known_excellence > Recent Status Updates

The anti-super bowl party was eventful. Nikki left Junior & he arrived ready to take her back forcefully. Luckily, he brought the kids. Tee saved the day by pulling a fake gun on him. The sisterhood really feels like a sisterhood. I pray nothing happens to any of the ladies. Nate called after visiting the house next door, I can’t wait to see how their relationship progresses.

Joyce is a career-driven social worker that doesn’t make time for pleasure or she feels guilty. A few chapters back,she has a wet dream about her late husband & that’s only where she indulges. At dinner w/ her best friend, Sister & her husband Bill, she lets loose a bit. She is intrigued by Nate, a principal new to Idlewild. I love it so far but dislike Joyce & Bill’s interactions. It’s too close to comfort.

This chapter introduces Sula Peace’s & Nel Wright’s friendship. The girls have a codependency that is unspoken. They are 12 & obsessed with boys. Their mothers dislike them for separate reasons but that bonds the girls. It’s summer & during their time at the river started innocently but ended in the death of a friend, Chicken Little. Shadrack saw which scares Sula. The girls feel responsible but don’t say.

Helene & Nel finally make it to her grandmothers house but she’s passed on. Helene’s mother, Rochelle meets Nel and leaves. It was a very fleeting interaction but I see that there isn’t much consideration there. Rolling into the next chapter, Nel’s friend, Sula and her family is introduced. Eva, the matriarch, becomes the home for the needy. The Deweys, Tar Baby, Hannah, Sula, and Plum all live there.

Introduced to Helene in 1920. She is from New Orleans but ended in Medallion after marrying a lake man. She has a daughter named Nel. Her grandmother is sick so she and Nel are traveling down to see her. Experienced racism on the train which goes to show how much life has changed for her in Medallion. She is a religious woman who loves her daughter. Seems self assured but also ‘manipulative’.

Introduced to Shadrack. Once a soldier who went through so much trauma in WW2, that he lost his memory. The founder of National Suicide Day (Jan 3rd), he creates it from his fear of the uncertainty of dying/death. To combat the fear, he created the day to allow others to find comfort in death. Eventually the town catches on to the holiday. It’s only celebrated by him, but everyone acknowledges the day.

Introduced to the neighborhood, The Bottom, where black people have lived for years but is slowing undergoing gentrification. Foundational businesses being removed for a golf course is the start of understanding of where this town is heading.

It’s devastating how drastic their lives turned out. One Wes was poured into with tough love and grew into an outstanding person with great character and values. One Wes wished for change and briefly touched it but his environment and proximity to crime lead to a life in prison. If only they crossed paths for the better would their circumstances been different…

Jumping from their two lives has been eye-opening. Seeing the parallels yet differences in the boys lives is momentous in their outcomes. I wish both boys had father figures in their lives to show them how much they were/are worth. I love how Wes Moore is objectively writing their stories, without implication of whose life is better or worse…it just is.

Very intriguing. Interested to see how Taylor gets her revenge. The writing is easy to digest.

I remember starting this back in college, but I don’t remember why I stopped. The book starts with Tish visiting Fonny in jail. Pregnant at that. She tells him & he seems happy but hopeless. She has to appear strong for him. I can tell this might be a reoccurring thing in their relationship.

Ok the reveal happened in chapter 17 out of 24 chapters. I hope everything is resolved but it feels rushed. Maybe conflict can only be drug out so much…Nonetheless, I love their chemistry & personal growth. Nick knows to stop running from life & Lily knows to go after what she wants & to stand boldly in it. They are perfect for each other.

Chapter 13 got spicy at the end…whew chile! I think he needs to go ahead and tell her who he is. He’s already opened up about his childhood so he should bite the bullet. I think she’ll be betrayed since he lied but she’ll forgive him.

The chemistry is everything I need right now! I wish he would go ahead & tell her but I get that he doesn’t want to let her down. Lily is bold with Nick. I wish they’d go ahead & share their feelings. They are in their own way but I think by chapter 15 there will a confession of feelings.

Chapters 3 & 4 were good! Loving the build up. They both are familiar with each other but can’t put a finger on it. Glad Lily is choosing herself & bringing her own date. She’s letting loose & going after what she wants. Nick is so obsessed with Lily that it’s affecting his work. He needs to focus on writing that book! But also realize that he deserves happiness. And that kiss had me hot baby! Elite writing.