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Crystal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 12, 2003 - 02:31 pm: | 
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I’m just about done with The Good Negress by A.J. Verdelle. Thanks to lurkerette in “the essentials” post. This is a beautiful story! It’s our story! I got all choked up reading on the bus when Neesey’s grandmother reminded her to “fix y’socks” when she was going to have her picture taken. Took me back a few years.
Read Eva’s Man and Corregidora by Gayl Jones. Thanks to Fool on the Hill in the “best & worst 3 writers” post. I loved both Eva and Ursa. But, why do so many of our stories have the recurring theme of incestral [is that a word?] rape? Sigh.
Read the new collection of short stories by Z.Z. Packer Drinking Coffee Elsewhere. I enjoyed it. “Every Tongue Shall Confess” – had a happy romantic ending and “The Ant of the Self” – kinda reminded me of my son and his Dad were my favorites. Didn’t understand “Geese” – I’m gonna read it again to see if I can figure out what she’s talkin bout.
So, what are YOU reading?
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Judy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 12, 2003 - 04:05 pm: |
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I rarely answer the what are you reading posts but I am reading The Ladies Number One Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith about a female detective in Botswana.
This is a refreshing and sweet tale. Very worthwhile. I would love to know more about the author.
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Yukio
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 12, 2003 - 04:51 pm: |
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Crystal:
haven't read all of corregidora, but in eva's man incestral rape was not the theme but an element. Also, incest unfortunately happens in the black community as we all know and Jones was one of the earlier ones to address incest(as far as i've read...i'm not a pro like Thumper, btw so u may wanna ask others more knowlegeable......).
I think, and of course this is debateable, Eva's Man was about how the categories of manhood, womanhood, family, and especially sanity are elusive and permeable. In addition, the structure of the narrative paralleled Eva's thought.....It was also interesting how much hands and different parts of the body were consistently repeated......jus some thoughts....
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Crystal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 12, 2003 - 05:13 pm: |
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Yukio – you’re right that incest isn’t a theme of Eva’s Man. I guess because I’ve recently read 2 other books with that element it’s just stayed on my mind. There’s incest in Corregidora too but it’s a slavemaster/slave relationship which for some reason I just don’t think of as the same.
Judy – I’ve read The Ladies Number One Detective Agency and really enjoyed it. I understand there may be a movie based on it. I’ve got the sequel Tears of the Giraffe on my list to read. You can go here and read about Alexander Smith:
http://www.bookbrowse.com/index.cfm?page=author&authorID=745
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K
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 01:58 pm: |
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I'm reading Mr. Potter by J. Kincaid. Sometimes I find it hard to fall into her writing style. The see jane run format...at times is cute others it drives me crazy.
I finished John Ridley's The Drift. I like his style. |
Judy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 03:12 pm: |
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Crystal: Thanks for the referral to book browse! I owe you! |
lurkerette
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 07:49 am: |
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Hi Crystal - I am SO pleased that you liked The Good Negress. I have been boring everyone I know about this book for ages - it's one of those where you just want to share with the whole world the experience of reading it and the wonderful writing of the author. I love the way she has transcribed the Southern accents. The scene where the grandmother punishes the brother is still with me after so many years.
I am reading Rhode Island Red by Charlotte Carter. It is the first book in the Nanette Hayes series. I've already read numbers two and three and I loved them. She is my favorite AA mystery author. I have just finished Inner City Blues by Paula Woods, but I found it dragged on a bit and didn't really grip me, though it was a good story and the characters were interesting. Has anyone read her other novels and are they any tighter?
re incest - The color purple may have been published earlier? |
Sis E
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 08:03 am: |
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Hi Everybody,
Well, I have a list of books that I HAVEN'T been able to finish. I started The Wind Done Gone and put it down. I started Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (I admit it, I read all the other Potter books) but dozed off around page 60. I started Seabiscuit after hearing the author on PBS, but put it down after, oh, page 12; and I started Stupid White Men but it was so depressing (because it was describing the nefarious ways that you-know-who love to dupe everybody else) that it's still sitting on the bookshelf.
