Literary Fiction by People of Color discussion
Read And Recommended
Marjorie wrote: "I can recommend Julie Otsuka's When the Emperor Was Divine. It's about a Japanese-American family which is being sent to the internment camps, written from the POV of several family members. Short..."Marjorie, I'm teaching that to my freshmen next year! I hope they like it!
Beverly wrote: "Evelyn wrote: "The Housekeeper and the Professor is a good novel. I'm believe the author is Japanese."I agree I so enjoyed The Housekeeper and the Professor.
The author is Yoko Ogawa
I still need..."
I read Hotel Iris too, and I didn't love it as much as The Housekeeper and the Professor, but I liked it enough to get her collection of novellas, The Diving Pool.
Recently picked up The Buddha in the Attic after watching a livefeed of her reading with Junot Diaz.
Marjorie wrote: "I can recommend Julie Otsuka's When the Emperor Was Divine. It's about a Japanese-American family which is being sent to the internment camps, written from the POV of several family members. Short..."I have read both When the Emperor Was Divine and The Buddha in the Attic. Enjoyed both books - every word counts and speaks volumes to the experiences described.
I would say that I preferred The Buddha in the Attic more- so many diverse women voices were heard and was so elegantly done and part of history not often read in textbooks.
jo wrote: "this is a great idea! has anyone read The Cancer Journals, by Audre Lorde? i just read it and i would love to hear what people think. do i recommend it? uhm, not sure. it's tough. if you like tough..."Great read. Very honest and thoughful.
Just thought I would share books and dvd's mentioned in my Ebony 2013
DVD's
The Wiz
Akeelah and the Bee
Roots
The Cosby Show The complete series
The Black List Vol 1&2 HBO documentary series
Soul Food 1997
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I have finished Parishioner by Walter Mosley - This is an ebook only. Parishioner is a well-written, compelling tale of a man looking for redemption of past deeds that explores the uncommon depth of the dark side of humanity. Mosley’s distinctive mark of flawed complex characters that often need to examine their darker nature against their personal moral agenda coupled with good old-fashioned storytelling is present front and center in this book. The story builds tension with the twists and turns as the crimes past and present are revealed. Some questions were answered at the end but others are left opened, but I am hoping this means it is a start of a new series with these intriguing characters. I recommend to Walter Mosley fans and those who enjoy a dark gritty mystery.
While it is non-fiction I also enjoyed - Gather at the Table: The Healing Journey of a Daughter of Slavery and a Son of the Slave Trade by Thomas Norman DeWolf and Sharon Morgan• The value of this book for me is that DeWolf and Morgan did have honest communications and effectively listened to each other. Both were predisposed to this because of involvement in finding a way to overcome racial barriers. Their approach to learning/understanding each other was up close and personal as they traveled together as they met each other families, became involved in the researching of each other’s ancestors, visited historical places dealing with slavery and shared past experiences why they have the racial opinions that they have.
• The book is quick paced well-written book and once I started reading I did not want to put down. Though at times the transitions seemed a little choppy this did not distract from my overall appreciation for this book.
• Everyone reading this book will bring their own racial experiences/opinions and some will be more versed in the issues discussed while for others this may be their first foray into a discussion that defines US. I learned some things, I smiled at some comments, shook my head at others, but in the end was glad I read this book. Great beginning book to start the discussion about what is historical fact and what is an opinion believed to be fact.
• This is a great book club read and I would recommend to all Americans and this should be required reading in high schools.
I couldn't really get into this book and gave up on p.134. Just seemed to plod along and get in its own way...I am refering to 'The Round House'. I look forward to 'The invisible Man'
I am currently reading an ARC of Acting White?Rethinking Race in Post-Racial America by Devon W. Carbado and Mitu Gulati I have to say it's pretty interesting so far. I figured it was perfect in the spirit of Black History Month. I will also be reading Invisible Man, the group read, so I look forward to reading the discussions on that.
I hope it's alright to recommend a writer rather than a book. Shereen Pandit has written some amazing short fiction. I mean really breath taking. Apparently she has a novel as well, but I haven't read it yet. I think I'm ordering it tonight though. I thought of her immediately when I saw the topic 100 Books by Black Women Everyone Must Read. But I haven't read her only book, only some short stories.
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Apparently she has a novel as well, but I haven't ..."
It's perfectly alright, Deborah. And thanks for the recommendation. Totally unfamiliar with her.
How the book 'Destined to witness' about a black boy growing up German in Adolph Hitler's Germany ? Seems quite fascinating to hear someones story on identity and politics.
