What are you currently reading...... Showing 1,551-1,600 of 1,910

[Jazzmine]

I'm taking a weekend break from "The Love Songs of W.E.B. Dubois", (enjoying so far) and reading a spicy old skool romance- "Groove" by Geneva Holliday (Bernice Mcfadden pseudonym)

[BernieMck]

I am currently reading Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby

[Sarah-Hope]

Barbara Hambly's Death and Hard Cider is the best volume yet in the Benjamin January mystery series set in Pre-Civil War New Orleans—both in terms of mystery and in its examination of the politics of the time. That Benjamin January, the central character, is a free man of color makes the perspective of this novel particularly interesting.

My ***** review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Karin]

Last night I started the authorized biography of Philippa Duke Schuyler, daughter of George S. Schuyler, called Composition in Black and White: The Life of Philippa Schuyler by Kathryn Talalay.

Already I wish I could find more of her compositions online, but few have been published or recorded. She was compared to Mozart, but as far as I know wrote only for piano. She was brilliant but ended up living a rather tragic life despite her global success, but not in the States which was still far too racist to watch her once she was no longer a child prodigy.

She performed all over the world, including for a number of kings and queens and on most of the continents.

[xol]

I am currently reading "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck, and "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson.

[reneeNaDaCherry]

I'm reading Found by Danyelle Scroggins, Chi Raq by Jade Jones and Afro-Bougie Blues: A Collection of Short Fiction. So far, all three are very good.

[Dosha (Bluestocking7)]

I am almost finished reading Just As I Am by Cicely Tyson and in the beginning of Epitaph by Mary Doria Russell. Enjoying both immensely.

[BernieMck]

I’m reading “A time to kill” by John Grisham, “Orphan train escape” by Rachel Wesson and “The Arrangement” by Kiersten Modglin.

[Dosha (Bluestocking7)]

How is Orphan Train Escape?

[Sarah-Hope]

Last Summer on State Street is a heart-breaking novel with one of the most remarkable narrators I've met in years. It's set in a Chicago housing project that is being torn down, building by building, in the summer of 1999.

My ***** review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[MS. KYM]

Currently reading, and almost Finished:

[Karin]

I just finished a classic Canadian literary novel by an author I'd forgotten about (I rediscovered her when garnering a list of Canadian literary writers--women--who predate Margaret Atwood. While Atwood has been the most successful internationally she isn't necessarily the most Canadian in her fiction.

Not only did I like her writing, but this book, first published in 1954, is one in which the author has a character who is not racist and manages to convince the couple she is working for to hire a young Chinese man--this is set in BC, and Chinese immigrants plus Canadian born Chinese people were already a significant minority.

When we get to know two Chinese brothers, they are not stereotyped, either, which was refreshing.

Swamp Angel by Ethel Wilson

I haven't posted a review yet because I am now 5 books behind.

[Dosha (Bluestocking7)]

I am reading Separate Beds and considering the reversal of Roe vs Wade, this story is very interesting. It was written 35 years ago and I cannot put the audio down. Lower class virgin girl gets pregnant by an upper class boy on a blind date,. They do not see each other again. Months go by. Decisions must be made. At least she has choices that include abortion. This is thirty five years ago. Today, she wouldn’t have as many choices. It might be a love story but I cannot figure out how it will end. Most intriguing.

[Phyllis]

Currently reading - Fallen Leaves by Suzetta Perkins - Story centers around two sisters and also has a COVID-19 storyline.

[BernieMck]

I am reading Neruda on the Park by Cleyvis Natura

[MS. KYM]

Currently Reading:

[Che]

On rotation

[Dedria]

I just finished reading Love Times Infinity. By Lane Clark. Great book.

[Dedria]

And going back to Project 1619. Waiting for Mia Mercado.

[Karin]

I'm listening to The Personal Librarian

[Lulu, The Book Reader who could.]

I enjoyed that one!

[Karin]

Lulu wrote: "I enjoyed that one!"

I'm sitting at 3 stars--not keen on the audio narration or the writing, but then I have a hard time with fictional "biography" novels in general. I am enjoying learning about her even if much of it had to be the authors' imaginations (that's the part that makes me squeamish about this type of novel.) I do like the input of the high cost of passing as white.

And some of it is that I am not one who has ever had a May-December attraction so imagining possible sexual attraction between her and a man 40 years her senior is hard for me to buy as a reader even though I know it happens at times IRL.

[MS. KYM]

Currently, I'm reading:

[Dosha (Bluestocking7)]

Some where it was suggested that I read Single Black Female. I don’t know if this a a group read or not but the book is so so so good. I am going back and forth between this book and One House Over by Mary Monroe; this is book one of the Neighbors three book series. Both of these books are crazy good. Also vying my attention are Your Blues Ain’t Like Mine (re-read), Wine Whiskey and Lipstick, a Beverly Jenkins Romance collection and I am also struggling to get through Still Missing. Still Missing is not one of my favorites but I believe I will finish it before the year is over.

