Has anyone read any good books ?
 

I'm currently reading Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye. Her details are so good you get the feeling you're there. What books have you read recently?

I recently read E. Lynn Harris's "Not A Day Goes By." It was a really good book. I read it in two days (would have been less if I didn't have homework http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif).

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The values of life are not measured in visible things, but in divine things. Every day is a gift from God, whatever it brings. That is why it is called THE PRESENT! -unknown

Oh yes I have read, but it is for a class(children's literature) We have to read 70 book to receive an A!!!! I will be so glad when next rolls around. We have 2 more book left....I had to express my relief! *sorry*

I read Not A Day Goes By in one sitting. It was wonderful! He has a way of making you get so into the characters that you laugh, get angry and even a bit sad before you complete the book. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif a book is one of the few things that help me relax http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/cool.gif

YEAH, I READ IT TOO, WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT.
I LOVED IT!

WASN'T THAT GOOD FOR YANCY? WHAT COMES AROUND GOES AROUND...

IT MAY NOT HAPPEN TODAY OR TOMORROW, BUT IT WILL HAPPEN.

Yancy was such a SKANK! I couldn't stand her from the previous book!At first I felt as though she and Basil deserved each other, because in the last book they both were so low down, but in this one I felt some compassion for Basil because he was really in love with her. That woman had it all on a platter and because her and her mom's selfishness, as well as self centeredness (If that's a word) She lost it all! In such a crucial way too http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

Yeah, it' a word.

Basil was so low down, too, he deserved to get his heart broken, too! Payback is a Motha...

Once again, Basil has gone back to his doggish ways...what will happen next?

E. Lynn, we are waiting....

I too felt that Yancy and and Basil both deserved what they got in the end. And Yancy's mother...OH MY GOODNESS! She was the worst! I was so glad that her little plan backfired in her face!

Are you familiar with Omar Tyree's work? I ordered his new novel, "For The Love Of Money". I read a sample of it , and it seems to be pretty good.

I hope E Lynn tells us(In his next book) a bit about the characters from the previous books that he barely mentioned in this one. Do you think Basil is gonna go after is old Male flame again? What was his name? Raymond?

[This message has been edited by exquizit (edited November 10, 2000).]

Hi Ladies,

I have been so busy lately that I don't have an opportunity to post as much anymore. Anyhoo, I had to post to this topic. Exquizit - I read Omar Tyree's book and I hated it!!! Actually, I don't like any of his books. I read "Flyy Girl" and "Do Right Man" and thought that maybe he was just a new author and needed to learn how to develop his story lines and characters. I gave him 3 shots. And he struck out! I wished that I had saved my money. "For The Love of Money" was a tremendous disappointment. It's hard to read and there is no plot.

Just my $19.08 worth.



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Don't just talk about it...Be about it!

I'm glad I didn't get it from the book store! I'm in a book club from Black planet that allowed me three books for $3 so I won't be as disappointed. I'm glad I joined though, that's what gave me the chance to experience Toni Morrison. I've noticed that I wasn't pleased with Roselyn McMillon(SP). Her books were too slow in plot for me.

I haven't read any of Omar Tyree's books, but I am familiar with them. I've gotten different responses from people about his work. I have read a few of Eric Jerome Dickey's books though. I think the last one I read was "Cheaters." I plan on reading "The Bluest Eye" next.

Soror Pink Cashmere,

Can I just say that I agree with you 1908%? For the Love of Money was horrible. And in my opinion, so was Not a Day Goes By. Ladies, I'm not trying to be funny, but please enlighten me as to what was so exceptional about these books. Most of the other "popular" titles out there also leave a lot to be desired. I have been so disappointed with the quality of fiction that black authors have been putting out.

An exception to this is of course Toni Morrison, who is in a completely different genre. I just completed a Morrison marathon and read The Bluest Eye, Beloved and Jazz. Now that's literature. I guess I need something that challenges my mind and evokes my emotions. If I don't feel like I am somehow a changed person by the time I'm done reading it, I don't feel I got my money's worth.

On that note, a good non-fiction book for all black women to read is All the Joy You Can Stand: 101 Sacred Power Principles for Making Joy Real in Your Life, written by Debrena Jackson Gandy.


[This message has been edited by SkeeBunny (edited November 10, 2000).]

