The A List

By now, most of you know that this blog isn’t limited to books, but focuses on all things of interest to the African-American community.

To be honest, it’s hard to limit our discussion strictly to books (especially reviewing books from “rival” publishers), so we hit many topics that can spark discussion, get you thinking (hopefully) and, perhaps, provide some inspiration for future books.

What’s that old adage? Art Imitates Life. Well, that sums up the purpose of this blog. Hmm, maybe we should rename ourselves.

Ok, back to the ranch:

Each week, we’re going to publish our picks for things we’re reading (without review unless it’s a recommendation), listening to and thinking about, in no particular order. For the two of you that read this blog, feel free to post your own picks for The A List.

The A List

 1. Martha Southgate

Last summer, I read Southgate’s article in the NY Times about the careers of African-American literary writers. The article provoked interesting discussions on many message boards and  blogs about her comments and the current state of the African American publishing industry.  

This was a critical moment for me personally, as I’d been actively working on Plenary’s business plan and trying to determine the type of publishing company that I wanted to create. At the end of the day, whether literary or urban, political or comic, we all have something to share about the many facets of African-American life.

Southgate is a wonderful writer, and I’m embarrassed to be reading her latest book, Third Girl From The Left, so late. I know, no excuses.

I’m also adding her to the List because she’s a black nerd like me.

2.  Jill Scott is “The Real Thing”

 

Without fail, Scott delivers music that sounds like poetry, or some fab book that you stay up all night reading. She manages to accomplish that rare milestone in today’s music industry: a CD that you can play straight through without skipping. I think I went two weeks without listening to anything else in my car. I’m hooked.

It’s hard to pick a favorite track on the CD, but if forced, I have to go with ”Crown Royal,” “Ephiphany,” “Wanna Be Loved,” “Only You,” “The Real Thing,” oh-I can’t do it. The entire CD is hot.

3.  Sinbad

It’s been awhile since we’ve heard from this brother, but kudos to him for calling out Hillary Clinton for misspeaking lying about her trip to Bosnia. While Clinton recalled being under sniper fire during this harrowing trip, Sinbad ”said the ’scariest’ part of the trip was wondering where he’d eat next. ‘I think the only ‘red-phone’ moment was: ‘Do we eat here or at the next place.’”

Source: Washington Post

Sinbad also called out Saturday Night Live for their ongoing portrayal of Barack Obama as a bumbling idiot. Interesting how SNL has portrayed Clinton as the in-control Commander-In-Chief because of her foreign policy experience. Wonder if they’ll take it to her this week for lying about Bosnia and puffing up how she brought peace to Ireland.