Books we’re reading and raving about…not your usual suspects but a good change of pace if you’re interested in reading outside of your comfort zone.

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives by Lola Shoneyin

This is the first novel by Lola Shoneyin. I was interested in reading this book because the author has published poetry in the past and in my experience this actually prepares writers for telling their stories in a succient manner, and her father-in-law is Wole Soyinka, so I figured she has access to good literary resources to make sure that she wrote a worthy book. But, I did think that initially the storyline sounded a little predictable – a man who has three wives takes an educated fourth wife that is not well accepted. But I was so wrong as the story was anything but predictable. The husband and each of the wives has a turn in telling their story – the story is in the present and also goes back in time to help give the full picture but you are never confused on who is talking or if you are in the present or past. Each character is fully developed and there were many unexpected twists and turns to this story that I could not put the book down until the end. It shows the clash of the old vs the new culture and at the end you will start to wonder what is the old tradition v the new one. This does not read like a debut novel but like a more mature writer.–Ms. Bev  I also read this book and highly recommend it. 

A Taste of Honey by Jabari Asim

I so enjoyed this connected collection of short stories – it really read like a novel.  Once I started reading I could not put down and wondered what took me so look to pick up this book. Takes place in a small to mid-sized town in the midwest right before MLK was killed. Great character voices, community and family-oriented storyline; used the background of the story to inform us about the political issues of the time. As Ms. Phyllis said – would love to see these characters again. I surely hope Asim writes more fiction.–Ms. Bev  Another one of my favorites for this year.

More thoses on Taste of Honey…

I will be recommending to others and especially to those who claim not to like short stories. This was a collection that came full circle; believable, real, it could have been my neighborhood or any black community in 1968. Brought back memories of the Black Panthers coming-of-age, the Oakland “pigs” and the beatings of black men. The sense of community, the freedom to roam the streets going to our friends’ houses, avoiding the funeral home or “haunted” house. Yeah, I could use some more of these stories. 

 

32 Candles by Ernessa T Carter

 
This is a wonderful debut novel that will capture your attention from page one , and you will not want to put it down until you are finished.  Well-paced storyline with a cast of interesting characters will take you on the journey as “Davie” looks for acceptance of herself and seeks what she has learned watching Molly Ringwald movies as the way to a happen ending. But life is not like a screenplay, and no one knows this better than Davie. If you like “talking back” to the characters in the book, then this is the book for you – as you will be charmed, humored, saddened and above all entertained. Once again I have read a book this summer that has taken a “much used” storyline and the author has made it so much more and stamped it with her own style.–Ms. Bev  I so agree with Ms. Bev’s last statement and based upon her recommendation, I picked up 32 Candles and gave it a chance.  I wasn’t disppointed and it was nominated and selected as the APOOO BOM of the month for October.

Personal History of Rachel Dupree

I read The Personal History of Rachel Dupree and was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this story of a woman who followed her man from Chicago to the Dakota Badlands in the early 1900s to forge a new life and all she went through. There were so many tender moments, some heartbreaking moments. It is an American history story, an aspect of AA life & culture and additonally a woman’s story of coming into her own. Highly recommended. 5 rating.–Dera

 
Manifest by Artist Arthur

This is the first book in a new YA trilogy that deals with the paranormal theme. The author also writes romance as A.C. Arthur. I am not normally a reader of YA fiction but have become more interested as my oldest GD has started to get older. The story flowed well and was well paced. An interesting twist on the paranormal theme and  the author also used it to talk about issues affecting teenagers. Also liked the diversity of the characters. –Ms. Bev 

Destination Love by Gwynne Forster

I read Destination Love by Gwynne Forster and enjoyed it. Gwynne draws these woman characters who are socially backwards and puts them in situations where they have to interact out of their element. A professor goes on a cruise and encounters someone from her past, except she doesn’t recognize him. Nobody does the man/woman game of wills like Forster. I loved the cruises, one to Nova Scotia and the other a Mediterrean cruise, to exotic places. Readers get to see the sights and learn the history and the descriptions are vivid. I give it a 4 on a romance rating.–Dera; I’m not a romance genre fan but I know that if Dera is and if she reads it and gives it a high thumbs up it must be good!

Related Posts

• Summer 2011 Reading List
• A Taste of Honey Book Blurb by Jabari Asim
• Interview with Author Elizabeth Nunez
• November 2009 African American Reading List
• October 2009 African American Reading List