AMERICAN SUBLIME-Pulitz Prize Nom. POETRY by Elizabeth Alexander

Elizabeth Alexander's "American Sublime" is remarkable collection of poems that form a stirring quartet of historical events, Afr-Amer history, contemporary artists and autobiographical reflections.  Her writing has a bluesy melancholy mode, a strong sense of pride and a dreamlike quality.  Alexander was chosen by Pres Obama to deliver a poem at his 1st inauguration, "Praise Song for the Day." I strongly urge reading both her inaugural poem and "Amer Sublime."  This poetry collection is an informative accounting of slavery and a tribute to poets, musicians, political activists and writers of the 20th/21stC.  The "Amistad" section outlines the mutinous rebellion of captive slaves from Sierra Leone aboard the Spanish ship in 1839, their amazing journeys and the historical judicial proceedings in our nation's early history.  The poem Cinque Redux is told in the 1st person by the leader of the rebellion.  "I will be venerated, I will be misremembered…violent acts will be committed in my name."  "I will not proudly sail the ship home….Many things are true at once."  "Amerian Blue"segment is a moving homage to influential artists, family members and those who left an indelible imprint on her life. "Tina Green" is a loving tribute to her teacher's kindness as well as the cruelty of her peers being the "only-black-girl- in-my class story."  Alexanders' gift of words addresses issues of race in a startling manner. I was expecially struck by "Approach:" "The dark creatures are seen to be seals,….some the dull gray of the guns our captors used to steal and corral us, some the brown-black of our brothers, mothers, and two milky blue-eyed albino pups.  Albino: the congenital absence of normal pigmentation.  Something gone amiss. Anomaly, aberration.  Her poem "Ode" is a poem that resonates with warmth for all women.  "I love all the mom bodies at this beach, the tummies, the one-piece suits, the bosoms that slope, the wide nice bottoms, thigh flesh shirred as gentle wind shirrs a pond"

A Little Life by H Yanagiharav is a Man Booker & Nat'l Bk Award Nominee Which Beats Me

"A Little Life" by Amer writer Hanya Yanagiharav (b. Amer 1975) received a Na'l Book Award & Man Booker nomination.  I think this novel is an abomination.  Jude St Francis is a horribly abused orphan. He's raised & molested in the church and his life goes from bad to worse.  Just thinking of the relentless sexual abuse, brutal beatings and torture this young man endured makes me want to hurl.  Why did I read this novel and in its entirety?  Good question.  And, why did it receive such prestigious recognition?  Maybe because it became addictive?  Jude's 1st tormentor, sexually molested him & coerced him to have sex with men for money.  He escapes the priest only to be enslaved by a depraved, brutal pervert.  There is a turning point.  This comes after he's found, having been left for dead.  His captor drove over Jude when he attempted to flee.  Miraculously (or incredulously) Jude matriculates into an Ivy League college.  He forms friendships for the 1st with his assigned roommates.  Redemption  from suffering is short lived.  The years of abuse turn into self-abuse. Jude incessantly cuts himself with razors & bashes himself against walls.  I HATED this relentless book.  Reading this was as painful as slicing my own wrists.  I must be somewhat of a masochist.  Take my advice, don't get started.

Nat'l Bk Nom. FATES and FURIES by Lauren Groff

FATES and FURIES is a dazzling literary novel that shimmers with the genius of Faulkner, Joyce &  Shakespeare while spinning a tale of a young, golden couple whose world is their oyster.  Mathilde and Lancelot (Lotto) are drawn together the moment their eyes lock the last week of college, They marry before graduation and remain a couple despite the outlandish odds.  To thine own self be true: "She never lied. Just never said."  How does a person truly know the another?  One is never sure where the storytelling is headed.  There are multiple narratives that break off into fissures that spin into the future, fold backwards and speak directly to the reader.  Groff's writing style is reason enough to appreciate why she received a Nat'l Book Award nomination.  Yet, there are many interesting & unexpected twists and reveals to keep you immersed in this tale.  There will be times when you will become overwhelmed or submerged in miasma .  FATES is laden with erudite literary references. Groff's creative writing places her among the elite.  What is the difference between tragedy & comedy?  "There's no difference. It's a question of perspective."

