Task #17: Read a classic by an author of color

[Bonnie G.]

Veronica wrote: "I went with The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin, because I had never read Baldwin and that seemed like something I needed to correct. Sadly, this book was far more applicable to curre..."

Thanks for the suggestions! I am a fan of Baldwin, and am reading another I missed for this prompt, "Giovanni's Room." If you have access to the recent documentary "I am Not Yoru Negro" I recommend it. It makes a pretty solid case for Baldwin being a prophet.

[Chinook]

Maybe also worth looking at The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks about Race?

[Kirsten]

It's pretty new for a classic, isn't it?

[Chinook]

I meant that since she'd read the Baldwin, she might be interested in the second book

[Jocelyn]

Trudie wrote: "I had Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe on my list from this years tasks but I read something else instead. I think this would be a great classic to tackle, particularly if you a Chim..."

I read Things Fall Apart a couple years ago and really enjoyed it. I ended up looking up recipes for some of the food mentioned as well.

[Veronica]

Bonnie wrote: "Thanks for the suggestions! I am a fan of Baldwin, and am reading another I missed for this prompt, "Giovanni's Room." If you have access to the recent documentary "I am Not Yoru Negro" I recommend it. It makes a pretty solid case for Baldwin being a prophet."

I saw it and I agree 100%. It was FANTASTIC and, though it's still early, it will probably end up being one of the best films I see all year. It definitely made the case for Baldwin still being extremely relevant.

[Veronica]

Chinook wrote: "I meant that since she'd read the Baldwin, she might be interested in the second book"

Yes! That book is already on my TBR - I'm very interested in reading it.

[Chinook]

Veronica, I think you may have helped me finally make a choice for this category

[Veronica]

Chinook wrote: "Veronica, I think you may have helped me finally make a choice for this category"

Awesome - I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

[Melody]

Do y'all think Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley counts? On the one hand it's only about 30 years old, but it's a pretty influential book and considered (by the Mystery Writers Association) to be one of the top 100 mystery novels of all time.

[Stina]

I would count it. "Classic" is not defined in the prompt, so I think using your best judgment is the way to go, rather than adhering to some arbitrary date cutoff. And here you even have MWA as an authority backing you up.

[Teresa]

I read Kindred by Octavia Butler. Wow, I couldn't put it down. Definitely recommend it.

[Tara]

I'm reading Bloodchild & Other Stories by Octavia Butler. I'm a huge fan and have read most of her books.

[Cheri]

Teresa wrote: "I read Kindred by Octavia Butler. Wow, I couldn't put it down. Definitely recommend it."

I just added Kindred to my TBR! Glad to have the recommendation, thanks.

[Britany]

Finished by Alice Walker- -3.5 Stars

A novel told in letters, two sisters, and missionaries in Africa.

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

[Rebecca]

I just finished the audiobook of Their Eyes Were Watching God. The narrator gave an *excellent* performance, and I think I could relate so much better hearing the dialogue spoken aloud than trying to parse the written version, since I'm not familiar with how it would sound on my own. I wish I would've read this in school in place of As I Lay Dying.

[Kirsten]

I think it depends where you went to school.

[Erin]

Hannah wrote: "If you like audiobooks and you're looking for something for this task, Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison is free on Audible right now. (I think until the end of December.) T..."

I read Invisible Man for my American Literature class. Laced with symbolism and does a really good job of addressing stereotypes, it's an interesting read. I'll be interested in hearing what you think of it.

[Neil]

Do you think The Street by Ann Petry qualifies for this challenge?

It wasn't listed on Bookriot's "100 Must-Read Lesser-Known Classics" but it was hailed as "a classic of black American literature that has sold more than a million and half copies" by the New York Times.

[Chinook]

I would say yes - and the Kindle is on sale :)

[Neil]

Chinook wrote: "I would say yes - and the Kindle is on sale :)"
Yes I saw! I picked it up for this challenge and thought I'd ask.

[Ptaylor]

I just read Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. It's a great book - I can't believe that I waited so long to read it.

[Meg]

Would Parable of the Sower (Earthseed) by Octavia Butler count as classic?

[Bonnie G.]

Megan wrote: "Would Parable of the Sower (Earthseed) by Octavia Butler count as classic?"

I would vote yes.

[Cristy]

The Color Purple

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Probably don't really need to elaborate on either of these as they definitely fall into the classic status.

[Jackie]

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu

It wasn't terribly long and it's pretty much the foundation of Taoism, so I'd say it's a classic.

[Ann]

Any thoughts on Kafka on the Shore?

[Ann]

or would Remains of the Day count?

[Jenny]

I just read Sultana's Dream by Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain. Would that count? I have very specific ideas about what constitutes a classic - it has to be pre-20th century for me, and I'd already read The Three Musketeers last year, so I went on a search for books by POC from before 1900 and found this. Does it count as a classic in the sense of it's popularity/impact, though?

[Verity]

I have Alice Walker's Meridian on my tbr shelf - do you think that counts towards this task?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

thanks!