Awwww Skeebunny! I enjoyed E Lynn's books simply for the entertainment. I've read all of his books since the first one ,all in order. I guess It's kinda like the useless soaps or sitcoms http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif. I too enjoy intellectual books but sometimes my silly behind can use something less serious to lighten my moods. I also agree that many black authors leave alot to be desired in their writing, but I support them in hopes that they'll improve. I enjoy Mrs. Vanzant's inspirational writings too! Any other tiltes you ladies would suggest?

I'm glad you all mentioned Toni Morrison. I have heard rave reviews about her and decided to read Song of Solomon. I hated the book so much I chose not to finish it. Which is a rarity for me since I always like to finish what I start. I just couldn't get past that fact that the main character had an affair for several years with his first cousin. Can you say DISGUSTING? However, I will give her another chance and read The Bluest Eye.

[This message has been edited by MIDWESTDIVA (edited November 10, 2000).]

i personally loved THE WAKE OF THE WIND by J. California Cooper. it was a wonderful page-turner. it's not in the E. Lynn/Omar/Eric mode, it's historical fiction.
my book club loved it. i'm sad that i have to wait a year or so for the next E. Lynn book... http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif i have all of his books, i'm a huge fan. i'm looking for the Invisible Life/Just As I Am movie. i already started casting...

MidwestDiva, I do reccomend that you read "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison. I read that book years ago in high school and even back then it made me cry even though I can now say that I understand what was happeening with an even greater magnitude than I did back then. Unfortunately, b/c I am still in school and working and involved in numerous activities on campus I find it very hard to read a book/novel simply for my own enjoyment. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif However, every once in a while I get a chance to read a book for a class that I like, such as Octavia Butler's "Kindred". http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif


BTW, can someone tell me what E. Lynn Harris' "Not a Day Goes by" is about, since you all seem to have enjoyed it? I thought about joining that book club on Blackplanet but haven't gotten around to it yet.

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"If there is no struggle, there is no progress"--Frederick Douglass

Sugar_N_Spice, have you read any of E Lynn's books before? It's an on going story. If you haven't, Start with "Invisible Life" Then take it from there.

This is a bit off topic, but for those who like "literature" in addition to popular fiction, I would recommend...

1. Anything by J. California Cooper (as someone already pointed out)...Some Soul to Keep, Family, ... many others, all great reads.

2. Diane McKinney Whetstone (read Tumbling, Tempest Rising and Blues Dancing in that order, as Tumbling is the best).

3. Zora Neale Hurston (a shameless plug for my soror, but well deserved)...Their Eyes Were Watching God is a classic.

4. Bebe Moore Cambell: her earlier works like Your Blues Aint Like Mine and Brothers and Sisters

Some interesting ones:
The Good Negress by A.J. Verdelle...hard to tell whether I liked it or not, but interesting

The Moaner's Bench by Mars Hill...good imagery...whether you like to book or not is a different story, but also interesting.

Other genres:
-Memoirs of a Geisha by David Golden
-Divine Secrets of the Yaya Sisterhood (can't recall the author)

I also will be subscribing to a book club, so I will be stocking up on some new works to read over the holidays. I'll let you all know what I select.

Best,
Shela



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Finer Womanhood: the "Cat's Meow" Since 1920

Speaking for myself, I like to read these books for entertainment. There are times when I feel like a good intellectual novel and times when I feel like something a little less sublime. When I want a liitle laugh, I read E. Lynn Harris (Kyle used to have me ROTFL), when I want to cry I read Nicholas Sparks, for courtroom drama I read John Grisham, for a good political drama I read Eric Segal and for a good scare, I read Stephen King. For that poetess in me I LOVE Langston Hughes, Robert Frost, and Maya Angelou and for that intellectual challenge, my favorites are Toni Morrison, Earnest Gaines, and a good classical novel (Edgar Allen Poe, Charles Dickens,

Sorry my post got cut off when I hit the wrong button. Anyway, I also like to read Langston Hughes and John Clark's collections of black short stories. I agree with you SkeeBunny that some Black author's books seem to lack challenge and thought (I've read a few). It really just depends on the preferences and expectations of the reader. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I've heard of some of those titles, I think I'll give a few of them a try. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif I think my SF POPLIFE Loves the "Geisha" book too. I've been asking for these suggestions so I too can make great selections from my book club. The prices are less than half the cost I'd been paying here in the book stores!

