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Tee C. Royal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 04:23 pm: | 
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Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers on the list! The weekend is almost over and I'm trying to get a bit of reading in...and just wondering what everyone is reading now, just read, or getting ready to read.
-Tee |
akaivyleaf
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 05:56 pm: |
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I'm still reading Minion and I just started Friday Nights at Honeybee's this morning before going to church and I'll be finished before I retire for the evening. After that, I'm on to Atlanta Live by Carmen Green.
Sharon |
Tee C. Royal
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 10:05 am: |
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It seems like I got NO reading done this weekend, so I'm behind yet again. I am finishing up a mystery novella, Mary's Little Lamb by Lawrence Christopher that is pretty good and will jump into Zane's next book Nervous, then hopefully a non-fiction book, and a manuscript from a friend, and then...The Night Before Thirty by TJ Butler.
Whew, getting tired thinking of it. LOL. I had also wanted to read Eden, but will push that closer to the end of the month.
akaivyleaf...how's Minion going??
-Tee |
akaivyleaf
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 11:01 am: |
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you had to ask... Well 'um, lets see. I might just have to agree with Thumper on this one.
Its a struggle, plain and simple. Its not what I expected and I blame myself for expecting something. I'll get through it this week, so help me God! |
Tee C Royal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 11:13 am: |
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Say it ain't so, say it ain't so! The count so far is 1 for it, 2 against. :-( A friend of mine liked it.
I'm still going to pick it up though. We have similar reading tastes akaivy, so you know I have a big ole sad feeling about this. I'm staying positive though since you didn't like This Side of the Sky as much as I did. Dang, I LOVED-ED (yep, I said LOVED-ED) that book!
Thanks for the feedback.
-Tee |
Crystal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 12:25 pm: |
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I'm doing about a 30 year re-read of Claude Brown's Manchild in the Promised Land. I gave it to my son last Christmas and he finally read it. He thought it was "ok" but found the writing a little choppy and thought there was too much time spent on unnecessary descriptions. But his main thing was he couldn't see why it's considered a classic. I had to explain to him that the book was published in 1965 and back then there weren't too many books that #1 were written by black people and published and #2 gave a pretty good picture of what was really happening to a lot of black people in the neighborhood at that time.
I'm about a third into it and have to agree it's a little choppy - like several stories put together into a book. But I'm enjoying it and am surprised that I remember some of the characters like Sugar, Pimp and Jackie.
Crystal |
Cynique
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 05:39 pm: |
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I also re-visited "Manchild In the Promised Land" after many years and, actually, I found it rather "dated." It's a sign of the times I guess, that, while it was a shocker back then, nowadays, it's just run of the mill. |
yasmin
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 05:43 pm: |
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Greetings everyone and Happy Monday!
I returned from Florida today (and seeing my mother for Mother's Day...it was very eventful so much so that as long as she's living i would like to spend future Mother's Days and birthdays with her)...and I see I came back to lots of mails and posts. 
akaivyleaf--Sorry to hear that Minion isn't meeting expectations...hopefully Friday Nights at Honeybee's is treating you better. Please say it is as its on my shortlist. ;)
Crystal--Manchild in the Promised Land is one of my alltime FAVORITE books...but hmm I haven't read it in 15 years so your comments have made me want to re-read it again for details (I remember the general story because I read it every year for 20 years)and see if my opinion of this book has changed esp. since I've read so many other books in the last 15 years.
I'll keep you posted when I read it and maybe we can discuss it. |
Thumper
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 06:31 pm: |
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Hello All,
I just started, and believe it or not, am about to finish Eden by Olympia Vernon. Oh, this book is off the chain! I'm loving all over it! Pyke County, Mississippi? You all know I love the Southern stuff. I know it ticks some of you all off with my love for talking "country". I guess I hear the music, recognize the intelligence and cleverness in it. Right off, you know Vernon scored big with me. But when she laid out the foundation of the story, Chevrolet (what a name) got his arm whacked off by his mother-in-law with an axe!! because he slept with his wife's sister and the mother-in-law knew it by SMELLING the adultery on him?? HELLO!! Ah Hell, yawl know I'm right up in it!! Carey, if Miss Ann ain't read this book, you'd better go and get it for her. Vernon went after my heart and got it right off the bat!! I'm sorry, but yawl can keep those three, or four sista girlfriends books to yawlselves, cause this is the type of book that I love!! I don't know how long Vernon plans to stick around, but I hope she's making herself at home! I'll let you all know when I'm done. |
Tee C. Royal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 06:52 pm: |
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ROFL...this is the Book of the Month for one of my reading groups, so my copy is on standby and I hope to read it within the next two weeks. I've heard mixed comments so far...so I'm not sure what to expect.
