Second Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge, Weekly Update #4
By APOOO • Apr 26th, 2009 • Category: Second Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge •
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Welcome to Weekly Update #4 for the Second Quarter 2009 African American Reading Challenge! How’s the reading coming? Are you on track?
Share with us the book you just read as well as the book you plan to read next.
The last book I read was Life is Short and Wide by J. California Cooper…it’s signature Cooper with themes about love, education, overcoming hardships, redemption, forgiveness. I was pleasantly surprised as it was better than I anticipated…a little redundant in spots…but definitely better than the last two books I read by her.
Assuming I’m feeling well enough to read after surgery, I hope to read: Par for the Curse, Love Stories and Other Natural Causes and When We Were One. Wish me luck. 
NOTE: I’m still recuperating from surgery…and unable to lift my laptop…so I scheduled this post early…but hopefully when I’m awake (and not in pain) I’m getting plenty of reading down and will be back next week with my Challenge updates. But…please leave lots of comments to let me know how you’re doing as I look forward to reading them when I return.
My Second Quarter Reading List
African American Heiress by Angela Marcano–Week 1; Finished
The After Wife by Lexi Davis
Hand of God by Kotanya Kimbrough; Week 1 Finished
Love Stories and Other Natural Causes
New Kind of Bliss by Bettye Griffin
Par for the Curse by Toyi Ward
The Road is Short but Wide by J. California Cooper–Week 3; Finished
Rush Home Road by Lori Lansen–Week 2; Finished
Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead
Sins of the Father by Angela Benson
The Shack by William Young–Week 1 ; Finished (This book will definitely be in My Top 10 Reads for this year)
Sisters and Husbands by Connie Briscoe–Week 2; Finished
When We Were One by Zaji
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1. Married Strangers by Dwan Abrams – finished
2. The Someday List by Stacy Hawkins Adams – finished
3. Red Light, Green Light by Margaret Johnson-Hodge – finished
4. Serving Justice by Jacqueline Moore – finished
5. Sticks & Stones by Eric Pete
6. A Wish After Midnight by Zetta Elliott
7. The People Next Door by Bettye Griffin
8. How To Bake A Cupcake by H.L. Sweatte
9. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
10. Living Right on Wrong Street by Titua Pollard
11. Secret Daughter by June Crossm – now reading
12. Holy Seduction by Jessica Robinson
13. Finding Joy in Pain by Roslyn Wyche-Hamilton – finished
The last book I read was Finding Joy In Pain by Rosyln Wyche-Hamilton and now I’m reading Secret Daughter by June Cross.
week one: never enough by miasha
week two: queen b***h by deja king and cream by solomon jones
week three: when souls mate by joylynn jossell
currently reading act like a lady think like a man by steve harvey and trophy wife by ashley & jaquavis
Hi Ms. Mary, I hope you’re having a nice weekend. I just finished “So Long a Letter” by Miriama Ba. It’s a winner of the Noma Award. I never heard of the Noma Award. I would like to know more about it.
Now, I’m going to start “A Kwaanzaa Fable” by Eric V.Copage. Ms. Mary, you sure are reading fast. You’re reading some good books too.
Tea´s last blog post..So Long A Letter by Mariama Ba
Ms. Raven and Ms. Mary,
For the challenge, can you read a few books by the same author? Should all the books have a different author? Thanks.
Tea´s last blog post..So Long A Letter by Mariama Ba
Get well soon!
Tea´s last blog post..So Long A Letter by Mariama Ba
Currently reading my third challenge book; Red Light Green Light by Margaret Johnson-Hodge.
Jennifer C´s last blog post..Rose Petals Over Snow
Yas – Best wishes for a speedy recovery
Tea – You can read several books by the same author – you set your own Challenge List
This week I read a couple of books — but once again none on my Challenge list
I read the following:
Freedom’s Fight by Gary Phillips (ARC)
Triangular Road by Paule Marshall
I Am Going Where I Belong – Hans Lindor (ARC)
Feel the Fire – Andrianne Byrd
Mudbound – Hillary Jordan
Currently reading “Burnt Shadows” by Kamila Shamsie and ‘Love Takes Time” by Adrianne Byrd
Feel better!
Get well soon
Speedy Recovery and Many Blessings!
Hoping for a speedy recovery Yas!!!
