First Quarter 2009 African American Reading Challenge WRAP UP
By APOOO • Apr 1st, 2009 • Category: Second Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge •
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Hey everyone…time to wrap up the First Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge and begin the Second Quarter Challenge (Week 1 status update will begin the week of April 5th). So…how did you do? Share your thoughts…answer the questions below in the comment section.
How many books did you read during the First Quarter (January 2009 – March 2009)
How many of the books were on your ORIGINAL Challenge list?
If you haven’t listed your challenge books before…list them below.
What was your favorite book? Why?
Have you come up with the books for the Second Quarter Challenge yet? If so, please don’t forget to list them here.
CONGRATULATIONS TO FIRST QUARTER 2009 PARTICIPANTS (Who Read at Least 13 books)
Angelia
Beverly
Brooklyn Darkchild
Crystal (aka Nardsbaby)
Dawn
Dera
Dona
Donnica
Jeanette
Jennifer C.
Jessica
Kay
Lashanda
LaShonda
Leona
Linda
Monique Bruner
Ms. Mary
Ms. Toni
Nicole098
Patricia W.
Phyllis
Priscilla
Sharon
Tangerine
Uranie
Note: If you signed-up for the Challenge and read at least 13 books, and your name is NOT listed below, please let me know so that APOOO can recognize you.
Also, EVERYONE, please email me or leave a comment and let me know how you want your name listed on the bookmark.
THANKS AGAIN to all the participants and look forward to your participation for the Second Quarter 2009 African American Literature Reading Challenge. Don’t forget…to sign-up…CLICK HERE. Note: The rules are the same as for the First Quarter Challenge. Yes there will be prizes again…bookmarks for everyone who participates and reads at least 13 books and a $25 or a $50 gift certificate from amazon or American Express will be awarded (randomly selected) to ONE person who reads all the books on their original list.
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APOOO is a book club and an online author and reader community dedicated to advancing African American literature. Our mission is to expose readers of all ages to a good book in any genre; to support African American authors, books, literary events and bookclubs; to provide marketing resources, tools and tips to authors; and, to promote literacy within the African American community.
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Yippee…yes I finished ALL the books on my list…it was an exhilarating feeling to complete the challenge in the 11th hour. I’m picking my books very carefully for the Second Quarter Challenge as I don’t want to come down to the wire again trying to finish books that I’m not sure I want to read to begin with…lol.
I read a total of 20 books.
I read 9 out of the 13.
I’ve listed them on several other postings.
Out of all 20 books my favorite was This Side of Paradise by Staceyann Chin. I liked the imagery and the overcoming obstacles and road blocks to become the perso she wanted to be. It was a very good empowering book.
From my challenge list my favorite would be Belle by Bevery Jenkins, because it was a quick light and airy read with a strong subject matter (slavery). In a way it was another book where they overcame the obstacles of life to be happy.
I have posted my 2nd qtr list. I also did it a little different. I picked quite a few books that would be fast reads. And have a few that will probably take some extra time to read.
Congrats everyone. Let the reading begin.
Jennifer C´s last blog post..Tasteless Cookies
As for my name on the bookmark: Bizarre JC Martin.
Jennifer C´s last blog post..Tasteless Cookies
How many books did you read during the First Quarter (January 2009 – March 2009)?
>> I completed 29 books for the quarter.
How many of the books were on your ORIGINAL Challenge list?
>> Eight:
1. Blonde Roots – Bernardine Evaristo (reviewed)
2. Eve – Elissa Elliot
3. Where The Line Bleeds – Jesmyn Ward (reviewed)
4. The Thirteenth – L. A. Banks
5. The Ties That Bind: A Memoir of Race, Memory and Redemption – Bertice Berry (reviewed)
6. The Book of Night Women – Marlon Jones (reviewed)
7. That Devil’s No Friend of Mine – J. D. Mason (reviewed)
8. Life Is Short But Wide – J. California Cooper (reviewed)
If you haven’t listed your challenge books before…list them below.
>>I’d listed them before.
What was your favorite book? Why?
