I just saw a reference to this challenge on several lists, and I thought I’d add my 2 cents. 

 I know I’ve read at least one that fit the categories–The Color Purple.  Not sure about the rest.  At some point during my 50 books reading challenge, I hope to have read these, which are also part of my participation in the “What’s in a Name?” Reading Challenge.

The ‘name’ challenge runs from January-December 2008.

Dates: January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008

The Challenge: Choose one book from each of the following categories.

1. A book with a color in its title. The Color Purple (done!)
2. A book with an animal in its title.  Mules and Men
3. A book with a first name in its title.   The Diary of Anne Frank (maybe)
4. A book with a place in its title.  Elijah of Buxton
5. A book with a weather event in its title.  Heat Seekers (maybe, if I can find it)
6. A book with a plant in its title. Jonah’s Gourd Vine (Reading this now.  Wow! This is pretty easy.)

–You may overlap books with other challenges, but please don’t use the same book for more than one category. (For example, you can use The Red Pony for either a “color” book or an “animal” book, but not for both.)
More information at http://wordsbyannie.blogspot.com/2008/01/up-for-challenge-sticky-post.html.  I tried to add this on my blogroll, but can’t remember how to do it.  Does anyone know how to do this?

I should be on at least book 10 by now, shouldn’t I?  That last book, coupled with life’s events, sort of pushed me back.  I just started my 6th? book, and I’m almost finished.  It’s Jonah’s Gourd Vine by Hurston, an extremely gifted storyteller and folklorist.  I’m moving along in this one quickly.  I hate to put it down.  As a matter of fact, I am going to read a few pages now.

i hope that i have finished this book by the time you are reading this post.  this is one that i’m glad did not get away from me.  i’ve always loved hurston’s work, but am just getting around to some of the novels.

This one took me a while to finish.  I think this is one of those that was more hype than necessary.  It was OK, or a maybe a little more than ok.  Definitely chick lit.  Since I don’t usually pick up chick lit, I thought I’d give it a try.

It’s about a married woman who bumps into her ex, or as some would say, the one who got away.  Well, in this case, he needed to get away, and stay away, like some of our exes, you know?  They play the cat-and-mouse games, with her on the verge of cheating on her husband, or just plain leaving him.

I was getting kind of bored with this watered down drama.  I just wanted the woman to come to her senses, and stop communicating with this fool.  Or, go ahead and do what she wanted to, follow her ‘heart’ feelings and lose her husband.

While reading, I couldn’t help thinking that if this were a sista-drama, there would have been real drama, and real laughs—something to keep it going. 

Like some of the other stories, I’ve read recently, I could relate to some of the things that happened though.  There are always people in these stories who are like people we know.  I have also been around married or engaged people who say that they have these “What if” feelings.  Part of the commitment is leaving this behind.  In my opinion, you should marry the one you love, and if you’re not quite sure, just wait, and the right one will definitely come along.  If you’re like the character in this book, make sure you have closure with that previous relationship, if in fact, that is what you want.  It really isn’t fair to have your spouse thinking that you’re so in love with them, when you still have feelings and cravings for another.   I guess some people are like an old friend of mine, who said, “If you can’t be with the one you love, just [settle].”  LOL or something like that.

All in all, not sure if this is what I’d called literature, just reading.  Don’t mean to be harsh on the book, but I guess I expected something with more ‘meat’ to it, since the author is quite popular and a lawyer.  I guess that’s why they call it chick lit.  Like the book below, it could have been shorter though.  Much shorter.

OK; I have finally finished reading this book by Michele Bowen. 

I cannot believe it took me so long, but I guess it was because I was sick last month.  I finally wrapped this one up though, over the weekend.  If anyone has ever read Bowen’s books, you are familiar with the church drama with Parvell Sykes, Charmayne, and the crew.  The book is set in Durham, NC, around that Bible Belt of the South. 

It was a great book—could have been less lengthy, but Mrs. Bowen does enjoy description.  The text is interspersed with Bible verses and situations here and there, which I appreciated.  It made me want to just go grab the Bible.  I actually picked up a few nonfiction Biblical texts while reading this.

It’s a shame how much the people in this book remind you of people you know.  There were some funny moments, and some downright happy moments, particularly near the end, when Theresa finally gets her man.  Although I wouldn’t advise too many people to get married as quickly as she and Lamont did :o), unless maybe you’ve known each other for forever :o)  (It is a work of fiction, you know), I was relieved to see the message about true love and holding on to what you believe, even while you are in love.

Baby Doll and Mr. Lacy were great additions to the storyline also, esp. when they get saved at church.  That whole church scene was too much of a fiasco, though.  I don’t think I’m ready to see anything that crazy in any church.

Those ministers were something to remember.  I’m not too sure about them -  is that a message for our black ministry?  You’ll have to read the book to know what I mean.  It makes me afraid to think of what our churches and communities are coming to.  Speaking of community, the message about the future of our communities was a necessary touch to the novel - although it could have probably been edited more also–so long.  We all need to work on our communities, making sure that working people who may not be rich also have decent places to live and raise their families.

All in all, a great read.  By the end of the book, I was glad that I had kept reading the story.  I love to read Christian fiction, and about the dramas of Christian women - it is a hard life, sometimes, trying to hold on to your beliefs in this crazy world with sometimes crazy people.

Some people don’t like the book, while others love it.  I can understand both ways.  If it had been shorter, I think it would have been more effective.  Also, some North Carolinians might not care too much for the dialect, since many do not speak in that dialect, even in the Durham area.  In some parts of the book, it seemed as if the author was trying too hard to give readers a sense of place. 

Pros:  biblical, inspirational messages; some authentic black experiences; strong characters - made you feel as if you knew them; same for events—made me wish I could have actually seen Patty get knocked out.  Messages of hope and love for Christian women and families, and almost Christian women and families.

Cons:  situations were sometimes too unbelievable; too much description sometimes; hip-hop discussion and language seemed forced at times, would likely not seem realistic to that audience; too long—some situations, sentences, words, should have been edited; some attempts at colloquialism seem forced and may be offensive and unrealistic to true North Carolinians; should have referred to the area as Carolina, or something like that, rather than North Carolina, this and North Carolinians that; can sometimes tell when author stepped out of her element (or at least she seemed to), such as with the discussion of the pastor’s hip hop collection.

“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

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

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

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!

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

      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?