I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

I seem to have had this book lying around for years, in fact I think I have had it lying around for years, and have never read it. It finally workrd its way to the top of my TBR pile (with a little help from the What's in a Name 3 and Memorable Memoirs reading challenges, and I'm so pleased it did.

Marguarite's grew up between the wars in Southern USA, a time and place where lynchings of black men and segregation of the races were still very real. Brought up by her grandmother she and her brother Bailey lived a life ruled by adults, the church and strict standards of behaviour, punctuated by eventful visits to their parents. Funny, tragic and uplifting in parts, I can see why this book is so well recommended.

The Memorable Memoir Reading Challenge

I know, I know, another challenge! I couldn't resist this one, I have quite a few biographies, autobiographies and memoirs in my enormous TBR pile and hopefully this will help me get them read.