>>From the challenge list — hands down, The Book of Night Women, see my Amazon review for details.
>> Other fav’s from the quarter but not on Challenge List: The Vagrants and Still I Rise.
Name on Bookmark: Phyllis (if you’re using last names Phyllis Rhodes is fine)
I read 13 books but am not listed.
How do you do updates?
I read a total of 13 books during the challange. I don’t remember what all my challange books were. I do know that most of the books that I read were not on my list, because I read any decent book I could find at the library. My favorite book from the challange would have to be Stackin Paper by Deja King or Red Light Special by Risque. I want my bookmark to say Ms. Mary please
I read 24 books during challenge quarter…
Angelia on my bookmark
Blessings!
Angelia´s last blog post..FEELINGS ARE AGELESS…
January
Pecking Order, Omar Tyree
The Best Kept Secret, Kimberla Lawson Roby
Red Sky, Renee Alexis
Take Me Down, Sylvia Lett
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Alexander McCall Smith
Love & Lies, Kimberla Lawson Roby
Red Light Special, Risque
Sin No More, Kimberla Lawson Roby
Purple Panties II, Zane
February
She Had It Coming, Mary Monroe
The Someday List, Stacy Hawkins Adams
Married Strangers, Dwan Abrams
What doesn’t Kill You, Virginia DeBerry & Donna Grant
Red Light Green Light, Margaret Johnson Hodge
Illusions, Wanda B. Campbell
Single Husbands, Honey B
The Best of Everything, Kimberla Lawson Roby
Basketball Jones, E. Lynn Harris
The List, Sherri Lewis
P.G. County, Connie Briscoe
March
Can’t Get Enough, Connie Briscoe
God Don’t Like Ugly, Mary Monroe
Two Rivers, T. Greenwood
Deadly Charm, Claudia Mair Burney
No Matter What, Caramel Vixen (E-book)
God Still Don’t Like Ugly, Mary Monroe
God Don’t Play, Mary Monroe
In Deep Waters, Karin Kallmaker & Radclyffe
That Devil’s No Friend of Mine, J.D. Mason
I don’t think I read any from my original list…if I did maybe 2 or 3…LOL!!!
My favorite was That Devil’s No Friend of Mine…a quick read, held me captive from beginning to end.
I would like on my bookmark: areadingdiva.
Thxs Yas!!!!
I read all the books from my original list. My favorite is The Book of Night Women. Learned a great deal about salvery in the carribean.
Yes I would like my name listed on the bookmark
How many books did you read during the First Quarter (January 2009 – March 2009)?
I read 33 books in the 1st Quarter
How many of the books were on your ORIGINAL Challenge list?
7 were on my original list
1. Crossing the Continent
2. The Ties That Bind
3. The More Things Change (Reviewed)
4. Blonde Roots
5. The Book of Night Women
6. The Thirteenth
7. The Right Mistake
If you haven’t listed your challenge books before…list them below.
I have listed them before
What was your favorite book? Why?
The Night of Book Women – HF that takes place on a Jamaican plantation – well researched – engaging story with a primary and secondary storylines – twists in the story that you were not expecting as the right moment
Bookmark Name: Beverly
I read 16 books during the challenge. I think I read 8 from my list!! But I’m going to be ON IT for the 2nd Quarter Challenge!
)
“Nica The Diva” for my bookmark! Hee hee hee! LOL!!
Thanks Yas!!!!!!!!!
29 books, including my 13 challenge books. “Patricia” on my bookmark.
Pulling together a 2nd quarter list is feeling a bit more difficult. Maybe because I cleaned out most of my TBR pile. Have to go to my list.
PatriciaW´s last blog post..Those Dreadful Squiggly Lines
My name on the book mark: Dera R Williams
I read 23 books during the first quarter.
I didn’t do so bad, I read 11 that was on my original 1st quarter challenge blog.
The most challenging book was A Mercy by Toni Morrison. Need I say more?
My favorite book was Red Light, Green Light by Margaret Hodge Johnson.
