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Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 43
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 11:58 pm: | 
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I'm currently reading "Check It While I Wreck It" by Gwendolyn Pough. The book deals with race, class, and gender in the Hip-Hop era.
I recently finished "Shifting Through Neutral" by Bridgett Davis.
Has anyone heard anything about "Blood on the Leaves" about the mysterious deaths of unrepentant racists in the south? I'm thinking about requesting a review copy. (Of course, finding time to read it is a whole other matter.)
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Soulofaauthor
Veteran Poster
Username: Soulofaauthor
Post Number: 58
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 05:38 pm: |
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I'm reading the Upper Room by Mary Monroe and I am enjoying it.I have a question about the book though is the charcter Mr Boatwright from this book the same one who will later be featured in God don't like ugly? |
Crystal
Regular Poster
Username: Crystal
Post Number: 42
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 01:29 pm: |
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SofA: I haven't read God Don't Like Ugly but I've passed The Upper Room around my family and friends and everybody's loved Mama Ruby.
I'm out of stuff to read and my book buying budget is nil right now so I'm off to the library today. Always exciting - what to get, what to get?
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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 330
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 01:47 pm: |
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Chester Himes, A Life by James Sallis
For Love of Imabelle
The Crazy Kill
The Real Cool Killers
All Shot Up
The Big Gold Dream
Cotton Comes To Harlem
The Heat's On
by Chester Himes |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 668
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 02:48 pm: |
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Taking a cue from Thumper's annual summer excursion, I am now in my "winter wonderland" phase. Which means that I am currently deeply engrossed in "The Rule of Four" an absolutely intriguing book that is in the same vein as "The DaVinci Code." |
Whistlingwoman
Newbie Poster
Username: Whistlingwoman
Post Number: 25
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 03:18 pm: |
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Cynique---
I just ordered THE RULE OF FOUR. I am looking forward to this one, so please come back and tell us what you think.
I thought Da Vinci was a great page turner but the writing was so clunky it made it hard.
Whistling Woman |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 669
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 07:59 pm: |
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Well, whistling woman, I can tell you right off the bat that "The Rule of Four", which takes place on an ivy league college campus, has an "Emperor of Ocean Park" vibe. So, if you had a problem with that book, you might have trouble getting through this one. I'm hangin in there, however, because I'm hard up for a change of pace, and I like these arcane type of mysteries about hidden codes and challenging riddles. |
Soulofaauthor
Veteran Poster
Username: Soulofaauthor
Post Number: 60
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 08:23 pm: |
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Crystal Mama Ruby has become one of my favorite charcter's.I know I am going to pass this book along to lots of family member's as well.Even though most of the things she does in this book seam unreal she seems to real.Their is a lady down the street from me minus all the killings and stuff is so much like this charcter.Chris I am a big Chester Himes fan.I haven't read his autobiography yet would love to here what you think of the book. |
Brian_egeston
Regular Poster
Username: Brian_egeston
Post Number: 34
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 09:14 am: |
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-The DaVinci Code
-Brothers in Arms
-Farenheit 451
-Grapes of Wrath
-I'm Cream, That's How I Got Here, Fool: An Unauthorized Biography of Thumper Jenkins(I got an advanced copy of this one.)
Brian
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Soul_sister
Newbie Poster
Username: Soul_sister
Post Number: 5
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 12:59 pm: |
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Hey All,
This thread is getting good -- I too am a huge Chester Himes fan -- you need to check out Pinktoes and Third Generation - some non-murder mysteries but great period novels.
