Maurice Posted July 29, 2019 Report Posted July 29, 2019 About a quarter way through Travellng Soul, a biography on Curtis Mayfield by Todd Mayfield. Dipping into Jimmys Blues, a small volume of Baldwins poetry. A lovely gift from my daughter. 3 1
Troy Posted July 29, 2019 Report Posted July 29, 2019 I'm reading a few books but am primarily focused on Evil Never Sleeps: Tales of Light and Darkness, by Robert Fleming. Robert is one of America’s most accomplished writers. He has written poetry, novels, nonfiction articles, and has reviewed over 60 books for AALBC. His work spans over 40 years. It seems to me that writers like Robert should be better known, but he is just your run of the mill late-middle-aged Black man {yawn}. He’s not Caribbean or African, he’s not LGBT, he does not have a white parent, he can’t rap or dunk a basketball, he wasn’t gang banger or previously incarcerated. He is the kind of writer that I always complain about being ignored by the mainstream media. Robert's accomplishments will never go viral on twitter despite his significant contributions to our literature. 1 1 1
Delano Posted July 29, 2019 Report Posted July 29, 2019 Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Baldwin Fledgling by Octavia Butler Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Baldwin Fledgling by Octavia Butler 2 1
Troy Posted August 4, 2019 Report Posted August 4, 2019 I just added Todd's book about his father to the website. Mayfield is actually one of my favorite artists. I always discover interesting books on "What Are You Reading?" threads. Hopefully more folks will chime in. 1
Maurice Posted August 4, 2019 Author Report Posted August 4, 2019 Great news,Troy. I put Curtis right up there with Otis and James Browm. A marvellous writer with so many songs with a message. And it would be great to see others chip in
Maurice Posted August 7, 2019 Author Report Posted August 7, 2019 This is something I'm NOT reading as its a new book for young adults and coming out very soon. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walter-naegle-book-signingdiscussion-troublemaker-for-justice-tickets-68137913333 2
Delano Posted August 9, 2019 Report Posted August 9, 2019 Curtis Mayfield said the movie Superfly didn't glorify drug dealers, it was a story about redemption.
Troy Posted August 9, 2019 Report Posted August 9, 2019 His sound track was I have to watch the movie again to see how he justifies that statement.
Maurice Posted August 10, 2019 Author Report Posted August 10, 2019 About to start this. Looking forward to it. 13 hours ago, Troy said: His sound track was I have to watch the movie again to see how he justifies that statement. I haven't watched the film itself in years but listen occasionally to the soundtrack. Usually pick out a Mayfield album at random. His debut and Roots are amazing.
Maurice Posted September 5, 2019 Author Report Posted September 5, 2019 Almost finished Stokely, a Life and am about to start Harold Cruse' Crisis of the Negro Intellectual.
Troy Posted September 5, 2019 Report Posted September 5, 2019 Im reading Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
Guest heyteachme Posted September 10, 2019 Report Posted September 10, 2019 I just finished reading Ginger Bread by Helen Oyeyemi.
Troy Posted September 24, 2019 Report Posted September 24, 2019 I finished Queenie a couple of weeks ago and posted this short description.
Guest Lana Jean Mitchell Posted October 22, 2019 Report Posted October 22, 2019 I'm reading a couple of books; Akata Warrior by Nnedi Okorafor and Elements of Fiction by Walter Moseley.
Maurice Posted October 29, 2019 Author Report Posted October 29, 2019 Around 15 pages from the end of The Crisis of the Negro Intellectual. Phew..... longest book I've read in a while at about 520 pages. Anyway, next up is this which I'm dieing for. 2
Troy Posted October 31, 2019 Report Posted October 31, 2019 Hey @Maurice The Crisis of the Negro Intellectual is a classic. I have not read it. What do you think about it? Does reasonate today?
Maurice Posted October 31, 2019 Author Report Posted October 31, 2019 I'll be honest about this book. I'd say quite easily that a good quarter of this went right over my head. I simply couldn't understand some of the passages. Now,I'm not sure why exactly. Perhaps, I'm not 'educated' enough. It was tough going at times and I'm kind of relieved I've finished. But it wasn't all bad. The introduction left me bewildered, well the part saying that the only notable thing Leroi Jones did after 1965 was to change his name. But this was said by Stanley Crouch. Cruse himself knew Leroi and didn't particularly have a bad word to say about the man. Baldwin came under some criticism as did Lorraine Hansberry. W.E.B Du Bois rightfully came out unscathed. The young generation (at the time,1967) of Black Power individuals, though no names were mentioned, apart from Stokely, were put right. Black nationalism did not have a future. 1
Troy Posted November 5, 2019 Report Posted November 5, 2019 Baracka did quite a bit after he changed his name, but the world changed and his popularity waned. The iconoclastic Crouch would be able to relate. It wiuld be interesting to read anything negative saud about Baldwin. I can't imagine whar that might be... probably worth reading the book for that reason alone. As far as Black Nationalism if he meant within the U.S. you did nit exactly need a crystal ball. I just started: The Secret of Freedom by Vernon Kitabu Turner It is supposed to be sort of like a cross between The Alchemist and The Little Prince ...I think 1
Maurice Posted November 5, 2019 Author Report Posted November 5, 2019 The book , as I said, was a struggle. And at around 560 pages seemed a little too long. Perhaps, post 1967 Crouch changed his mind regarding Baracka. I like to think so. And yes, Black Nationlism in the US hadn't a future.
