Page 1 of 1

Review of You Speak for Me Now

Posted: 20 Mar 2022, 11:55
by Brenda Creech
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "You Speak for Me Now" by Sandy Graham.]
Book Cover
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review


John and Emma met in high school. Since Emma had come from a school for the deaf, she had a hard time fitting in with the other students and doing classwork. Emma would know the answer to a class question but couldn't communicate it to the teacher. John realized what was happening, and he secretly took lessons in sign language and began to sign the classroom questions to Emma, who would sign the answers back to John. Eventually, John and Emma fell in love. While in college, Emma got an idea to add signing to smartphones to replace texting for the deaf. She and John formed a company called Sign Talk, and it went viral. They got married and had a son named Peter. Peter was a child prodigy when it came to music. He could sing and play the piano with no lessons by the time he was four. He also composed a few songs before he was seven years old. After John's interviews on television shows about his political opinions, Peter and John would sing to end the shows. Democratic Party officials approached John to run for Congress due to his solid political stand. That is when John and Emma's life turned upside down.

Sandy Graham is a talented author, and it showed in so many ways in his book You Speak for Me Now. He writes in a manner that pulls you in emotionally and holds you there throughout the book. At times I forgot the story was fiction. The character development is outstanding. I felt an instant connection to the characters from the beginning. I experienced so many emotions as I read this book. At times I felt real anger, sadness, and empathy. I laughed, and I cried—a lot.

My favorite aspect of the book was Peter. A little boy with talents more considerable than imaginable for a four-year-old, and he wasn't shy about displaying them. He was intelligent beyond his years and seemed to have a unique ability to sense how people felt, especially his dad. He played the piano without any initial lessons and composed a song, with words and melody, to sing to his dad while John was in a coma. His character touched my heart. Another of my favorite parts was how Emma learned to talk after she had cochlear implants. John had been the speaker and singer in the family, but their roles reversed while he was in a coma. Emma started doing the speeches, and when John woke up, he could only hum to the music when Peter sang.

What I didn't like about the book was the political side. Current issues were the political part of the story. I felt the book favored one political party and blamed the other one for all the problems we have in the country today. I would have given the book a top rating for the many vital messages on global warming, voter fraud, the importance of family, and unity in our country. However, there were enough errors in the book to cause me to have to take away one point.

You Speak for Me Now by Sandy Graham is an excellent book. It has suspense, action, tenderness, and much more. Any reader will find it captivating whether they agree with the political side or not. The book is exciting, emotional, and challenging and deserves the highest rating. However, I have to give it 3 out of 4 stars. Because most of the errors were typos, I still believe the book had professional editing. This book is suitable for ages fourteen and up, as there is very minimal cursing and no sexual content. I recommend this book to those who love an emotional read and those who enjoy books about politics.

******
You Speak for Me Now
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Re: Review of You Speak for Me Now

Posted: 22 Mar 2022, 07:20
by Aisha Yakub
Political enthusiasts should enjoy reading this. Great review.

Re: Review of You Speak for Me Now

Posted: 22 Mar 2022, 10:54
by Amy Luman
I’m not sure which part of this book takes precedence. Is it the political part or the love story and inspiration? Whichever it sounds like a good one. I agree that the problems in the country do not lie with only one political party.

Re: Review of You Speak for Me Now

Posted: 22 Mar 2022, 11:16
by TheGayOne12
Peter sounds like a great character. I'll definitely be giving this one a shot. Thank you for the amazing review!

Re: Review of You Speak for Me Now

Posted: 22 Mar 2022, 12:49
by Patty Allread
At times I forgot the story was fiction.
That says a lot about the talent of the author and makes me want to read the book. I enjoyed your review!

Re: Review of You Speak for Me Now

Posted: 22 Mar 2022, 14:39
by Brenda Creech
Raymond N wrote: 22 Mar 2022, 07:20 Political enthusiasts should enjoy reading this. Great review.
The political views were strong in this book but very one-sided! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

Re: Review of You Speak for Me Now

Posted: 22 Mar 2022, 14:41
by Brenda Creech
Amy Luman wrote: 22 Mar 2022, 10:54 I’m not sure which part of this book takes precedence. Is it the political part or the love story and inspiration? Whichever it sounds like a good one. I agree that the problems in the country do not lie with only one political party.
Actually, I wasn't sure which side took precedence either! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

Re: Review of You Speak for Me Now

Posted: 22 Mar 2022, 14:43
by Brenda Creech
TheGayOne12 wrote: 22 Mar 2022, 11:16 Peter sounds like a great character. I'll definitely be giving this one a shot. Thank you for the amazing review!
Thank you! Yes, Peter was a great character! I hope you enjoy the book. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

Re: Review of You Speak for Me Now

Posted: 23 Mar 2022, 07:46
by Precious_Nzeakor
I feel like too much might have gone on in this story at once. It does leave me with mixed feelings. What themes am I most interested in?. What themes will captivate me in the process?. Anyway, great review.

Re: Review of You Speak for Me Now

Posted: 24 Mar 2022, 05:01
by Brenda Creech
Patty Allread wrote: 22 Mar 2022, 12:49
At times I forgot the story was fiction.
That says a lot about the talent of the author and makes me want to read the book. I enjoyed your review!
Thank you! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

Re: Review of You Speak for Me Now

Posted: 31 Mar 2022, 04:58
by Essy Nma
Wow, I am still in shock with the storyline. Thanks for the review.

Re: Review of You Speak for Me Now

Posted: 21 Apr 2022, 12:42
by Brenda Creech
Essy Nma wrote: 31 Mar 2022, 04:58 Wow, I am still in shock with the storyline. Thanks for the review.
It was definitely a unique storyline and an excellent one! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

Re: Review of You Speak for Me Now

Posted: 21 Apr 2022, 12:44
by Brenda Creech
Amzes17 wrote: 23 Mar 2022, 07:46 I feel like too much might have gone on in this story at once. It does leave me with mixed feelings. What themes am I most interested in?. What themes will captivate me in the process?. Anyway, great review.
There is a lot to keep up with! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

Re: Review of You Speak for Me Now

Posted: 17 May 2022, 02:18
by ellimctreph
I was expecting a romance story, but then you revealed the political layer and now I'm very intrigued.

Re: Review of You Speak for Me Now

Posted: 03 Jun 2024, 06:32
by Margi zuu202
in a world torn btw democracy and dictatorship can america survive the onslaught of authoritarianism..i like this book