Sunday Salon, January Rewind and February Fast Forward
By APOOO • Feb 1st, 2009 • Category: Sunday Salon •
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Rewind/Fast Forward List
Rewind/January 2009 Reads (8 books)
1. Schae’s Story by Angelia Menchan
2. The Chosen by Patricia Haley
3. Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
4. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
5. Where the Line Bleeds by Jesmyn Ward
6. The Bishop’s Daughter by Tiffany Warren
7. What Doesn’t Kill You by DeBerry and Grant
8. In Love With a Younger Man by Cheryl Robinson
Most Favorite–Hands down…no book came close to how I felt about this book…the Red Tent by Anita Diamant. I can’t believe that I didn’t read this book sooner. It’s historical fiction, which is quickly becoming a genre that I enjoy more every time I read books from this genre. Diamant is an author who does a lot of showing with his her use of words. She made me feel as thought I was back in biblical times, before Christ, living amongst the tribe of Jacob, along with Rachel, Leah, Bilah, Joseph, Re-mose and, of course, Dinah. Her interpretation of Dinah’s life was so intriguing and poignant that I was moved to pick up my Bible to find out more about Dinah, now granted what happened to Dinah in the Red Tent is not what happened to Dinah in the Bible. But, I respect that Diamant took creative license and told the story from her perspective. She wrote a novel, not non-fiction. But, hmmm I must admit that Diamant had me looking at Jacob, Rebecca, and Joseph cock-eyed and I had to remind myself that her book was just a novel. But, honestly, as with many folks in the Bible, these characters were truly just ordinary folks who were also very flawed. Initially I was a little put off by the ‘red tent’ but the more I read the more I thought what a beautiful, bonding experience because these women truly bonded during that time of the month. And, given the back-breaking work, and beck and call to their men, it was a welcome relief to be able to have a few days off during the month and not have to think about servicing the men in their life. Okay but one thing I still couldn’t quite get with was that Jacob not only had four wives but they were all sisters. I know that was a sign of the times, and it was accepted since folks didn’t know any other way, but given my modern ways it’s still a little ‘ewe’ to me. 
Even tho’ I’ve turned the last page, this is a book that will stay with me for a very long time to come. It was enlightening, empowering, inspiring and definitely a must read for historical fiction fans.
Least Favorites:
Tie between Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz and Where the Line Bleeds by Jesmyn Ward; despite being well-written, I just didn’t connect with the characters in either book.
Fast Forward/February 2009:
Where There’s Smoke by Terra Little
The Little Black Girl Next Door by Jennifer B.
Ex-Terminator by Suzetta Perkins
Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill
Houston We Have a Problem by Gwendolyn Zepetta
The Island of Eternal Love
Deadly Charms by Claudia Mair
Murder, Mayhem and a Fine Man by Claudia Maur
Death, Deceit and Some Smooth Jazz by Claudia Mair
The Air Between Us by Deborah Johnson
Not Even If You Begged by Francis Ray
Dead Broke by Trista Russell
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now you got me wanting to read The Red Tent. When will I ever find the time to read all the books I want to read?
Jennifer C.´s last blog post..Virginia DeBerry & Donna Grant
See now I can’t wait until my copy gets here.
Jennifer add the Red Tent to your list…hehe.
Yeah, that sharing a man with your sister gave me the creeps. Different time, I know but I’m just saying.
Dera´s last blog post..Cuban Concert Redux
Dera, and the dads were a little perverted also…yuck to all of them.
Jan reads…
Where There’s Smoke by Terra Little
Quade’s Babies by Brenda Jackson
Beneath the Bruises by Dywane Birch
My Invisible Husband by Shelia M. Goss
Trust No Man by Cash
Dollar Outta Fifteen Cent 3 by Caroline McGill
Gutter by Kwan
Groove by Geneva Holliday
Eastside by Caleb Alexander
Dissolve by Jonanthan Luckett
Shameless Hoodwives by Meesha Mink & De’Neesha Diamond
A Hire Love by Candice Dow
We Take This Man by Candice Dow & Daaimah Poole
Most favorite – Eastside by Caleb Alexander. Great read for our youth. Hard lessons to be learned.
Least favorite – Dissolve by Jonathan Luckett. Read his others books and was very disappointed and confused with this one.
Ms. Toni´s last blog post..OOSA Online Book Club gave 5 stars to: The Bishop’s Daughter
The Red Tent sounds like a book I would enjoy.
If you liked this, you’ll probably enjoy Havah by Tosca Lee. it’s Eve’s story up to and after The Fruit.
PatriciaW´s last blog post..Reader/Writer Tidbits — January 26, 2009
I’m glad you are going to read the Claudia Maur books!!!
Pat…as long as you read it as a novel rather than non-fiction (which it isn’t) you’ll be fine and I’m going to check out Lee’s book…thanks for the 411.
Donnica…looking good; love your photo.
Rewind/January …
Divine Secrets — Jacquelin Thomas —4 stars
Divine Confidential— Jacquelin Thomas — 4 stars
Beneath The Bruises— Dywane Birch — 4 stars
A Dollar Outta Fifteen Cent — Caroline McGill —4 stars
Chante’s Song — Donneil Jackson —4 stars
We Take This Man —Candice Dow — 4 stars
Dirty Little Angel — Erica Hilton — 4 stars
Nina’s Got A Secret — Brian W. Smith — 5 stars
Who You Wit? — Paula Chase — 4.5 stars
Nardsbaby´s last blog post..Nardsbaby gave 4 stars to: Divine Secrets (The Divine Series #3)