Five Books i'm dying to read

"Wear the old coat and buy the new book"
    - Austin Phelps


No 5:     Jesus’ Son – Dennis Johnson

from the reviews I’ve read on this book it is one of those where you feel as though the author could not have done a better job even if his life depended on it and when I hear things like that my interests are immediately sparked.
I am hoping this book lives up to all the hype I have attached to it as a result of the reviews.  Some of the things I have heard being said about this book and its author include phrases like; “Johnson writes like a slummin angel” and “The writing made my heart ache”. I can’t wait to get myself a copy of this book and once I again, I hope it lives p to the hype I have constructed around it.

No 4:     I Know why the caged bird sings – Maya Angelo

 I actually find it hard to believe that I haven’t read this book. Maya Angelou is a fantastic writer and is counted amongst my favourites. One rewiever on Khalahari.net  named  James Baldwin had this to say about the book “This testimony from a black sister marks the beginning of a new era in the minds and hearts of all black men and women... I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, liberates the reader into life simply because Maya Angelou confronts her own life with such a moving wonder, such a luminous dignity. I have no words for this achievement, but I know that not since the days of my childhood, when the people in books were more real than the people one saw every day, have I found myself so moved... Her portrait is a biblical study in life in the midst of death.“ After reading such a heartfelt testimonial, I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to pick this up and delve head first into it.

No 3:     1984 – George Orwell

I, like many others have read Goerge orwell’s Animal Farm either as prescribed reading in school or of our own accord and if 1984 is as beautifully written then I am sure to have a splendid time reading this book. Published in 1949, this book is acclaimed for its futurist tellings (well not literally a view of things in the future, but…)

No2:      Metamorphosis – Franz Kafka

 Dubbed on of the 20^th century’s seminal reads, Metamorphosis tells the tale of a travelling salesman who wakes up one morning to find that he has gone through a change in his physical appearance. This is just one example of the word “Kafkaesque” which has been used to describe surreal situations reminiscent of those found in his writing
 Kafka has penned countless other books including The Great Wall of China, Description of a Struggle, Amerika and Letter to His Father all of which were thought to be highly influential books and has thus been hailed as one of the greatest authors of the 20^th century.
I personally cannot wait to see what all the hype is about.

No 1:     A Thousand Splendid Suns – Khaled Hosseini

 I have intended to read this book for the longest time and I keep letting myself down in that I never get around to it. What with all the James Frey obsessions I have, it is a miracle I have the time to read anything else. I have however made a vow that it is most definitely going to be my next read.
 The book’s title is taken from a line in the Josephine Davis translation of the poem "Kabul", by the 17th-century Iranian poet Saib Tabrizi which reads as follows;

        Every street of Kabul is enthralling to the eye
        Through the bazaars, caravans of Egypt pass
        One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs
        And the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls.

Let’s get to reading!!!

When You Come by Maya Angelou

When You Come

When you come to me, unbidden,
Beckoning me
To long-ago rooms,
Where memories lie.

Offering me, as to a child, an attic,

Gatherings of days too few.

Baubles of stolen kisses.

Trinkets of borrowed loves.

Trunks of secret words.

I CRY.

Artist of the month - Napo Masheane

 

I remember the first time I heard a Napo Masheane poem, I may not remember the contents of said poem but, I remember her. Boisterous and proud, this woman spoke real, tackling with great ease issues that live constantly within every woman’s realm of thought. She penned some of my favourite stage performances, with titles such as “My Bum is Genetic, Deal with It”, “Hair and Comb” and “Fat Lady Sings” being amongst my all-time favourites. Her work speaks in an easily understandable, gravely familiar voice and sings the praises of women all the while shouting the importance of self-love and self-appreciation all these wrapped neatly in a humorous tone.
Her poetry does the very same thing and some of my favourites include “Fat Love” a beautiful love song to the odd one out my favourite verse reads;



The girls of Mollo: The woman in me

    
 

Napo and the Fat Black girls



This is the Genetic bum you've heard may a story of



The cast of Hair and comb



"They named you fat to own your pride
And lied
So that you can die
To break your stride
And called you not good enough"

She has penned two Anthologies titled “The Caves Speak in Metaphors” and “Fat Songs for my Girlfriends”

This phenomenal playwright, poet, director, producer and performer is not only a tremendous talent but, also a genuinely great person, I am of cause highly bias when it come to her, seeing as she was my boss for just over a year and as far as bosses go, she was the best.

For more on Napo follow this link http://www.iwebserv.net/#!__napo-masheane



In My Craft or Sullen Art - Dylan Thomas

Writen by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, In My Craft or Sullen Art is amongst my all time
favourite poems list. It speaks of more than just a poet seeking praise or recognition for his
work but, communicates the wants and needs for acknowledgement by humans in general.
I hope ya'll can draw from it what you need.

In my craft or sullen art   

Exercised in the still night   

When only the moon rages   

And the lovers lie abed

With all their griefs in their arms,

I labour by singing light   

Not for ambition or bread

Or the strut and trade of charms   

On the ivory stages

But for the common wages   

Of their most secret heart.

Not for the proud man apart   

From the raging moon I write   

On these spindrift pages   

Nor for the towering dead

With their nightingales and psalms   

But for the lovers, their arms   

Round the griefs of the ages,   

Who pay no praise or wages   

Nor heed my craft or art.

Current Read

I am finally reading the Alchemist. So excited!!!

The Final Testament - The review

Upon first picking up this book I expected the same rush of emotion and instant connection I felt when I read my first James Frey novel, A million little pieces. I soon figured that this was a gravely different experience. My first encounter with the book left me feeling as though James had maybe missed the mark on this one (although I would never have said this to anyone) but, like all his other novels I came to find that brilliance I have come to love about Mr. Frey.

I found myself seeking out the protagonist, Ben, amongst the people I come across on a daily basis and this was not only fun but, it brought me to the realisation that we all have the capability to create love and loving situations in our existences and that no matter who you are or what you do, we all have deep insecurities and a desperate want for love and bliss in our lives. I also came to learn from this book that the burdens we carry on our shoulders are often self-imposed and can thus be alleviated by only ourselves.

I did have moments where I failed to believe or buy into this narrative as at times I felt as though James was trying to sell me a view on religion (not sure if this his view but, a view none the less), as a firm believer in the concept of God as prescribed to by traditional Christians I found the book a tad blasphemous but, then I made a decision to interpret it solely on the bases that it is a novel and I allowed the story to carry my interpretations moving on as opposed to giving the beliefs written in the text to carry any weight. Once I had done this I found it extremely difficult to put the book down even if just for a smoke or toilet break. I loved the tiny bits of horror, suspense and sometimes even humour I found capsuled within all the salacious content and captivating drama.

James always manages to kill me, dead, with his endings and this book’s ending was no different. I sat in a taxi on the verge of an emotional breakdown, halfway in tears. This is however, one of the main reasons I love this man’s work, he has the ability to make me feel. The Final Testament is more than just a good read this, it is a journey that allows the reader to question one’s self and purpose.

I love this book almost as much as I loved A Million Little Pieces and I would recommend it to any and every one looking to enrich their state of being.

James Frey forever!!!