Black History Month

It has been close to a month since I last posted any book information. I know I promised to be more frequent with my postings, but I just haven't read anything that has warranted further comment. But tonight I would like to write about my next reading adventure.

February is Black History month and every February I pick a book that was written by an African-American author or is essentially about African-America culture and I try to broaden my outlook. I started doing this a few years ago and have come across some really astounding works of fiction. I have read Native Son by Richard Wright; The Living Is Easy by Dorothy West and my absolute favorite read was Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.

I know that Oprah had produced a television adaption of this book several years ago that starred Halle Berry, but it did not do the book justice. It is a story of survival and love and is written with such beautiful language. It is also written in a strong dialect which took me sometime to get use to, but my patience paid off in the end.

So, this month I have decided to take on the weighty, thought-provoking book Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriett Beecher Stowe. For those who don't know this little quirk about me. . . I tend to collect books and then they sit on my shelves for years because I get distracted and collect more books. I have had this edition of Uncle Tom's Cabin since high school? Not quite sure, but high school has been over since 1995 - I think I am long overdue to read this book.

I have pulled it out, flipped through the pages numerous times and had many good intentions, but I guess I have never been able to get past the fear of the language and the way it may be written. Am I smart enough now to read it? We will soon find out. I will post as soon as I finish this classic, historic novel.

Happy Reading!