#3 of 50 - Feathers

“Hope is the thing with feathers.”

Feathers, written by Jacqueline Woodson, was a Newbery honor book.  It a great, quick read.  As an honor book, I was expecting a bit more.  It did have a different storyline than most books written for children and touched on themes of race, religion, and disabilities, without being controversial.  The language is remarkable, though - it’s a great example of descriptive or narrative writing for kids, although at times, it seemed that the narrator was mature for her age.  Also, I wonder if some kids under 12 would understand its message.  

It’s a great book to introduce those themes or situations similar to those presented in the book to children or young adults, and it should give them a good feeling about the future. 

Conversation with the author

http://us.penguingroup.com/static/html/africanamerican/aa-jacquelineWoodson.html

Another blogger’s opinion:

http://peteredmundlucy7.blogspot.com/2008/02/feathers-by-jacqueline-woodson_25.html

 

 

 

#2 of 50 The Color Purple

                                  

Yes, I am just reading this novel.  In a way, I’m glad I waited.  I don’t know if I would have really felt the essence of this novel if I’d read it earlier.

I was looking for a novel that was an award-winner, and hopefully, a Pulitzer Prize winner.  My luck—I found a wonderful novel, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner, that absolutely captured my heart (I know, it sounds like a corny marketing strategy). 

I had a few moments while reading that reminded me of Sybil Wilkes of the Tom Joyner morning show while describing another book, “I laughed, I cried, I identified.”  That’s the mix of emotions I felt while reading.  I know most people cry when reading it because of the way that the women in the book were mistreated, especially Celie, but I also felt like crying just because the writing was so expressive, captivating, phenomenal.  I’m very particular about an author’s language, so I was just elated to have this special book in my hands.  I’m hooked on Alice Walker now.  I have to get the movie and I have to read her book, The Same River Twice, that outlines her personal struggles as she dealt with the sudden popularity pending the releases of the book and the movie.

For anyone who doesn’t know, this story is a powerful story about love and loss.  It’s about the pain of African American women, in the past and today.   It’s about the African American struggle in the South.  Although this book has African American characters and a primarily southern setting, it should appeal to all people of all cultures.  If you’re not familiar with African Americans or the issues African Americans have faced, it would be extremely helpful if you read background information on the African and African American experience in America.

Walker was definitely ahead of her time.  She’s a perceptive writer who doesn’t hold back and generously educates, uplifts, and acknowledges her audience.

I will never look at God’s color, purple, the same way again.

                                                   

One of my all-time favorites!

                 Fantasia at the Tony Awards 2007

#1 of 50+ Gotta Keep on Tryin’

 

Okay, here it is!  Here’s the first book I finished for my 50 book reading challenge.  Gotta Keep on Tryin’ is the sequel to one of my favorite books, Tryin’ to Sleep in the Bed you Made, by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant.  When I approached this book, I was skeptical, because #1, it’s a sequel, and you know sometimes the sequel can be very disappointing.  #2, I read the first book years ago, and I haven’t been able to reread it since I loaned it to someone years ago who loaned it to someone else, and you know the story.  Anyway, I was afraid that because I didn’t remember all the details, I’d get lost in the story. 

However, I must say that DeBerry and Grant did not disappoint.  The continuing story of Pat, Gayle, their friends, and enemies, was brilliantly told.  I don’t want to give any spoilers for those who haven’t read this, but I loved this book.   After reading, I felt genuinely satisfied and full of hope.  The novel made you want more. 

As with Tryin’, the authors just have that magic of creating characters that you can connect with.  Several of the characters might remind you of someone that you know.  It just reminds you of the universality of our experiences. 

One thing that really held me to this book was that Pat and Gayle were two sistas with a dream, and they made things happen, with life’s disappointments and struggles along the way.  Their relationships and loyalties were tested, but their faith and determination kept them going.  This book helped me to believe and inspired me to push toward my goals of writing, of creating.  It seemed to come at just the right point in my life.  I remember feeling that way at the end of Tryin‘ also. 

I only wish that I could see these ladies in person.  I’m sure I will someday.  They’ll be in my area this month, but I have to work, so I’m not quite sure how I will swing that one.  There was a book party in New York that I would have LOVED to hit.  I’ve never thought of myself as a groupie before, but I just have to meet them.  I would be a book groupie.  That’s so me.