-Tee |
Yasmin
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 07:17 pm: |
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Thumper--rotflmao...okay you're going to make me add Eden to my short TRL...dang...and just when I thought I was working that list down. And speaking of books Thumper I finished The Drift by John Ridley yesterday and can I say I was drained after reading that book...whew. It was raw, brutal, gritty, whacked and a good story but I felt like BNCharlie was the bionic man. Brotha was forever getting beat up, tore up, brooklyn beatdown but still he lived. I was like dang...doesn't anything stop this dude...but then I met Corona and she was one bad--shutyomouth! After The Drift I was ready for a sistafriend read...so I read a quick one today.
Not sure if I will be able to get anymore reading done this week but next up is The Other Woman by EJDickey...finally! |
Susan
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 07:28 pm: |
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Yasmin, which sistafriend read did you read today?
Oh, and by the way, I finished the book, Water Street, this weekend. I enjoyed it. I'll definitely pick up Wilkinson's first book of short stories to read this summer.
Susan |
GG
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 09:16 pm: |
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I'm reading Daddy was a Number Runner by Louise Meriwether. (It's an old book that I have been dying to get my hands on and read..so far so good.) And to Tee C. Royal .. I also loved This Side of the Sky..I thought it was a wonderful, lovely novel. |
yasmin
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 10:48 pm: |
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Susan I read Misdeameanor by Tonya Marie Lewis...actually it was a mixture of Christian Fiction + Romance...but it was still a light, fluff read compared to what Thumper wants to read...hehe. ;) |
Tee C. Royal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 08:19 am: |
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LOL, Glad to hear it GG!! This Side of the Sky will stay on my list of favorites FOREVER and I anxiously await her next book.
I finished up the two I had to read yesterday and am still a bit behind. They were Mary's Little Lamb by Lawrence Christopher and Misdemeanor by Tonya Marie Lewis. Up next...whew, I don't know, I'm still dodging that non-fiction book, so I'll try to get to that and I'd have to check my nightstand to see what else is next.
-Tee |
Tee C. Royal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 08:26 am: |
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Oops...that's Tanya Marie Lewis. Check her out if you haven't heard of her. Her other book is Bittersweet Chocolate which comes out later this year and what I've read is GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!
-Tee |
Tee C. Royal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 10:08 pm: |
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Where is everyone? I've been laying low trying to relax a bit, but still not getting much reading in. It looks like the second half of the month I'll begin knocking down my list.
I finished up A Woman Short by Nelson George (yeah, I'm late), but it was a pretty good read...it was my first time reading him and I will probably check out his new book. Anyone read it and care to discuss?
-Tee |
Linda
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 11:03 pm: |
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Just Finished:
A letter to My Father by John W. Griffin
A Mightly Love by Anita Diggs
Passed On by Karla FC Holloway
and just started:
Freedom in the Family by Tananarive Due and Patricia Stephens Due |
Tee C. Royal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 11:56 pm: |
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Hi Linda...how was A Mighty Love? I've heard mixed reviews and had hoped to read it this year sometime.
-Tee |
yasmin
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 12:29 am: |
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Hey Linda...I can't wait to hear your thoughts about Freedom in the Family. Several of my bookclub members have read it and all of them LOVED it althought they said it was also a very emotional read...but then anything about that timeperiod usually is. I have a Mighty Love and its back on the shelf because I thought the fire scene was somewhat unrealistic...sigh.
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Linda
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 11:54 am: |
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Hi Tee and Yasmin
Tee...I wouldn't rush to get to it unless you are a fan of superfical relationships. It's pretty unrealistic. And yep, Yasmin I agree with your opinion on the first scene and many scenes that followed. But, Freedom in the Family is starting out to be an awesome read . . . can't wait to finish it. Look for the reviews on both very soon. |
Cynique
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 12:33 pm: |
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In my usual mode, I'm getting ready to start "Fire In My Soul," the biography of Eleanor Holmes Norton, the dynamic, longest-serving black female congressman from Washington, D.C. Yes, I know, >Yawn<. LOL. (I'm on the list for "The Douglass Women.") |
yasmin
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 03:47 pm: |
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Linda--Thanks for the book updates! Sounds like we have very similar taste...I even moved Freedom in the Family to my short TRL. |
Tee C. Royal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 07:56 pm: |
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Hey Linda, I already have A Mighty Love and hope to read it possibly this summer, but ummm nope, I don't like books about superficial relationships.
