This dreck is purported to be the best of Afro American Literature of 2005 ? God help me, half of this list is not literature. How can they place some of these soap operas ahead of Edward P. Jones, Winner of the Freakin Pulitzer Prize or the inestimable Ernest Gaines Would Danielle Steel make the list of recommended Woman's fiction ? I DO NOT THINK SO.
Several years ago, I met a brother who was attempting to start his own bookstore. He had stated that middle class black women were next untapped source of book buyers He was right, unfortunately the wrong folks have tapped that um... source. Now I have never read any of these cocoa soaps like "Milk in my Coffee" or Hustler's Wife (wtf). I am sure that they are entertaining. But if you were to compare the list of what is passing for recommended fiction for the other genre lists generated by this bookseller, you would see that they are doing the Afro American reading public a dis service. But I guess they are trying to sell books and these brown soaps sell, and sell well.
I do urge you however to read Mr. Jones. I first read him in the New Yorker. His work is first rate. He not only writes well, he is a wonderful story teller.
So watch this Space for the Black History Contest ! There will be blood , There will be sweat, there will be a prize!
as for Christmas knitting, I did finish BILs scarf. He is absolutely one of my favorite people although I only see him and my beloved SIL, the Fabulous L once a year. Alpaca with a touch of cashmere. Knit horizonaly in a half linen stitch. Yum !
He was very sweet to pose and consent to have his picture posted in this little blog.
I have finished 2 of my nieces ponchos. The last one is for the twins older sister and I have decided to add pockets and maybe a little shortrowing for shaping.
I have some sad news, my sister, SuSu had a fire in her home that destroyed her bedroom and bathroom. She and her little dogs are fine, but the house is inhabitable. Unfortunately, Mark and I stay with SuSu when we visit the family in NJ. So we will put off going to Jersey until February.
The good news is I can now extend my gift knitting deadline until then.
Only a knitter understands
Happy New Year !
3 comments:
I looked around the Borders site a little and couldn't find the lists at all to see how others compare.
Two years ago I read Tony Morrison's _Beloved_ in February. Last February I was reading a couple of the _Number One Ladies' Detective Agency_ books and wasn't sure they counted, they were so much fun (but I think they're very well written and not just fluff). I'll look for Mr. Jones for next month.
I heard about The Known World when the author was on Oprah a couple of weeks ago. I've wanted to read it since. I shall buy it this weekend.
"unfortunately the wrong folks have tapped that um... source."
That's funny! I must say that I am not much of a reader any more and I haven't been for years. However, a quick scan of that list made it evident to me that it should have been subtitled "Chick Lit--the Chocolate Edition".
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