feliciabaxter

First Novel...Ever

The Tale of Genji (源氏物語 Genji monogatari) is a classic work of Japanese literature written by the noblewoman and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu in the early years of the 11th century.The work recounts the life of Hikaru Genji, or "Shining Genji", the son of an ancient Japanese emperor, known to readers as Emperor Kiritsubo, and a low-ranking concubine called Kiritsubo Consort. For political reasons, the emperor removes Genji from the line of succession, demoting him to a commoner by giving him the surname Minamoto, and he pursues a career as an imperial officer. The tale concentrates on Genji's romantic life and describes the customs of the aristocratic society of the time. It is sometimes called the world's first novel, the first modern novel, the first psychological novel or the first novel still to be considered a classic. (Direct Quote Wikipedia and the Tale of Genji Readers Guide)

#NCFroIsReading Rosa Guy’s Wade

I will be reading excerpts from Rosa Guy's Wade a short memoir of a young Black soldier's coming of age during World War II in France. He discovers his life is worth living after he murders a racist fellow soldier. (I Know Right?!?!)
I also will be giving a synopsis of the life and musical stylings of the late great Etta James who survived severe abuse at the hands of the men that were supposed to protect her and an industry that underestimated her talent and influence on every genre. 
I will also play a little bit of Duke Ellington, the coolest cat in Swing Jazz...just because I can!

#NCFroIsReading is Enjoying Short Stories from African American Women Across the Century

Today is International Women's Day and I choose to celebrate by reading amazing short stories from African American women writers from Jean Toomer, Ann Petry, circa 1958, with the only male, Jessie Fauset, circa 1919 to Terry McMillan circa 1991. I have enjoyed the sultry stylings of Lady Day aka Billie Holiday, tragic figure, talented songstress, amazing talent. She once said," I never hurt nobody but myself and that's nobody's business but my own."

It’s Lent Ya’ll

In celebration of Mardi Gras and Women's History Month, I am reading Colleen J McElroy's Jesus and Fat Tuesday on Fat Tuesday.(Go Figure) A reviewer wrote, her works are often influenced by her journeys both physical and mental, drawing on the landscapes that she has seen. About this influence, she once told one of her students “you’ll probably always write from where you aren’t, you’ll write from elsewhere, and the past landscapes you’ve known will filter in somewhere down the road."
Love as Christ Loved Us.

Celebrating Women’s History Month

In celebration of Women's History Month, I will be taking readings from gifted female writers. This episode features Song of Songs and the meaning of love and to be loved ending with a reading from The World of Rosie Polk by Ann Allen Shockley written two thousand years later and still supports the notion, "I am beloved and my beloved is mine."

#NCFroIsReading Zora and Alice

Comparison of 2 great African American women literary giants their exploration of love and family and how sacrifice doesn’t mean death.

NCFroIsReading Flying Home by Ralph Ellison

Black Boy Fly Lyrics by Kendrick Lamar
I used to be jealous of Aaron AfflaloI used to be jealous of Aaron AfflaloHe was the one to followHe was the only leader foreseeing brighter tomorrowsHe would live in the gymWe was living in sorrowTotal envy of himHe made his dream become a realityActually making it possible to swimHis way out of Compton with further more to accomplishGraduate with honors, a sponsor of basketball scholarsIt's 2004 and I'm watching him score thirtyRemember vividly how them victory points had hurt me'Cause every basket was a reaction or a reminderThat we was just moving backwardsThe bungalow where you find usThe art of us ditching classes heading nowhere fastStick my head inside the study hall, he focused on mathDetermination ambition, plus dedication and wisdomQualities he was given was the shit we didn't haveDug inside of his book bag and Coach Palmer asked for his finalsHe had his back like a spinal meanwhileWe singing the same old song spinning the vinylEleven graders gone wrongHe focused on the NBA we focused on some PatronNow watch that black boy fly...

NCFroIsReading...Langston Hughes

In Celebration of Black History Month I continue to read selections from Calling The Wind a collection of Short Stories from 20th Century African American Short Stories...and no I didn't get anything from the NC Book Festival. I couldn't find it!

#NCFroIS Reading James Baldwin

#NCFroIs Reading Call The Wind

This will be a series of readings in celebration of Black History Month informational and entertaining.