MY STORY, MY DANCE-Robert Battle's Journey to Alvin Ailey for Young Readers

MY STORY, MY DANCE is a beautifully illustrated & inspiring biography of Robert Battle, the Artistic Dir. for the world renown Alvin Ailey Amer Dance Theater.  Written & illustrated for young adults by the colloborative husband/wife team Les & James Ransome.  This is a moving account of Mr. Battle's amazing life story. Raised by loving family in FL, Robert was surrounded by caring adults. Despite requiring painful braces to straighten his legs and starting dance lessons at a late age, Mr. Battle pursued & persevered to achieve his dreams of dancing professionally. He was fortunate to have had a mentor in high school, Miss Munez, who lent her support & guidance to the very determined, hard working youngster.  She provided him with extensive training & the opportunities to see dance companies, including Ailey.  Robert's passion and dedication led to a scholarship to Julliard in NYC and to his illustrious career as both a dancer, choreographer and leader of the world famous Ailey Dance Co.  HIS STORY is a story hope, hard work and following one's dreams.  HIS STORY is also a story of love, support and grace that special people bring to the lives of others.  

The COURAGE of THEIR CONVICTIONS by Peter Irons (Non-F)

Peter Irons account of 16 courageous & determined Americans that fought their way to the Superior Court should be mandatory reading as a means to instill a sense of justice & inspire us all to take a staunch stand to see that justice is severed.  First published in 1988, the cases are monumental.  Their impacts are felt in our daily lives.  The cases involve a Japanese American in WA who fought against internment in WWII, Brown v. the Board of Education & its enforcement in AK, a case in MD in the 1960's involving a non-violent protest at a segregated lunch counter, the Scopes trial case   Who are the individuals at the heart of the cases?  What did they have to endure?  What stirred them to take a stand?  What was their experience like and how did they maintain their tenacity?  Irons cover major cases of the 20th C which help lay the groundwork for social justice.  Iron's let's the individual tell their stories and this is what makes this historic American civil liberties book so reviting and so inspiring.  Most importantly, there is a never ending need to fight to maintain our civil liberties.  As Americans we do a court of law to maintain order & justice but the onus is on the individual, and it does come down to courageous individuals with convictions.  Current case in point right now in Yaphank, NY, homeowners learn they are only allowed to sell their homes to buyers of German heritage and their neighbors are required to sponsor the buyers.  The "Rasin in the Sun" case  from 1945, "Shelly v. Louis Kraemer fighting a restrictive racial covenant from 1911 in MO is presented in this book.

MARS and VENUS IN TOUCH by John Gray-Touche But No Big Hooray

John Gray, Ph.d. is a certified family therapist and best selling author.  He is probably best known for his multi-million selling book "Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus." I never read his other books but my guess is that they are all probably a rehash of what we all probably knew in the first place.  Gray subtitles this book "Enhancing the Passion with Great Communication."  I will be succinct  and reiterate the 2 main take away skills you probably already knew but may need to review:
1.  Make a point of making time to talk & listen.
2.  Make a point of not talking to the other at a time that is not suitable.
Wow, enlightenment and not entitlement meant to keep the home fires burning.  Here's my take, don't bother reading the book.  Just don't bother your spouse when they're not available to devote their utmost attention.  Here's my advice:  Ladies, let your girlfriends be your sounding boards & stop prattling in your partner's ear.  Gentlemen, give your ladies your attention and allow us to know how much retention time we have.  (Ladies, a lot less than we would like - so learn to be succinct.)

Canadian Author Miriam Toews' Novel ALL MY PUNY SORROWS is Soused in Despair

Miriam Toews (b. Canada) is a writer of stunning depth & intelligence.  She has received numerous literary awards including the Gov General's Award for Fiction.  ALL MY PUNY SORROWS is the story of 2 very devoted sisters, Yolandi (Yoli) the younger sibling to Elfried (Elf) the piano prodigy.  They are raised in a small religious Mennonite community where free expression & willfulness are discouraged.  Nevertheless, Elf thrives as an int'l concert pianist until she is overrun with despair & attempts to take her own life. Their father committed suicide when the girls were young.  Now as a married woman with a highly regarded performance career, Elf wants to end her sorrowful life.  Elf tries to enlist her sister in her desire to travel to Switzerland where euthanasia is legal.  "She wanted to die and I wanted her to live and we were enemies who loved each other."  Toews' staggering writing illuminates the anguishes of loving, particularily when your loved one chooses death over life.  "It sounded naive to me now and selfish and fearful to say you must live, you must want to live, you have to live.  That's your one imperative, the single rule of the universe."  Oftentimes oppressive, this brilliant  & heartfelt novel is suffused with love. There are strong familial bonds & joys derived from friendship and parenthood.  The novel examines the compassion & wisdom derived from grief and knowing the release of grief is also mourning.  This brave & disturbing novel is "about the grace you require in order to accept the gift of life."