So to get back on the more relevant side of life, I plan to read Getting Mother's Body and when I get back from the African American Literary Conference in Raleigh sponsored by the North Carolina Arts Society, I should be pumped up with new offerings. |
cmack
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 08:56 am: |
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I just finished Billy by Albert French, got the recommendation from one of the post. I enjoyed it very much although it was very sad. I'm reading it again with my eleven year old daughter. I started The Future has a Past by J California Cooper, I enjoy reading short stories. I'm going on vacation next week and I'm taking The Root Worker by Rainelle Burton and The Ways of White Folks by Langston Hughes. I look forward to Sis E's post with new offerings. |
Anita
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 06:15 pm: |
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I am half-way through Hunting In Harlem and I'm loving Mat Johnson's style. A co-worker recommended The Red of His Shadow by Mayra Montero and the preview seemed lush with voodoo as a governing theme. These are also on the list:
The Time of Our Singing--Richard Powers
This Side of the Sky--Elyse Singleton
A Love Noire--Erica Simone Turnipseed
Black America: A Photographic Journey Past to Present--Marcia A. Smith (Riveting photos!) |
Tee C. Royal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 15, 2003 - 01:39 am: |
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Hey all!! Sis E, I read and truly enjoyed Getting Mother's Body. The author writes it with a sort of lyrical literary tone with humor thrown in for good measure. From the dialect used, to the narration by each character, I had no complaints.
Anita, This Side of the Sky is one of my favorite books of all times. I've never been big on historical fiction, but Elyse Singleton's writing "took me there" and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good read; not the same ole same ole.
As for me, I haven't read much lately. I just moved again and have been a bit under the weather, but I hope to come back with a bang and once I'm out from under some of these boxes, I plan to read the following:
Trouble Man by Travis Hunter
The Shade of My Own Tree by Sheila Williams
5 Dimes by Darrious D. Hilmon
One Day I Saw a Black King by J.D. Mason
-Tee
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sisgal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 15, 2003 - 01:00 pm: |
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I just finished reading: " A Little Piece of the Sky"...which I loved, very much and "Taken for Granted" by Earl Sewell. (I enjoyed the light reading)
Currently reading "Cane River", and "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted". |
Sis E
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 17, 2003 - 11:01 am: |
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Hey There,Saturday in Raleigh at the African American Literature Conference guest speakers "Savvy Lois" Lois Center Shabezz, a financial writer("Let's Get Financial Savvy"), and author Michele Andrea Bowen were my personal favorites.
With so much interest in self publishing these days, Lois's info was very helpful to those inspiring writer folks in search of that first publication. She also cleared up some misconceptions about self-publishing, too.
Michele Andrea Bowen's reading had us rolling on the floor. Reading about how this old sister's fine self made one man so hot that his false teeth adhesive melted, then glued his mouth shut so tight that he couldn't speak! I picked up her book "Church Folk," which I have to admit I hadn't read yet. It's published by Walk Worthy Press, a Denise Stinson initiative.
I also bought Lois's disk (only $5) that gives lots of vital info on publishing. Her website (one of many) is www.msfinancialsavvy.com/aclubforus/
The keynoter Illyasa (sp) Shabazz, author of "Growing Up X" didn't make it on Saturday; apparently the power outage disrupted her flight plans, I was told.
TeeCee, RAWSISTZ got props everythere there! You go, TC! I plan to read Getting Mother's Body; it sounds like a hoot! And all yall who read Cane River, yes, yes, I loved it, too. I've got to get California Cooper's latest, too.
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Brian Egeston
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 05:48 pm: |
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Pressing my way through Hunting in Harlem by my main man Mat Johnson. It's been a very tough beginning, but it seems to be picking up now. Beautiful writing as always, but Mat's gonna get a note from me saying... "Uh buddy, what's goin' on here?"
Brian Egeston
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Fool on the Hill
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 09:42 pm: |
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Brian Egeston-
I have Hunting in Harlem. What is it that strikes you as odd about it?
Also, I'm reading Kenji Jasper's Dark for the third time. I just adore it. And Atet AD, a must read. |
Cynique
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 12:06 am: |
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I have just started "Possessed, the rise and fall of Prince" which gives all indication of being a fascinating read. It follows the career of the "purple genius" who the book's author claims has lost control in his effort to maintain control. Hummm. Shades of Michael Jackson. |
K
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 09:45 am: |
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I'm working on maps by Nuridin Farrar (?). I may have just slayed the authors name. I found it in the bargin bin. So far it's a good read, very lyrical.
Question? A local writers co-opt offers a 1-3 year- unaccredited program in creative writing. Benefits? Drawbacks. The program was founded by a professor at a reputable university. |
Susan
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 11:41 am: |
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Brian,
I loved Drop by Johnson and have Hunting in Harlem in the stack. I will get to it next month.
