March Book Reviews

I didn't get as much reading done as I was hoping in March. I did manage to get through two short books though. So I'm a little late in posting them, but here they are.


"Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston was the first book I read in March. It is a novel that is considered the author's greatest work. Zora Neale Hurston was an African American author in the early 20th century. I would actually like to read more of her books, as she was a compelling and stimulating author, who also seems like a very interesting woman. And, Zora is a really cool name. This books is about a young African American girl who has grown up in the South, experiencing the many prejudices faced by blacks and women at that time. Refusing to fit into the mold that society has cast for her, the story follows Janie into adulthood through three marriages (one arranged) and shows how she finds love on her own terms. The story takes place primarily in Eatonville, Florida, the first all-black incorporated town. As someone who was born and grew up after civil rights were in place it seemed like a great glimpse for me into the life of African Americans in the early 20th century. Five stars.


I've had "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" on my shelf for probably at least ten years. I think I had to buy it for a college class once, but then I don't think we ever ended up using it for the class. At any rate, this was the first time I read it. It was a nice inspirational story, I suppose, and it had a good message about working hard to become your best self and help others. I found it a little hokey, though. Maybe it was the grainy black-and-white photos of seagulls throughout the book, or the corny 1970s feel to the story and the personification of seagulls with dignified sounding human names (and middle names!), but it just didn't quite do it for me. It only took me about an hour to read though, so I wouldn't say it was a waste of time. I can only wonder what the film version is like...two stars.