Literary Fiction by People of Color discussion
Read And Recommended
Robert wrote: "Hattie wrote: "Wilhelmina wrote: "I thought that we might like to have a folder in which we could talk about books we've read recently by authors of color (other than the monthly discussion book) ..."Robert wrote: "Hattie wrote: "Wilhelmina wrote: "I thought that we might like to have a folder in which we could talk about books we've read recently by authors of color (other than the monthly discussion book) ..."
Great idea! I truly concur!!
Kathleen wrote: "Robert wrote: "Angela Jackson-Brown's debut novel "Drinking from a Bitter Cup" was a great read and certainly worth the time. The character development was outstanding, the best I have read in some..."Kathleen, I could not agree more, there are time when you come upon something that is so far outside your norm that is so wonderfully crafted that you cannot ignorance it's brilliance. From the first page I was drawn into this wonderful book. By the last page I had fallin in love, to one degree or another, with each character, appreciating their complexity, and how the author carefully crafted each one.
Robert wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "Robert wrote: "Angela Jackson-Brown's debut novel "Drinking from a Bitter Cup" was a great read and certainly worth the time. The character development was outstanding, the best I ..."I'm so happy I stumbled upon it. I still don't know how I did. I truly wish more young writers would write less about violence, sex, street crime, and church, (usually all in one book.)Drinking from a Bitter Cup should be a high school/college course in life and surviving such.
I'd like to recommend the novella...Not Only War: A Story of Two Great Conflicts by Victor Daly
Originally published in 1932, it is perhaps the only First World War historical novel written by an African American veteran of the conflict, Victor Daly.
The main character in the novella, "Montgomery Jason, [is] an idealistic African American college student, [who] enlists in the Army to fight for freedom and democracy [as espoused by the powers-that-be in Washington]. When he falls in love with a Frenchwoman, he learns that freedom and democracy do not apply to black soldiers."
- Victor Daly (1895-1986)Daly, a First World War veteran, had been decorated for bravery in France with the Croix de Guerre. After the war, he earned a degree at Cornell University and worked for a time under Dr. Carter G. Woodson as managing editor of the Journal for Negro History (1922-1934). Then he worked for the U.S. Dept. of Labor from 1934 to 1966.
Daly "also wrote short fiction that was published in The Crisis, and essays on civil rights issues such as equal access to housing and transportation, and integrating the ranks of government employees in Washington DC. Daly won a Distinguished Service Award from the Department of Labor in 1956 for his work in eliminating discrimination in hiring practices in the region."
I'm re-reading Uzma Aslam Khan's Thinner Than Skin because I enjoyed her last book The Geometry of God so much. I discovered this author by chance earlier this year. Still digesting the find.
since we are talking about pakistan, and at cost of repeating myself, everything that Nadeem Aslam touches turns into literary gold. amazing amazing writer.
jo wrote: "since we are talking about pakistan, and at cost of repeating myself, everything that Nadeem Aslam touches turns into literary gold. amazing amazing writer."Nadeem Aslam is also one of my favorites.
I'll add my vote for Nadeem Aslam! He is completely amazing.
I must read something by him. Jo, I see where you recommended one to me. Will check it out.
is my favorite, with
a very close second. i did poorly with
but now i feel i should give it another try.
having just finished Hanya Yanagihara's The People in the Trees, which was in a poll a few months ago thanks to the indefatigable finding genius of our book selector, bill, i want both to recommend it highly (truly, i have no words) and warn you that it's a wallop of a book. if you are in any way squeamish when it comes to messing with your moral compass, stay away from it. if you can tolerate the fact of its being abused, don't walk, run.
A suggestion for a book, and I assume it would be best if it was available on An e-reader. Author Shami Flint Inspector Singh Investigates - A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder. This is the first in a series of 6 books so far, anyone of the books would be enjoyable. A change in reading material. I would suggest Murder At Cape Three Points again.
Another book #The Screaming of the Innocent by Unity Dow. Takes place in Botswana, not on an e-reader.
Mod
Ooh, thanks Barbara. I picked up Kwei Quartey's Murder at Cape Three Points last week then thought I should read his first one Wife of the Gods: A Novel first. It's sitting on my lap right now. I really enjoyed Children of the Street: An Inspector Darko Dawson Mystery previously and enjoying Gods now. Thanks for the Inspector Singh recommendation.