Here’s my update…
1. Lovers & Liars by Teri Denine-finished
2. Scratchies by Frankie Nicole-finished
3. The List by Sherri Lewis-finished
4. A Heart’s Journey: To Quench a Thirsty Soul by Janice N Adams-finished
5. Red Light Green Light by Margaret Johnson Hodge-finished
6.This Is What I Signed Up For by Jerald Howard-finished
7. The Other Side Of Paradise Staceyann Chin ***STILL READING**
8. Cinnamon Girl Blues by Wilma Brockington
9. Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead
10. Suicide Diaries by Ebonee Monique
11. Diary of an Ugly Duckling by Karyn Langhorne
12. Murder on The Down Low by Pamela Samuels Young
13. My Soul Cries Out by Sherri Lewis
Did them in reverse order than planned because hey, I have to flow with my moods, right? I read God Only Knows by Xavier Knight, crossing another book off my list. I enjoyed this one, although not as much as his debut novel. Very suspenseful.
I’m now reading That Devil Is No Friend Of Mine by JD Mason. My first book by her. Very interesting. She’s a good storyteller.
Next up? Probably According to Their Deeds by Paul Robertson, a Christian suspense. Might throw a Love Inspired quickie in there too.
PatriciaW´s last blog post..Would You Pay $20 To Read Them?
From my list I’ve read:
Now Is The Time To Open Your Heart, Alice Walker
A Deeper Blue, Lee Hayes
Gotham Diaries, Tonya Lee and Crystal McCary
Also read
Sexcapades, Honey B
The Long Fall, Walter Mosley
The Shack, Wm. Paul Young
The List, Sherri Lewis
Basketball Jones, E.Lynn Harris
About to start the Book of Night Women, Marlon James
Wishes you a speedy recovery Yasmin
I am in a reading slump… I have only finished one book .. not quite cause I am still reading and it is slow
Red Light Green Light by M. J Hodge… Man Child goes camping this weekend.. YEAH .. so I hope to clean his room and get some reading done
Although, I didn’t intend it to be, Up at the College turned out to be a challenge book.
Dera Williams´s last blog post..The Help…..Mississippi Goddam
Wishing you a speedy recovery as well.
Cilla I am with you on a slow week. I too read Red Light, Green Light this week as well, and nothing else. I have been working on the baby blanket for my sister.
I am hoping for a better reading week this week.
I have read eight of my thirteen. Yas pray U are better soon. Blessings! Angelia
Yas, wishing you a speedy recovery! You are in my prayers!
This week, I read In The Company of My Sistahs by Angie Daniels from my list, bringing my total up to five books, so far. It’s was an older book, but one of my challenge books, and I’m glad I read it. It was very good, with a lot of drama, interesting characters, and a great storyline. I also read Trouble Loves Company, and I am currently reading Careful of The Company You Keep, also both by Angie Daniels, and #2 and 3 of the trilogy. This is indeed a great series that I would recommend!
My next reads are: The List by Sherri Lewis, Bring On the Blessing by Beverly Jenkins, and Basketball Jones by E.Lynn Harris.
I finished Up at the College. It was horrible and took me a week to read it, thus putting me behind in my reading plans. I just started my fourth book in the challenge, Fledging. Just reading the first few pages, it sounds pretty good, but her killing a deer and eating it raw. UGH,.,, I was reading this while waiting on the doctor, Is that why my blood pressure was up!!!
Yea Yas, hope you are feeling better soon!!!!
cause you know we have to watch DWTS tonight!!
LOL…Jnette I’ve been resting all afternoon just so I would be up for DWTS this week and I need ya’ll to stop by more than ever this week because I am so stir-crazy…lol. See you at 8PM EST.
Finished book ten – KISSING THE MAN NEXT DOOR by Devon Vaughn Archer. Reading book eleven – From Incarceration 2 Incorporation by J.M. Benjamin & Randy Kearse.
I am pleased to report that I have finished two books as indicated by the asterisk. I still have quite a few more books to read, but I remain hopeful that I will meet the challenge or at the very least give it my best effort!
Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill
*Leaving Cecil Street by Diane McKinney-Whetstone (finished reading)
The Beautiful Struggle by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Donovan’s Double Trouble by Monalisa DeGross (children’s)
Run, Jeremiah Run by Mabel Elizabeth Singletary (children’s)
*Ziggy and the Black Dinosaurs The Space Mission Adventure by Sharon Draper (children’s) (finished reading)
Ziggy and the Black Dinosaurs Stars and Sparks on Stage by Sharon Draper (children’s)
God Only Knows by Xavier Knight
Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
Bring on the Blessings by Beverly Jenkins
Something Like Beautiful One Single Mother’s Daughter by Ashe Bandele
The Devil’s No Friend of Mine by JD Mason
Bird by Zetta Elliott (children’s)
Strapped by Al- Saadiq Banks – Finished (Week One)
From A Thug 2 A Man by C-Note – Finished (Week Two)
Murder On The Down Low by Pamela Samuels Young- Finished (Week Three)
Love Lost Da Game R. Trent Rose- (Currently Reading)
Naughty 2 My Way Or The Highway by Brenda Hampton
Mistress Me by Venesha
Money Sex & Murda by Real Live
Shameless Hoodwives by Mink & Diamond
Single Husbands by Honey B
Something Like Beautiful by Asha Bandele
The Tommy Good Story II Leondrei Prince
The Hood Life by Mink & Diamond
Wrongfully Mine by Isadore Johnson
Nardsbaby´s last blog post..Nardsbaby gave 5 stars to: Murder on the Down Low
Yaz,
Get well soon!
4 down 9 to go
1. Thirsty-Mike Sanders——————-FINISHED
2. Wrongfully Mine-Isadore Johnson
3. Disciplined-Allison Hobbs
4. Push Comes To Shove-Oasis
5. Ruthless Dictator-Rumont Tekay———–FINISHED
6. Uncrossing Her Legs-T.D. Patterson —–FINISHED
7. Glory-Deborah Jones————————FINISHED
8. The Raw Essentials Of Human Sexuality-D.V. Bernard
9. Obsessed-Delilah Devlin
10. Auctioned-Kimberly Kaye Terry
11. Butta Cuttz-Arlene Brathwaite ( smile Jennifer)
12. Wild Innocence-Moody Holliday
13. Officer Down-Mo Shines
I have completed Drama in the Church and More Drama in the Church both by Dynah Zale, Playing God by Michelle McKinney Hammond and The Single Mom’s Little Book of Wisdom by Cassandra Mack which is not on my list. Currently reading That Devil’s No Friend of Mine by JD Mason (not on my list) and will be starting Single Mama Drama by Kayla Perrin.
6 books left to complete
1.Hood Life-completed
2.Playing Dirty-completed
3.2’s Enough 3’s A Crowd-completed
4.Where Theres Smoke-completed
5.A Rose Among Thorns-completed
6.Black And Ugly As Ever-completed
7.The Ski Mask Way-completed
8.Betrayed
9.Stained Cotton
10.The Pink Palace
11.We Belong Together
12.Down Low Double Life
13.Summer’s Distant Echoes
I read seven of the thirteen last month. May will be more demanding and my time for reading will be limited, so I hope to read at least three on the list.
(1) The King’s Rifle – Biyi Bandele (4/3)
(2) Sag Harbor – Colson Whitehead
(3) Lost River – David Fulmer (4/4)
(4) Rush Home Road – Lori Lansens (4/11)
(5) Mudbound – Hillary Jordan (4/8)
(6) Beulah Hill – William Heffernan (4/13)
(7) Ella Minnow Pea – Mark Dunn (4/7)
(8) Shadow Valley – Steven Barnes
(9) Lover Man – Geneva Holiday
(10) Black Water Rising – Attica Locke (In Process)
(11) Quakertown – Lee Martin
(12) Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man – Steve Harvey
(13) The Color of Lightning – Paulette Jiles (4/9)
Good to see everyone diligently attacking their Second Qtr. Challenge list…someone might win that amazon.com gift certificate this qtr…and oh yeah I haven’t forgotten about last quarters bookmarks…working with designer now to revise the artwork and then off to the printer we go.
Where Did You Sleep Last Night by Danzy Senna – Completed 4 Stars
Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead – Completed 4 Stars
Life is Short but Wide – J California Cooper Completed 3.5 Stars
The Long Fall – Walter Mosely Completed 4 Stars
A Fortunate Age by Joann Rakoff Completed 3 Stars
Sisters and Husbands by Connie Briscoe Completed 4 Stars
The Shack by Wm Young
Keep the Faith by Faith Evans
Maynard and Jennica Completed 3 Stars
Fledging by Octavia Butler
Finding Joy in Pain by Roslyn Wyche-Hamilton
Up Pops The Devil by Angela Benson Completed 3.5 Stars
Sinful Too by Victor McGlothin Completed 3.5 Stars
Nine completed, Four to go…
angelia
Angelia´s last blog post..Sometimes…