I will do a second quarter challenge blog and post a link on the Second Quarter Challenge. tonight.
Dera Williams´s last blog post..Going to Tea….on a Sunday Afternoon
I read 23 books in the first quarter.
I read 12 or the 13 on my original list.
Jeanette is what I would like for the bookmark.
Yeah for me….Posted next challenge list already…..
And my name shall be…..
LaShonda K Silver
Thanks Yas!
Lashonda´s last blog post..Finer Womanhood Week & Month
My name on the bookmark: Nardsbaby
How many books did you read during the First Quarter (January 2009 – March 2009)
32 books
How many of the books were on your ORIGINAL Challenge list? 12
What was your favorite book?
The more I look over my list I realize that I had more than one favorite. ‘Trouble In My Way’ by Michelle Stimpson was one of my favorites in the YA department because the girl battled with right and wrong decisions. I liked that it didn’t make it seem like such an easy task. ‘The Bishop’s Daughter’ by Tiffany L. Warren was another of my favorites in Christian fiction. I enjoyed the viable characteristics and how people who know the word are also struggling daily to not only be examples, but keep themselves on the right path. ‘In Firm Pursuit’ by Paula Samuels Young is hands down my favorite mystery. I enjoy how she’s able to pull you right into the thick of things from start to finish. Urban Lit is a toss up. Newcomer Randy Ski Thompson pulled me all the way in with his cliffhanger and I have to tell you, while the title, ‘Ski Mask Way’ gives you a very clear indication, the camaraderie and loyalty speaks volumes. Now as for erotica, clearly only one book on my list fits that bill, ‘The Sweetest Taboo’ by Risque. Admittedly, the sex was plentiful, but I was totally captured by the unique bond shared by Yuri and Britt. They should top the list for the best couple on the post we did a few weeks back.
Okay, so I didn’t do just one title, but I at least added some flavor to the mix!
Nardsbaby´s last blog post..Nardsbaby gave 4 stars to: The Sweetest Taboo
I didn’t meet my 13 book goal but will try to do so this go around. Congrats to all that read 13 or more books.
How did you do? Share your thoughts…The Challenge was fun. Got a chance to get some books off my shelf that had been there for awhile. Hope to do the same with the second quarter.
How many books did you read during the First Quarter (January 2009 – March 2009) I read 32 books.
How many of the books were on your ORIGINAL Challenge list? Of my original list I read 9, I believe.
What was your favorite book? Why? It would have to be a tie with EASTSIDE by Caleb Alexander and FAST LANE by Eyone Williams. Both deal with the lure of the streets that many of our young males face and the hard consquences. Neither book glorified the lifestyle, but instead showed the dark side of the decisions some make.
Have you come up with the books for the Second Quarter Challenge yet? Yep.
Ms. Toni´s last blog post..Ms Toni gave 5 stars to: Fast Lane
Here is my list for the 13 book 2nd Quarter Challenge. Tune in to see how I do!
1- Dying for Revenge by Eric Jermone Dickey (Reading now April 1)
2 -Krik Krak by Edwidge Duncat(this is a RLR book)
3- Standing in the Storm by Breena Clarke
4-In the Night of the Heat by Blair Underwood
5-Water for Elephant – Sara Cruen
6-Real Ladies Read Book for May
7-Blackgammon by Heather Neff
8-To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
9- The Long Fall by Walter Mosley
10-Real Ladies Read June Book
11-The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
12-Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
13. Them By Nathan Mccall
Congratulations to everyone on Your First Quarter Challenge reads!!
I read 14 books for the First Quarter Challenge.
Of the 14 books, only 10 were on my original challenge list.
