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***Whatcha Reading In 2008???*** 
Walker's highly competent murder mystery, set during the Harlem Renaissance, features exotic locales, an odd supporting cast, worthy subplots and a baffling set of clues. At the center of this carefully constructed tale of murder, deception and betrayal is a twisty whodunit based on the efforts of David McKay, a young black attorney from one of Harlem's most respected families, to find out how his level-headed sister Lilian really died. Why would Lilian, a reclusive, conservative, sensible young woman, hang out in dives, hobnob with gangsters and become pregnant before her suspicious suicide? Like a character in a Nero Wolfe caper, David visits Lilian's haunts and quizzes her new friends, unraveling a host of dark secrets about her while also learning about the Harlem art world and nightlife. Walker slyly taunts and teases readers with her shrewdly rendered characters: Gem, the twin sister with a heart of glass; Lilian's husband, Jameson Sweet, a conniving gigolo; Rachel, an old flame of David's; Neila Harding, the bestselling author with a yen for David; and mysterious crime boss Adrian Snyder. Although the ending could have packed a stronger punch, and the prose is overworked in places ("the sun hung low in the sky with a dull, metallic gleam, like a watch dangling from a banker's pocket"), it's entertaining to watch the various pieces of Walker's puzzle come together.
Carter G. Woodson has been called the Father of Modern Black History. He was a central, commanding figure in the study, writing, and teaching of African American history and the first historian to successfully use sound scholarship to refute the prevailing myths and racist views about black Americans and their history. Among his contributions to American life is Black History Month (originally dubbed Negro History Week), which Woodson established to promote the study of African American history.
Woodson's 205-page monograph, The Mis-education of tbe Negro, reflects his profound concern for setting the record straight. His thesis, as outlined in his Preface, could well apply today: "The so-called modern education, with all its defects, however, does others so much more good than it does the Negro, because it has been worked out in conformity to the needs of those who have enslaved and oppressed weaker people." He was concerned with the way African American identity had been warped by racist approaches to history and education; he foresaw the ways that such a warped history would be internalized by black students who would never know of the achievements of their forebears, only of their humiliations and sufferings. In the book's eighteen chapters, Woodson presents a systematic critique of the education system and offers a plan for change that would create a system that informs black students about their own history and addresses their unique challenges. The current proliferation of African American studies programs, Afrocentric schools, and multicultural curricula all bear Woodson's stamp. Still, Mis-education remains a biting indictment of a public school system whose promise of education of the masses has still been left sadly unfulfilled. 
Editor Lewis is a noted author of several books, e.g., When Harlem Was in Vogue ( LJ 3/15/81) and, most recently, W.E.B. DuBois: Biography of a Race, 1868-1919 ( LJ 8/93). This hefty tome features many significant essays, poems, and stories not readily available to all scholars that are drawn from African American journals of the period, including Opportunity, Crisis, and Fire! In his introduction, Lewis carefully explores tension within this arts and letters movement. The collected excerpts of writers like Cullen, Hurston, Hughes, McKay, DuBois, and Wright represent a balance between those Renaissance supporters and writers who "saw the small cracks in the wall of racism that could, they anticipated, be widened through the production of exemplary racial images" and those who "saw art not as politics by other means--civil rights between covers or from a stage or an easel." This anthology will balance and enhance any modern American literature collection.
- Faye A. Chadwell, Univ. of South Carolina Lib., Columbia What about ya'll?  | |
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you always come up with the MOST INTRIGUING LOOKING books woman! 
your selections look damn good. i haven't been able to focus lately, which's why i'm still stuck on this 
and now the damn thing got turned into a film (Tom Hanks/Julia Roberts) but i won't be watching till i'm finished reading. -- from Amazon Put the Tom Clancy clones back on the shelf; this covert-ops chronicle is practically impossible to put down. No thriller writer would dare invent Wilson, a six-feet-four-inch Texas congressman,liberal on social issues but rabidly anti-Communist, a boozer, engaged in serial affairs and wheeler-dealer of consummate skill. Only slightly less improbable is Gust Avrakotos, a blue-collar Greek immigrant who joined the CIA when it was an Ivy League preserve and fought his elitist colleagues almost as ruthlessly as he fought the Soviet Union in the Cold War's waning years. In conjunction with President Zia of Pakistan in the 1980s, Wilson and Arvakotos circumvented most of the barriers to arming the Afghan mujahideen-distance, money, law and internal CIA politics, to name a few. Their coups included getting Israeli-modified Chinese weapons smuggled into Afghanistan, with the Pakistanis turning a blind eye,and the cultivation of a genius-level weapons designer and strategist named Michael Vickers, a key architect of the guerrilla campaign that left the Soviet army stymied. The ultimate weapon in Afghanistan was the portable Stinger anti-aircraft missile, which eliminated the Soviet's Mi-24 helicopter gunships and began the train of events leading to the collapse of the U.S.S.R. and its satellites. A triumph of ruthless ability over scruples, this story has dominated recent history in the form of blowback: many of the men armed by the CIA became the Taliban's murderous enforcers and Osama bin Laden's protectors. Yet superb writing from Crile, a 60 Minutes producer, will keep even the most vigorous critics of this Contra-like affair reading to the end. [Edited 5/3/08 9:44am] | |
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I am bad, I am reading alot of books at the same time again.
