Simply Fred Smith

Nikki Giovanni at Esowon Books, L.A., 1/7/11.

2011-01-07T05:36:00.000-08:00

If you're in the L.A. area, you'll definintely want to stop by Esowon Bookstore for an evening with Nikki Giovanni on Friday, January 7, 2011.

The world-renowned poet, activist, and academic will share an evening of poetry, stories, and wisdom from two books she's recently put together -- 100 Best African American Poems and Hip Hop Speaks To Children. Both books will be for sale at Esowon Books.

I've seen Nikki Giovanni speak before at other events, and she's definitely worth the time to go see.

Definitely a great way to start the New Year!
fs

32 Candles at CSULA

2010-11-15T04:55:00.000-08:00

If you're in the L.A. area on Monday, November 15, this book event may be for you.

Ernessa T. Carter will be reading from and signing her novel 32 Candles at 3:15 pm on Monday, 11/15 at the CSULA Student Union in the Alhambra Room. The event is free to attend.

Described as one of the freshest and funniest debut novels, Ernessa T. Carter’s 32 Candles follows Davie Jones, a Strokes t-shirt-wearing, Mississippi-accented, dark-skinned nerd, on her journey of self-discovery, acceptance, self-love, and romance from a childhood in Mississippi to adulthood in Los Angeles.

Hope to see you there!
fs

Rocky Rivera

2010-11-05T05:46:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to hear hip hop performer Rocky Rivera at a recent cultural festival at Cal State L.A. Excellent rapper, dope beats, socially conscious lyrics.

My current favorite in my iPod. Check out her YouTube channel. If you get a chance, order her self-titled debut. I promise you'll love it!

Bold's Homeless Story

2010-11-02T00:39:00.000-07:00

The CBS daytime drama, The Bold & The Beautiful has been doing a fabulous job lately with a storyline which features L.A. as a central character (where the show is set and filmed) and the homeless issues facing the city. In L.A. County, it's estimated that close to 50,000 people are homeless.

Great, non-preachy episodes from last week's episodes on October 28 and October 29. If you have a chance, watch online.
fs

NaNoWriMo. Writing This Month.

2010-10-31T22:42:00.000-07:00

Well, it's that time of year again. National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo, where writers challenge themselves to 30 continuous days of writing 50,000 words on a project.

Best of luck if you're participating in the November 1 - 30 event. Keep me/us posted!

Free Writing Workshop Monday

2010-10-30T10:33:00.000-07:00

If you're in the L.A. area on Monday, November 1, bestselling author Noel Alumit will be hosting a free fiction writing workshop. It takes place in the Student Union at Cal State L.A., Monday, November 1 at 3:15 pm in the Alhambra Room, 3rd floor Student Union.

For more infomation, contact the Cross Cultural Centers at (323) 343-5001.
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Daniel Black, Perfect Peace, in L.A.

2010-10-17T18:24:00.000-07:00

Daniel Black, author of the novel Perfect Peace, will be doing a reading and signing in L.A. on Monday, October 18 at 3:15 - 4:30 pm, in the University-Student Union at Cal State L.A., Alhambra Room. (Daniel Black website)

Perfect Peace is the fictional story of a mother who wants a daughter so bad, that she decided to raise her seventh son as the daughter she always wanted.

The reading is presented as part of the Cross Cultural Centers Cup of Culture writers series, which highlights writers of color, women writers, and other writers from underrepresented communities.
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L.A. Taste of Soul

2010-10-14T23:58:00.000-07:00

If you're in L.A. this weekend, check out the annual Taste of Soul Festival. It takes place on Saturday, October 16 from 10 am - 6 pm on Crenshaw Blvd., between Martin Luther King Drive and Rodeo Drive.

Lots of great food, music, entertainment, and people.

I'm already tasting the hot catfish straight out of the fryer.
fs

The Prep School Negro

2010-10-13T04:27:00.000-07:00

Just caught a trailer for this new documentary, The Prep School Negro. Looks fascinating.

It follows black people who are currently or formerly enrolled in prestigious, private (and mostly all-white) Prep Schools, and the challenges and triumphs they face as they straddle life in two worlds.

Though my high school wasn't private or all-white, it was a public, college prep one. I remember growing up in Detroit and going to Renaissance H.S. branded us as "the smart ones" or "the stuck-up ones" in our own neighborhoods and among other public school students. And that was tough coming from other black people.

