One Summer in Savannah: My Honest Thoughts

There are books that I come across that show me that I am still growing as a reader. My taste in books is yet evolving as I approach my 35th year on this Earth. I am still an avid reader of romance novels, but I'm striving to give every book that I see with a Black face on it a chance, especially when they're in Target, because as much as I frequent that store, they can do a lot better when it comes to authentic and intentional representation. The purpose of this blog is to get as many people as possible to read books by Black authors; therefore I'm giving my recommendation for as many as I can.

At one of my most recent trips to Target, I picked up a book called One Summer in Savannah by Terah Shelton Harris, an author I had never heard of. The cover was stunning with two figures intertwined, gazing in opposite directions of each other, one clearly a woman and the other a man. Neither figure's face contains eyes, yet somehow, it is obvious that both are in a somber mood.

In reading the description, I found that this book contained a topic that I normally steer clear of: rape. Yes, the main character of this book was sexually assaulted and we get to see how this has affected her life as she returns to the area in which it happened to take care of her ailing father.

The book explores what happens to those affected by these violent, heinous crimes, including both the victim and perpetrator's families, which is not often a perspective that we get to see. I admire this author for sharing such a perspective and giving a voice to those that have experienced any such atrocity.

Are you intrigued? What if I told you there was an element of romance in this book, a well?! Yes, love truly heals all. Check out what else I have to say about this book, by checking out the video below.