The Reading Diva

This past Friday (January 28), the Books-A-Million at Northwoods Mall got a visit from Carl Weber, who was in town promoting his new book, The Choir Director. He did not read from his book. Instead, he told the audience of about 50 how he became an author and owning the biggest independent African-American publishing company in America. He also discussed how he was able to take experiences from his life and turned his ideas into books that have hit the New York Times Bestsellers List. There are several authors (that I and some of my fellow bloggers have met) that come across as full of themselves and think it is all about them. Carl did not come off that way. He admitted that we, the readers, are the ones who made him a success. And as each person came up and got their books signed, he asked us which one of his books was your favorite. I honestly told him (after saying Torn Between Two Lovers) that I just started reading his books, but did plan to read more in the future. I was really ...

Last week I was debating whether I should by "O, A Presidential Novel". I was wondering whether I should buy it, let the library order it or just plain not read it at all. Since the author was anonymous, I had a bigger concern that I would be reading a book that was written by an anti-Obama person. On Tuesday, I decided to let the library order it. That way I would save money and wouldn't be at a total loss if the book was bad. Yesterday, Time revealed that Mark Salter, one of of John McCain's former speechwriters, is the author of the novel (even though he nor the publisher has confirmed it). But since they have a lot of evidence that looks like that may be true, I'm going to take their word. The New York Post also pointed towards Salter. Part of me is relieved that I did not buy the book. I really don't want to support anyone who is against the mission of the President and of the man himself. There is even a book that is coming out in the next few w...

I'm sorry that is has been over a week since I last posted. I was without a car for a few days and had to stay with the parents so I could get a ride to work. Right now I am in Columbia (about 2 hours away) for work. Then with my last semester in graduate school cranking up, I have been pretty busy the last few days. I found out from one of my friends a few days ago that Carl Weber will be at the Northwoods Mall Books-A-Million a week from today (January 28) at 7 p.m. I will be there, as well as many of my friends. I will take plenty of pictures so I can share it with you. At least someone at Books-A-Million realize that there are plenty of fans in Charleston. Also, one of my friends told me about a kiosk at Northwoods Mall that sold African-American books. It's called the Urban Knowledge Book Store and I got to talk to one of the guys who helps run the booth. They have a lot of books and they have been doing well since word has been spreading. After looking at the Web...

On January 13, 1913 at Howard University, 22 women decided that they wanted to make a change. So they came together and created a sorority based on community service and named it Delta Sigma Theta. Ninety-eight years and 250,000 members later, the women of Delta continue to uphold the founders' purpose of having a sisterhood that also gave back to their communities. Whether it is through politics, the arts, education, or just giving someone a helping hand, the women of Delta have touched millions of lives. In honor of Founders Day, I have compiled a list of authors who are Deltas. Some of them are well known. Some of them are not. I hope this will show the literary talent that women authors have to offer (even if they are a part of the greatest sorority in the world). Looking for some new fiction? Try Grace Octavia , Cherlyn Michaels , Erika Kendrick , Gwyneth Bolton or Nicole Bailey-Williams . Do you like Christian Fiction? What about Victoria Christopher Murray or Stephanie Per...

Earlier this week, a tweet from Duski Literati caught my attention. The tweet contained a story from BeyondChron , which was in response to a New York Times Book Review feature story. The NY Times story discussed the need for book critics . BeyondChron's agreed with the need of book critics, but wondered why the stories didn't mention or talked to any book critic/reviewers of color. Reading this brought up a recent conversation with my mother. She's been trying to encourage me to put some of my reviews in the local newspaper. It is extremely rare that they feature books from or about people of color. And half of the people that they use are staff members. "Maybe you should change your name. Maybe Barbara," Mom said. "Sound more white." "I am not changing my name," I said. "And aren't you the one who named me?" I agree with BeyondChron's take on the need of diversity in the world of book reviews. But should you change e...

Re: Straight Talk, No Chaser Dear Uncle Steve, First off, I would like to say that I have enjoyed your work. From the radio show, to the comedy and to the TV show I catch on reruns on Centric and TBS, you have been a great source of entertainment. I have read both of your books and as a single, college-educated African-American female, I was interested in what you had to say regarding your opinions on how we should approach men. But what I really wanted to discuss is Chapter 7 of your latest book, Straight Talk, No Chaser. The one about looking presentable, dressing up even, when you go out. I understand that you may never know when you meet "the one," but I will never try to dress up everywhere I go. That is just too much for me, and women in general, to do. These are a few places that I will never dress up to go, unless I go there straight from work: Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target or any similar stores Food Lion, Bi-Lo, Publix, Piggly Wiggly or any grocery store The gym (and I ...

Happy New Year! 2011 brings a lot of promise and (hopefully) a lot of good books to read. Since some of my schedule will be loosened up come May 6 (3 p.m., Colonial Life Arena), I hope to read more books than I did in 2010 (72). Here are some of my reading (and writing resolutions in 2011: Read more books that I own. I check out many of the books from the library, which makes me put the books that I own on the back burner. So a lot of them sit on my shelf, waiting to be read. I hope to make a least a small dent in the new year. Finish reading Dreams from My Father . Obama was running for president when I started this book. He is already half way through his first term (I'm claiming he will be reelected next year). It's nothing against the President, but it's one of those books I pick up, read a few chapters and put it down and not pick it up again until months later. It's not the book, just me. Finish reading The Help by the time the movie comes out in August. I haven...