Goodreads Monday is a weekly meme that was started by @Lauren’s Page Turners but is now currently being hosted by Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog. This meme is quite easy to follow – just randomly pick a book from your to-be-read list and give the reasons why you want to read it. It is that simple.

This week’s book:

I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem by Maryse Condé

Blurb from Goodreads

At the age of seven, Tituba watched as her mother was hanged for daring to wound a plantation owner who tried to rape her. She was raised from then on by Mama Yaya, a gifted woman who shared with her the secrets of healing and magic. But it was Tituba’s love of the slave John Indian that led her from safety into slavery, and the bitter, vengeful religion practiced by the good citizens of Salem, Massachusetts. Though protected by the spirits, Tituba could not escape the lies and accusations of that hysterical time.

As history and fantasy merge, Maryse Condé, acclaimed author of Tree of Life and Segu, creates the richly imagined life of a fascinating woman.

Why I Want To Read It

Happy Monday everyone! We got an extra day off because today is the national barangay and SK elections here in the Philippines; the barangay is the most basic local government unit here in the Philippines. There were hiccups but, overall, the elections ran smoothly. The election is critical for the incoming national elections as barangay officials often practice influence over their constituents. For those who reported to work – well, even those who didn’t – I hope you started the week on a high note. I hope that everyone will have a productive and great week ahead.

Anyway, today is the last Monday of October. This means that we just have 62 days before we get to greet a new year. It is more than enough time to complete all of your unfinished tasks, to achieve what you have set to achieve at the start of the year. I hope that the remaining days of the year will be brimming with good news and blessings. I hope that you will all get repaid for the hard work you poured in this year. Reading-wise, I still have quite a lot of goals I have to achieve; I must say that I am lagging quite behind, especially on my reading challenges. Nevertheless, it is my goal to complete these reading challenges; this is my goal for the remaining two months of the year.

On a different note, I am kickstarting another blogging week with a fresh Goodreads Monday update. I recently concluded my literary journey across Latin America. Overall, my foray into Latin American literature has been very interesting, to say the least; Latin American writers never fail to deliver. I have discovered new writers while reinforcing those that I am already familiar with. Following this, I have commenced a journey across Europe. But since this month was mostly Latin American literature, I will be featuring works of Latin American writers in my Goodreads Monday updates. For this Goodreads Monday Update I am featuring Maryse Condé’s I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem.

I have chosen to feature this book mainly because it aligns with the theme for the week, which is Halloween. That’s the superficial part of it, I guess. Ever since discovering the Guadeloupean writer, I have become a fan. I wanted to explore more of her works; as part of my foray into Latin American literature this year, I read her latest novel, The Gospel According to the New World. I was a little unimpressed by the book. This, however, is not going to stop me from reading her other works, including I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem. I am interested to know how Condé will intersect the witchhunt in Salem, Massachusetts with the history of her people. How does the book fit into Condé’s oeuvre? I do expect that the book will explore subjects that are familiar in her body of work, such as discrimination, colonialism, and racism, among others.

For now, I am hoping to obtain a copy of the book. How about you fellow reader? How was your Monday? What books have you added to your reading list? Do drop it in the comment box. For now, happy Monday and, as always, happy reading!