Tayé Foster Bradshaw's Bookshelf

A mystery, a thriller. Murder, intrigue, humanity, family, life. Exactly how many times could I exclaim “wow!” I just finished reading the debut novel by a young Orthodox Jewish woman who went against the expected to deliver something to the world totally unexpected and unyielding in its grip upon me, upon you, the reader, the silent, or not-so-silent witness to events that unfolded one imaginary summer in Louisiana. I briefly introduced you to this young author in a previous post, something I rarely do while reading a book.  My enthusiasm for her continues. In the short time span of a hot, humid, and human summer, she has crafted emotional ties to these characters who are believable, honest, someone we know.  We step inside their minds and experience their soul.  It is is a breathless and breathtaking tale. Four lives, six, seven, eight, exactly how many lives were affected by the events that took place that fateful night?  It was and is like a snowball effect melti

There has only been one other time that I introduced a book to my readers before I was finished with the book.  This is going to be the second time. I "met" this young author through the wonders of technology.  She and I were students together in a Modern and Contemporary American Poetry class offered through Courera .  It was the dedication of our professor, Al Filreis of the University of Pennsylvania, in creating a true learning community and discussion group that brought me and this young author together. Through connections on our course facebook page and the global realization that this community of writers, poets, artists, and lovers of the aesthetic, was embarking on a life-changing journey. It has been months since our class ended and we have maintained contact through emails and facebook.  She is a lovely young woman who is courageous and determined.  I say that because her culture almost expects young woman of her age to be married and on child one or two by