Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile (recovering from an arm injury; on a short review-writing break)'s Reviews > How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water
How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water
by
by
Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile (recovering from an arm injury; on a short review-writing break)'s review
bookshelves: favorites, immersion-read
Sep 18, 2022
bookshelves: favorites, immersion-read
Audiobook; 5/5
Book: 4.5/5
After losing her factory job during the recession, fifty-six-year-old Cara Romero meets with a job counselor as part of The Senior Workforce Program to qualify for continuation of her unemployment benefits and also receive assistance in finding new employment.
Over the course of twelve sessions with her job counselor, Cara shares her life story (and her thoughts and feelings about the significant people and events in her life ) in bits and pieces in mostly one-sided conversations. A Dominican immigrant and legal resident of the United States who came to the country with her son, she has worked hard to provide for her family while navigating through the trials and tribulations of life as an immigrant in her adopted country. Even though she has her share of difficulties- unemployed with no health insurance, having had to pay for recent surgery and unable to make rent (gentrification knocking on the door of her rent-stabilized apartment) and is estranged from her son and her relationships with her sister Angela and her friend Lulu continue to have their fair share of ups and downs - Cara’s indomitable spirit, confidence, kind-heartedness and wisdom are awe-inspiring. Through it all, she remains a loyal friend, a dutiful sister, a concerned mother and a caregiver to those who need her help.
“Desahogar: to undrown, to cry until you don’t need to cry no more.”
While Cara’s story is narrated in the first person, other details are shared through the paperwork she files through the course of the program which makes for some interesting reading! Beautifully–written and thought-provoking, with humor, a whole lot of heart and an endearing protagonist whose story will make you smile, sob, laugh out loud and cheer her on, How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz is a short but impactful and memorable read that I would definitely recommend. I paired my reading with the brilliant audio narration by Rossmery Almonte and Kimberly M. Wetherell, for an immersive experience that I did not want to end.
Book: 4.5/5
After losing her factory job during the recession, fifty-six-year-old Cara Romero meets with a job counselor as part of The Senior Workforce Program to qualify for continuation of her unemployment benefits and also receive assistance in finding new employment.
Over the course of twelve sessions with her job counselor, Cara shares her life story (and her thoughts and feelings about the significant people and events in her life ) in bits and pieces in mostly one-sided conversations. A Dominican immigrant and legal resident of the United States who came to the country with her son, she has worked hard to provide for her family while navigating through the trials and tribulations of life as an immigrant in her adopted country. Even though she has her share of difficulties- unemployed with no health insurance, having had to pay for recent surgery and unable to make rent (gentrification knocking on the door of her rent-stabilized apartment) and is estranged from her son and her relationships with her sister Angela and her friend Lulu continue to have their fair share of ups and downs - Cara’s indomitable spirit, confidence, kind-heartedness and wisdom are awe-inspiring. Through it all, she remains a loyal friend, a dutiful sister, a concerned mother and a caregiver to those who need her help.
“Desahogar: to undrown, to cry until you don’t need to cry no more.”
While Cara’s story is narrated in the first person, other details are shared through the paperwork she files through the course of the program which makes for some interesting reading! Beautifully–written and thought-provoking, with humor, a whole lot of heart and an endearing protagonist whose story will make you smile, sob, laugh out loud and cheer her on, How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz is a short but impactful and memorable read that I would definitely recommend. I paired my reading with the brilliant audio narration by Rossmery Almonte and Kimberly M. Wetherell, for an immersive experience that I did not want to end.
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Reading Progress
July 6, 2022
– Shelved
September 18, 2022
–
Started Reading
September 19, 2022
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 73 (73 new)
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Bharath
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rated it 2 stars
Sep 18, 2022 09:38PM
Brilliant review Sujoya. Very impactful story.
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Bharath wrote: "Brilliant review Sujoya. Very impactful story."
Thank you, Bharath! 😊 This is so beautifully done!
Thank you, Bharath! 😊 This is so beautifully done!
Barbara wrote: "I love a good audio recommendation! Thanks Sujoya!"
I can't recommend the audiobook enough!😊
I can't recommend the audiobook enough!😊
Karen wrote: "Fantastic review, Sujoya! I’ve added!"
Thank you so much, Karen!😊 I hope you also enjoy this one!
Thank you so much, Karen!😊 I hope you also enjoy this one!
JanB(on vacation till October) wrote: "I have this on hold, glad to see you enjoyed it! Wonderful review Sujoya!"
Thank you so much, Jan!😊 I hope you try the audiobook. It's so good!
Thank you so much, Jan!😊 I hope you try the audiobook. It's so good!
This sounds terrific! Definitely keeping this on my radar. So glad you enjoyed it, Sujoya. Lovely review as always! 💕
Lori (on semi hiatus during summer) wrote: "Terrific review Sujoya! Hooray for all the stars 🌟"
Thank you so much, Lori!😊
Thank you so much, Lori!😊
Catherine wrote: "I was considering this, but after your 5 stars, definitely adding! Terrific review Sujoya! 💙"
Thank you Catherine!💜 I hope you also enjoy it!
Thank you Catherine!💜 I hope you also enjoy it!
©hrissie ❁ [Back-ish -- Recovery Mode] wrote: "Glad this was a good story, Sujoya!"
It definitely was!😊
It definitely was!😊
Tami (Books Bengals and Coffee) wrote: "So great when a great title measures up to the whole book! Thanks for sharing!"
It's a lovely read! The audio is brilliant too!😊
It's a lovely read! The audio is brilliant too!😊
Rosh wrote: "This sounds terrific! Definitely keeping this on my radar. So glad you enjoyed it, Sujoya. Lovely review as always! 💕"
Many thanks, Rosh! 💜 Please try the audiobook. It's incredible!
Many thanks, Rosh! 💜 Please try the audiobook. It's incredible!
Shandi Pattison wrote: "Wonderful review, Sujoya! Sounds like a book with lots of lessons on humanity."
Thank you so much, Shandi!😊 This is a beautiful story told in a unique way!
Thank you so much, Shandi!😊 This is a beautiful story told in a unique way!
Meredith (Slowly Catching Up) wrote: "I love this review, Sujoya! I am definitely going to check this book out!"
Thank you so much, Meredith!😊 I hope you love it as much as I did!
Thank you so much, Meredith!😊 I hope you love it as much as I did!
Excellent review Sujoya! I’m definitely adding this book to my list- as I used to be a factory worker myself. I lost my job after I slipped on some grease and shattered my kneecaps. I think this story will resonate very much with me.
The title of this book has caught my attention numerous times and now your wonderful review has finally convinced me to add it. Thank you, Sujoya! :-D