I just finished The Hotel Alleluia by Roy and I'm going to start reading Such Was The Season by Major this weekend.
Susan |
Brian Egeston
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 11:58 pm: |
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Fool,
(I love calling someone that and not having to fight afterwards)
It took me 98 pages to get to some real movement in the plot. Piper Goines Speaks, as I recall, is where it picked up.
I guess I'm getting old and don't have the patience to wait 25% through the book for back, back, back, back story and triple tangents.
Had it not been for the cameos of beautiful writing sprinkled throughout, I might have left it in Times Square during the blackout.
Mat's the man, I knew he would come through eventually.
Brian Egeston
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Cyberscribe
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 12:19 pm: |
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I just got finished reading Wrapped In Rainbows (The Zora Neale Hurston biography)...ALWAYS inspiring to read about your Idol; AND very cleverly written. And now I'm onto Fith Born by Zelda Lockhart; which, I have to say, is very interesting right off the back. I'm already half way through and I started last night around 12am! |
Beautifulwaterstar
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 12:46 pm: |
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"The Good Negress" was absolutely EXCELLENT, Crystal.. I see that someone has mentioned "Stupid White Men". While I have read excerpts, I have not read the whole book.. It seems to be a bit interesting considering who it is coming from on one hand, BUT on the other hand, in considering the source, it makes me consider the motives.. *shrugging shoulders* Anyway..
I FINALLY got my hands on "Two Thousand Seasons" by Ayi Kwei Armah! (Absolutely loving it..) I also was able to stumble upon an interseting encyclopedia, "The Encylopedia of Southern Culture" by Charles Regan Willis. It was a great find. Now I cannot recall all of their authors, but the following books are also some I have recently purchased:
"Remembering John Crow"
"The Peculiar Institution: Slavery in the Antebellum South"
"The Slave Community" Blassingame
"Lessons of Marcus Garvey" (Edited by Tony Martin)
A few others, but I guess that if I don't stop now I never will. lol
Also, has anyone here read "The Debt" and "The Reckoning" (both) by Randall Robinson? If so, what did you think?
Lastly, what is UP with all this talk about 1) Yurugu II 2)Isis Papers II? Anyone know anything more solid about this?
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Yukio
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 01:02 pm: |
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Beautifulwaterstar,
After you read blassingame's slave community and Kenneth Stampp's "the peculiar institution," you should check Ira Berlin's Many Thousands Gone and Philip Morgan's Slave COunterpoint, both cover the eighteenth century and are more up to date studies of slavery than Stampp and blassingame, whose were are dated more than 30 yrs. |
Cynique
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 01:54 pm: |
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"The Isis Papers" is a book that has been around quite a while. It's written by Dr. Frances Welsing(spelling?) a black college professor who has claimed, among other things, that Caucasians act they way they do because they are neurotic, and are still pouting because the aberration of their white skin caused them to be ostracized and driven out of Africa and forced to migrate to where the climate was cold. Or something. |
Beautifulwaterstar
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 02:38 pm: |
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I thank you very much, Cynique.. I have finished the books by Blassingame and Stampp and I am pretty sure that I will be back to talk about the ones you've mentioned soon.. I'll probably pick them up before the week is over.
I have actually read The Isis Papers by Dr. Welsing as well, but I keep hearing that there is supposed to be a second part to it (as well as "Yurugu" by Dr. Marimba Ani). Do you know anything of this? Speaking of the whole climate thing/alienation, have you read "Ice Man Inheritance"? Can't remember the author's name from the top.. |
yukio
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 08:59 pm: |
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is it leonard jeffries of city college, nyc? |
Cynique
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 25, 2003 - 12:23 am: |
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Oops. I didn't notice that you were referring to a sequel to The Isis Papers, Beautifulwaterstar. I should've known the first book would be something you had already read. No, I haven't read "Ice Man Inheritance." And, you will find as you become familiar with the personalities on this board that I am a poster who, as of late, sounds off more than she reads. For some vexing reason I am having a hard time finding books that hold my interest. I've lost my focus, but I am still able to get into biographies. I just finished reading one on the "artist again known as Prince". Rather interesting but it didn't tell me anything I didn't already know about him because I used to be a huge fan until he got too full of himself. Talk about an egomaniac control freak. But I still like listening to his old albums. |
Beautifulwaterstar
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 25, 2003 - 09:09 am: |
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OOH YUKIO, I AM SOOO SORRY, MAN! "You" suggested those books, not Cynique. I didn't realize that until this morning. *D'OH!* lol Thanks again.. Like I said earlier, I will more than likely be grabbing them some time before the week is over.