My original list was:
In Love With A Younger Many by Cheryl Robinson (completed)
The Best of Everything by Kimberla Lawson Roby (completed)
Just Too Good To Be True by E. Lynn Harris (completed)
Pecking Order by Omar Tyree
A Preacher’s Passion by Lutishia Lovely (completed)
Keep The Faith by Faith Evans (completed)
Sinful Chocolate by Adrianne Byrd (completed)
Tale of A Train Wreck Lifestyle by Crystal Lacey Winslow (completed)
She Had It Coming by Mary Monroe (completed)
Want Some Get Some by Pam Ward (completed)
Single Mama Drama by Kayla Perrin
Something On The Side by Carl Weber
Preacherman Blues by Jihad (completed)
I also read:
Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man by Steve Harvey
I Promise by Adrianne Byrd
Essence of Desire by Brenda Jackson
Tall Dark Westmoreland by Brenda Jackson
My favorite book was Want Some Get Some! It was an excellent debut novel with great character development and non-stop action until the last page. It was unpredictable and I did not know what was going to happen until the very end. Great read and I will read her second book as part of the Second Quarter challenge.
Name on Bookmark: Jessica or Jessica Garrett (if you’re including last names!)
Congratulations Everyone!!
I read 21 books during the first Quarter – 10 were from my Challenge List.
Favorite Book – Really it was a surprise – Tall Dark Westmoreland – B Jackson. It was exciting and sexy and Defying Desire by AC Arthur
Least favorite : The Right Misake by Walter Mosley
The Book mark – BookManiac
Thought I would stop thru before calling it a night. I will come back tomorrow to answer the questions. I would like Lashanda Oakes as the name on the bookmark.
How many books did you read during the First Quarter?
I read the requisite thirteen; some days it didn’t even look like I was gonna make that.
How many of the books were on your ORIGINAL Challenge list?
Surprisingly, six of them; Which is half cause my original list only had 12 books on it
What was your favorite book? Why?
Orange Mint and Honey, hands down. Gutsy, earthy, real life characters who literally jumped off the page and into my psyche. One of the most well written books I’ve read this year. It gave me a Vocabulary Epiphany: I realized what the word Poignant actually means.
Have you come up with the books for the Second Quarter Challenge yet?
Don’t think I’m gonna participate. I hate to commit to something I’m not absolutely sure I’m gonna finish, and I have two books to get out this year. This was really fun though.
Here are the 13 I read:
1st Quarter Update 2009 Apooo Reading Challenge
The Right Mistake Walter Mosley
Where The Line Bleeds Jesmyn Ward
Schae’s Story Angelia Vernon Menchan
The Soloist Steve Lopez
Something Like Beautiful ashe bandele
The Skull Cage Key Michael Marriott
The Ancestors LA Banks, Tananarive Due
Brandon Massey
The Prisoners Wife ashe bandele
How Did I Get So Busy Valorie Burton
Bring On The Blessings Beverly Jenkins
Skin Game Lawrence Ross
The Devil’s No Friend Of Mine J D Mason
Push Saphire
I read 3 from list..I will do better LOL
Linda
I forgot to answer..The Soloist, The Devil’s No Friend of Mine AND Schae’s Story were my favorite reads but The Right Mistake was up there as well. All are books I would read again.
Linda
As you can see, I am a little behind. Sorry for my delay. During first quarter, I read 17 books. 13 were my challenge books. I can’t pinpoint which was my favorite. I enjoyed them all. It took me a moment to come up with a list for the second quarter but I did.
My second quarter list is as follows:
Drama in the Church
More Drama in the Church both by Dynah Zale
Playing God by Michelle McKinney Hammond
Single Mama Drama by Kayla Perrin
Running from Mercy by Terra Little
Basketball Jones by E Lynn Harris
The Company We Keep by Mary Monroe
More Single Mama Drama by Kayla Perrin
Where’s There Smoke by Terra Little
The Ties that Bind by Bertice Berry
Jewel by Beverly Jenkins
Orange Mint and Honey by Carleen Brice
The Last Ten Percent by Michelle McKinney Hammond
Lashonda I read the following books on your list:
The Ties That Bind by Bertice Berry
Orange Mint and Honey by Carleen Brice (one of my all-time favorites)
Running From Mercy by Terra Little
Basketball Jones by E. Lynn Harris
The Company We Keep by Mary Monroe (can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this one)
Yasmin´s last blog post..On the ‘Net with Author Tiffany Warren