 The Ladies Blog

50 books reading challenge

                                             

 

In case you haven’t heard, I am embarking on the 50 books reading challenge.  Some of you know this, and have asked me, “What is it?”  “How do I join?” 

To answer your question (I’ll try to keep this somewhat short), this is a personal book challenge that thousands of adults are participating in.   You set a goal—it might be 50, 100, 150, 25—whatever works for you, and you blog your progress.  I figure I can read at least one book a week, so we’ll see.

Some people have chosen to list the books, and possibly offer their reactions to it.  Others have chosen to write a bit more about each book, either a summary, or how the book made you feel.  I’ll do a mix of both, usually adding media or a glimpse inside the book, whenever possible.   If you want to join, feel free, and let me know, so that I can visit your blog, and add a link from my page.  I’m not sure if anyone awards prizes, but I’m not doing it for material prizes, just a personal goal. 

                             

 I just want to push myself to read more adult books.  I read children’s books on a daily basis because of my job, but I am trying to catch up on my favorite adult genres - African American, southern, erotic fiction.  I have so many books on my personal bookshelves that I haven’t touched since I added them to my shelf.   I am also reading more nonfiction books that center on religion, relationships, women’s health, professionalism, and African American studies.   You can read whatever types of books you like.  If you read with your kids, you can count that if you’d like.  You can count comic books, if you like.  You’re an adult, so you get to do what you want :o)

Oh yeah, and you do this for a year.  I started around April 1, so I expect to be finished around April 1, 2009.

If you want more information, there are several sites online that you can peruse to find out more about these book challenges.

http://www.librarything.com/groups/50bookchallenge

http://community.livejournal.com/50bookchallenge

http://inksplasher.blogspot.com/2007/12/2007-winter-reading-challenge.html

So, if you know me, and you see me reading a book in a place where I don’t normally read a book, you’ll know what’s wrong with me.

                                  

Wish me luck!

 

Why War is Never a Good Idea

I’ve got this book on reserve.  Can’t wait to take a look at it.  It’s a children’s book, but it’s great for adult reading too. 

Browse Inside this book Get this for your site

Excerpt from the book:

Alice Walker endorses Barack Obama « The Brown Sugar Pages

Alice Walker endorses Barack Obama « The Brown Sugar Pages

      I’ve recently  spotted a few articles re: Walker’s support of Obama.  An excerpt of Walker’s views:

We have come a long way, Sisters, and we are up to the challenges of our time.  One of which is to build alliances based not on race, ethnicity, color, nationality, sexual preference or gender, but on Truth.  Celebrate our journey.  Enjoy the miracle we are witnessing.  Do not stress over its outcome.  Even if  Obama becomes president, our country is in such ruin it may well be beyond his power to lead us toward rehabilitation.  If he is elected however, we must, individually and collectively, as citizens of the planet, insist on helping him do the best job that can be done; more, we must insist that he demand this of us. It is a blessing that our mothers taught us not to fear hard work. Know, as the Hopi elders declare: The river has its destination.  And remember, as poet June Jordan and Sweet Honey in the Rock never tired of telling us: We are the ones we have been waiting for.

*I am reading Walker’s Color Purple for the 1st time - yeah, I know.  One of my best friends declares that it is the best book of all time.  It is quite a page-turner.  I’ll probably be finished by the end of the week, if I can just focus.

Interesting quote from Walker:  The trouble with our people is as soon as they got out of slavery they didn’t want to give the white man nothing else. But the fact is, you got to give em something. Either your money, your land, your woman or your ass.  She just has a way with words, doesn’t she?

First Book?

This will likely be the first book I blog on.  It’s been sitting here for a while, so I need to start and finish!

Ready for a challenge?

As of April 1, 2008, I will begin blogging about my quest to complete the 50-books reading challenge! It’s funny, I’ve promoted reading contests among the kids I work with, but I haven’t participated (as a reader) in any type of reading challenge since Book It, in elementary school.  

50 books is a lot in a year, even for a voracious reader like me. I’m always reading children’s literature, for professional reasons, so it will be a welcome challenge for me to tackle 50 adult books, well mostly adult. I will sprinkle a few kids’ books in, here and there.

My quest?  To read a diverse selection of books, fiction and hopefully nonfiction, which include novels, poetry, drama, and at least one comic/graphic novel. I’d also like to read a mix of African-American, southern American, and possibly, Latina literature.