The Books That Mattered In 2010
From Nikki Giovanni and Eric Jerome Dickey to Isabel Wilkerson and Finesse Mitchell, we reached out to some of our favorite authors and asked them to share the books that touched them in 2010. Join BV on Books blogger Lynette Holloway for a look at the books that mattered in 2010.
The Books That Mattered In 2010
Decoded by Jay-Z
"Someone once asked me if I illustrate books. 'Words illustrate thoughts,' I replied, so, yes, I illustrate books.' Someone must have asked Jay-Z a similar question, but he probably answered: 'My work illustrates my life; not vice versa.' 'Decoded' is one of the best books of 2010 because Shawn Carter decodes hip-hop and comes up Jay-Z, a poet. And what a case he makes for his work and for the legitimacy of the hip-hop nation. What a case he makes for having a good heart and good dreams. What a case he makes for the future of creativity. 'Decoded' is one man's journey through hip-hop, slam, bustin' rhymes. But the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria were not the journey of three men but the ships captained by a young man dreaming of spices. CC stumbled into a new world; Jay-Z didn't stumble or fumble. ... He used his heart and incredible brain to draw a map and put train tracks all the way back to our ancestors on it. It's a journey you will want to take. All Aboard!"
-Nikki Giovanni, the award-winning poet, is editor of the recently released 'The 100 Best African American Poems.' (Sourcebooks MediaFusion)
The Books That Mattered In 2010
'The Prophet' by Khalil Gibran
"This year I had the opportunity to read 'The Prophet' for the first time. I've heard a lot of praise about this book, but the practical life lessons it offers really are timeless. Whether it's love, friendship, marriage, passion, knowledge or religion, it relates to a harmonious lifestyle we can all learn from. It's a quick read, but I guarantee you'll pick it up whenever you need a reminder of a deeper, more meaningful perspective on your life. Make it a 2011 must-read, folks!"
-Finesse Mitchell is the author of 'Your Girlfriends Only Know So Much' (Simon & Schuster).
The Books That Mattered In 2010
'Wench' by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
"This book, her first novel, told the stories of four enslaved women who were taken by their masters to a resort in the free state of Ohio in the mid-1850's. Although all of them are enslaved, she creates four distinct characters who have very specific reactions to their condition, to their masters and to the possibility of freedom. Her language is elegant and beautiful even when she is describing the most horrific crimes against these women. The book was unlike any other novel I've ever read set during slavery in America. She handled a subject that has been examined many times and made it fresh, new and amazing."
-Pearl Cleage is the author of 'Till You Hear From Me' (One World/Ballantine).
The Books That Mattered In 2010
'Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority' by Tom Burrell
"Tom Burrell poses a healthy challenge to African Americans that racism is not our problem; our response to racism can often be our problem. Along these lines, I have long been a firm believer that the prosperity of our community does not rest in lamenting over our challenges, but rather taking proactive, decisive action to overcome those challenges. 'Brainwashed' takes an identical stance. Finally, the book is about more than just 'talking the talk,' but also 'walking the walk.' Brainwashed is a laudable contribution to African American and American literature."
-Randal Pinkett, a winner of NBC's hit reality television show 'The Apprentice' with Donald Trump, is author of 'Black Face in White Places: 10 Game-Changing Strategies to Achieve Success and Find Greatness.' (AMACOM)
The Books That Mattered In 2010
'Have A Little Faith' by Mitch Albom
"This is the book that impacted me the most this year. It's the true story of two men, Rabbi Albert Lewis and Pastor Henry Covington, one a rabbi and one a black gospel minister, whose paths to faith are different but similar because they both lead to a true faith in God. This book is a must for people who believe they will never be able to overcome adversity, their past or experiences that altered their life. From the first page, I was riveted and read it at every possible chance. Reading their stories encouraged me to continue to fight the good fight of faith even when my life seems to be turning upside down. It also let me see how one's life can be so fulfilling -- from love to death, from failures to triumph, from fear to faith. I know both men impacted Mitch's life; it's evidenced in the words he wrote, but they have both impacted and encouraged my life as well. It's a must-read for anyone who desires a glimpse of what faith and hope can do."
-Patti Webster is author of 'It Happened in Church: Stories of Humor from the Pulpit to the Pews' (Souls of My Sisters/Kensington).
The Books That Mattered In 2010
'Sins of the Mother' by Victoria Christopher Murray
"This book mattered because it was simply a great read. Victoria Christopher Murray brings back the love-to-hate character Jasmine Cox Larson Bush. This time, however, Jasmine is not the cause of the havoc in her life. When her 4-year-old daughter is kidnapped from a mall in Harlem, Jasmine, as expected, is frantic with fear and grief. She has caused so much pain in other people's lives that there is an abundance of suspects -- so many who may want to hurt Jasmine in this way. As the days move on with no signs of their daughter, Jasmine and her husband face many issues of our time, including the difficulty of getting media coverage for a missing black child and every parent's fear: pedophiles. 'Sins of the Mother' is a suspenseful, heart-pounding read. I love great story lines, and I love writers who take the African American reading experience to a new height."
-Eric Jerome Dickey is the author of the new best seller 'Tempted By Trouble' (Dutton, Penguin USA).
The Books That Mattered In 2010
'Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self' by Danielle Evans
"In eight perfectly manicured short stories in her debut collection, Danielle Evans manages to turn her readers into flies and family. Each story is a study in intimacy and space -- the closeness and distance between lovers, best friends, or brothers and sisters. The book also touches on issues of race, sex, class and obligation. One of my favorites is 'Robert E. Lee is Dead,' the tale of two high school sweethearts - BFFs - who, after spending four years learning each other's secrets, will soon be separated by miles and much more. 'Before You Suffocate' is about a generation as much as it is about everybody."
-Helena Andrews is the author of 'Bitch is the New Black.' (HarperCollins)
The Books That Mattered In 2010
'Playing The Hand You're Dealt' by Trice Hickman
"I loved this story because it centered on an amazing relationship between two women who have been best friends since their freshman year in college. The kind of closeness they shared noticeably paralleled the same kind of closeness most sisters share, but what was also very interesting was the fact that Emily and Samantha couldn't have been more different personality-wise. Trice Hickman's novel was a wonderful page-turner that I never wanted to put down, and I'm so glad I had a chance to read it."
-Kimberla Lawson Roby, a New York Times best-selling author, will release 'Love, Honor, and Betray' on Jan. 10. (Grand Central Publishing)
The Books That Mattered In 2010
'Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer' by Siddhartha Mukherjee
"There were so many great and meaningful works of nonfiction published in 2010, many of them produced after a decade or more of research. It is nearly impossible to narrow them down to only one. Pressed to do so, however, one stand out in my mind. 'The Emperor of All Maladies: A
Biography of Cancer.' Mukherjee is as much philosopher-poet as he is physician, exploring with empathy and lyricism the history and science of a disease that spares no one, always with his eyes trained on the patients who give meaning and inspiration to his journey."
-Isabel Wilkerson, a Pulitzer-Prize-winning New York Times journalist, is author of 'The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story America's Great Migration.' (Random House)
The Books That Mattered In 2010
Akilah Bolden-Monifa: NAACP Board Supports Marriage…
From The Root:
Comments: (11)
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By: SAY WHAT! on 2/10/2011 12:34AM
I wrote me a book too.
It's called go to class or I'm gonna
Bust that ass!
Now let me break it down.
Tiger mama pounce, Black mama roar
Blah blah Blah
People like these are nothing short of
Control freaks living vicariously through their offspring.
Get your own life. You really think kids WANT to be chess masters and play the frigg'n piccolo.
If having your kids fear you into submission gets your rocks off then I guess you're on the right road. Roar and growl my azz
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By: DC on 2/10/2011 1:21PM
You sound mad. Say what you want about Miss Yvonne, but her children are successful.
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By: Sher on 2/10/2011 4:13PM
You're upset about what somebody is doing with their children. You act as if there is something wrong here? This lady is a doctor herself so living vicariously...Yeah right!
Think about what your children (if you have any) are doing and lets hope that they are or will grow up one half of the that of Dr. Thornton's children.
If your children are doing well and are self-sufficient and have good character and all the things that are rewarded in adulthood, then don't you think that you played a significant role in that?
