to make.

I think I’d buy..."

I also went online looking at recipes. It is a little daunting for this sometime baker. We are going to the Bahamas over Thanksgiving holiday, so I am going to see if I can sample it somewhere in town.

Jayme wrote: "I'm on page 142 and just about to start Part Two of the book.


I like your guess (view spoiler)[ I think after living through her mother abandoning her she would not repeat that cycle. At least I hope not.

Her father was trash and I’d vote that it was self defense except... if Pearl had a way of getting Covey off the island why didn’t she do that prewedding. (hide spoiler)]

Nistha wrote: "I am at 26% - before the Chapter called "The Shadow"

So dramatic!

Marnie wrote: "I was looking up recipes for Black cake. I’d never heard of it before this book. It has between 15 and 22 ingredients depending on the recipe and needs a couple days prep to make.

I think I’d buy..."

I hadn't heard of it before this either and didn't realize it was so intensive. Definitely not what I thought it was. I was thinking a really dark chocolate or Black Forest type cake.

Marnie - Is it available in a bakery near you? I wouldn't know where to find it near me.

Jayme - Let us know if you find it and try it. I'd love to know what you think of it.

Edit: I am surprised to find that it is available to order online!

I live in Florida which has a lot of Caribbean restaurants so maybe. Now that I’m looking for it I assume it will pop up.

*I’m in the mountains of Georgia for the next month or so so will have to wait until I get home.

I'm on page 193 - Start of Part 3

(view spoiler)[ Well now we know about the secret sister and how she came to be. I know this sounds weird but I like how Wilkerson wrote the rape scene of Covey. There wasn't anything graphic, but what happened is implied and devasting and how it destroyed her and changed her life.
I hope that is the end of the tragedies for Covey. I also think I may need to start a spreadsheet to keep track of all the people. (hide spoiler)]

I'm failing at this one so far. I've had a migraine off and on for about 3 days now. Ugh I need to get to it soon.

I’m in the same place as Jayme ( start of Part 3)

This book is emotionally heavy so I’m breaking it up with fluffier reads too.

(view spoiler)[ I agree that the rape scene was done well and that you didn’t need a graphic description to feel the devastation. I thought the adoption part was very sad and accurate.

We are also reading about Benny’s reaction to her mom’s history but not so much Byron’s. Would love to know what he’s thinking. Also want to know how Covey/Elle could let herself become estranged from Benny. Seems out of character and hope she talks about it. (hide spoiler)]

Kristie wrote: "I'm failing at this one so far. I've had a migraine off and on for about 3 days now. Ugh I need to get to it soon."

Migraines are the worst. I hope it eases soon!

Thanks, Marnie. I hope to be able to read all the spoilers soon.

I hope you feel better, Kristie.

Marnie wrote: "I’m in the same place as Jayme ( start of Part 3)

ee..."

You are right (view spoiler)[ It is surprising that she treated Benny that way, but I'm wondering if she had a chance to talk to her. It seems that Covey did try to reach out to her daughter, but Benny refused the calls or didn't call back. I'm not surprised that Covey's first instinct was to go to her husband to see to him after Benny told them that she was bisexual and he stormed away. He was the most important thing in her life/ (hide spoiler)]

The beginning of Part 4 (65%)

(view spoiler)[ I think this writing is getting better as the book progresses. The characters are definitely not one dimensional.

Bert, for example, struggled with being accepted in a predominantly white field of law. Felt the struggle of being different and fighting for acceptance, yet couldn’t accept his daughter being different- both professionally and sexually. The parent/ child relationships are hitting me the hardest in this book.

So I’m judging him as a not so great a parent but he’s an excellent husband. It’s very complex. (hide spoiler)]

Jayme wrote: "Marnie wrote: "I’m in the same place as Jayme ( start of Part 3)

(view spoiler)[ I understand why she did it too. It’s also showing how the cycle of trauma repeats itself. She’s standing with her husband at the expense of her daughter. (hide spoiler)]

I finished the book.

I thought the story got stronger as it went along. A book I may not have found if not for Kristie nominating it so hat tip to Kristie.

Aw, thanks, Marnie. Glad you ended up liking it.

I finally finished my last read and am starting this one.

page 291; This sentence has me (view spoiler)[ crying like a baby
"After that miserable Thanksgiving Day in 2010, Benny and her father never did speak again, but now she knows he never let her out of his sight." sometimes just the knowing can be healing. (hide spoiler)]

I just finished Lin's chapter and am up to The Bay. (9%)

I have the audio book and requested the physical book from the library. There are so many characters already and I'm afraid I'm going to mix up timelines and people if I don't have the physical book to refer to. Plus, I think it will be easier to keep track of where I am and where others are in the book if I can look it up.

So far, I'm very curious about what is going on and (view spoiler)[ looking forward to hearing the rest of the mother's story. I can't imagine being surprised by a long lost sister after my mother's death! I agree that it is likely only the first surprise they are in for. (hide spoiler)]

I'm interested to see how it all comes together.

I finished the book. I just had to keep reading it and didn't want to stop. I almost gave it a 5 star, but decided on a 4 stars because(view spoiler)[ I thought there were a lot of issues that the book tried to cover; racism, environmental concerns, women's rights, illegal adoption though most of it was done really well, I felt the author went off on tangents here and there.
Overall, I really liked the story and all the main characters. I was weepy towards the end which always means it touched my heart. I'm glad that there was closure for Covey and that she brought her family back together. (hide spoiler)]
I can't believe this was a debut novel.