I can only imagine what it's like when you move away for high school and face it from the people in your neighborhood as well as the people at your school.
fs

Reconsider Columbus Day

2010-10-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

I'm surprised people still celebrate Columbus Day, but they do. Saw this great video clip, Reconsider Columbus Day, which advocates for the development of an Indigenous People's holiday instead. Good points!
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Latino Book and Family Festival

2010-10-10T10:10:00.000-07:00

If you're in the L.A. area, head over to the Cal State L.A. campus for the annual Latino Book and Family Festival. It runs until 6 pm today and features over 100 authors participating in panels and book signings. Lots of fun and a beautiful day!
fs

WeHo Book Fair

2010-09-16T21:52:00.000-07:00

If you're in the L.A. area next weekend, check out the annual West Hollywood Book Fair. Takes place on Sunday, September 26 all day. Lots of great authors and informative workshops and panels.

And of course afterwards, you can always slip into The Abbey or another place close by for a post-bookfair cocktail. Sundays are always fun in West Hollywood.
fs

Step Afrika in L.A.

2010-09-15T23:21:00.000-07:00

If you're in the L.A. area in early October, you might want to check out Step Afrika! on Thursday, October 7 at 7:30 pm at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex on the Cal State L.A. campus.

Step Afrika! is the only professional dance company in the world dedicated to the tradition of stepping. The group has performed before tens of thousands of people worldwide. Check out this Step Afrika! promo clip from YouTube.

This should be an evening of dance and performance like no other, as Step Afrika! traces the history of stepping from the gumboot dance tradition in South Africa to its current use by African American fraternities and sororities.

Ticketmaster: $15 - $21. Luckman Fine Arts ticket window, with CSULA student, staff, faculty ID: $5.

Contact the Luckman at (323) 343-6600 for more information.
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Getting to Happy

2010-09-07T19:53:00.000-07:00

So today is the release date of Terry McMillan's new novel, Getting to Happy. It's the sequel to Waiting to Exhale, and finds us fifteen years later visiting the four characters -- Gloria, Bernardine, Savannah, and Robin.

A little late for me to hit the bookstore. Didn't pre-order online. So I'll be making a special trip to the mall or Esowon tomorrow or late in the week.

But I'm happy the new novel is here. Can't wait to read. I remember reading Waiting to Exhale in the early 90s, barely in college. Laughing out loud at the crack-up funny writing and stories the characters were telling, and my dorm mates asking what was I reading that was so fun(ny).

I attended a preview reading Terry McMillan did at the LA Times Book Festival this year, and based on what I heard we're in for another crack-up funny and dramatic story.

Can't wait to get Getting to Happy. You?
fs

Help

2010-09-01T21:22:00.001-07:00

I'm currently reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I was skeptical at first, but find myself enjoying the novel.

It's the fictional story of a group of black maids who work for white women in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960s. But, of course, this story was true for thousands of black women who had no choice but to work for white women in the U.S. Probably still is true. Sad, but true.

Although skeptical about reading the book, I find myself thinking about my grandmother, who herself worked as help for a white family and raised their kids. Many of the details of the maids' lives (how they had to budget, keeping a garden in order to eat, the internal struggle of raising someone else's kids while feeling like they're neglecting their own kids) seem authentic in the novel so far.

My skepticism, however, came from a white woman author writing a black woman's story. Wondering if any of you have read it or are reading it? Your thoughts? What about looking through a lens of social justice, equality, or being culturally empowered? Would this book be as accepted or "acclaimed" if written by a black woman author? Is this another "let us tell you about your experience" story?

These are the questions I'm wrestling with as I read... and wondering if any of you can help with The Help?
fs

What Love Tastes Like

2010-08-25T20:21:00.000-07:00

Zuri Day's novels are some of my favorites. Just good old fashioned romance. I've blogged about two of her novels I've read -- Lessons From a Younger Lover and Body By Night.

Now, she has a new release coming in September. What Love Tastes Like. The novel features a romantic tale between a chef and her boss, the owner of a luxury hotel. Advance reviews concur that this is a tasty and romantic treat for your reading delight.

I have enjoyed Zuri Day's previous novels, so I'm sure I will enjoy What Love Tastes Like just as much.

Bon appetit!
fs

Substitute Me

2010-08-19T20:56:00.000-07:00

So you're a middle class and educated black woman. You come from a good background and family.

You're trained as a chef, but in this economy, you can't find a job in your field. But someone does want to hire you... a white couple, about your age, as their maid/cook/housekeeper. And you take the job... and keep it a secret from the people in your life.

Thus, the premise of the new novel, Substitute Me, by Lori Tharps.

One more novel going into my to-read pile. And a good recommendation for yours too.
fs

PEN Emerging Voices Fellowship

2010-08-16T21:24:00.000-07:00

If you're a writer who is part of a community that has lacked access to the writing/publication field (i.e. women, people of color, lgbt, poor/working class, street educated vs institutionally educated), then the PEN Emerging Voices Fellowship could be for you.

Applications are due in late August for the 2011 cycle. It's an 8-month intensive writing program/mentorship, where emerging voices can get the attention and nurturing they need to break into writing and possibly publishing. See the PEN EV website for more details.