Read all the books from the start, excellent. Wife of the Gods, Children of the Street, Murder At Cape Three Points and coming in early 2016, Gold of Our Fathers.
I really enjoy Inspector Singh, there is more humor in this mystery series, but fun!
i just read Shay Youngblood's Soul Kiss: A Novel and i thought it was fantastic. truly fantastic. highly recommended to all.
I just finished Zenzele: A Letter for My Daughter as one of the BTM in a different group I am a member of. It was a very good read and has a multitude of issues and themes in it. In fact, if it has not already been a BTM for this group (I am quite new so am not sure) it might be one to consider in future....
I have written a review which may help - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
If you do decide to read it, I hope you get as much from it as I did!
Nabse wrote: "I just finished Zenzele: A Letter for My Daughter as one of the BTM in a different group I am a member of. It was a very good read and has a multitude of issues and themes in it. In..."
I also just finished Zenzele and recommend it. I am wondering why this book sat on my shelf so long unread. But passing it on to the younger members of my family.
Because it is a memoir and not fiction...it is not eligible for a BTM discussion..unfortunately..unless there is a groundswell of member interest in changing the rules?
William wrote: "Because it is a memoir and not fiction...it is not eligible for a BTM discussion..unfortunately..unless there is a groundswell of member interest in changing the rules?"Actually it is fiction. The full title is Zenzele: A Letter to My Daughter, A Novel.
But it would probably not make a good BTM discussion as it is an older book that is probably not readily available in many libraries nor is it available in ebook format.
But if you do run across the book - I think most in this group will enjoy.
Oh yes, good point re availability. I had to buy hardback second-hand off Amazon and it wasn't especially cheap. But worth a read if you can track it down!
Mod
Actually i..."
Maybe not that difficult to obtain. Our rather conservative library system has fourteen copies available of two different editions.
Columbus wrote: "Beverly wrote: "William wrote: "Because it is a memoir and not fiction...it is not eligible for a BTM discussion..unfortunately..unless there is a groundswell of member interest in changing the rul..."Hmmm..There were none in my county system and only three in all of DC's. But there is no reason why it might not show up on a future poll. We've had hard to get books in the past.
I just finished reading The Moor's Account by Laila Lalami.Really enjoyed this historical fiction storyline which is told from the point-of-view of the first Black (a Moroccan slave) explorer/adventurer of what would become southwest America. This is a fictionalized account of a Spanish expedition.
Beverly wrote: "I just finished reading The Moor's Account by Laila Lalami.Really enjoyed this historical fiction storyline which is told from the point-of-view of the first Black ..."
I don't see how the book could have improved upon the true stranger than fiction account recalled in this book: A Land So Strange: The Epic Journey of Cabeza de Vaca by Andrés Reséndez . This is an engaging and eye popping historical accounting of the slave and his parties shipwreck and subsequent WALK across America.
But Lalami is a great writer so I'm sure that her fictionalized version is also great. Can't wait to read it.
William wrote: "Beverly wrote: "I just finished reading The Moor's Account by Laila Lalami.Really enjoyed this historical fiction storyline which is told from the point-of-view of ..."
While I did not read the book that you mentioned several years ago I did read Crossing the Continent 1527-1540: The Story of the First African-American Explorer of the American South by Robert Goodwin which peaked my interest in learning more about Estebanico. And while it may not improve on the Resendez book, I did appreciate that the book is written as if Estebanico is writing his recall of the events or as he says - his recall of the truths. I also think that Lalami brings a certain contemporary feel to this story that may make it more accessible to readers who have not heard of this expedition.
it's been recommended before, but i can't overstate how delightful Mia McKenzie's The Summer We Got Free is.
KOMET wrote: "I'd like to recommend ---1) OK, Joe by Louis Guilloux
This novel touches upon the pernicious nature of Jim Crow segregation in the U.S. Army during the Second World..."
read Black Girl in Paris right now.
Mod
As you probably already know, Jacqueline Woodson recently received the National Book Award in the young-adult category for Brown Girl Dreaming. At the awards ceremony, she was unceremoniously ridiculed with a racist watermelon joke by Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket). Just incredible! He's since apologized though I might add. President Obama and his daughters visited Politics and Prose in DC today and celebrated "small business Saturday" and one of the 17 books he purchased was Brown Girl Dreaming. Awesome, Mr. President! Has anyone read this book?