Maurice Posted January 11, 2020 Author Report Posted January 11, 2020 Just started this, the second in the trilogy though I've already read Detroit 67 and Harlem 69. 1
Troy Posted January 12, 2020 Report Posted January 12, 2020 I just finished Genesis Starts Again. It is a novel written for preteens but I would absolutely recommend it to older readers and even adults. I currently rereading The Mis-Education of the Negro because if it actively speaks to our current predicament, I'm going to actively sell it in the real world. I'm also read The Famished Road as it generally regarded to be a great work of literature and I need to read some great literature now. I was pleased to discover my copy was signed to me by Ben Okri years ago (I'd forgotten ) 1 1
Maurice Posted January 18, 2020 Author Report Posted January 18, 2020 Just starting the second chapter. Pretty good so far.
Maurice Posted February 3, 2020 Author Report Posted February 3, 2020 Virtually finished the above book and will immediately start on this. 1
Mel Hopkins Posted February 9, 2020 Report Posted February 9, 2020 (edited) I'm not reading any books by black authors right now - but my next to last purchase from AALBC.store was Here's another book I thought about today but it's not available here. I suspect this young man is one to watch. He's a yale/harvard graduate but says he has no interest in politics. I wrote a blog post on him in 2014...when he was on the cusp of launching his nonprofit, MBAs Across America that placed business people with nonprofits to help them achieve their goals. He says he believes in purpose over profits which is definitely not the American way. And this is what made me think of you @Troy because you mentioned in a post on here, that black people tend to "give" their talents away to big corporate. Anyway, I wanted to link to aalbc for this memoir but it's not here. I'll link to penguin for now. Edited February 9, 2020 by Mel Hopkins Changed the nonprofit description
Troy Posted February 11, 2020 Report Posted February 11, 2020 Thanks @Mel Hopkins the books on the site are just the ones I'm aware of, so your posting it here puts it on my "readar" and that of others reading this conversation. 1
Mel Hopkins Posted February 11, 2020 Report Posted February 11, 2020 15 hours ago, Troy said: the books on the site are just the ones I'm aware of, so your posting it here puts it on my "readar" and that of others reading this conversation. @Troy Great minds think a like lol..that was my goal. I didn't want to assume you or others didn't know about it - so "phrasing" to showcase works best :D 1
Maurice Posted February 24, 2020 Author Report Posted February 24, 2020 Just started this. A Xmas pressie.
Walkman93 Posted February 27, 2020 Report Posted February 27, 2020 About half way through King Leopold's Ghost
Troy Posted February 28, 2020 Report Posted February 28, 2020 Just finished Where the Crawdad's Sing. Picked it up in the 50% off bin at an airport bookstore. It was a decent story, perfect formula for a movie; story about love with a white female lead who over comes adversity dealt by several abusive white men, strong peripheral Black characters, beautiful setting. Good ending. The cover is not right given the story.
Guest Jhohadli Posted March 15, 2020 Report Posted March 15, 2020 Just finished the audio book of Tayari Jones’ An American Marriage. A really good and really relevant read though I admit that Silver Sparrow is still my favourite by this author (and I think I would have enjoyed it more if I’d read the physical copy). I blogged about it: https://jhohadli.wordpress.com/joannes-extra-ness/blogger-on-books-vlll-2020
Gale Frazier Posted March 17, 2020 Report Posted March 17, 2020 I am reading Bring On the Blessings by Beverly Jenkins and Finding Samuel Lowe by Paula Williams Madison I have not only read but wrote this book and would love someone read this book, Commitment, Service, Betrayal. After reading it, I would be most appreciative for a review.
Marion Hill Posted March 18, 2020 Report Posted March 18, 2020 I'm currently reading Paradise by Toni Morrison. I'm about halfway through it and this is my third time reading a Morrison novel (Jazz and Song of Solomon) are the other two books I've read by her. Morrison makes you work as a reader and you have to pay attention closely. I will share a full review when I finish.
Maurice Posted March 18, 2020 Author Report Posted March 18, 2020 This looked a little 'academic' at first but turning out to be a good read.
