First Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge, Weekly Update #5
By APOOO • Feb 1st, 2009 • Category: First Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge •
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Hey hey APOOO Challengers! Welcome to the first week of February and week five of the First Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge. First, I interrupt this regularly scheduled program to say CONGRATS to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Mike Tomlin, the winners of the 43rd Super Bowl. 
Now, back to the African American Literature First Quarter 2009 Reading Challenge. So, what did you read last week (from your list) and what do you plan to read this week?
I’ll go first. Last week, I didn’t read anything from the list. I was ahead so I took a break and read something from my To Read Pile. I picked up The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. Loved it and share my thoughts HERE. Here’s my thirteen books for the First Quarter 2009 Reading List with updates:
The Air Between Us by Deborah Johnson
The Black Girl Next Door by Jennifer Baszille
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
Deadly Charm by Claudia Mair
In Love with a Younger Man by Cheryl Robinson–Completed; Week Three Read
The Island of Eternal Love by Daina Chaviano
Schae’s Story by Angelia Menchan–Completed;Week One Read
Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill
That Devil’s No Friend of Mine by J. D. Mason
The Ties that Bind by Bertice Berry
What Doesn’t Kill You by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant; Completed, Week Four Read
Where the Lines Bleed by Jesmyn Ward; Completed, Week Two Read
Where There’s Smoke by Terra Little
This week I plan to read Where There is Smoke by Terra Little and Deadly Charm by Claudia Mair. Will be back next week to discuss both of them. Now, your turn. Leave a comment below to let us know what you read last week and what you plan to read this week.
NOTE: If this is your first time visiting APOOO or you need more details regarding what this challenge is, CLICK HERE.
Until next week, keep reading those books and HAPPY READING. See you here (same time) next Sunday for Weekly Update #6.
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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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Im so behind and have adjusted my reading list. I will have to post another time. Im going to try and read Forever My Lady by Jeff Rivera tomorrow
I’m in the same place I was last week, still reading The Red Tent. (sigh). I mean it’s good, very good. I just haven’t had any time.
Dera´s last blog post..Cuban Concert Redux
How do I add a gravatar
I didn’t read much last week. I had to do some catching up for school. However, I’m almost done with My Brother Is A Baller by Dorrie Williams-Wheeler.
Jennifer C.´s last blog post..Virginia DeBerry & Donna Grant
Dera and Jennifer, there’s always this week.
Linda, I’ll email you details for a gravatar.
Again, I strayed from my list, but I did read 6 books over the past week. I didn’t report last week but I finished Blessed Trinity by Vanessa Davis Griggs and Better On Top by Delilah Dawson both of which are on my list. My reading plans for this week are Strongholds and If Memory Serves.
Wow Kay six books over the last week…you’re a reading dynamo! How is Better on Top?
My list continues to change as I request and receive books from the library. I finished The Best of Everything. This week I am starting Taboo by Yoshe. I know at the end of the week I won’t get much reading done while I’m in Texas visiting my best friend. I will read on the plane ride there and back and while waiting for the connecting flights. I might even get 2 books read this week
From my list,
I am almost finished What White Boyz Ride(Galley are sometimes harder for me to commit to because of their format)
Not from my list but a review book Men, Money and Gold Diggers.
Lashonda Silver´s last blog post..I Know Enough to Get By
I am on book Ten, The Associate by John Grisham…I will update my link later in the week…
angelia
Angelia´s last blog post..Love and Farewell…
Completed book six – WE TAKE THIS MAN by Candice Dow and Daaimah S. Poole. (also a book of the month for OOSA) Enjoyable read.
Ms. Toni´s last blog post..OOSA Online Book Club gave 5 stars to: The Bishop’s Daughter
Hi -
While I have not posted since week 1 – I have been reading at least one book a week – Now am I keeping to my original 13 is the question.
Week 2 – Crossing the Continent – was my historical fix for this challenge. The subtitle is The Story of the First African-American Explorer of the American South. This is a story of an African American slave Estaban Dorantes who when a team of Spaniards was left stranded in the southwest – navigated them through the Indian tribes and eventually they re-connected with the Spanish in Mexico. The author’s main premise is that history is the story that favors the one who is writting it and since there was no one to tell Estaben’s story – he felt we needed to understand the full story.
