Review -- "Till You Hear From Me"

I just finished reading the latest novel by Pearl Cleage titled "Till you hear from me," and I really enjoyed the book. The novel takes place in the backdrop of the 2008 presidential election of Barack Obama, and weaves together fact and fiction to create an intriguing storyline which explores the tension between the established civil rights leaders and the election of the country's first black president, and how the Republicans grapple with this historic event.

The protagonist, Ida B. Dunbar, is a young woman who worked on President Obama's election campaign and is anxiously awaiting a phone call from the White House to offer her a permanent job on the President's staff.  However, this once in a lifetime job opportunity appears to be slipping away, and she mistakenly believes it's because of her father's outspoken words against the President during the Jeremiah Wright "controversy."  Dunbar's father, Reverend Doctor Horace A. Dunbar, is a civil rights icon and larger-than-life pastor in the West End neighborhood of Atlanta, which is the setting of this novel like several of Ms. Cleage's past books.

While Ida nervously waits for her dream job to materialize into reality, she receives a frantic phone call from a family friend, Miss Iona, who begs her to return to Atlanta because she fears the "Rev" as he is affectionately called has lost his mind when he gives an interview that goes viral on Youtube with him commenting the influx of Hispanics to the church will have them serving "Tacos and Sangria" for communion Sunday. Miss Iona and Ida fear that the Rev's ego is bruised because he and other black leaders feel the first black president has pushed them aside. In fact, Ida and her father have had a falling out and while she is reluctant to return to Atlanta, she does to make amends with the Rev and escape the embarassment that she is not going to get the White House job.

The plot thickens when Ida arrives in Atlanta and Miss Iona urges her to check out a plan by the Republicans to turn black civil rights icons, like the Rev, against the president, which the Republicans feel will erode President Obama's support from the black community.  However, while Ida and Miss Iona track down this scheme, the real "dirty trick" is an old fashioned political move by the Republican party to purge the Georgia voter rolls of 100,000 new voters registered during the 2008 election by the Rev and his faithful friend Mr. Eddie. The person hired by the Republicans to carry out the dirty deed is Mr. Eddie's son, Wes, who is also the Rev's godson.

The storyline is intriguing, and although it is fiction, it does have a hint of reality as we all have read the news stories following elections where there have been attempts to disenfranchise black voters and democratic voters. Not just in 2008, where I think everyone was more vigilant than usual, but we all remember the 2000 election and Florida. Not only is the story thought-provoking, but the characters are vivid and entertaining. It is also a very well, written book.

I recommend "Till You Hear From Me" by Pearl Cleage. Mark it on your "to read" list and add Pearl Cleage to your best authors list. (Other novels by Ms. Cleage include "What looks like crazy on an ordinary day," "I wish I had a red dress," "Babylon Sisters," "Some things I thought I'd never do," and "Baby Brother's Blues." 

Happy reading,

Tina

Will E-Readers Kill Traditional Books?

With the growing popularity of e-readers, there is a raging debate about whether electronic books will be the death of traditional hardcover or paperback books.  After much resistance, I have finally given in and purchased a Kindle. Before, buying my Kindle, I querried many friends and everyone said they love it.  I have to agree, I love my Kindle!  However, I still love and buy traditional books.

The pros of the Kindle are that it can hold a lot more books than anyone can in their home. They are also a lot easier to transport, particularly if you move around alot, than lugging those heavy boxes of books. I must admit, I have dumped a few books along the way to lighten my load. The Kindle is also great for traveling.  Now, I don't have to limit myself to taking one book on a trip.  With the Kindle, I can take several and increase my reading choices. I have also found that many books are cheaper on the Kindle, particularly you can get some new releases that are usually $24.99 hardcover, for about $12.99. Most books on Kindle average about $7.99 to $9.99. You can also find some deals at $2.99.  I cannot think of anything bad about the Kindle, except I haven't figured out how to use all the features. But that's my fault.

However, I do miss turning the pages of a good old fashioned book. I also just like the feel of holding a book in my hands, or looking at my collection of books on my book shelves. I think most people feel this way who have purchased e-readers.  Also, e-readers are still a bit pricey so not everyone is rushing out to buy one.  Therefore, I don't think traditional books will be disappearing anytime soon.