It helps if you're SoCali based, since each of the eight monthly workshops takes place in L.A. area. So... if you or someone you know is interested, please apply.
fs

You Majored In What?

2010-08-15T13:55:00.000-07:00

Heard a great interview on NPR yesterday featuring the author of this book, You Majored In What?, Dr. Katharine Brooks.

It's a practical book on helping college students and career counselors navigate the line between a "practical/doing" major (i.e. Business, Education, etc...) and an "esoteric/thinking" major (i.e. English Lit, History, etc...)

In times of economic challenge, like we're currently experiencing, students are often scared/swayed to major in something that builds skills directly applicable to a job. These scared/swayed tactics often come from parents, who worry about their kids' job prospects in light of student loans. These scared/swayed tactics also can come from red-state conservatives, who worry about people learning to be critical thinkers and questioners.

These conversations are also shaping the dialogue on campuses, as college presidents and deans make decisions on what departments/majors are important to keep, and which ones they want to cut or make smaller.

All majors are important and add to students' growth and development.

Regardless of what students choose, I think taking ethnic studies (i.e. Pan African Studies, Chicana/o Studies, Asian American Studies, etc...) and gender studies (i.e. Women's Studies) is very important -- both in terms of learning/appreciating history and becoming culturally-empowered and confident about who they are.

Just my opinion.

What about you? What did you major in? Or want to major in? Or... have you found that your major had absolutely nothing to do with your eventual career/job choice?

If you're navigating career decisions, check out Dr. Katharine Brooks' blog, Career Transitions.
fs

Summer Reading

2010-08-04T09:20:00.001-07:00

So it's August. Summer is winding down. I hope you're doing something fun and memorable to make the most of Summer 2010.

On that note, what's been the most memorable book you've read this summer?

For me. Perfect Peace by Daniel Black. And 32 Candles by Ernessa Carter.

But I'd like to hear yours and your recommendations.

Happy reading!
fs

Losing My Cool

2010-07-30T02:17:00.000-07:00

Just picked up this book, Losing My Cool, by Thomas Chatterton Williams. Came highly recommended by the staff at Esowon Books in L.A.

It's a memoir and inspirational story about a young man's struggle with street credibility and book credibility. The tagline says it all -- how a father's love and 15,000 books beat hip-hop culture.

Check out this promo clip on YouTube, featuring the author and his father, or this NPR interview.

Looking forward to reading this one... and sharing it with the young people I work with at the school. I think you'll enjoy this one too.
fs

A Bad Day For Pretty

2010-07-22T10:32:00.000-07:00

A few months back, I highlighted a novel called A Bad Day For Sorry.

Now, author Sophie Littlefield is back with another installment of the crime-novel series, A Bad Day For Pretty.

The series features tough-talking Stella Hardesty, who "rights wrongs" done to women by abusive husbands, partners, and other men in their lives. The novels are engaging and address a number of social issues.

And I think the titles are quite catchy. Check them out.
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Brothers and Wives

2010-07-20T09:10:00.000-07:00

Cydney Rax is an author to admire. With a full-time job, she's consistently written and published five novels within the past five years.

Her latest, Brothers and Wives, just debuted this week. It's a continuation of one of her earlier novels, My Husband's Girlfriend, and features another juicy love triangle among characters who are really entangled in each others' lives.

Another summer read to keep your hot summer even hotter.
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Monday Book Happenings

2010-07-19T00:19:00.000-07:00

Very quickly. Hope it's a good Monday for you.

Save The L.A. Library. You may or may not know, but the City of L.A. has ordered its libraries closed on Sundays and now Mondays, due to budget cuts. Monday, July 19, in the morning, many will be gathering at the Central Library in downtown L.A. to protest the cuts. For many folks, libraries are the only place they can access internet, get refuge from the heat, and find books they can't afford to buy.

Later on Monday, July 19, Ernessa T. Carter will be reading/signing her debut novel 32 Candles at 7pm at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena. I'm reading the book now, and it's so fab and fun to read.

Enjoy!
fs

Happy Jackie Washington Day!

2010-07-15T04:08:00.000-07:00

It's July 15th, also known within black LGBT circles and in Kinloch, Missouri as Jackie Washington Day.

Um, if you don't know what it is, or why we celebrate, check out the film Jackie's Back, featuring one of our favorite actresses Jenifer Lewis.

Or check out the blog entries I've written the past few years on the "holiday": Jackie Washington Day/Jackie's Back, and Oh Yeah, Jackie Washington Day, and It's Jackie Washington Day Again.

Jackie Washington even has a Myspace page. And a Facebook page too.

Enjoy! And don't do any laundry today... and order some tacos that you don't pay for, too.
fs