I enjoyed Searching for Zion: The Quest for Home for Home in the African Diaspora by Emily Raboteau.Searching for Zion by Emily Raboteau is a soul-bearing contemplative journey seeking an answer to the question – “So, where is my home?”
As an African-American female, this is a subject close to my heart as I have often asked the same question, especially in young adult years – where is my home, a place that will unconditionally accept me. I was immediately engaged and the storylines appealed to me on many levels – the seamless weaving of historical, political, cultural, and personal information gave deepness and made all of the situations more poignant. The physical and emotional geography are well-played out so the vibe of the diverse communities has their own signature. I appreciate the author’s candid exploration of her family history against the background of the stories of others. For each of us reading this book, it will be a personal journey as it was for the author. But the commonality for all of us is - home is where the heart is for better or worse.
Overall, it was a profoundly beautiful read – sobering, exhilarating, contemplative and achingly tender. I recommend this book for readers of memoirs and those who enjoy stories about displacement, citizenship and the many guises of freedom.
Rob wrote: "Acacia: The War with the Mein Lion's Blood
Both brilliant, both highly recommended."
I agree.
Especially the first book.
Deborah wrote: "Rob wrote: "Acacia: The War with the Mein Lion's Blood
Both brilliant, both highly recommended."
I agree.
Especially the first book."
I too agree - especially the Acacia Trilogy - one of my fav epic fantasy series.
Columbus wrote: "Mina: I think that's an excellent idea. Quite a few of the books I've read recently and a few of my "to be read" books I selected from some of the LFPC members.Jo: never read Cancer Journals but ..."
Wow! Thanks for this reminder, Jo and Columbus. I just blew the dust off of my paperback copy of Zami: A New Spelling of My Name by Audre Lorde. I purchased it over twenty years ago. Now I'll re-read it, as an older = mature and much more experienced woman. Really looking forward to it!!!
Sharon wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Mina: I think that's an excellent idea. Quite a few of the books I've read recently and a few of my "to be read" books I selected from some of the LFPC members.
Jo: never read Can..."
Sharon, I am right there with you! Its amazing to go back and read a classic. Most times its wonderful and sometimes its a "what the hell was I thinking". In my ToBeReadAgain pile I've I Know Why the Cages Bird Sings... of course with Audre, its like coming home after being gone too long.
Jo: never read Can..."
Sharon, I am right there with you! Its amazing to go back and read a classic. Most times its wonderful and sometimes its a "what the hell was I thinking". In my ToBeReadAgain pile I've I Know Why the Cages Bird Sings... of course with Audre, its like coming home after being gone too long.
Marjorie wrote: "Just got through reading Octavia E. Butler's Kindred. A very well-known writer, and this is possibly her most popular book, certainly one of her most popular; but for some reason I had never read..."
Love that book.
what, if any, is the relationship between emily raboteau and albert raboteau, author of "slave religion: the invisible institution in the antebellum south?"
Donna wrote: "what, if any, is the relationship between emily raboteau and albert raboteau, author of "slave religion: the invisible institution in the antebellum south?""Father and daughter
Just started reading Percival Everett's new one entitled Percival Everett by Virgil Russell. Anyone else reading this one?
I am really enjoying Malla Nunn's series of detective novels set in early apartheid South Africa. I have read A Beautiful Place To Die and Let The Dead Lie, and I am just starting Blessed Are The Dead which has been nominated for an Edgar Award this year.
Leah, I'm looking forward to hearing what you thing of Percival Everett by Virgil Russell.
Ghana Must Go by Taiye SelasiSelasi’s novel, driven by her eloquent prose, tells the powerful story of a family discovering that what once held them together could make them whole again."
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
I so enjoyed this novel and so far is the best fiction book I have read in 2013 and will certainly be one of my top reads for the year.
Here is a link to an informative interview between Melissa Harris-Perry with Taiye Selasi. I loved the statement that MHP makes at the beginning that this is a novel about blackness but is not about race.
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/46979745/vp...
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Ditto what Columbus said. These are new to me authors. Thanks Mina and Beverly.
Thank you Beverly. I also loved many of her statements too. Can't wait for to read this one.
Beverly wrote: "Here is a link to an informative interview between Melissa Harris-Perry with Taiye Selasi. I loved the statement that MHP makes at the beginning that this is a novel about blackness but is not about race.http://www.nbcnews.com/id/46979745/vp...
"
Great interview. I'm #17 on the waitlist at my public library.
Malla Nunn's "Let the Dead Lie", was on one of the groups monthly polls not to long ago.
