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Ncgirl
First Time Poster
Username: Ncgirl
Post Number: 7
Registered: 03-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 12:02 pm: | 
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At the start of 2006, I decided to make a list of all the books I would read throughout the year. Since, nearly all of my reading is done while commuting to work by Metro, I was surprised that I’d read 14 books. They were all great reads. Maybe you can add them to your reading list for 2007.
When Did You Stop Loving Me?
Graceland
Madonna of Excelsior
Third Girl from the Left
D.C. Noir
Joplin’s Ghost
Strange Bedfellows
Rendezvous Eighteenth
Striver’s Row
Chicago Noir
All Aunt Hagar’s Children
Cinnamon Kiss
After
Beasts of No Nation
Ghosts of Saint-Michel (still reading)
I think I created a sort of litmus test. I’ll list my reading for 2007. Maybe resolve to read more in 2007. That’ll be a lot easier (and more fun) than resolving to lose 10lbs.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 6040
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 02:30 pm: |
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In my ongoing search for, ahem, - truth and reality, I continue to check out biographies and I just finished "Spirit Catcher - the life and art of John Coltrane". This man has become such a legend among jazz afficianados that I was curious to learn how his life had evolved. Born in North Carolina, he came from a musical family that was originally well-to-do before falling on hard times during the Depression. He took up the saxophone at an early age and as he grew older a list of his mentors reads like a "who's who" from the Jazz hall of fame; but he was also influenced by classical musicians. He experimented with all genres of jazz before he found his own ear, and once he did, when he took up his horn, he was able to go to places "no man had ever gone before", running the gamut from the ethereal to the chaotic - a progression that mirrored his personal life where he was eventually able to overcome his drug and alcoholic abuse by embracing a spiritual approach to life. Later on in his career, his dabbling in mysticism was to become reflected in his compositions. He died in 1967 at the age of 40, but his music remains fresh and timely and bedazzling.
Now, I'm reading the biography of Florence Mills, the daughter of ex-slaves who during the Harlem Renassiance became the darling of the Broadway stage, as well as a favorite with European audiences. A dancer as well as a singer, she was a petite brown-skinned beauty, said to have had a very unique, versatile voice and great stage presence In addition to being an entertainer she was also dedicated to uplifting her race and abolishing discrimination. When she died suddenly at the age of 31, her funeral which was held in Harlem attracted huge crowds of grieving fans. Unlike Jospehine Baker, Florence faded into obscurity, mostly because she left behind no filmography or vocal recordings. In time, her memory faded and the book I am reading is the only definitve biography of a woman who could be considered the predecessor to such stars as Diana Ross and Janet Jackson. |
Ncgirl
First Time Poster
Username: Ncgirl
Post Number: 8
Registered: 03-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 03:30 pm: |
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Nice, subtle(?) diss of my list (smile).
Does your search for, ahem, truth and reality allow time for fiction (SF, mysteries)? How do you feel about "historical"fiction? Do you have any non-fiction faves this year?
I'm a native North Carolinian familiar with Coletrane's life, but haven't read this biography.
Thanks for the recommendation. I'll add it to my 2007 list.
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 6045
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 04:21 pm: |
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No it wasn't a subtle diss, ncgirl! That was the furtherest thing from my mind. My remarks had something to do with my always yappin about "truth and reality" in other posts. I've also said on several occasions, that after years of reading it, I'm maxed out on fiction and am seeking a change of pace. Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. I take my hat off to you for being able to read all of those books. Nowadays it's all I can do to read one a month.  |
Crystal
Regular Poster
Username: Crystal
Post Number: 288
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 05:17 pm: |
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Thanks for your list Ncgirl. I’ve read several of the same books. I do most of my reading on the bus too. It helps to have a distraction to block out of some of the madness that can happen.
Last year I kept a comprehensive list of the books I read but this year – not so much. Somewhat like Cynique, I am tired of the same ole he said/she said, he/she’s done me wrong, baby mama drama, everybody’s super fine, the hard cold streets stories so this year I made a point to try different things. Some are old but new to me and I enjoyed them all.
Eagle’s Throne by Carlos Fuentes
The Cairo Trilogy by Naguib Mahfouz
The River Between and A Grain of Wheat by James Ngugi [Ngugi Wa Thiong’o]
Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler – I can’t believe I never read this one
The Other Brother by Brandon Massey
Where is the Love by Emanuel Carpenter – shout out to Emanuel! A funny book that lots of folks can relate to.
Devil in the Mist by Diane Dorce – shout out to Sisgal! Girl, we need some more Zack stories!
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Ncgirl
First Time Poster
Username: Ncgirl
Post Number: 9
Registered: 03-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 02:51 pm: |
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Thanks for responding Cyninque. Humor is sometimes lost in translation on these things. I need to start using those emoticons.
Crystal~ I plan to read the Cairo Triology. I read alot about this after Mahfouz passed away. |
Carey
Veteran Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 501
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 05:58 pm: |
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Hello
As usual I can't comment on many of the posted titles, however, I can at least address Zack of Diane Dorce's (Sisgal), Devil in the Mist. Agaain I have not shred with Sisgal so I'll keep my remarks at a minimum.
