The Book of Night Women by Marlon James

Gypsy's Review

rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

The Book of the Night Women is unlike any book I've ever read. Marlon James creates a seemingly tangible world with his use of dialect and the narrator's inside information. And what a cruel world it is. It makes me so sad to put myself in the place of any of the women in book, even the white women. While women appear to be the more cunning sex, their power is so limited that they are only allowed to move in a certain framework. The men are portrayed as easily manipulated, but with ultimate power, at least over the women.

James does an excellent job of exploring relationships including interracial, intra-racial, gender and class relationships. All of the slave relationships portrayed were rough. The slaves were very tough on one another and of course the masters and mistresses were hard on the slaves. The interaction between whites, while not examined in great detail, highlighted the class issues of the time.

Overall, I really liked the book, although, I found it difficult to read due to the strong dialect and harsh language. However, I think this adds to the authenticity of the the story. Marlon James did an excellent job and I will definitely read more of his work in the future.


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Sweet Georgia Brown -Book Review

Sweet Georgia Brown left me feeling both uplifted and sad. The dichotomy of emotion was brought on by the demise of a relationship and the personal growth of one of its participants.

In Sweet Georgia Brown, author Cheryl Robinson introduces us to Marvin and Georgia Brown, a down on their luck couple living with Marvin's parents. While Georgia works a 9-5 job, Marvin spends his days at home and works at night as a stand up comedian. Georgia seems to possess unwavering faith in her husband despite his father's warnings that she can do bad by herself.

The family's financial struggle pays off and they are rewarded with an extravagant lifestyle. Unfortunately, when the money came, it seems the happiness left and they are left with a lot of emotional baggage to deal with. Eventually, Georgia finds her own voice and moves from behind Marvin's shadow. While raising his teenage daughter (that she never knew about), Georgia realizes that the Marvin she married is not the silver tongued Marvin of today.

While this was an interesting story, I felt that the timing was a little off and the characters were not well defined. Emphasis was placed on the back story, but to me the story felt rushed towards the end and of course there was no real conclusion. Sweet Georgia Brown definitely leaves room for a sequel.

Please Utilize Your Library

In this time of budget cuts and layoffs, there are few certainties. If the library, including the Multicultural Collection is important to you, please continue to support it, by visiting, checking out materials and coming to programs.

The County is being forced to make difficult decisions this month that are sure to effect the library. It is our goal to maintain the quality services to which you have become accustomed. While the purchasing budget will probably be lowered, we still expect to receive new materials, even if on a smaller scale. This makes your suggestions and ideas more critical than ever. We need to know what you would like to see. Keep in mind that we will not be able to follow through with every suggestion, but we will try our best to honor as many requests as possible. Remember that the Union County Public Library does not actively pursue erotica or titles published by vanity presses (self published).

For your convenience there a couple of ways to make suggestions as to which books we buy. You can:
1. Fill out a Request/Reserve Card at the Reference or Circulation Desk.
2. Choose Suggestions on the Library Webpage (www.union.lib.nc.us)

We look forward to hearing your suggestions.

New Multicultural Nonfiction

• The Obamas: Portrait of America’s New First Family from the Editors of Essence. NEW 973.932 BASS
• Gabriel Garcia Marquez: A Life by Gerald Martin NEW 921 GARC
• Digging: The Afro-American Soul of American Classical Music by Amiri Baraka NEW 780.89 BARA
• In the Black: Live Faithfully, Prosper Financially by Aaron W. Smith NEW 232.024 SMIT
• Black Men Can’t Shoot by Scott N. Brooks NEW 796.323 BROO
• A More UnBending Battle: The Harlem Hellfighters struggle for Freedom in WWI and Equality at Home by Peter N. Nelson NEW 940.5412 NELS
• Writing the Future of Black America by Daniel Grassian NEW 810.9896 GRAS
• We Had Sneakers They Had Guns: the kids who fought for Civil Rights in Mississippi by Tracy Sugarman NEW 323.1196 SUGA
• Down Home With The Neelys: A Southern Family Cookbook by Patrick and Gina Neely NEW 641.5975
• The Romantic Dogs by Roberto Bolano NEW 861.64 BOLA

Recent Multicultural Purchases

Christian Fiction

• The Someday List by Stacy Hawkins Adams
• Before Redempton by Teresa McClain-Watson

Mystery

• In the Night of the Heat by Blair Underwood

Historical

• Swetsmoke by David Fuller

Romance

• Naughty by Rochell Alers

Street Lit

• The Dopeman's Wife by JaQuavis Coleman

General Fiction

• Beneath the Bruisis by Dywane D. Birch
• Kiss the Sky by Farai Chideya
• Taste of Lust by LeBlanc
• You Gotta Sin to Get Saved
• Before Redemption by Teresa McClain-Watson
• Sinfull Too by Victor McGlothin
• Girl Talk by Shereen McKellar
• Obsessed by Devon Scott
• The nature of a Woman through the eyes of a Man by Sylvester Stephens

Bring on the Blessings by Beverly Jenkins

Gypsy's review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book. For me the storyline carried the book. I recommend this book for anyone who aspires to leave a legacy by changing the world. If this doesn't describe you, I'm not sure you will appreciate Bring on the Blessings.

Except for Donna Hill and Brenda Jackson, I don't usually read romance novels, so Beverly Jenkins is a new author for me. I will most likely read her work again. As a Black History Buff, I love her inclusion of information about African Americans going West in the late 1800s. As a certified "do-gooder" the lofty goal of Bernadine Brown spoke to me on a very basic level.

I hope that Ms. Jenkins continues the story of Henry Adams and its residents, because the book left me wondering how everything would workout. After Reading the book, I also felt energized and ready to make a difference in my own little corner of the world.

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