Maurice Posted April 4, 2020 Author Report Posted April 4, 2020 About to start on this. Don't know much about Chicago soul apart from the Impressions, the Dells and the Chi-lites so should be a informative read.
Maurice Posted April 17, 2020 Author Report Posted April 17, 2020 Very pleased to get this at a reasonable price.
Guest tolly devlin Posted April 19, 2020 Report Posted April 19, 2020 Move on Up is a great book that examines the music & society of Chicago's Soul music scene. I have just finished two books by young Chicago authors Stateway Gardens By Jasmon Drain , a book of short stories & Everywhere You Don't Belong by Gabriel Bump. Also reading & rereading some Baldwin for Evanston's year of Baldwin ( hopefully it will be continued once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted). Also reading a book of interviews with Percival Everett & various 33&1/3 books on Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, The Wild Tchoupitoulas & Jimi Hendrix. The Baraka autobiography is avery good book. Read it when it first came out, got him to sign it when he came thru Chicago at one of our long gone Black booksellers.
Maurice Posted April 20, 2020 Author Report Posted April 20, 2020 16 hours ago, Guest tolly devlin said: Move on Up is a great book that examines the music & society of Chicago's Soul music scene. I have just finished two books by young Chicago authors Stateway Gardens By Jasmon Drain , a book of short stories & Everywhere You Don't Belong by Gabriel Bump. Also reading & rereading some Baldwin for Evanston's year of Baldwin ( hopefully it will be continued once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted). Also reading a book of interviews with Percival Everett & various 33&1/3 books on Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, The Wild Tchoupitoulas & Jimi Hendrix. The Baraka autobiography is avery good book. Read it when it first came out, got him to sign it when he came thru Chicago at one of our long gone Black booksellers. Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed Move on Up. Ah, see you have a interest in Hendrix. I've many books on the great man. Which Baldwin books are you rereading ? Oh, why don't you register with the forum?
Guest tolly devlin Posted April 22, 2020 Report Posted April 22, 2020 The books scheduled for Evanston's Year of Baldwin are Go Tell it On The Mountain, which I have read twice, Another Country which I read in college back in the 70's & Giovanni's Room ,which I have not read. BTW I have registered with this group several times but apparently it must have lapsed.
Maurice Posted April 24, 2020 Author Report Posted April 24, 2020 On 22 April 2020 at 1:10 PM, Guest tolly devlin said: The books scheduled for Evanston's Year of Baldwin are Go Tell it On The Mountain, which I have read twice, Another Country which I read in college back in the 70's & Giovanni's Room ,which I have not read. BTW I have registered with this group several times but apparently it must have lapsed. Have you read any of Baldwins essays at all? The Fire Next Time is excellent. If you have trouble registering please contact Troy. These three little gems are well worth a read.
Maurice Posted April 25, 2020 Author Report Posted April 25, 2020 Bought this book from a indie in London. I'm fact, they published it too. 1
Maurice Posted May 7, 2020 Author Report Posted May 7, 2020 Bought this a while back. Only just started reading it. Loosely based on the Emmett Till murder. 1
Maurice Posted May 13, 2020 Author Report Posted May 13, 2020 Finally, Ive got around to reading this. Finally. 1
Slaise Posted May 15, 2020 Report Posted May 15, 2020 I'm a big fan of beautifully crafted illustrations and a diverse cast of characters. The children dance off the pages, assisted by colorful graphics and an endearing message to get moving! 1
Kiran H. J. Dellimore Posted May 25, 2020 Report Posted May 25, 2020 I am about 1/3 of the way through Hiroona - An Historical Romance in Poetic Form, which is about the 2nd Carib War in St Vincent and the great paramount Black Carib (Garifuna) chief Chatoyer. Before that I finished Segu by Maryse Conde which was an enthralling historical fiction novel. I wrote a review about it here on my blog. Highly recommended reading!
Chevdove Posted May 28, 2020 Report Posted May 28, 2020 I AM EXCITED! I am waiting now for my book that I just purchased from this community: BARRACOON by Nora Neale Hurston. Oh, I am so excited. This book is my passion. My ancestor--my Great grandmother was stolen from East Africa many years after the Slave Ship Trade was supposed to be outlawed! Like this book, which is about a man who was stolen from West Africa and survived the voyage in 1860 and lived to tell his story, likewise my Great grandmother lived to be old. Her story was passed down through my relatives and she lived to be 'just' over 100 years old. One of my aunt who knew her, just died last year! And, I learned a lot about my Great grandmother from her and others. So, I am looking forward to reading Barracoon! WHAT AM I READING RIGHT NOW!? Well although this author is NOT African American, however, for right now, I am reading his book and it is amazing! The book is called A Dwelling Place by Erksine Clarke. It is about slavery in Georgia. He is a Harvard Graduate and his book won awards. It's so hard to put down. I have read about 400 pages into the total 600+ pages. 1
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