Making Changes in the World: The Accidental Suffragist by Galia Gichon

 Title: The Accidental Suffragist

Author: Galia Gichon

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: 4 out of 5 paws.

Helen Fox is a factory worker trying to make ends meet for her family in 1912.  When her family experiences a horrific tragedy in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, Helen finds herself drawn to the Suffragist cause.  Soon she is immersed and is working alongside other suffragists to try an make a change in the world.  As she delves further into the cause and her involvment, she encounters many sources of tension within her home and out.  She quickly becomes ostrasized by neighbors, estranged from her husband, worry for her children as she goes of activist trips and more.  Helen discovers her voice in a male dominated society.

  

I recieved a gifted copy of this book for an honest review and I have to say I am very glad I took the opportunity to read this novel.  While it is a slim book, it is jam packed with heart and inspiration.  I was instantly hooked when I began reading, I didn't want to stop, even to sleep.  It was a quick read, and I feel like I will be reading again in the future.  This is such an important book, and I see it gaining popularity and becoming a huge success.  It shows a moment in time that women displayed strength, intelligence, grit, and so much more.  Something that needs to be taught more in schools, more than just a brief moment.  This is a moment in our history that shows young women what we are capable of doing. 

Galia does a wonderful job at bringing her words to life.  There are moments throughout the novel that pull at your heart; her son going to war, her husband turning his back on her, the horrors of what happened in Washington, losing her friends, the fire, and so much more.  Galia Gichon's words bring out the rawest of emotions as you are reading this novel, it took everything in me not to cry. I was deeply moved by this novel and it will stick with me for a long time.  I highly recommend this  novel to everyone.

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A Story of Redemption and Recovery: Trejo By Danny Trejo

 Title: Trejo

 Author: Danny Trejo

 Genre: Memoir/Autobiography

 Rating: 4 out of 5 paws

 Danny Trejo is one of the most recognized actors in Hollywood.  On screen he is a baddie who has been killed at least 100 times; he's been stabbed, shot, hung, chopped up, even squished by an elevator.  Off screen he is known as a hero in the recovery community.  Raised in an abusive home he has a history of heroin abuse, stints in some of the most notorious and scary prisons: San Quentin, Folsom and others.  He learned how to survive on the inside and once he got out.  He has had roles in some of the most well known cult classics such as Heat, and of course his most well-known role of Machete.  In his memoir, he recounts how he managed life in prison, his spirituality, his recover and his mission to helps others along the road of addiction recovery.  His book is a reflection of a magnificent life of redemption, tragedy, pain and ultimately success.

Before reading this book I already knew some of his past and the things this actor has been able to accomplish and overcome throughout his life.  But there was so much that I didn't know.  Reading through his hardships and everything he has overcome including reconciling with his children, makes me love him even more.  He is not ashamed of his past because it made him into the man he is, he learned from it and he may still have some more to learn as he reflects on certain aspects of his private life.  It was amazing to see how he turned his life around and founded numerous recovery centers and how he'd go to the baddest parts of town looking for people to help.  He is a true treasure and gem.  Danny Trejo proves that 1. you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, and 2. that someone's past doesn't define who they are now.  It contributes to who they become but just because there was addiction then, doesn't mean it will continue.  He worked hard to get to where is today and should be proud of everything he accomplished.

Memoirs/autobiographies are not typically my cup of tea, but I have been trying to branch out a little more and I am glad that I picked up this one.  I seen it and said "this one I need to read" and I am glad that I did.  Reading the stories through Danny's words made it all so entertaining, I could almost hear his voice sometimes.  It was very interesting to hear how Machete came about including that children have dressed up as the character for Halloween (not exactly what I'd call a kids movie, but it goes to show the impact this man has had in pop culture, as well as society.)  True to Danny Trejo, this novel is raw, unfiltered and unashamably him.  Definitely recommend.

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Fire Keeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Title: The Fire Keeper's Daughter

Author: Angeline Boulley

Genre: YA

Rating: 5 out of 5

Daunis Fontaine has never been able to fit in, in either her hometown or on the nearby Ojibwe reservation.  She puts her future of studying medicine on hold to help care of her ailing mother.  The only seemingly bright spot in her life is Jamie a new recruit on her brother's hockey team. Yet, as she falls for Jamie, things he says and does doesn't add up and she begins to suspect that he is hiding something.  When she witnesses a horrific murder, everything begins to make sense and she is thrown in the middle of a criminal investigation.  She agrees to go undercover, but soon discovers that the deceptions and betrayal keep piling up and comes to close to home.  Now she must learn what it means to be a strong Ojibwe woman and far she will go to protect her community and those she loves.

I had this book on my TBR for a little while, and then a woman in my book club mentioned how great it was so I moved it up on my list and read it right away.    The first half of the novel we get background information and character building, but as the book progresses the plot thickens and gets intense.  You will get completely swept up into the storyline, I know I did. The second half of the book becomes a real rollercoaster of emotion, tragedy, suspense, coming of age, and culture.  Whatever your reason for reading this book you will learn something new.

I love how steeped in Native American culture this novel was, I love learning about the traditions, religion, language, history, herbs, relationships and more.  And there is no better author to present this information than Angeline Boulley.  Boulley approaches touch topics in a professional, and mature manner.  There are so many topics that could be a trigger such as abuse, addiction, sexual assault, grief, and even politics, but Boulley includes these topics in a way that it doesn't trigger (at least it didn't for me).  She doesn't include them in a gratuitous way nor do they take away from the story.  If anything it makes the novel more intense, more emotional.

The cover drew me in and Boulley's words held me captive.  Probably the BEST book I've read this year.

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