*lol* Yes!!! "Memoirs of a Geisha" by Arthur Golden is my favorite book of all time. It's interesting to see what Romance and suffering is like in other countries. It taught me that no matter where we are from, we all still yearn for the love of that special someone.

I loved "The Bluest Eye" so much I wrote about it for my final paper in high school english class. I read "Their Eyes Were Watching God" too.

Some of my favorites:

1) The Power of Feminity by Michelle McKinney Hammond
2) Get a Love Life by Michelle McKinney Hammond
3) Kindred by Octavia Butler
4) Your Blues Ain't Like Mine by Bebe Moore Campbell


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I will bless the Lord at ALL times His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalms 34:1, KJV)

Ladies, don't get me wrong. I too enjoy a "no-brainer" book every once in a while for pure entertainment's sake. I have read some great fiction books. My point is that some of these books are just horrible and instead of truly examining the contents of the book, we jump on the E. Lynn, Omar Tyree, Eric Jerome Dickey, etc.. bandwagon and automatically say, "Ooooh girl, it was soooo good http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/rolleyes.gif. Unfortunately, when I start a book, good or bad, I have a compulsive disorder that demands that I finish the entire book http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/mad.gif. Thus, I have read many a bad book.

What boils my blood the most is when someone recommends a book and swears it is the best thing they ever read and then when you read it, you have to seriously question the mental capacity of the recommender.

I was really disappointed in Omar Tyree's "For The Love Of Money" I'm so glad I got it through that book club! There were so many flashbacks that it made it a bit hard to divide the two.(The flashbacks from the current)I'm glad I didn't pay the $24 at Books-a-million.

SkeeBunny, I'm sorry that your experiences have been so bad. Now I know first hand how you feel. We may not agree on the exact books that we've enjoyed, but we certainly agree about the frustrations reading a bad book (In our own opinions)can make us feel http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I got the book club catalogue in the mail today so I'm gonna read into the novel a bit more before selecting.

I actually Liked for the Love of Money. It was not as good as A Do Right Man I admit. Get some books by Eric Jerome Dickey! I have read all his books and it was hot. I just picked up today 'Ain't Nobody's Business if I do' by Valerie Wilson Wesley. Novels by Black AUthors always have a good twist to them. My favorite book of all time is A Do Right Man. The best written book was "Milk in My Coffee" because it taught that you should not judge a book by it's cover. Most fun I had reading a book was Men Cry in the Dark and the most realistic one to me was their eyes were watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.

Finally The Sphinxpoet
IS HERE!

I've read a few of Dickey's books too. There's a black book fair on campus this week and I just wanted to spend all the little money I have! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gifThere were titles there that people are dying to find for $5!!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif Can you believe that price?

Has anyone read Maya Angelou's "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings"? I really enjoyed that.There were lots of kids reading it for the first time today because the price was so low. It did my heart good to see them reading though. So many college students don't read unless they have to for class. When they finally try a novel, they realize that reading can open new worlds for them.

Maya Angelou? Now we're talking about literature. I am her biggest fan.

Have you read her other biographies?

Gather Together In My Name,
Singin' and Swingin' and Getting Merry Like Christmas,
Heart of a Woman,
All God's Children Need Traveilng Shoes

Yes, I just completed Black Like Me by John H. Griffin. It was very insightful.

SkeeBunny:

I couldn't agree with you more. There's something about that whole EJD genre that's not doing it for me.

Have you read "The Intuitionist" by Colson Whitehead? It's an interesting, challenging book by an Af-Am writer. However, I'm making the disclaimer right now that the ending wasn't up to the quality of the rest of the book. So if you read it and don't like it, please don't put me on your list of loony recommenders! lol

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle

Frat and Sisters,

I recently read "Milk in My Coffee." I was very surprised and caught off guard totally. As an English major I am normally on top of things. I did not figure out the "true" correlation of the title and characters until the events unfolded. What a powerful message!

A female colleague asked me read All of Me by Venise Berry. She initially stated that I would better understand the dynamics of weight loss/gain and its impact on women emotionally, physically and socially. I have read half of the book and think it is e x c e l l e n t!!!! I highly recommend this book especially for those that struggle with weight loss/gain and developmental issues.

I just finished "God Don't Like Ugly" by Mary Monroe, and I have to say that I absolutely loved it. I'm not a crying person, but it had me so emotional I was a little ashamed. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/tongue.gif I bought it during finals and had to make myself wait until I was done with exams, but as soon as I got home I finished it in a day and a half. Anybody else read it yet? I'm interested to hear what you thought.

I have also read "God Don't Like Ugly". That book was really good. It made me cry as well. I just felt so sorry that she had to put up with that old man molesting her all those years. And her best friend, whew! she was absolutely scandalous!

Y'all know I looooooooooove to read. I have read 3 books this week alone and am in the midst of #4.

I really liked GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. Good Book.

Yo Yo Love by Daaimah Poole (ookay but needs better editing, major character has issues)

Temptation by Victoria Christopher Murray (excellent spiritual fiction)

Satin Doll (2nd time reading, still good)

I am halfway through 4 GUYS and TROUBLE by Marcus Major ( EXCELLENT)

I also agree that 4 the love of money was not good although waaaaaaay better than Flyy Girl. His best 2 me were Single Mom and Sweet St. Louis.

You know that E. Lynn's new book, ANY WAY THE WIND BLOWS, will be out in July. EJD has a new one coming out this summer as well.

I just want to know where is SHENESKA JACKSON. She is my homegirl.

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He who asks questions cannot avoid the answers.

Rain does not fall on one roof alone.

Words are like eggs: when they are hatched they have wings.

Advise and counsel him; if he does not listen, let adversity teach him.

What one hopes for is always better than what one has.

I must interject....

I'm a new fan of current Afro-Am literature. I haven't read half of these books. Soooo..please please please try not to tell what's going on in the book...i want to read them without knowing what's going on first. Sorry...I'm so excited that i have to hit up my library and take out everything you ladies mentioned as being "good"

Also, books are good and bad based on the reaction of the reader. When I read a book that is bad(IMO The Coldest Winter by Sista Souljah), others love it. So it's hard to group someone based on their literary tastes.

As far as good books go in my opinion,
I have to say OPRAH, OPRAH, OPRAH. The systa selects some quality reading material that takes you away or forces you to step outside your comfort zone. I loved "The Poisonwood Bible", started slow but picked up...I cried like a baby at the end.

New Novel: 'My Brother's Keeper'
 

Sorors,

I was sent this email in regards to a novel by one of our Sorors. If you go to her sight, you will see that she will be at several regional conferences doing book signings. Let's support her:

Hello Soror,
Hope your New Year is off to a wonderful and blessed start. My name is ReShonda Tate Billingsley and I wanted to introduce you to my novel, My Brother's Keeper. It's about three kids that grow up in a dysfunctional family and how it affects them when they become adults. The book has received rave reviews and has been selected as a book-of-the-month for at least 29 book clubs. When you get a moment, please stop by my website at http://www.ReshondaTateBillingsley.com to find out more about the novel. You can also read an excerpt and check out what people are saying on my site. I'm sure if you check it out, you won't be disappointed. The novel is available in area bookstores and on-line at Amazon.com, BN.com and CushCity.com. If you do pick it up, please let me know what you think. Thanks in advance for your support and please, spread the word about the book!

A REAL GOOD BOOK
 

"What You Owe Me" by Bebe Moore Campbell is an excellent read! It is not your typical" man likes woman, he cheats," story. When I bought it I couldn't put it down. It's about this black and jewish woman trying to start a cosmetic business, but then the jewish woman runs off with the money. The black woman's daughter later on tries to get the cosmetic company back. I really don't think my synopsis is doing it justice, so just check it out.

Hey Everyone!! I'm new to this forum but wanted to post about the book 'The Coldest Winter Ever' by Sister Souljah. I absolutely loved that book! Although it might be a little (maybe a lot) vulgar for some, I appreciated the realness that was portrayed.
Ok, that's it for now. I'm looking forward to participating in future discussions with all of you! :D

E. Lynn Harris
 

Has anyone heard about his new book "A Love of My Own"?
I was reading Essence magazine and in the month of Aug. they have this book listed on the 28th. I'm curious if it's the next in line from his previous books.:confused: