Check out Same Kind of Different As Me, Front Lines, and Black Women's Lives.
I was out last week, so I come back this week with tons and tons of books to tell you about. I'm hoping to do two videos this week, one today and one Thursday. Thursday will be a special mother's day edition.
The first is Same Kind of Different as Me, which I was intrigued by because I'd seen it on the bestseller list for a few weeks and knew it was nonfiction narrative journalism. Turns out that it is a story about a black homeless guy, Denver Moore, and a very wealthy, white art collector, Ron Hall, and how Ron's wife brought them together.
I can't say that I didn't enjoy this book. Honestly, I devoured it in about two sittings. But I do have to warn the religion-averse among you that it is highly focused on God's divine intervention. The presence of signs, ghosts, and religion is ever present. If that stuff makes you roll your eyes, I'd avoid this book. If you're up for that kind of thing, it's actually a pretty interesting story about ordinary people from incredibly different backgrounds coming together and healing one another.
For something totally different--complex, nuanced, poetic--check out Front Lines: Political Plays by American Women. This thing is packed full of incredible work by everyone from Jessica Blank, co-author of Exonerated, to No Child... by Nilaja Sun, to Hot 'n' Throbbing by Paula Vogel. If you're a fan of the theater and a feminist, this book is totally necessary reading. Or an amazing gift. Honestly, it's the kind of book that you can revisit a million times.
And finally: Black Women's Lives by Kristal Brent Zook, a friend and mentor. I had read pieces of it before, but I wanted to revisit the whole thing because I'm working on profiles a lot lately and that's the form she chose for this exploration of black women in America.
It's really an amazing book. If you haven't checked it out, I whole heartedly recommend it. Kristal profiles such a range of incredible people, from Sakia Gunn, who was killed in Newark because of her trans identity, to Rosalie Williams, a biracial organic farmer in Vermont, to Candace Matthews a major New York CEO.
"Each of the women in this book has taught me so much. Their stories have urged me forward, propelling me to outrage and action. And they have settled and calmed me too, reminding me how to nurture and receive love. On each of our collective and individual journeys toward power, I believe that we need only look to each other to find the missing, hurt, and neglected parts of ourselves. The past repeats; shared history and bloodlines endure. And we remain, each of us, still connected."
I'll leave you on that note. Take care.
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Not Oprah's Book Club: Same Kind..., Front Lines, Black Women's Lives.
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.feministing.com/cgi-bin/movabletype/mt-tb.fcgi/13504
Thanks for the transcripts and the book pointers. (Like I need more books: story of my life, though :) )
Good reviews Court I remember when I used to read for pleasure before school oppressed that out of me. Maybe I can muscle it up they sound interesting.
I am looking for another great book to read... I just finished reading "Cornfield Heiress" by Errollynne Peters, a great book with a great message- to live life to the fullest. I am now on this kick to read something with the same type of spirit and think that I will thoroughly enjoy,"Same Kind of Different as Me." Thanks for the great tip!