Books To Read
Books To
Read
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| Photo Credit: Google Images |
“I don’t like
to read. It’s boring.” Ughh..Everytime I hear someone say this I cringe! And I hear
it a lot from my students, friends, colleagues, parents..well from people in
general. It sucks that some people have never read a good book.
Reading a good
book is one of my favorite past times. Before or after I get into my reality
shows and TV dramas like Love and Hip Hop, Basketball Wives, Housewives, Law
and Order SVU, and Orange is the New Black, just to name a few, I make sure I pick
up a novel. To me there’s nothing like getting into a new book with new characters,
settings, perspectives, language, lessons to be learned, etc. It’s especially
rewarding when you have a stressful life or lifestyle. Or when you just want to
get outside of yourself. It takes you to a different place, as different
person.
Below is
a list of recommendations for the books that I have read and absolutely loved. You
are welcome to email me @ MsNyqueBrown@gmail.com after you have read any of the
books and we can discuss them.
If you’re looking for a series of romance novels, you should pick up one of Francis Ray’s creations. She has written 43 novels during her career; so I think she knows what she’s doing right? Right. These novels aren’t super lengthy but their always interesting. And the characters that she describes..Ughh I love them. Brandon is my favorite Grayson character. Her story telling is smooth and vivid. The descriptions of the characters will have you looking at all the love interests in your life with a different eye. I am not positive if they make men like her characters but it definitely keeps the hope alive. This particular series is set in New Mexico. But with 43 novels she has about six other series set in other cities. It will be hard to put one of her books down once you start. Tell me which ones are your favorites once you get to reading! My absolute favorite one is “You And No Other”.
Ruby By
Cynthia Bond
Photo Cred: Google Images
On the
rare occasion when someone does ask me about a good book the first one I
recommend is Ruby by Cynthia Bond. This is her debut novel that actually took
her ten whole years to complete! The finish project turned out to be a 900 page
book, so it’s split into three parts. I’m still waiting for the release date of
the next one! (I wish she would hurry up!) Anyways, Ruby and Ephram are the two
main characters of this coming of age love story that is set roughly from the
1920’s-1970’s. Ephram is presented to us readers as a controlled young man
whose favorite pastime is to attend church and follow the orders and rules of
his older sister Celia. Ruby is introduced to us as an arcane young woman who
has had a rough life, to say the least. She has been mentally and physically
abused, raped, kidnapped, abandoned, sold and even possessed with the souls of
dead infants in her womb. I know. It sounds crazy, right? Well trust me, it all
comes together into an original, organic love story that is truly unforgettable.
The most compelling aspect of this book to me is the poetic language that is
used. The way that she pulls words together in her descriptions will definitely
leave an impression on you.
Side
note: This novel deals with deep issues like racial hate crimes, rape, sexual
exploitation, sex trafficking, kidnapping, molestation, and murder. With that
being said, it is for a mature audience.
In Praise
of Black Women Volume 1: Ancient African Queens By Simone Schwartz-Bart and
Andre Schwartz-Bart
Photo Cred: Google Images
Have you
ever heard of Black Eve? How about mitochondria DNA? You ready to learn
something? Well you should pick up the non-fiction book “In Praise of Black
Women”. It is an eye opening, and insightful look into the history of Black
Women, and mankind in general. There was so much information in the first
volume that I’m still not finished with it yet. Caution: Be prepared to read
with a pen and notebook like you’re studying for an exam. Besides the fact that
I learned so much from reading this book, the mere pictures, and drawings are
enough to make you want to pick it up. There are three more volumes and I can’t
wait to get my hands on the others. Since in America we will never hear this
information thru the media, or learn it in school, it is important to read up
on our own. Let me know if you read it, we can discuss some topics!
In the
future I will use a lot of information from this book under the tab WHAT
AMERICA NEVER TOLD US, so make sure to check their for more information to
learn more.
The
Grayson Family Series by Francis Ray
Photo Cred: FrancisRay.com
If you’re looking for a series of romance novels, you should pick up one of Francis Ray’s creations. She has written 43 novels during her career; so I think she knows what she’s doing right? Right. These novels aren’t super lengthy but their always interesting. And the characters that she describes..Ughh I love them. Brandon is my favorite Grayson character. Her story telling is smooth and vivid. The descriptions of the characters will have you looking at all the love interests in your life with a different eye. I am not positive if they make men like her characters but it definitely keeps the hope alive. This particular series is set in New Mexico. But with 43 novels she has about six other series set in other cities. It will be hard to put one of her books down once you start. Tell me which ones are your favorites once you get to reading! My absolute favorite one is “You And No Other”.
The Thug
Series by Wahida Clark
Photo Credit: www.wclarkpublishing.com
Let me
start off by saying I have been reading her series since I was in high school,
which was about six years ago. Her characters are always doing something unexpected
to the point where I have to put the book down out of frustration. I have
always admired the way Clark could maintain a series over so many years. Each
book is just as good, or better than the last. The Thug series is the epitome
of urban literature. The stories that she tells are set in the hood, but branch
off in many different directions, and settings. The ups and downs of relationships
along with the sex described makes you want to follow along with each and every
character. This series follows four couples throughout their relationships;
Angel and Kaylin, Kyra and Marvin, Tasha and Trae, Jaz and Faheem. The stories
are filled with fights, shot outs, murders, dirty police officers, white collar
crimes, drugs, friendships, love, marriage, infidelity, and much more. If you
are having a boring period of life these books will definitely bring some
action to it. I am still waiting for the next book to be unleashed. Come on
Wahida!
Midnight & The Sequel: Midnight and the Meaning of Love by Sister Souljah
If you have read “The Coldest Winter Ever”, than you were introduced to the character Midnight. Uhh. I love him! Anyway, the first book introduces a six teen year old teen from the Sudan that is living in Brooklyn trying to deal with the drastic changes of cultures. He begins working in a fish market which is how he meets a Japanese girl named Akemi. Despite the language barrier, along with racial and cultural differences, the pair manage to fall in love. The obstacles that Midnight had to overcome, in the sequel, to have the love of his life were very honorable, and downright insane. It kinda reminds me of the movie Taken. He had to go through- well let me stop. I don’t want to give the book away. In these books you will travel from Africa, to Japan, to Korea, back to Brooklyn. The books may become slow in certain sections, but overall they are both good reads.
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
Did you ever see that movie called The Other Boleyn Sister? With Kirsten Dunst and that actress that played in Black Swan? Well either way, if you like historical fiction you should check this book out. The story is set in England, beginning in the spring of 1521. The two sisters are Mary and Anne. Mary is the younger sister, who is 15 years old when her family separates her from her husband in order to be King Henry’s mistress. Two babies later, her family assigns her older sister Anne to be the King’s mistress, and dismisses Mary from her position. This story ultimately outlines the corruption of the courts and government, the power relationship between women and men, and what sacrifices someone will make to pick love over all. I loved reading this book. It’s long, but it never leaves you bored.
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