How do you know that the children didn't like chess? I wasn't a chess champion, but I sure like playing chess all the time as a child. Do or did your children have a pass time or hobby? Most children who are born into families like this love what they do because it come natural.
This has nothing to do with fear. This was a mom who protected her children from the bull outside and this was the result of that. I'm sure they had friends and did things outside of the house, but they were probably not allowed to do a bunch of the foolishness that these silly parents let their children do now a days.
The parents these days have no expectations and fear that if they can not be their child's friend and allow the child to do whatever he/she wants that the child will grow up resenting them.
The consequence to this type of parenting, if you want to call it that, is that the child ends up resenting the parent anyway because they start blaming the parent for why they sabotaged them into believing that the life that they were allowing them to live was real when in actuality, real life requires sacrifice if you really want to make it.
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By: Kemba on 2/10/2011 5:29PM
EXACTLY!!!!! KUDOS to the Kids, but what has she done beside write this so called bestseller...
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By: Dwight D. Williams, Sr! on 2/10/2011 2:20PM
Am I being led to believe that your children are guaranteed success if you are strict on them and not let them have any fun? Be for real there, is no iron clad way to raise children, unless success is measured by going to an Ivy League school. A balance needs to be made between outrageous expectations and reality. I learned to play the saxophone not by being pushed, but by me wanting to do it.I'm also a college graduate with who had a double major.
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By: sodamngood85 on 2/10/2011 2:38PM
You shouldn't push a child too hard, but I believe that discipline is key.
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By: Sher on 2/10/2011 4:11PM
Why do you think the children didn't have any fun growing up?
What kind of fun do you think a child should be having? Your idea of fun and their idea of fun may be different or has that occurred to you? I find reading books fun, but the majority of my friends think this is boring.
Parents are responsible for instilling discipline in their children. You have to instill character and teach children real life. Real life is not fun although we all find a way to have fun, real life doesn't care how cute or what kind of Jordan's or iphone or any of the other stuff that parents think they have to give their kids to make them feel good about themselves.
Real life is hard and if you don't teach children early, the consequences for unpreparedness to life is definitely real and ain't nothing cute about it!
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By: Andre on 2/10/2011 2:38PM
Where Are We As Black People
I am of the same feeling as the Lioness. She can remember a time before segregation when black people were a different breed than they are now. I honestly believe that today’s blacks are more mislead, softer and unable to withstand the things that our great and grandparents where able to suffer through, overcome and conquer. We are a weaker people. We are afraid of work even when it comes to looking for work or building a legal business. Our faith has diminished as whole. Those who do go to the house of prayer are bamboozled, hoodwinked and run amuck by small church pastors and mega church pastors. These churches are fundraiser (Malachi 3:10) organization that do not serve the community. Oh and by the way that scripture was from God to the pastors. Start reading at Malachi chapter 2, "Study and show thyself approved". And don't forget what Paul said "I would not have you ignorant". We are told Malachi 3:10 so much we know that by heart, then the pastor misquotes it. Why don’t these mega churches start some factories and put some black folk to work. Let us create a Jew heaven for ourselves "a factory". Manufacture anything Shoes, drawers, jeans anything doggone thing. The number of black businesses is down. The ability to work together is down. The family paradigm is down. Yes, we have more educated blacks now, but with less sense. How many black republicans are there? Where are our leaders at? Those educated persons of the institutions of higher learning that felt a need to represent the masses or at least point us in the right direction?
Martin, Louis, Huey, Malcolm, where are today’s generation of leaders? Don't drink the Kool aid these bishops are not our leaders. We are a lazier people we won't even work to help ourselves or our people. President Obama is not the leader of our race. He is the leader of the Free World. So don't blame him. "Don't hate him, congratulate and support him. Grind be a "Marathon Runner" not a "slackard".
nabundnace.blogspot.com for more interesting thoughts make you go "hmm".
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By: Sherrye on 2/10/2011 4:17PM
All I can say to your comment is: THANK YOU...Some people just don't get it...
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By: Jeffrey_V_Brown on 2/11/2011 10:15AM
I wish more of your parents were like this. I am tired of our kids being disrespectful and loud. I am tired of it being our kids who will cuss out the teacher, refuse to listen or go to class, to do thier home, ect.
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