You always find the good ones, Bill!
Marjorie wrote: "I can recommend Julie Otsuka's When the Emperor Was Divine. It's about a Japanese-American family which is being sent to the internment camps, written from the POV of several family members. Short..."I read Buddah and loved it. I am looking forward to Emperor Divine.
Rebecca wrote: "Marjorie wrote: "I can recommend Julie Otsuka's When the Emperor Was Divine. It's about a Japanese-American family which is being sent to the internment camps, written from the POV of several fami..."I'm teaching that to my students starting this Thursday! I'm hoping that they like it. The writing style is quite different from what I've taught so far (it's more descriptive and poetic), but I like it.
Beverly wrote: "Ghana Must Go by Taiye SelasiSelasi’s novel, driven by her eloquent prose, tells the powerful story of a family discovering that what once held them together could make them whole again."
—Publish..."
Thanks for sharing this clip. I enjoyed it and am 'sharing' it.
Evelyn wrote: "Marjorie wrote: "Just got through reading Octavia E. Butler's Kindred. A very well-known writer, and this is possibly her most popular book, certainly one of her most popular; but for some reason..."
I too, just read it for the first time. It is excellent!!
Just finished reading Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston A well researched in-depth look at Zora Neale Hurston's life and her influence in American culture. The book also situates her within the Harlem Renaissance, so we also get a good look at other key players during this period. Boyd also offers commentary on other key academics and figures and shows us the links. It reminds us that the world is a small place.
I just finished reading The Lifecycle of Software Objects by Ted Chiang and really enjoyed it. It's a science fiction novella centered around relationships with digients. Imagine a Sims game on 100% or those DigiPets that were popular awhile back. If you're wary of science fiction, try the first chapter and see if it doesn't hook you.
For Walter Mosley/Easy Rawlins fans - I really enjoyed Little Green.I did not realize how much I missed Easy Rawlins and his motley crew until I started reading the spellbinding first page of this well-plotted novel of gritty action and emotional fallout of secrets and bad decisions.
I am just starting Americanah today ... very excited.
I recommend The Summer We Got Free by Mia McKenzie. "At one time a wild young girl and a brilliant artist, Ava Delaney changes dramatically after a violent event that rocks her entire family. Once loved and respected in their community and in their church, the Delaneys are ostracized by their neighbors, led by their church leader, and a 17-year feud ensures." Until one day a mysterious woman arrives unexpectedly for a visit...McKenzie is the creator of BlackGirlDangerous.org, "a multi-faceted forum for the literary and artistic expression of queer and trans people of color." This is her debut novel, which won a Lambda Literary Foundation Award.
Under the veneer of evocative writing,I submitted a winning entry recently.The well-read and perceptive reader will, I hope, share some of their exquisite and coruscating writing as well.Anyone willing to enter this debate?Only captivating prose please,and I will reply to everyone.
This true story is not to be believed about a supremely gifted painter homeless on the streets of Chicago in winter -- "Being and Homelessness: Notes from an Underground Artist": http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...
Enjoyed
Foreign Gods, Inc. by Okey Ndibe. Ndibe created a unique and intriguing tale about a man who stole his village's ancient war god. I've never read anything quite like it.
I highly recommend The Sleeping Dictionary bySujata Massey.A captivating journey through one woman's devastation, resilience, truth, and triumph. (statement taken from the cover).
The 528 pages are well worth the time spent reading them.
The story is set in India where 10 year old,Pom, is left an orphan after a large wave sweeps her entire city away. It tells of her struggles through about 17 years old and ends with India's struggle for independence when she is an adult.
Article about research that shows reading literary fiction (as opposed to popular fiction) increases a reader's ability to read social cues. I especially liked Erdrich's last quote about writing.http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10...
Londa wrote: "Enjoyed Foreign Gods, Inc. by Okey Ndibe. Ndibe created a unique and intriguing tale about a man who stole his village's ancient war god. I've never read an..."
Thanks for the update. I have this book on my tbr list when it releases in Jan 2014 in the US.
Jean wrote: "I highly recommend The Sleeping Dictionary bySujata Massey.A captivating journey through one woman's devastation, resilience, truth, and triumph. (statement taken from the cover).
The 528 pages ..."
Thanks - I have moved this book up on my tbr list.
Literary Fiction by People of Color
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I agree I so enjoyed The Housekeeper and the Professor.
The author is Yoko Ogawa
I still need to read her novel The Hotel Iris.
She also has a new short story collection coming out at the beginning of next year (2013) called Revenge: Eleven Dark Tales.