This is Not a Game!

Greetings! My March book selection is titled A Game Called Salisbury by Susan Barringer Wells. This book, hardly about a game, is a historical account of Southern tragedy and the myths of race in my hometown, Salisbury, NC.  Before I delve into this though, let me share my thoughts of one of my February books, Stepping Down by Michelle Stimpson.

This Christian fiction piece is a tale of a dedicated pastor, Mark, attempting to balance his commitment to his church and his roles as husband and father.  To add a bit of drama, his wife, Sharla, is harboring a secret that could potentially disrupt their lives and his position as pastor of New Vision Church.  This book read well and I enjoyed it.  I did anticipate the "drama" to be a bit more intense and life-changing. Still, it maintained my attention and had a positive and spiritually uplifting flow that I appreciated.  Want to know more?  Read the book!

This month, I'm moving to a much heavier and surely more difficult read.  I grew up in Salisbury, NC but left home for the Army right after high school.  Moving back home recently made me realize that I know very little about the history of my hometown.  Hence, my interest in A Game Called Salisbury.  Upon perusal, I discovered that this book will recount the events surrounding the murders of several citizens and the subsequent lynches of the suspected killers.  The author brings a unique perspective, as she explores her own family lineage and the roles played by her ancestors. 

I am stepping out of my comfort zone in reading this book.  First because it is a non-fiction, informational text but also due to the subject matter being extremely weighty.  I'm excited that my cousin Denise and my sister Felisa have decided to read it as well! I look forward to our discussions and to learning together! Feel free to join us.

  Reading is fun but in this case, it is also a serious endeavor. This is not a game.  Happy Reading!