What am I reading now
May Edward Chinn: A Novel -- (arc -- about the first Black female doctor in Harlem)
The Polished Hoe - Austin Clarke (Barbadian murder mystery wrapped in history -- lovin' it)
The Perfumed Sleeve -- Laura Rowland -- (samuri murder mystery - love that stuff -- kee yah)
Just finished Ian Smith - The Blackbird Papers - LOVED IT
Whew, that should be about where I am at - I have Ed Jones - The Known World
Emperor of Ocean Park - but - those will get done when they get done - peace
ps - Brian I peeped something about you in Black Enterprise or Black Issues -- I am interested in your work - anyone you recommend someone start with 1st??? - let me know |
Lambd
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Lambd
Post Number: 174
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 01:05 pm: |
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I used to read three or four books at a time. I guess I'm old because I get the storylines and titles all mixxed up now. I can only do one at a time these days. The same with women. I get the histories and names all mixed up. |
Steve_s
Newbie Poster
Username: Steve_s
Post Number: 4
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 01:26 pm: |
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This was the first month in about three years that I didn't read at least two or three books by black writers, but of the 10 books I read, I would single these out:
The Cattle Killing by John Edgar Wideman - Very challenging and technically brilliant, but not my favorite classic book.
No Matter How Much You Promise to Cook or Pay the Rent You Blew it Cauze Bill Bailey Ain't Never Coming Home Again -- a 638-page epic novel of ethnic identity, family, and jazz music by Puerto Rican New Yorker Edgardo Vega Yunqué. Loved it.
Haruki Murakami and the Music of Words by Jay Rubin -- A nonfiction book by Murakami's translator. Contains some interesting insight into the creative process and raises some issues about translation in the age of global culture which could be very relevant to black literature as well.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini -- A historical novel about Afghanistan from the fall of the monarchy to the present. I was amazed at the pure power of the story and its ability to change hearts and minds (mine as well as almost everyone I've talked to who's read it). |
Soul_sister
Newbie Poster
Username: Soul_sister
Post Number: 6
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 02:13 pm: |
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quick correction - the book on May Edward Chinn is entitled: Angel of Harlem: A novel base on the life of Dr. May Chinn by Kuwana Haulsey |
Sisg
Veteran Poster
Username: Sisg
Post Number: 70
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 03:13 pm: |
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What I'm reading:
Just finished "The Last King" by Nichelle Tramble...LOVED IT!
Just finished, "Flesh and the Devil" by Kola Boof...LOVED IT!
While reading "The Lakehouse" James Patterson, sequel to "When the Wind Blows", okay I love all that genetic stuff and who don't love children with wings. LOVED IT!
Steadily reading, "Digital Fortress" by Dan Foster. Read "Angels and Demons", "The Davinci Code" and "Deception Point". Loved them all, but my favorite was "Deception Point", then secondly, "Angels and Demons".
On my nightstand, waiting to be read: Dark Corner by Brandon Massey, Too Beautiful to Die by Glen Lovelle, Conversation with the Man. |
Bleekindig0
First Time Poster
Username: Bleekindig0
Post Number: 1
Registered: 06-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 03:29 pm: |
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Richard Wright The Life and Times by Hazel Rowely. A rather ambiguous chap wouldn't you say? |
Akaivyleaf
Veteran Poster
Username: Akaivyleaf
Post Number: 74
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 04:02 pm: |
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I'm reading Little Scarlet by Walter Mosley and oddly enough that is the only book I'm reading right now. I must be in a slump, usually I have 2 or 3 going.
I think part of the problem is that I have too many books to read and don't know what to choose next.
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Whistlingwoman
Regular Poster
Username: Whistlingwoman
Post Number: 26
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 05:26 pm: |
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I have a couple things on order (Little Scarlet, The Rule of Four, The Last King) but I have a few on my nightstand.
The Full Matilda - David Haynes
Purple Hibiscus - Chimamanda Ngozi
Brick Lane - Monica Ali
Dark Corner - Brandon Massey
Bling - Erica Kenndy
Whistling Woman |
Klb
Regular Poster
Username: Klb
Post Number: 46
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 06:02 pm: |
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I'm reading Miracle at St. Anna by James Mc Bride and sorting through by book collection to see what I can bare to part with. I refuse to but another book until I'm done so just reading old stuff from my tbd list. |
Whistlingwoman
Regular Poster
Username: Whistlingwoman
Post Number: 27
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 02, 2004 - 04:23 pm: |
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Cynique--
Just got THE RULE OF FOUR last night, and already the writing is much better than The Da Vinci Code. If you like these kind of books, have you tried POSSESSION by A. S. Byatt (loved that one) and THE EIGHT by Katherine Neville?
