At the peak of the civil rights movement, Lydia Abarca was the first ballerina in a Black ballet company to grace the cover of Dance magazine. Alongside founding members Shelia Rohan and Gayle McKinney-Griffith and first-generation dancers Karlya Shelton and Marcia Sells, Abarca invited a bright light to shine on Black professional classical dancers. Grit, determination, and exquisite artistry propelled these swans of Harlem to dizzying heights as they performed around the world for audiences that included celebrities, dignitaries, and royalty.

Forty years after the swans of Harlem made history, when Lydia's granddaughter wanted to show her own ballet class evidence of her grandmother's success, she found almost none — just some yellowing photographs and programs in the family basement. With The Swans of Harlem (Adapted for Young Adults), these revolutionary ballerinas and longtime friends give voice to their stories on and offstage, reclaiming their past so that it is finally recorded, acknowledged, and lauded, never to be lost again.

The adult edition (Knopf/Pantheon; April 2024), on which this Young Adult edition is based, has been hailed as “a captivating corrective to an often-whitewashed history” (Publishers Weekly, starred) and is in development as a Netflix miniseries under the helm of the producer behind Black Swan, 12 Years a Slave, Slumdog Millionaire, and numerous other box office hits.

Arriving to shelves just in time for Black History Month, this “poignant and gripping piece of little-known history” (Kirkus) will captivate fans of narrative nonfiction, dance memoirs, and forgotten histories and inspire readers of all ages and interests to chase their dreams and follow their hearts.

I haven't had time to read The Swans of Harlem yet, but I'm very intrigued by the story it tells. I'll definitely be picking it up soon. If you're also interested in reading it, you'll want to enter this giveaway to win a copy of the young adult edition of the book for yourself:

Grand Prize Giveaway:

- 5 winners will receive a paperback copy of The Swans of Harlem (Adapted for Young Adults) by Karen Valby.

- US only, we will select the winners and ship directly

- The giveaway starts at 12:01am ET on February 24th and ends March 9th at 11:59pm ET

- Rafflecopter giveaway link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/74cc7a8d7/?

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Lark recommended this series on her blog. I'm so glad she did as I am loving it! I enjoyed the first two books and am looking forward to the third. Since some of you have expressed interest in the series, I thought I'd share: 

(American Wonders Collection #3)

Reluctant socialite Coraline Baxter longs to live a life of significance and leave her mark on the world. When her local suffragette group asks her to climb Mount Rainier to raise awareness of their cause, she jumps at the chance, even though she has absolutely no climbing experience. If she can do it, any woman can do it. And after her mother issues an ultimatum--that Cora marry the man of her mother's choosing if she is not successful--Cora must do it. But she can't do it alone.

Noted mountain guide Nathan Hardee initially refuses to help Cora, but has a change of heart when he sees what is at stake. He knows enough about the man Cora's mother has chosen to know that the headstrong young woman should have nothing to do with him, much less marry him.

Climbing Rainier will require all of Cora's fortitude and will lead her and Nathan to rediscover their faith in God and humanity. These two loners make unlikely partners in righting a wrong and may just discover that only together is the view most glorious.

It's hard to believe—really hard to believe—but I started Bloggin' 'bout Books 15 years ago today!  On August 7, 2006, I published this post welcoming folks to the new home for my "reading journal."  At the time, that included exactly three people: my husband, my mom, and my little sister.  In my naivete, I honestly thought that I had invented book blogging!  It was only when I started Googling around that I realized there was a whole, big book blogosphere already out there, just waiting for me.  That realization changed my life.  My reading life anyway.  I had found my tribe, but even still, I never could have imagined that my little blog would become such a great source of joy, connection, and community for me.  If you'd told me that I would still be going strong here at BBB 15 years later, I would have laughed you out the door!  

I have no idea how many books I've read or how many reviews I've written over the last decade and a half, but I do know that I've learned a lot along the way.  Here are ten lessons that 15 years of book blogging has taught me:

1.  The book/publishing world is always changing.  Back in the day, I'd get paper book catalogs in my mailbox and heavy cardboard boxes packed with glossy reads on my doorstep.  While publishers still send a number of "real" books my way, I also receive tons of links to e-ARCs on NetGalley and Edelweiss.  In some ways, publicists and authors are more accessible now than they were; in other ways, they aren't.  Especially in the COVID world, mostly in-person author events have changed to mostly online author events.  The point?  The book world is constantly changing.  I've had to change with it (I still remember what a huge concession it was for me to buy an e-reader)!

2.  Book bloggin' people = the best people.  One thing that hasn't changed is the awesomeness that is the book blogosphere.  Yes, bloggers come and go.  Some of my favorites have disappeared because of other commitments, waning interest, and even death (R.I.P. Dewey from Hidden Side of a Leaf and Grace @RebelMommyBookBlog).  I'll always miss their contributions, but I'm thrilled that so many new book blogs are still cropping up all the time.  I've made so many wonderful friends in this warm, happy, supportive community.  It's been such a pleasure to talk books with you, whether you've been hanging around BBB for a decade or just for a week.  

3.  Authors aren't always right—and neither am I.  Once I started getting a reputation as a tough, tell-it-like-it-is blogger, I started getting a little...ahem...cocky.  When it came to reviewing books, I didn't hesitate to call 'em like I saw 'em, even at the risk of offending writers I admired.  Because of that, I've received hate mail, strongly worded comments, and radio silence from authors who personally asked me to review their books.  I've softened a bit over the years and I've definitely been humbled by what I've gotten wrong.  A particularly embarrassing example: a certain author called me out over misquoting a section of her memoir that I could have sworn said she had taken drugs while on duty as a doctor at a mental hospital.  No matter how many times I combed over her book, I couldn't find the passage I referenced because it wasn't there!  The writer was grace itself when I apologized profusely for the error.

4.  Book blogging is hard work.  If you think book blogging is all fun and games then you must be doing it right!  For me, it has involved a great deal of time, effort, and money.  Between reading, writing reviews, visiting and commenting on other blogs, marketing my own efforts, etc. it has sometimes felt like a full-time job.  It's been worth it for the pleasure book blogging has given me, but I can't deny that other things in my life (most notably the cleanliness of my home) have suffered because of it.  Last year, I finally gave up scheduling reviews and participating in blog tours.  It was just causing too much stress for me.  Now my blogging is less rigorous, less pressure, and lots more fun!  

5.  It's my way or the highway.  Closely related to #4 is that I've learned to blog in the way that feels most natural and right to me.  I don't worry about other bloggers having more followers or a bigger influence.  I just do me.  It's worked pretty well so far.

6.  There can never be too many books.  Or can there?  When I first started receiving review requests from authors and publishers, I was so excited that I accepted everything that came my way.  Soon, I was inundated with books, some of which I had no actual desire to read.  After forcing myself to plow through volumes I normally wouldn't, I had to learn that it was okay to DNF a book that wasn't working for me.  I also had to learn not to accept books just because they're, you know, books.  Although I still accept far too many review requests than is wise, I've become much, much more selective about what I'll read and review.

7.  Reviewing books really does change how you read them.  I saw this article on Book Riot and was struck by the truth of this statement.  The way I read has changed irrevocably in the years since I started reviewing books.  For one thing, I now take copious notes on non-fiction and novels, jotting down anything I think I might want to use later in a review.  I'm more critical of an author's efforts, analyzing their world-building, character creation, plot decisions, and prose choices.  I can no longer read for the sheer pleasure of reading and, honestly, that's kind of sad.

8.  Books are not hair dryers.  I used to always say that I review a book in the same way I would review a hair dryer, by asking the same kind of questions:  What worked for me?  What didn't?  Is this product worth spending precious time and money on?  Why or why not?  It's just a product review, nothing personal.  Well, I've realized over the years that books are very personal to their authors and that they don't always like having their babies criticized.  I've also realized that I'm not as objective as I think I am.  My reviews contain my opinions.  You may not like them.  I get it and it's okay.  You can send me hate mail if you want.  You won't be the first!

9.  Books are powerful.  The wonderfully rich, diverse book blogosphere is a beautiful example of  how influential books can be in bringing people together, opening their minds, and touching their souls.   

10.  BBB would be nothing without you!  Truth is, I would probably post book reviews even if no one read them just because it's a fun creative outlet for me.  But, it would not be nearly as much fun without your interaction.  I love reading your comments, visiting your blogs, basking in your kindness, and dishing about books.  Thank you for making my little ole book blog such a delightful place to hang out.  It would not be at all the same without you.

To celebrate my blogiversary and to thank you for being such an integral part of BBB, I'm hosting a little giveaway.  If I were rich, I'd give away great quantities of money or, even better, towering stacks of books.  I'm not, so I'm just going to offer up one book—a book of your choice (up to a $20 value) on Book Depository, which delivers all over the world.  Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.  I will choose a winner on August 21.  Good luck!

Also, please tell me:  How long have you been blogging about books?  What have you learned from your own journey with this wild and wonderful hobby?

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Upstate New York, 1982. Viv Delaney wants to move to New York City, and to help pay for it she takes a job as the night clerk at the Sun Down Motel in Fell, New York. But something isnʼt right at the motel, something haunting and scary.

Upstate New York, 2017. Carly Kirk has never been able to let go of the story of her aunt Viv, who mysteriously disappeared from the Sun Down before she was born. She decides to move to Fell and visit the motel, where she quickly learns that nothing has changed since 1982. And she soon finds herself ensnared in the same mysteries that claimed her aunt.
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Daniel L. Trotter became hooked on illegal drugs at a young age.  This—as well as addictions to alcohol, tobacco, pornography, and partying—continued to plague him throughout adolescence and young adulthood, leading where such vices inevitably will.  After numerous close calls, as well as a suicide attempt and stays in both jail and a mental facility, Trotter finally hit rock bottom.  Desperate to change his life, he took dramatic action.  Inspired by the Biblical story of Jesus' forty-day fast in the wilderness, Trotter embarked on his own journey.  He promised himself—and God—that he wouldn't emerge from the forest where he was camping until he had found the strength to transform his life.  For good.

A Different Kind of Strong is Trotter's story.  Although it describes a long struggle with debilitating addictions, the memoir is a short, easy read, making it approachable for even the most reluctant reader.  It's written in a casual, conversational style that marks Trotter as an Everyman, whose mistakes and challenges could be those of any one of us.  His yearning for God, which led to his eventual conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the faith which his family embraced, but he abandoned), shows that, with the help of the Lord, anyone can change.  Through an ongoing process of repentance, forgiveness, restitution, and turning to God, past mistakes can be made right and present challenges overcome.  Trotter is quick to point out that his life didn't immediately become perfect after his life-changing experience in the wilderness, but it did improve in ways he never could have imagined.

While A Different Kind of Strong doesn't feature the strongest prose, it's still a compelling, empowering memoir that offers help and hope to those struggling with addiction.  Overall, I enjoyed this fast, faith-promoting read.

In addition to being a writer, a personal trainer, a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS), and a motivational speaker, Trotter is also a singer and songwriter of inspiring religious music.  His CD, also titled A Different Kind of Strong, can be purchased on his website or at Amazon.  The songs are also available for download on Amazon.

(Readalikes:  I don't read a lot of books like this, so no titles are coming to mind.  You?)

Grade:


Would you like to win a copy of A Different Kind of Strong and a $50 Amazon gift card?  Of course you would!  Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter the giveaway.  Good luck!


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As the daughter of a wealthy banker, Sybil Trimble is expected to act like a lady, do what she's told, and take her place in society by marrying a man worthy of her social status.  Despite a penchant for sneaking out to the local speakeasy to dance off her excess energy, the 21-year-old is ready to do her part.  She's especially mindful of the promise she made to her father to use her smarts to exact change in the world around her.  When she's pressured into marrying a rich man she doesn't love, however, Sybil stands up to her family for the first time.  Refusing to be bullied into a marriage that sounds more like a business proposal, she instead falls for a handsome hobo who's full of faith but empty of cash.  The Trimbles will never accept Fremont Pope as a suitable husband.  Worse, as long as Sibyl is tied to him she won't have the funds she needs to make a real change for the Oklahoma farmers whose hope is shriveling along with their crops.  What's a girl in love to do?

While her hometown continues to suffer the effects of The Great Depression on the dying Dust Bowl, Sibyl finds herself in trouble of her own.  Fremont assures her that God will provide, no matter what, but she isn't so sure.  What will become of her promise to her father?  What of all her big dreams?  In a time when help is needed for so many, how can Sibyl rise above her own crises to come to the aid of others, as God—and her father—clearly expect her to?  Who is Sibyl supposed to be and how, with all the challenges of life, will she become that person?

Books set in the tumultuous 1930s aren't generally warm and uplifting.  A Promise to Break by Kathryn Spurgeon is no exception, although the author's goal is clearly to show that relying on God can get people through even the toughest times.  While it might be a tad more hopeful than other novels set in this time period, it's still pretty depressing.  It doesn't help that the characters, including our heroine, are not a very likable bunch.  Sibyl is selfish, whiny, and immature.  Although she says continually that she wants to help people, she rarely actually acts on that desire.  In fact, action (or lack thereof) is probably this novel's biggest problem—nothing really happens until the end of the book when a subplot flares up to cause some drama.  Without a central conflict or a concrete story goal for Sibyl, the plot flounders, making A Promise to Break feel long and dull.  A note at the end of the book states that the novel is based on the life of the author's grandparents, which explains some of its issues.  Had it been written as a memoir, I think it would have worked a lot better for me.  So, while I appreciate the book's themes of faith, resilience, and helping the poor, on the whole I found A Promise to Break a disappointing read.

(Readalikes:  Hm, nothing is coming to mind.  You?)

Grade:

  As part of the blog tour, Kathryn Spurgeon is hosting a giveaway: