Maya Angelou

I've enjoyed many Maya Angelou books, including Letter to My Daughter, Still I Rise, Hallelujah! the Welcome Table, Angelina of Italy and Mikale of Hawaii.

As I read through the different books, I found the common denominator to be both observation and contemplation. Maya is a storyteller and she pulls the reader into the story as if one actually experienced the same happenings. Maya shares her life history in complete honesty. She does not seek approval nor does she require that one make the same choices.

I very much enjoyed Letter to My Daughter. Each topic is delivered in a little nugget of information and stands alone. It was very much a conversation that happened over lunch or a phone call or even by snail mail. What was unexpected is Maya has no daughters!

I would certainly consider additional titles by Maya, any books she recommended and I certainly need to make some of those recipes she shared.

Reviewed by Debbie, First Regional Library

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Singing In The Comeback Choir, by Bebe Moore Campbell

This book told a story that has been re-enacted many times throughout many cultures. The main character, Maxine, a high-powered television producer, takes time off from her job to help her grandmother, who is recovering from a small stroke. Grandmother, Lindy, had been a singer most of her life, but now seems content to live in a decaying neighborhood, allowing herself to also fall into disrepair, both physically and emotionally.

Maxine flies from her home in Los Angeles to her grandmother's home in Philadelphia, intending to convince her to move into a care facility. Instead, little by little she manages not only to revive her grandmother's spirits, but those of an entire neighborhood, simply by cleaning up.

As a genre, I didn't notice anything particularly different from our own Caucasian culture. The characters seemed to perpetuate a stereotype that, if a white person were to do it, would likely land one in court. Instead, the author uses the stereotypes to paint a picture of a neighborhood, one all too familiar to city-dwellers who have watched "good" areas become uninhabitable due to crack houses and filthy conditions that no one seems willing to address.

It ends on a positive note, however (pun not intended): Lindy returns to singing, the neighborhood improves, and the reader is left feeling empowered that if one is willing to DO THE WORK, entropy can be averted, resulting in more pleasant living conditions for all concerned.

Reviewed by a staff member, First Regional Library

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Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston

This is a story told by Janie to her best friend Pheoby to keep the gossip from growing about why Janie returned to Eatonville.

Janie was raised by her Grandmother a freed slave in Florida. Nanny's biggest fear for Janie is for her to become a "mule" for some no-count man. So when she sees Janie getting friendly with a neighbor boy, Nanny sets a plan to have Janie married off to Logan a somewhat successful older farmer. Nanny hopes Logan will give Janie the "front porch" existence of Nanny's dreams. Unfortunately, Logan was looking for a helper (mule) not a partner or even a lover.

One afternoon Janie meets Jody walking down the road, he speaks like no one she has ever met. Jody is ambitious and has very big dreams and pulls Jamie right into them. They run off to Eatonville and get married. Jody gives Janie the "front porch" life of Nanny's dreams, but with that comes a high price, of giving up her own dreams.

In mid life Janie's world changes abruptly and maybe she will find the adolescent love of her youth.

This is wonderful fast paced story told of hope, love and honesty. The language of this book is beautiful, there are many great quotes and moments in it. I highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by a staff member, First Regional Library

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Tears of a Tiger, by Sharon Draper

Andy is a high school basketball star with a promising future. After the death of his best friend Rob, Andy starts losing his way in life. The story gives details on Rob’s death affected each of his friends. Dealing with death, loss, and a sense of hopelessness Andy tries reaching out to different people to help him through, but his emptiness has devastating effects on his life.

Reviewed by Lisa, First Regional Library

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A Woman's Worth, by Nikita Nichols

Monique Morrison made a mistake when she moved in with her on again off again boyfriend Boris. She thought eventually they would get married, but marriage was never coming.

Monique continued to pray that Boris see what a good woman he had and seal the deal, but her prayers were constantly unanswered. Boris moves his cousin and best friend, Adonis, in the basement of the house to help him out after moving to new city.

Unfortunately, Adonis notices how Boris treats his beautiful and loving girlfriend, and eventually falls in love with her. Now Monique is left with the choice of trying to keep her hopes up for the boyfriend that will never commit, or give the new love a try she has been praying for.

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Begging for Change, by Sharon Flake

Raspberry Hill’s Momma is repeatedly trying to reach out to a very troubled teen neighbor, Shiketa, that lives in the same project apartments. Raspberry’s dad is a homeless drug addict, begging or stealing whatever he can for more drugs.

When Momma is hospitalized after Shiketa hits her over the head with a metal pipe, Raspberry’s friend, Zora, and her dad, Dr. Mitchell take care of Raspberry for a short while. Raspberry steals money from Zora’s purse. Dr. Mitchell is also Momma’s boyfriend.

Zora and Raspberry are not speaking to one another once Zora discovers what Raspberry has done. Dr. Mitchell and Momma do not know what the trouble is between the girls. Several of Zora and Raspberry’s mutual friends are torn in the conflict.

Will Raspberry own up to what she has done, or become a bumming thief like her dad? Will the situation come in between Raspberry’s Momma and Dr. Mitchell? Something must change. Raspberry Hill is Begging for Change!

Reviewed by a staff member, First Regional Library

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Grandma's General Store: The Ark, by Dorothy Carter

The book is highly recommended as an enlightening and refreshing read set in the Depression Era of the South.

Grandma owns a small colored general store that serves as a gathering place for hard working coloreds. When her son loses his job as foreman at the sawmill, he and his wife decide to head North to look for a better life. They must leave their children in Grandma 's care. The story unfolds as a heart rending story portraying the importance of family bonds and hard work.

This is a wonderful eye opener depicting the hardships that bring us closer together in life or break us apart.

Reviewed by a staff member, First Regional Library

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Tears of a Tiger, by Sharon M. Draper

This is book one in the Hazelwood High Trilogy. Andy and his friends leave a winning basketball game to celebrate their victory. After knocking back a few cold ones, one boy is dead and the 3 other boys lives are changed forever.

Andy wonders how to go on with life after killing his best friend.

This book is written in many formats, first person, journal, letters, conversations and notes from the main characters viewpoint. It is a compelling story of one boy's mistake and the desperation it drives him to.

Reviewed by a staff member, First Regional Library.

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