Week 3 – The Wasted Vigil was not on my original 13 list but I was not feeling my original read for this week. I love reading cross cultural books especially if they have an element of history to it. This story takes place in modern day Afganistan and the characters are connected by “six degrees of separation” but most do not know this and at first neither does the reader. But the author does a wonderful job of telling this story – peeling back the layers. This will be one of my top reads for 2009.
Week 4 – Blonde Roots – At first I did not know what to expect from this book as the Romantic Times Magazine gave it 4 1/2 stars as a sci fi book yet my reading looked like it wasHF woth a twist as the story is about an English girl who is enslaved and brought to a land where Africans are in charge. But the book was more than that – it was really a satire on our cultural assumptions and always people to examine how they think of others who are different that they are
Week 5 – The More Things Change – This is a sequel book and it once again reminded me how hard it is for a sequel to live up to the first book especially if you enjoyed it.
Gotta find mine and list them. I am going through my TBR pile. I think if I reduce it, it will be better however, I have not received my copy of The Red Tent yet.
This week I finished In Love with a Younger Man and Dying for Revenge. Next up is Bring on teh Blessings by Beverly Jenkins
I’m with you, Yas! I took a break this week since I was ahead, and read I Promise by Adrienne Byrd, which was not on my challenge list, but on my TBR list. It was a good romance, and I love Adrienne’s writing, so it was a great diversion! This week, I plan to finish The Best of Everything by Kimberla Lawson Roby and start The Bishop’s Daughter, and then get back to my list! I’ll check in later on this week!
1. The S.W.A.P. Game by Brian W Smith completed first week
2. Up Pops the Devil by Angela Benson completed third week
3. Neglected Souls by RIchard Jeanty completed second week
4. The Song Yet Sung by James McBride – in progress
5. Revenge is Best Served Cold by Danita Carter and Tracie Howard – completed fourth week
6. The Bishop’s Daughter by Tiffany L Warren
7. The Best of Everything by Kimberla Lawson Roby will start in the next day or so
8. The Making of Isaac Hunt by Linda Leigh Hargrove
9. Just Too Good to be True by E Lynn Harris
10. Going Down South by Bonnie Glover
11. The Sunday Brunch Diaries by Norma L Jarrett
I still have to add two more books. I have had a few issues to deal with over the past week and it has really thrown me behind. I plan to get back on the bandwagon.
Completed book nine- GHETTO RESUME by Freddie Simmons also one of OOSA’s Jan. reads. I liked that it started off differently, but, the more I read, the harder it became to believe what the author was writing. I believe that some readers will enjoy the story, I’m just not one of them. I’ve also been able to get in some ME reading which was becoming a challenge within itself. I’m currently reading IN FIRM PURSUIT I know that it’s been out for sometime, which is why I’m happy I have the time now to do this type of reading.
Nardsbaby´s last blog post..Nardsbaby gave 4 stars to: Divine Secrets (The Divine Series #3)
1.) Sinsatiable- Sheila E. Lipsey – finished week one
2.) My Son’s Wife – Sheila E. Lipsey – finished first part of week two
3.) The Cooling Board – Tamara Angela Grant
4.) Hot Girl – Dream Jordan – I am reading now
5.) When a Man Loves a woman – LaConnie Taylor Jones
6.) One Taste – Allison Hobbs
7.) Schae’s Stroy – Angelia Menchan
8.) Nothing But Trouble – Bettye Griffin
9.) The Love Child’s Revenge – Nicole Bailey Williams
10.) A Rich Mans Baby – Daaimah S. Poole
11.) Suicide Diaries – Ebonee Monique
12.) Mistress Memoirs – Lorraine Elzia
13.) What Doesn’t Kill You – DeBerry and Grant
14.) The Million Dollar Deception – added to list and read during the third week
Sorry I’ve been way for so been going through some things and I ask that everyone keep me and the family uplifted in prayers. Howerver I have finished some of the books from my list and wanted to send out an update.
Oh I am so sorry I wlso finished “The Love Childs Revenge” from my list
Dona prayers going up for you and your family.
xoxo
Hello,
I’m not sure what week I read what but so far I’ve read the following books from my challenge list:
Stackin Paper – Joy King
The Cartel – Ashley & Jaquavis
Hooker to Housewife – Joy King
Superstar – Joy King
Don’t Ever Tell by Brandon Massey
Queen Bitch by Deja King
Possession by Da’Neen Hale
And right now I’m reading The Evil Side of Money by Jeff Roberston
Tangerine, you’re rolling sis!
