Book Report: What You Should Be Reading

A snapshot of what’s in Mahoganie’s collection

In case you missed it, yesterday The Huffington Post posted 50 books that every African American should read. I have to say I’m really impressed with the list. It’s not the usual listing of the most common titles you hear float in and out of every conversation when it comes to classic black literature. Sure the classics are listed such as Ralph Ellison’s The Invisible Man, Maya Angelou’s I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings and Richard Wright’s Native Son. The list adds in a lot of new flavor and some greats that I’ve read and thought were so low on the radar that I just knew if anyone blinked they would miss them. Some new titles include ones that I’ve touched on here – Zadie Smith’s White Teeth and Danielle Evans’ Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self. One title that shocked me was Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga, a book I read while taking an African Literature course in college. Nervous Conditions is a marvelous work of literature. It’s perfect for an adolescent just as much as an adult. It’s a coming of age story of Tambu, a teen in the 1960s Rhodesia, which is now known in present day as Zimbabwe. She struggles to find a resolve between her family’s traditions vs. the colonized ways of her uncle and his part of the family.

“Tambu, who yearns to be free of the constraints of her rural village, thinks her dreams have come true when her wealthy uncle offers to sponsor her education. But education at his mission school comes with a price. There she meets sophisticated Nyasha, whose rebellion against her father brings disaster.” – Barnes and Noble Review.

I’m proud to say that I’ve read just about half of what has been suggested on the list. Mostly from my own choosing with some I had to read at some point for a literature or African American Studies course taken during grade school and beyond. These are absolute jewels. I look forward to reading those I haven’t read yet. Currently I’m reading Zadie Smith’s newest book NW. I’m only a few pages in and it is holding my attention. I’m curious to know where this tale will take me. I’m suppose to be discussing it soon with one other person that has finished it. I can’t wait!

Take a look at the list. What would you add?

Tagged: African Lit, african-american, african-american lit, books, creative writing, The Huffington Post, writing

Posted in: Book Report