I would have liked to see Zack have a little more swagger, a little more Easy, Mouse or King Tremain of Standing at the Scratchline. Zack was cool, he got the girl and everything but I didn't really get to know the guy. Before I read "Mist" I had just read White Butterfly by Walter Moseley and it could be that I was just in that vain, if you know what I mean, It could also be my need for a black hero in my reading. Hell, I wanted to see Zack kick some ass . Okaay, that's enough, that's my 2 cents, am growing.
Hey Crystal, no comment on the clown suit (BIG GRIN).
Where is my guy Thumper?
How do I get in touch with Zane. I need to talk to her about borrowing some money. I hear she's fat with cash *smile*.
I wonder if she would be interested in writing a erotic storyline about a convicted bankrobber. It could included the women that loved him and the excitement, anticipation, and foreplay that preceded his next move. Then there's the double life thang. Batman/Bruce wayne comes to mind. Peter Parker/Spiderman is another thought. Superman was loved by lois Lane and she wasn't even aware ol'boy was flying around in pajamas. I can just see the lifestyle of a hooded Bankrobber by night and a Pilot by day. I see juicy-erotic. I see ahhh.......well nasty. I don't mean ugly nasty, I mean like "girl you know you nasty" . We could even make him somewhat of a ladies man. I can just picture him being handsome ond smooth, with money to spend on his pleasures. His lady friends might even call him demanding but a sweet MF'er. I wonder if a story like that would be of interest? Of course it would be fiction.........but I wonder.
Carey
Carey |
Crystal
Regular Poster
Username: Crystal
Post Number: 289
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 07:09 pm: |
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"sweet MF'er" huh? Fiction is right!
You got a thing for that clown suit don't ya? You bad boy you!
I kinda know what you mean about Zack but come on, there ain't but ONE King Tremain!
Font ya later. And Please try to stay out of trouble!
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Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 6080
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 08:45 pm: |
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Brandon Massey's "The Other Brother" was the most recent selection of the book club that I belong to. The members all liked it, really getting into the complexity of the characters. Ironically what the book didn't do was to "scare" them, something they expected since "horror" is it's genre. Brandon was recently quoted on this site as saying he wanted to be right up there with Stephen King and Dean Koontz, and this book was a well-written testament to the formulaic style utilized by King and Koontz early in their careers. Which is why fans of these 2 authors will find the plot of "The Other Brother" predictible and its ending expected. No matter. Massey has, indeed, accomplish the feat of becoming a "carbon" copy of King and Koontz. Good for him! |
Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 259
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 16, 2006 - 09:29 am: |
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Crystal,
Thanks for the shoutout for "Where is the Love." I'm glad you liked it.
Cynique,
Regarding Brandon's book, I haven't read it but it has been said publishers don't really want originals. They want the next Stephen King or the next John Grisham because they associate them with predicted profits. I think a lot of the trailblazers start off self publishing and end up getting picked up by a traditional publisher once the audience has been established. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 6090
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 16, 2006 - 06:01 pm: |
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I totally agree, Emanuel. More power to Brandon. |
Libralind2
Regular Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 396
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 04:51 pm: |
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When I picked up this book and read the inside cover, I wasnt sure what to expect. First of all, I've never heard of George Elliot Clarke but I thought, "hmmm, (reading the inside cover to my self)..a story set in 1949(the year I was born)..about two siblings and the authors search to find out what forces would reduce men to crime and violence and ultimately murder", intrigued me to the point of sitting down and at least starting the book. In addition, the story is set in the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, areas I know nothing about in terms of black folks and how they fared in that time. The author gives us a history lesson woven in with a complex subject matter that had me at times weeping other times cringing as these young men had a ROUGH childhood filled with pain. Mr Clarke hooked me from the introduction and took me inside the world of these people up north with words that had me feeling the pain and suffering with each page. There were times he used words I felt I needed to look up yet I knew what he meant as I continued to read. The "Blackened" English he uses is so appropriate that Im not sure why he, in his own words "accepts total guilt for it; I LOVED IT. His writing reminds me of Richard Wright as it is such a powerful piece that I will read again. Let me also state this disclaimer: it is not for the faint of heart as some of the descriptions of child abuse and other experiences the brothers faced and crimes they committed are brutal yet they give you a complete picture of who they are and I suggest why people sometimes resort to crime as a way out. Clearly we read every day about crimes that seem senseless to us but underneath the story line is a "reason". This is George and Rue's story. If your looking for that book that is just plain ole good story telling from start to finish, this is the one.
Rating 5 out of 5
LiLi |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 6123
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 05:40 pm: |
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What's the name of the book, Li-Li? |
Libralind2
Regular Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 397
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006 - 07:47 pm: |
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Dam sorry LOL "George and Rue"
LiLi |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 6168
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 22, 2006 - 11:59 am: |
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Thanks, babe! |
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