I am so excited to share this month’s Bad on Paper book club pick! (If you are newer here, Bad on Paper is the podcast I host with my friend Becca.)
This month’s book selection is The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennett. This is one of the best books I’ve read all year. We put it to a vote in the Bad on Paper facebook group and this was the winner, far and away. This is another story of sisters, though completely different from Clap When You Land (this month’s pick).
The Vanishing Half
Set in the fifties in Jim Crow-era Louisiana, sisters Desiree and Stella are inseparable. At age 16, they flea their small town to head to New Orleans. But from that point forward, their paths ultimately diverge with the sisters going on to lead completely different, separate lives. Desiree marries a Black man and has a daughter darker than she is. 10 years later, she finds herself back home in that same small town. Meanwhile, her sister Stella realizes she can pass for white and goes on to lead an entirely different life (keeping her past completely secret from her husband and daughter). The book follows the sisters from the 1950’s into the 1990’s (when their daughters’ lives miraculously intersect).
I couldn’t put this book down. I loved it so much. So I can’t wait to talk about it with you!!!! You can buy the book here, and peruse previous Bad on Paper book club picks here!
Be sure to tune into this month’s book club episode: we talk about Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo!
Lastly on the books front, check out my recently updated book Book Club page – it’s the perfect way to find your next book. I’ve recently added a filter for my favorite books by Black authors. Everything I’ve read in the past 5-6 years is there, and you can sort by grade AND genre. I’m really proud of it… along with the beauty hub I think it’s my favorite part of the site!
photography by Allie Provost.
I just got this one from the library, it’s my next read after Clap When You Land (I’m a little behind the pod!)
It’s so good! Hope you love!!!!
Thanks for the review, Grace! I love the cover of the book too! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
What’s this dress? It’s gorgeous!
Thank you, it’s Tanya Taylor!
I ordered this book when I saw you posted it, I’m SO excited to read it! I’m finishing up So You Want To Talk About Race now and I think this will be a good book to read after!
Dana | It’s Casual Blog
Ah amazing! Hope you love!
I have the ebook on hold with my library but am seriously ITCHING to pick this up. Might just need to go ahead and buy it for a weekend read!
xoxo – Kelly
http://www.dreaminlace.com
HIGHLY recommend~!!!!
I’ve also read The Vanishing Half and I feel exactly the same way. I could not put it down. I wanted to see how it would end, but did not want it to end. This was my first book by Brit Bennet, but it will not be my last.
Agreed, I can’t wait to read more from her!
My book is to arrive on tomorrow, excited to start reading with my niece who’s working on her Doctorate in LA.
Ah that is awesome! Hope you enjoy. x
I ordered this book last week and am very impatiently waiting for it to get delivered! I’ve heard a lot of amazing things about it and can’t wait to start reading it. Thanks for sharing your review and introducing me to a great book and a new-to-me author.
P.S. Loving the dress!
Hope you love it!
And thanks! It’s Tanya Taylor!
I’m on my library wait list for this book and I CANNOT wait to read it!
Yay – it was amazing. I hope you love it!