Here's Woodson's op-Ed in today's New York Times:
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/11/29/...
I haven't read it, but I intend to. I was very glad to see that she responded in the NYT. Nikky Finney wrote a great piece on it also.http://nikkyfinney.net/watermelon.html
Mod
http://nikkyfinney.net/watermelon.html"
I had never read anything by this author before but I had heard how important and inspiring she is especially to those reading young-adult fiction. I must say, it really hurt to hear those remarks being made at such an important event where she should have experienced an enjoyable and momentous occasion. It doesn't just hurt her but it hurts all of us like her and those believing in messages of inclusion. So very, very unfortunate.
only read excerpts of her comments, but they were certainly worth reading. After reading it I feel more inclined to read her book.
I have bought her books for many and all have enjoyed. One of my daughters have used her books in her classes. So Brown Girl Dreaming will be Christmas gifts this year for some age-appropriate relatives.
I'm buying Woodson's book. It had been on my radar from BookDragon. I think Handler revealed a lot in his so-called joke. I'm so tired of apologies when the offense shouldn't have occurred in the first place. Yes, he apologized immediately and donated money to We Need Diverse Books. I still think it's very revealing.Glad Woodson turned this into a learning moment.
I recently finished the Luminous Heart of Jonah S. by Gina B. Nahai. It is an epic novel of an Iranian Jewish family that starts with a murder in Los Angeles, goes back to Tehran in the 1950s, takes us the through the Iranian revolution, and the immigration of Iranian Jews to the U.S. after the revolution. The cast of characters are quite fascinating.
I can't put down The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. I love this idea sooo much! Not sure if any of you are on Twitter making book recommendations, but if so follow me! I'd love to hear your thoughts on there as well @_coloringbooks.
Hopeton wrote: "I recently finished the Luminous Heart of Jonah S. by Gina B. Nahai. It is an epic novel of an Iranian Jewish family that starts with a murder in Los Angeles, goes back to Tehran in the 1950s, tak..."Good to know. This book is on my tbr list and hopefully I will get to read it soon.
Ebony wrote: "I can't put down The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. I love this idea sooo much! Not sure if any of you are on Twitter making book recommendations, but if so follow me! I'd love to hear yo..."I loved that book too. I read it a few years ago and probably should put it in my re-read pile.
Ebony wrote: "I can't put down The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. I love this idea sooo much! Not sure if any of you are on Twitter making book recommendations, but if so follow me! I'd love to hear yo..."She is a great writer. I liked An Atlas of Impossible Longing even more than "The God.... Put it on your list.
I enjoyed both books as well. An Atlas is written by Anuradha Roy. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy.
Really? Wow...I bet I'm not the first (Western) person that thought they were the same writer.
Alafia good people:I just wanted to share this with you. Its a video series of Great Literature of the World. You may find it interesting.
http://www.learner.org/courses/worldl...
Thank you for goodreads.
Teish
Wondering if anyone has read Bedrock Faith by Eric Charles May? It's on the longlist for the Tournament of Books this year and sounds great, but I haven't heard much about it.
Shannon wrote: "Wondering if anyone has read Bedrock Faith by Eric Charles May? It's on the longlist for the Tournament of Books this year and sounds great, but I haven't heard much about it."I have read Bedrock Faith and it was a very entertaining enjoyable read - wonderful characterizations and themes of community and change hit the spot for me. I have recommended to others and they have also enjoyed. The author is a good storyteller and I hope he publishes more books in the future.
Beverly wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Wondering if anyone has read Bedrock Faith by Eric Charles May? It's on the longlist for the Tournament of Books this year and sounds great, but I haven't heard much..."
Thanks! I'm definitely going to try to pick it up soon.
Thanks! I'm definitely going to try to pick it up soon.
Phew, Welcome to Braggsville. I'm still in the middle of it right now, but I just keep turning the pages and running into more really thought-provoking corners and I wish I had someone to talk about it with. Pre-orders, library holds!
Literary Fiction by People of Color
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That is a great idea, like everyone here I have so many books that I want to read as well as revisit those books that I view as old friends.