I have to admit, I thought purchasing a Kindle would make me stop buying traditional books. Instead, I find that I am buying MORE books -- books on the Kindle and traditional books from the bookstore. Just the other day, I stopped by the local second-hand bookstore and I bought four books. But hey, I got a great deal -- four books for $15. Now even that's a better deal than the Kindle. I also have a 40% off coupon for Borders, so I'll probably drop by and see what book I can get.

My conclusion is that traditional books will be around for a long time. Books have been able to survive the invention of the television, 24-hour cable news, 1000+ channels of entertainment on cable television, and I suspect, traditional books will survive e-readers too.

Encouraging Black Boys To Read

A recent report titled "A Call For Change" from the Council of the Great City Schools cited that 12% of 4th grade black boys are proficient in reading compared to 38% of white boys. The New York Time reported the study in a November 9, 2010 article.  The article stated that poverty was not the sole reason for the low rate of reading proficiency for black boys. The study found that early childhood parenting practices such as encouraging reading, how we talk to children, and how we encourage them to think and develop a sense of autonomy were key factors.

The statistic is startling: 12% proficiency in reading. That means 88% of black boys are not proficient in reading. This should be a call to action. We must encourage reading, writing, grammer and oral communication skills for both black boys and girls at an early age. We must abandon the ridiculous notion that reading, speaking grammatically correct English and getting good grades equates to "acting white."

I learned to read at an early age thanks to my older sister who read to me every night at bedtime. I also grew up down the street from a public library where I spent many afternoons checking out books to take home to read. I have a niece who loves to read and we encourage her with gift cards to Barnes&Noble so she can buy books.  I have a nephew who does not like to read; instead he loves video games. I still encourage him to read by buying him books to spark his interest.

March 2 was "Read Across America Day" sponsored by the National Education Association.  The annual event is an effort to get children to read.  Instead of celebrating reading nationwide only one day, or leaving it to the schools to teach our children to read, we as a community must get involved to raise that 12% proficiency rate for black boys.

I can still recall my favorite childhood books: Tiny Toosey's Birthday by Mabel G. LaRue; Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson; Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel; Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak; and The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.  I also loved the entire Little House on the Prairie series.

Let's get involved and encourage black children to read, particularly black boys. Volunteer to read at a school; take a child to the public library; or give books as gifts. However the best example is to read: children usually mirror the behavior of adults.

Instead of Read Across America Day, let's make this Read Across America Year! Let me hear your thoughts and also post your favorite books from your childhood.

Happy Reading,

Tina 

2011 Reading Challenge

I have joined the 2011 Reading Challenge hosted by Goodreads.com. Goodreads is an excellent website devoted to readers. You can sign up and create your own booklist of books you have read, books you are currently reading and books you plan to read. You can also invite and follow your friends and find out new book suggestions.

As part of the Reading Challenge, I have pledged to read 25 books this year. So far, I have only read 3 books. Since this is March, I am averaging one book a month. Thus, I need to step it up and start reading more!

Here are 10 of my proposed books to read this year (not arranged in order to be read):

1. Til you hear from me - Pearl Cleage (currently reading. will post review when completed)
2. The girl who fell from the sky - Heidi Durrow
3. The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks - Rebecca Skloot
4. The wake of the wind - J. California Cooper
5. River cross my heart - Breena Clarke
6. Stand the storm - Breena Clarke
7. Tumbling - Diane Mckinney-Whetstone
8. Holy Rollers - Reshonda Tate Billingsley
9. Family - J. California Cooper
10. Singing in the comeback choir - Bebe Moore Campbel

Log onto http://www.goodreads.com/ to see the complete list and join the challenge.

Tina

Welcome to my blog!!

Welcome,

Although I am a writer, this is my first attempt at writing a blog. In my posts, I hope to encourage a conversation about reading. With our busy lives, many people don't find time to sit down and enjoy a good book. My desire is to share the joy of reading and spread the word about good books.

My posts will include reviews, reading list, book challenges, literary events, and all things "book related." I welcome your comments.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy reading!

Tina