Whistling Woman |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 706
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 03, 2004 - 12:22 am: |
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Hi, whistling woman. I'm deep into "The Rule of Four" and it's still holding my interest. I haven't heard of the other 2 books you mentioned, but maybe I'll check em out. Thanks |
Soulofaauthor
Veteran Poster
Username: Soulofaauthor
Post Number: 69
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 03, 2004 - 01:33 pm: |
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A lady where I work is reading Da Vinci Code could someone please give me a brief summary of this book? |
Tee
Regular Poster
Username: Tee
Post Number: 47
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 03, 2004 - 04:08 pm: |
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I just finished reading Tracy Price-Thompson's new book, A Woman's Worth. Not only is it well-written and fast-paced, it has a strength to it that I haven't seen in many books recently.
One of the themes in the book was very hard for me: the horror of circumcision for such young children. Putting myself in the mindframe of that culture was SO VERY HARD to do as I thought about having to "submit" to tradition and allow Joy (my 2 year old) to be brutalized in that manner. My answer was an emphatic AW HELL NAWWWW. There was sympathy for all of the characters all the way around, but that's one thing I couldn't deal with. And then to have it as a big ceremony for everyone to watch?
The other theme through-out the book was the love shown between the characters. Not only did she showcase the love of a black man and women, but also the love between friends. I loved it!!
This is one of my favorites for the year, without a doubt.
I'm currently reading When Death Comes a Knockin' by Vanessa A. Johnson, which highlights the death process of a loved one and the stages a person goes through afterward. I'm also reading Got to Be Real by EJD et al. It's going a bit slow for me though. The stories are okay, but I'd much prefer to read these author's work in a full-length book format.
Up next, I hope to do a quick re-read of My Daughter's Boyfriend by Cydney Rax, then read The Apostles by Y. Blak Moore and Lemon City by Elaine M. Brown
-Tee |
Soulofaauthor
Veteran Poster
Username: Soulofaauthor
Post Number: 72
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 03, 2004 - 05:00 pm: |
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Tee Awoman's worth is on my list of soon to beread book I finished The upper room and now I think I am going to reread a classic Their Eyes Were Watching God.I'm off to walmart to see what I can find.While I await the books I ordered from holloway.Also I might go to NOI website and see what I can get their.I just ordered me some books from their a couple of weeks ago and finshed them already. |
Scullars
Newbie Poster
Username: Scullars
Post Number: 24
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 03, 2004 - 05:06 pm: |
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I'm reading Angel of Darkness by Caleb Carr, a follow-up to The Alienist. Both books center on a 19th century profiler and his colleagues who use forerunners of modern forensics to solve two cases of early serial killers. Both stories are well-researched and very engrossing. It's interesting to see how Carr, a historian, incorporates actual personalities into his novels, including Theodore Roosevelt and Clarence Darrow. |
Scullars
Newbie Poster
Username: Scullars
Post Number: 25
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 03, 2004 - 05:12 pm: |
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Whistling Woman--
I recently heard of The Eight by Neville, and wrote a note to myself to buy it. Was it a good read? |
Radiah
Newbie Poster
Username: Radiah
Post Number: 3
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 01:23 pm: |
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I'm reading Chaka Khan's book right now. It's pretty interesting. Before that I read Dutch by Terri Woods. It's better than her other book but there were STILL some errors in the book (sigh). Before that I read Better Than I Know Myself by Deberry & Grant. That was excellent. |
Soulofaauthor
Veteran Poster
Username: Soulofaauthor
Post Number: 75
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 04, 2004 - 02:08 pm: |
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Radiah I am a big Chaka Khan fan I haven't read the book yet but would be interested in what you thought of the book.Also I have heard that dutch is a pretty good book.I have that on my wish list to get later. |
Radiah
Newbie Poster
Username: Radiah
Post Number: 5
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 05, 2004 - 01:51 pm: |
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Hi Soulofaauthor, I just finished Chaka Khan's book. I thought it was pretty good. She really talks about EVERYTHING up until 2003. The drugs,failed relationships, her own drama in the music industry. She has really been though it all. A pretty good read. |
Ladykat
First Time Poster
Username: Ladykat
Post Number: 1
Registered: 07-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 05, 2004 - 09:11 pm: |
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I am currently reading The Blackbird Papers by Ian Smith. Just finished reading The Queen of the South by Arturo Perez-Reverte and Loving Che by Ana Menendez both of which were really great. |
Whistlingwoman
Regular Poster
Username: Whistlingwoman
Post Number: 29
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 05, 2004 - 11:04 pm: |
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Ladykat---
How did you like The Queen of the South? I've read everything by him that's been translated into English but I haven't picked this up yet.
