What makes a book tick? Especially a long one? Betty Smith's magnum opus skins your heart. There's a beautiful melody to it. And the reality of 1920's Brooklyn is a backdrop one is unwilling to shake. Francie Nolan is growing up & takes us along with her through the convoluted truths about her life that she discovers as her world expands. Her father is an alcoholic, her mother a scrubwoman and her brother the apple of her mother's eye. There was much to love about this story- foremost that Francie could claw her way out of that poverty because she was a reader. It helps she has a heart of gold. And she knows precisely what she deserves. The easy friendship between Francie & her brother, her & her father, Johnny Nolan, were particularly endearing. I love strong heroines. I like women doing well, breaking any kind of ceiling, or even just attempting to. Which is why Ms Nolan will stay with me for a long time and someone I will revisit again over the course of my life. All books come to us at the right time. I wish this fine one, with a name as poetic, had come to me sooner. If you liked this, read: •The Goldfinch •The Dutchouse •The Easy Life In Kamusari •The Glass Castle #delhibookstagrammer #delhireaders #atreegrowsinbrooklyn #bettysmith #indianreaders #indianbookstagram #bookstagramindia #booksbrat #booksaboutlife #neverwithoutabook #nevernotreading (at Delhi, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClBpKo_SliJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=