Terry Pratchet's Making Money. The second story with Moist von Lipwig; again, hilarious. Fun writer. Sad to know he's got Alzheimer's now... Kate Mosse's Sepulchre. Her first book certainly wasn't perfect, but it got me through a long flight. Curious if she is getting any better. So far, just mildly entertaining. I am a sucker for history/present novels, though. Also Clara Thompson's Lark Rise To Candleford, cuz I loved the televised series. I have actually just breoswed through this book, as the first part (this collection is comprised of three books, actually) is more of a background story than an actual novel. |
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This is what I'm reading now. I'm not sure what I'll start next.
 Shake it til ya make it  | |
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Just finished Toni Morrison's "Paradise." Still don't like it. Glad I'm done with it. | |
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it's been a long while since ive read a good book, but i told myself the book i must get is: (and i need to stop prolonging it)
The Nubian Pharaohs: Black Kings on the Nile by Dominique Valbelle (Author), Charles Bonnet (Author) a thread from P&R during Black History Month inspired me | |
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ThreadBare said: Just finished Toni Morrison's "Paradise." Still don't like it. Glad I'm done with it.
All of Toni Morrison's books almost start slow 
I fell in love with her work when I read Tar Baby. Bought these last week, haven't started reading 'em yet: 
I'm in a serious Walter Mosely kick these days. I read DITBD back in high school but I haven't really gotton into his work untill very recently. BTW Bare, I also bought Toni's "Paradise" along with "Song Of Solomon", "Love" and "The Bluest Eyes"  what do you think of these(aside from Paradise )?  | |
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Harlepolis said: ThreadBare said: Just finished Toni Morrison's "Paradise." Still don't like it. Glad I'm done with it.
All of Toni Morrison's books almost start slow
I fell in love with her work when I read Tar Baby. Bought these last week, haven't started reading 'em yet:
I'm in a serious Walter Mosely kick these days. I read DITBD back in high school but I haven't really gotton into his work untill very recently. BTW Bare, I also bought Toni's "Paradise" along with "Song Of Solomon", "Love" and "The Bluest Eyes" what do you think of these(aside from Paradise )? A few months ago, I tore through Mosely's Easy Rawlins catalog, which was AWESOME. I saved DITBD to read before Blonde Faith, as the two are bookends. Those books just get better, with each installment. Song of Solomon, Tar Baby and The Bluest Eye are great books. I appreciate Morrison's other works, usually, (loved Sula) because there's a payoff at the end (even if the reading can be laborious). I never felt, even with the resolution, that Parradise ever warranted her circuitous delivery of facts in it. It's as if she'd seen "Last Year at Marienbad" and decided to write her book.  | |
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DUMA KEY by Stephen King!! | |
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mdiver said: | |
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Harlepolis said: mdiver said: What? | |
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mdiver said: Harlepolis said: What? I just put it in my Amazon's wishlist | |
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Harlepolis said: mdiver said: What? I just put it in my Amazon's wishlist My Mum recommended it to me, will let you know when i am finished. | |
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| Moderator |
 In spite of the cost of living, it's still popular. |
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i'm reading the Avalon Books from Marrion Zimmer Badley and Diana L Paxston
so far this year i've read Mists of Avalon Forest House Lady of Avalon i'm reading right now Priestess of Avalon i have waiting for me Fall of Atlantis Ancestors of Avalon Ravens of Avalon I loved Mists and Forest House, the begining of the first two books of Lady were choppy but picked up and the third book was great. Priestess I'm having problems staying interested in. The current problem has me worried about Fall Ancestors and Ravens. You CANNOT use the name of God, or religion, to justify acts of violence, to hurt, to hate, to discriminate- Madonna
authentic power is service- Pope Francis | |
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I'm going off the grid in '08. I'm not going to read books, only electronic texts, blogs, newsgroups, mailing lists, kindles and such. I'm going off the grid.
Or on the grid. I guess I'm going on the grid. Whatever. | |
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ehuffnsd said: i'm reading the Avalon Books from Marrion Zimmer Badley and Diana L Paxston
so far this year i've read Mists of Avalon Forest House Lady of Avalon i'm reading right now Priestess of Avalon i have waiting for me Fall of Atlantis Ancestors of Avalon Ravens of Avalon I loved Mists and Forest House, the begining of the first two books of Lady were choppy but picked up and the third book was great. Priestess I'm having problems staying interested in. The current problem has me worried about Fall Ancestors and Ravens. I love Marion Zimmer Bradley. Have you read the Darkover books? "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind"-Dr Seuss
Pain is something to carry, like a radio...You should stand up for your right to feel your pain- Jim Morrison | |
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shellyevon said: ehuffnsd said: i'm reading the Avalon Books from Marrion Zimmer Badley and Diana L Paxston
so far this year i've read Mists of Avalon Forest House Lady of Avalon i'm reading right now Priestess of Avalon i have waiting for me Fall of Atlantis Ancestors of Avalon Ravens of Avalon I loved Mists and Forest House, the begining of the first two books of Lady were choppy but picked up and the third book was great. Priestess I'm having problems staying interested in. The current problem has me worried about Fall Ancestors and Ravens. I love Marion Zimmer Bradley. Have you read the Darkover books? not yet. Mists was my first book from her You CANNOT use the name of God, or religion, to justify acts of violence, to hurt, to hate, to discriminate- Madonna
authentic power is service- Pope Francis | |
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ehuffnsd said: shellyevon said: I love Marion Zimmer Bradley. Have you read the Darkover books? not yet. Mists was my first book from her Mists was my first one too.It got me hooked on her writing I don't usually like science fiction type of fantasy books but the Darkover books are addictive.  "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind"-Dr Seuss
Pain is something to carry, like a radio...You should stand up for your right to feel your pain- Jim Morrison | |
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shellyevon said: ehuffnsd said: not yet. Mists was my first book from her Mists was my first one too.It got me hooked on her writing I don't usually like science fiction type of fantasy books but the Darkover books are addictive. i'll look into it after i finish the Avalon books. You CANNOT use the name of God, or religion, to justify acts of violence, to hurt, to hate, to discriminate- Madonna
authentic power is service- Pope Francis | |
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ehuffnsd said: i'm reading the Avalon Books from Marrion Zimmer Badley and Diana L Paxston
so far this year i've read Mists of Avalon Forest House Lady of Avalon i'm reading right now Priestess of Avalon i have waiting for me Fall of Atlantis Ancestors of Avalon Ravens of Avalon I loved Mists and Forest House, the begining of the first two books of Lady were choppy but picked up and the third book was great. Priestess I'm having problems staying interested in. The current problem has me worried about Fall Ancestors and Ravens. I read afew passages from Lady of Avalon in a friend's house,,,,,intrguing | |
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so far, this year, I've read:
(for like the 4th time) 
I'm excited to read this next:  "Try to remember how you used to feel about me
and think about how you're treating me now. Then try to reconcile them, if you can. But you don't even remember, do you?" | |
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reading now:
just finished 
 not released yet.... i love working in a book shop seems that i was busy doing something close to nothing, but different than the day before   | |
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I just got an advanced copy of E. Lynn Harris' book:
I'm about 1/4 of the way in and its not as good as some of his previous work (but it is still managing to keep me entertained). **--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••-
U 'gon make me shake my doo loose! http://www.twitter.com/nivlekbrad | |
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daPrettyman said: I just got an advanced copy of E. Lynn Harris' book:
I'm about 1/4 of the way in and its not as good as some of his previous work (but it is still managing to keep me entertained). Haven't read any of his work yet, I intent to grab this... 
And A Love Of My Own | |
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I have a gigantic stack around here! | |
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Muse2NOPharaoh said: I have a gigantic stack
I guess you do!  | |
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Harlepolis said: daPrettyman said: I just got an advanced copy of E. Lynn Harris' book:
I'm about 1/4 of the way in and its not as good as some of his previous work (but it is still managing to keep me entertained). Haven't read any of his work yet, I intent to grab this...
And A Love Of My Own I highly recommend:   
These (along with "A Love Of My Own") are excellent. I highly recommend them (along with his autobiography). "I Say A Little Prayer" was good, but doesn't compare to some of his earlier work. I have read all but 3 of his books (Invisible Life, And This Too Shall Pass, and Just As I Am). A friend lent them to me, but I have been too lazy to read them. I think he's a great writer. He does a WONDERFUL job with his love scenes (gay or straight). Basil is such a great character (Raymond is too). They are typical black men who just happen to be gay. Basil would be considered a "DL" brother now, though he doesn't consider himself gay....yet he sleeps with both sexes and can't commit to anyone. I would suggest that you try to read the books in order (starting with Invisible Life). All of his books are connected. It's like one BIG soap opera. In each of his books, he introduces different characters, but they all end up being connected in some way. Hell, you got me wanting to pick up Invisible Life tonight... [Edited 5/6/08 10:01am] **--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••--**--••**--••-
U 'gon make me shake my doo loose! http://www.twitter.com/nivlekbrad | |
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