[Nia]

Reading Les Damnés de la Terre, by Frantz Fanon, partly to keep up my French, partly to get away from Jules Verne! Sorry, the stuff I keep finding in French on Librivox for the most part is just not... how to put it, satisfying. Fanon's work, on the other hand, while satisfyingly important, and also relatable, is saddening. I'm only in the intro. to the preface, and I find myself angry. Not that I didn't already feel so, but looking back at the time that has passed, and thinking that since the Algerian/Vietnam war era, seeing that not only in the US, but in Europe as well, there were those warning and suggesting, like Dr. King, and also being censured and ignored. Sorry, this is probably too long and boring. But I hope someone is interested.
Destinie

[Nia]

Karin wrote: "I'm listening to The Personal Librarian"

Oh! About the lady who passed to be curator of (Carnegie's??) a private library? Excellent, I've been curious about that one. Looking fwd to your thoughts on it (and going to follow you now).
Destinie

[Karin]

Shira wrote: "Karin wrote: "I'm listening to The Personal Librarian"

Oh! About the lady who passed to be curator of (Carnegie's??) a private library? Excellent, I've been curious about that one...."


Yes, her. I dnf it. It's interesting, but in the end, not for me. I got through about half of it or so.

There were things I liked but as I said, I have a difficult time with fictionalized biographies. I kept getting wrenched out of the narrative by certain 21st century and late 20th century word uses that might not bother you. I tried the audiobook since the writing wasn't for me, but I didn't care much for how the narrator/producer had it read. A couple of other complaints I have might be viewed as spoilers.

If those things don't bother you, I recommend it.

[Karin]

In a similar vein, I recently read The Innocent Traveller, which is another fictionalized biography, but by a family member who knew her plus some of the other key people. Since it was published in 1949, there was no expression that wasn't much older than I am, which helped. I gave it 3 stars.

BUT she didn't change the name of a man from Vancouver (not a main character, but important in the book when he did appear) who, when he died, broke a record for the number of people who came to pay respects and in his funeral procession. Yes, there was plenty of racism, mostly toward Asians and some to First Nations' peoples, but here he was commemorated on a Canadian stamp (he moved to Canada at 21.) Plus him working as a life guard/swim teacher in English Bay in Vancouver. I've passed by a memorial to him, but since I grew up northwest of Vancouver I didn't bother reading memorials in general, or seeing all of the tourist things, etc (wish I'd paid more attention to both of those.) Several things have been dedicated to him or renamed for him.

[Nia]

I am with you: anachronisms and non period speech drive me batty.

[Karin]

Shira wrote: "I am with you: anachronisms and non period speech drive me batty."

Then you might want to pass on this one, which is too bad since she was a remarkable woman and achieved a great deal, not just for black women, but also for women in general. It's sad that she had to hide who she was in order to do that.

It was her mother who started passing them off as white in NYC. They'd been part of the black elite, but things were different there plus Jim Crow was on the rise. It broke apart her parents' marriage--he left over it since it flew in the face of everything he was fighting for. It started when he found out her mother had listed their race as white on the US Census form.

[Nia]

there must be other books about her?

[Che]

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

[Rosalie]

I'm reading "Begin Again" by Eddie Gault, Jr. It really helps in understanding James Baldwin. I highly recommend it.

[Nia]

Karin wrote: "Shira wrote: "I am with you: anachronisms and non period speech drive me batty."

Then you might want to pass on this one, which is too bad since she was a remarkable woman and achieved a great dea..."

The more I think on it, the more I think I need to request this one (or try again) from my library. It wasn't available last time I checked, and I read Segou in the meantime, so I got distracted looking for more Maryse Conde.

[Rosalie]

I actually liked The Personal Librarian because it taught me something l didn’t know. It wasn’t good enough that I’d strongly recommend it, but it was okay.

[Nia]

Thanks, Rosalie. Will look for it once I finish Anna J. Cooper's Voice from the South

[Che]

Rosalie wrote: "I'm reading "Begin Again" by Eddie Gault, Jr. It really helps in understanding James Baldwin. I highly recommend it."

I've heard a lot about that book, but just haven't jumped into it yet. Good to see someone speaking highly of it.

[MS. KYM]

Currently Reading:

[Che]

Finding Me

[Dosha (Bluestocking7)]

Your Blues Ain’t Like Mine. Bebe Moore Campbell

[Karin]

Rosalie wrote: "I actually liked The Personal Librarian because it taught me something l didn’t know. It wasn’t good enough that I’d strongly recommend it, but it was okay."

I'm glad--I wanted to like it and also learned some things while reading it.

[Nia]

Just started The Souls of Black Folk on librivox.org.

[Dosha (Bluestocking7)]

Ah yes, Dubois? I have been meaning to read that for years.

[Nia]

The reader toriasuncle really is good, if you like to listen. I hadn't realized that this book was already in the public domain.

[Nia]

sorry, Yes, web Dubois

[Guy]

The Unfettered Mind: Writings of the Zen Master to the Sword Master is an interesting and engaging correspondence from 17th Century Zen monk to 3 samurai to free the mind to move freely in life. Lovely and engaging.

[Dosha (Bluestocking7)]

Purls and Poison, a knitting cozy murder mystery. I am listening to the audio while I knit a gansey sweater for my hubby.

[reneeNaDaCherry]

I'm currently reading Duke of Honor by Alexa Aston, The Three Kings by Penelope Barsetti, and Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke.

[Karin]

I am reading a book with a beautiful cover. So far I like the cover better than the book, but that's because it's a romance.

[Lulu, The Book Reader who could.]

A People's History of the United States -

Your Blues Ain't Like Mine -

Bernice Runs Away -