As far as Freedom in the Family, I may pick this one up soon, though I do think it's in storage. :-(
Cynique...I don't read too many biographies, so yep, I did do a "yawn" right there. ROFL. But please let us know how it turns out. I know I want to read The Douglass Women though...seems I'm forever running out of time.
-Tee |
K
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 16, 2003 - 11:50 pm: |
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I'm reading Lady Moses by Lucinda Roy. Loving it. I started it before and I couldn't get into it. Her writing is excellent. The characters are rich. |
Tee C. Royal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 12:12 pm: |
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K, please let me know how this is. I hadn't heard of the author, so I checked it out on Amazon and whew...the Editoral Reviews were a bit rough. It sounds good though. I may have to pick this up!
-Tee |
K
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 12:45 pm: |
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I finished the novel and I thought it was good. It made you think a little and that's what I like in a book. You can find it used if you decide to give it a try.
Right now I'm doing double duty shifting between Drinking Coffe Elsewhere and Getting Mothers Body. The Packer book is o.k. but I expected more. I guess I let the marketing hype get me all pumped up. |
Tee C. Royal
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 09:28 am: |
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Thanks K...I'll get to it eventually. And, I hear you about marketing hype. I'm probably going to pass on that one for awhile. I'm always left wanting more after reading short stories.
I hope to start Getting Mothers Body this week. I'm hoping to start Eden tomorrow. I've been RESTING the last day and a half and haven't read A THING!!
-Tee |
Sis E
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 01:40 pm: |
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Hi All,
Well, I had to put down The Wind Done Gone. Though the author has some brilliant lines in the book, the plot done gone with the wind, too, from what I've read so far.
Now I'm reading Jacquelin Thomas's The Prodigal Husband and Donna Hill's An Ordinary Woman. Now, Asha, one of the major players in An Ordinary Woman, tells us right off the bat she slept with her best friend's husband. I assume the rest of the book tells us the hows and whys and wheres of the dirty deed. I laid that one aside for a while, too, to find out what happens in The Prodigal Husband with Tori and Jake and Sheila and Nicholas down in Edisto Island and Charleston, SC, and Brunswick, GA and Savannah. |
Cynique
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 01:15 pm: |
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I just finished "Fire In My Soul", the biography of long-time political activist, Eleanor Holmes Norton who is currently a black congresswoman representing the District of Columbia. It was a compelling read for the most part, mainly because this 65-year-old woman grew up during a very significant period in history, a time that spanned the resurrgence of the Civil Rights movement in the 1950s, on up to the present. And as a testament to the kind of person she was, rather than taking a front row seat to view the spectrum of the black struggle, this dynamic woman immersed herself in it, participating in all manner of protests, ranging from overseeing voter registration in Mississippi to arguing discrimination cases before the Supreme Court. Also impressive was her own family history, which read like something out of a "slave" novel. Her great-grand father escaped from a plantation in Virginia, and with the help of the underground railroad made it up North. Her great grandmother was taken to DC by her slavemaster father, and left there with guardians in order to provide her with a better life. Eventually these 2 ex-slaves met and married and raised a brood of children who rose from the ranks of the poor to comprise the nucleus of the emerging black middle class in Washington DC. "Fire In My Soul" is a well-written, well-documented account of a remarkable, sometimes controversial Black woman who, although she hob-nobbed with the likes of Nelson Mandela and is a long-time friend of Bill Clinton, never stopped fighting for the underdog. To a degree, the book is also a character study, exploring the personality of a rather complicated, driven woman. Only toward the end did things become bogged down with the dry details that chronicled Norton's congressional activities. As biographies go, I liked this one fairly well, yet, ironically, after I closed its covers and thought about it, what I found most endearing about Eleanor Holmes Norton was that, through all of her political and social crusading, she never stopped being a party girl who loved to dance! |
K
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 05:06 pm: |
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5th Born by Zelda Lockhart was dark. I liked the quirky ending. Question. Not that it applies to this novel but do you think in general people overlook bad or mediocre writing when the subject matter is dark or controversial?
I'm only halfway done with Getting Mothers Body. I've been laughing the whole time. I know there are backward people in the world but Dayum! |
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