W.W. |
Emanuel
Regular Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 45
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 06, 2004 - 10:12 am: |
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Since my original post, I received and read "Don't Play in the Sun" by Marita Golden and loved it. It deals with the color complex inside and outside of America. I also received "Blood on the Leaves" by Jeff Stetson and "Transmission" by Hari Kunzru which I'm reading now. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 720
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 11:30 am: |
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Whistling Woman, I finally finished "The Rule of Four" and I liked it OK. It gave my mind a work out because it was really an exercise in reading, which is to say that although its plot was intricate, it was well-crafted. I didn't, however, think that the characters were that well-drawn. But aside from that, the story did rivet my interest and I was thoroughly satsified with its ending. I was also educated by the book, - I learned things from it. So that was a plus in my estimation. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for something to challenge their powers of concentration. |
Latimer
Newbie Poster
Username: Latimer
Post Number: 2
Registered: 06-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 05:09 am: |
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AI recently read Stories by Ron Raye and this is an excellent read. The book consists of stories about the caribbean and New York and about the transition from one place to the next. Will someone try to get this book and read it. I read it twice. All this stupid talk about the Da Vinci Code. look, people this book about the Da Vinci Code is nothing new. James Joyce did this already in Ulysses. Do you remember if you have done your reading and read well you would know that it is a rehash of workd done before. Come on people. Try reading books like the Palml Wine Drinkard by Amos Tuotola and The Beautiful Ones are not yet Born by Aryeh Kwi Armah and When Rain Clouds Gather by Bessie Head or the Famished Road or any novel by Alex La Guma. Come on people, do some real reading for a change. The truth is the only American writers worth reading are Ishmael Reed, John Edgar wideman and James Baldwin, all the rest are forth rate writers including Toni Morrison. The Bluest Eye degrades black people. Baldwin should have gotten the Nobel Prize for literature. |
Lambd
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Lambd
Post Number: 237
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 10:59 am: |
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Latimer, I've been known to read the ingredients on the back of a soup can. I will read anything. From my reading I have learned one thing. Phrases like, "stupid talk...", "if you have done your reading and read well", "come on people, do some real reading", give the impression that because you have read these books you are superior. You may not feel that way, but that is the way you come off. It's easy to give the wrong impression on a forum like this. It takes a good deal of practice to write in a tone that doesn't come off
omniscient. I hope I haven't offended you in any way. I'm sure you didn't intend to be received in that manner. |
Marechera
First Time Poster
Username: Marechera
Post Number: 1
Registered: 07-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 11:23 am: |
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lambd: how diplomatic, of u...head bows in reverence and gratitude.
latimah:
Fo whos not dun dere readin, edjumacate uhzhere how da bluest eye dun dagradin blak pee po? I'sa haven't dun my readin'! |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 780
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 - 11:49 am: |
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I would really be interested in your giving a definitive analysis between The DaVinci Code and Ulysses, Latimer, the latter of which you have probably never read. LOL
I'm with Lambd. As far as your pontificating is concerned. "Beware of Greeks bearing false gifts." |
Latimer
Newbie Poster
Username: Latimer
Post Number: 3
Registered: 06-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 09:46 pm: |
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Just finished two books, Stories, a wonderful collection of stories and The West Indian, a novella, two nice read by Ron Raye, guaranteed to blow you away. Pick them up at Amazon.com. His next book will be out soon, an eleven hundred-page effort. Check it out friends. |
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