Every so often I come across a debut that is really impressive. Glad this is one of them!

I'm just past 60%, up to Thanksgiving Day 2010. There have been so many characters and so much going on. Some thoughts: (view spoiler)[

I just read Marnie's spoiler about the lack of urgency to watch the mother's recording and I couldn't agree more. I was thinking the same thing. I would have been glued to it!

I am also still enjoying the historical parts more than the modern day parts. The issues the modern family has had seem strange to me. Didn't know about Covey's best friend being gay and having a crush on her? Was he that blind to it? It seems strange that he would be so unaccepting of Benny's sexuality having spent a lot of time with a gay woman. And why wouldn't the mom talk with him about it? I understand that she was loyal to him, but that doesn't mean she couldn't have a discussion about it later. Especially after losing one daughter and never being able to get past that. I just can't imagine her not putting in more of an effort. Again, especially after her husband passed. I don't know...

Covey's dad handing her over to that guy was terrible. I'm so glad she got away. I was so mad at him for that. It was unforgivable.

Jayme, I agree about how the rape scene was done. It didn't need to be graphic to be tragic. I also understand about needing a spreadsheet for people. lol

Also, how sweet that the attorney was dating the mom and was in love with her. Interesting that he's stuggled with his blackness as well, but in a different way. I think she cared about him, but I don't think she was in love with him. I got the impression that no one could have her heart the way Gibbs did.

I love that Covey and Gibbs found each other again. I kind of laughed at how they told their kids their love story starting from the faint and how she fainted at seeing his gorgeous face. lol It was actually true. She did faint at seeing his face. haha Although, there was so much more before that of course that actually caused her to faint upon seeing him.

(hide spoiler)]

I'm caught up on spoilers up to post #37, so just two to go. I'm looking forward to finishing the story and finding out more.

This was a BOTM pick for me last fall and although I'm not sure I can engage enough to earn a badge, I have enjoyed reading the spoilers as the story is coming back to me. Strangely, I remember the first part vividly but not the third part as well. It was a beautifully written book and I also cannot believe that it was a debut novel. The prose was almost lyrical considering some very heavy topics and events were portrayed.

Thoughts up to 71% -

Up to my baby girl (view spoiler)[ I felt bad for Benny’s dad. He wanted to reach out to her, but thought giving her space was the right way to go. Turns out Covey didn’t need to talk to him about it. He just needed a minute to process it and I’m sure she understood that. I think Benny had been through so much already with people not accepting her for who she was that she was expecting them to not accept her and went in ready for a fight. She was already defensive so his needing a moment made her feel rejected, but he wasn’t trying to reject her.

This feels so realistic. It’s just how people might react. Sometimes we don’t know when to approach, when to give space, what to say, how to react. We never really know what’s going on inside someone else. It’s makes this feel like very realistic misunderstanding. (hide spoiler)]

Up to part 4: Etta Pringle (view spoiler)[ I thought Etta was going to be Covey’s daughter or maybe Bunny’s daughter. I didn’t realize she would be Bunny! Glad they got back in touch. I hope they get to see each other again before Covey dies. (hide spoiler)]

Up to Iguana - (view spoiler)[ So, Mable (Marble) is Covey’s daughter! And Covey has a grandson. I love that she found her daughter on TV, but sad she doesn’t want to meet her daughter while dying. Mable has always known on some level that she was not her parent’s biological daughter, but so far they are sticking to their story no matter what. Years ago they used to tell you not to tell your children they were adopted. It was always traumatic for a person when they found out later. I get they impression that her parents wouldn’t have told her anyway. They want her to theirs so badly. (hide spoiler)]

Why does everyone in this book have to have so many different names? lol

Jayme wrote: "page 291; This sentence has me ..."

💔💔

Kristi wrote: "This was a BOTM pick for me last fall and although I'm not sure I can engage enough to earn a badge, I have enjoyed reading the spoilers as the story is coming back to me. Strangely, I remember the..."

I love how realistic the relationships, feelings, and behaviors are. If you remember enough, you could try responding to some of the thoughts in the spoilers.

Kristie wrote: "Thoughts up to 71% -

Up to etta pringle.."

(view spoiler)[I was also glad that she showed up back in the story and that her life was well lived. I wish that they had more time together (hide spoiler)]

Jayme wrote: "Kristie wrote: "Thoughts up to 71% -

Up to etta pringle.."

[spoilers removed]"

Me too. (view spoiler)[ I was sad that this wasn't revisited. I was hoping they would have the opportunity to catch up at least. But, as you said, I'm glad they at least reconnected the once and Bunny was able to see that Covey had a good, long life. That must've made her happy.

Edit: I'm hoping she is able to get in touch with the children or something and at least learn more about what Covey's life was like for all those years. She'd be so thrilled to know that she ended up with Gibbs! (hide spoiler)]

I made it to 85% today, in About Love. I'll likely finish tomorrow.

My library has a different cover posted for the electronic books. It doesn't show up when I try to enlarge it, so I couldn't get a great copy, but I think the cover is interesting and thought I'd share it here. It's not on Goodreads yet.

Wow! I really like that cover so much more than the other one. I like a cover that gives a little hint of the story.

Jayme wrote: "Wow! I really like that cover so much more than the other one. I like a cover that gives a little hint of the story."

It's great, isn't it?

I finished today! I really liked this one. I think it's a 4+ read for me. There were some pacing issues IMO and a lot of characters with different names sort of dumped in, so it was a bit confusing at time. Overall though, super impressive for a debut.