Here’s my update:
1) Havah by Tosca Lee — completed week 1
2) The Someday List by Stacy Hawkins Adams — completed week 1
3) Love Begins with Elle by Rachel Hauck
4) The Bishop’s Daughter by Tiffany Warren
5) Scrapping Plans by Rebeca Seitz
6) Midnight by Sister Souljah — In Progress — completed week 4
7) Gotta Keep On Tryin’ by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant — completed week 2
8)The Stand-In Groom by Kaye Dacus — completed week 2
9) Body Chemistry by Dara Girard — completed week 1
10) As I Have Loved You by Nikki Arana
11 ) In Love With A Younger Man by Cheryl Robinson
12) Be Strong and Curvaceous by Shelley Adina
13) Never Say Diet by Chantal Hobbs — replaced by The 4-Day Diet by Dr. Ian K. Smith; completed week 1
I’m halfway there. Just finished Midnight. I know reviews on this one was mixed but I really enjoyed it. Didn’t really know what to expect since I didn’t read The Coldest Winter but the book was very well-written with an engaging storyline and complex, intriguing characters. My only complaints are that it’s too sexually explicit for my 13 yo, who is dying to get his hands on the book, and it ends with a cliffhangar that seemed completely out of place. Guess there’s going to be a sequel.
Planned to read Scrapping Plans next but my head wasn’t ready. So I’m reading Debra Webb’s Find Me, a romantic suspense which is trying to keep me up at night.
PatriciaW´s last blog post..Reader/Writer Tidbits — January 26, 2009
I’m having trouble with the book I’m reading. OOH WEE I may have to put it down and move on to the next one!!
OHHHH and here’s my list!!
READ
His First Wife Grace Octavia
Not Easily Broken T.D Jakes
Where The Lines Bleeds Jesmyn Ward
Miss Etta’s Fast House Victor McGlothin
Best of Everything Kimberla Lawson Roby
Too Much of a Good Thing JJ Murray
Pat, glad you enjoyed Midnight…yes it’s getting mixed reviews…hehe.
Donnica, hit me off loop and let me know what that book is…hehe.
I’m struggling to keep up with the challenge, not because It’s Too Hard or I’m Too Busy but because of the Choices I make. I’m a…
Procrastinator.
I’m sorry, but I am.
I had four days off last week because of the snow. Did I read any at all???
Only a Little Bit.
Shame on me.
I finished Shameless Hoodwives though. What a Great Book. My review is posted on MySpace and on my website: http://www.brooklyndarkchild.com/apps/blog/show/406422-shameless-hoodwives-a-bentley-manor-tale-by-de-nesha-diamond-and-meesha-mink
Stop by and Let A Sista Know what you think. This week I’m working on The Hood Life.
Here’s my Updated List:
1. BACK STABBERS by Nyema
2. Where There’s Smoke by Terra Little
3. Born in the Streets but Raised in Prison by Tra Verdejo Week 3.
5 Stars. So good I thought it was a True Story
4. Shameless Hoodwives by Meesha Mink & De’Nesha Diamond Week 4
5 Stars. No one does Street Lit better
5. The Hood Life by same (reading now, Week 5)
I’m on page 99. These dudes have just as much drama as them chicks
6. Keep the Faith by Faith Evans
7. The Best Kept Secret by Kimberla Lawson Roby Week 2
2 Stars. Didn’t care for this one. I think I’m too unfamiliar with the franchise
8. Half of the Battle is to Surrender All I Have by Adrienna ‘Deo’ Turner
9. Murder on the Down Low by Pamela Samuels Young
10. What If It Feels Good by DJ McLaurin
11. Blackbirds Pt 1 by Andre Coleman
12. Mpire Trilogy: Death Cometh Week 1
4 Stars. My Girl Trinia killed this one. The subject matter is very disturbing though. Be warned.
Hello ladies,
Just finished reading “The Evil Side of Money” I & II which is a total of 9 books I’ve read off of my Reading Challenge List. The two books were both good reads and the author left me hanging so I’m assuming there will be a Part 3.
Wow Tangerine…you’re getting your read on! Good for you.
BDC–look forward to hearing your thoughts on The Hood Life and understand where you’re coming from regarding the Best of Everything.
Better on Top was great! Nick was a sweetheart and getting Toni to realize that and move on from the past was quite a challenge. The book holds you until the very last page.