Oh and that book ("Ice Man Inheritance") was actually written by Michael Bradley.. As with pretty much anything, I don't feel it should be taken as pure absolute Truth, but (again, pretty much as with everything)I do feel that there is still a lot of valuble insight/information in there.. Hey, you familiar with Dr. Bobby Wright? If so, have you any info on any lectures he might have?
Hey again, Cynique. Honestly, I haven't even thought to pick up Prince's book (I say "Prince" cuz I don't feel like writing out "the artist again" and blah blah.lol).. Honestly, I don't have too much interest in it at this point. I love good auto/biographies as well, though.
Hmm.. Nothing really interesting you, huh? Well I am one who has no problem whatsoever wipin' the dust from older books and enjoying them and if you don't mind that, there is this book that you might absolutely LOVE (atleast I know 'I' did) called "I Saw The Sky Catch Fire" by
by T. Obinkaram Echewa. I just absolutely LOVE this book. |
Yukio
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 25, 2003 - 07:10 pm: |
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Beautiful:
No problema!
I'm workin on the da Good Nigress and so far so good! |
Judy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 25, 2003 - 08:30 pm: |
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I love the way that Deneece in the Good Negress spells W. E. B. DuBois name "Dew Boys". This is a touching point of accuracy on the part of the author.
I can't understand why the mother was so indifferent to Deneece. |
Beautifulwaterstar
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 11:06 am: |
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Aww. Thanks, Yukio.
Ya though, Verdelle's an excellent writer. Speaking of "So Far, So Good", wutz up with my bro, Gil (Scott Herron)? I know he was performing still a few years back, but I'm not sure about now.. No matter where he is at this point in his life, I love him and appreciate all that he has done.. |
yukio
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 11:12 am: |
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SLow doWn.....so far so good was my characterization of Good Negress(perhaps, i should have not used the conjunction..lmao)....your literary lexicon is too voluminous....I haven't read "so far, so good," but now i will.
Good Day!
Judy...i'm not quite there....as in finished! |
Beautifulwaterstar
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 03:19 pm: |
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hehe Nah, Man.. I'm a poet/singer/lyricist and I'm always hearing things that remind me of something else or some title or some "something", yanno? So even if you wouldda said summin' like,"It's all good", this interlude by Pharcyde (called "It's All Good") would have actually come to mind, and if we were discussing hiphop, I would ask probably ask you summin' like,"Speaking of "All Good", wutz up with Phat Lip from Pharcyde" or summin', know wutta mean?
*ehem* Speaking of "Slow Down", who put that track out? It was older.. I wanna say "Brand Nubians", but I'm not for certain. (See wutta mean? lol) |
yukio
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 04:03 pm: |
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Yes, i do know what u mean....and i do the same, but usually in person....rarely in writing, cuz i don't type fast enough...
yes, brand nubians, but i'm sure a ol' head would know where the music originated from.....
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lurkerette
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 09:10 am: |
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Judy - Denise's mother was indifferent to her because the relationship with her own mother was fraught. So she treats her male children well, but not her daughter. (Some pop psychology there for ya).
For the person who read The Hotel Alleluia - I am about to start that. What did you make of it? I have it on my shelf, but I want to read a Gayl Jones first. I am just into Walkin the dog, it is wonderful and whoever it was who said that it's below par for Mosley...I beg to differ. I love Socrates Fortlow.
I read an article about Gil Scott-Heron about a year ago. It was sad. He is drifting in and out of drug dependancy. He contributed to the last Nas album and I'm sure that wasn't a sample, so he is still using a bit of his creativity.
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Cecil
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 05, 2003 - 03:26 pm: |
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I just finished Tananarive Due's "The Living Blood." EXCELLENT BOOK!
I'm now reading Steven King's "Nightmares and Dreamscapes". The thing that gets me about King is that even if the idea for some of the stories is lame, he still manages to write them well. I think he could make a publishable story about two mothballs in an old coat pocket.
Cecil
http://www.cecilwashington.com
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Mojochica
First Time Poster
Username: Mojochica
Post Number: 1
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 01, 2004 - 03:11 pm: |
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I am readng the a series by Eboni Snoe. I'm half way through it. It's a very good book so far. |
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