4-8: Alexie, Giovanni, Bulter, Delany, Rowland
4) Ten Little Indians, Sherman Alexie
my partner and I had a pretend-argument over this book (it's hers) before I even started reading it, because it's only 9 short stories, but I read an interview with Alexie where he explains why and I found his "voice" in the interview (and his explanation) so full of engaging wit and humor that I wanted to "hear" more. I tend to explore new authors through short stories if I can (unless they've published series), because IMO a short story is the perfect litmus test; the stories in Ten Little Indians were rather hit-or-miss for me; the characters were either bland, one-dimensional, and repetitive, or they were intense, so sharply drawn and compelling they were almost tangible. The plots were different, they were complex, dense, so packed with meaning I felt like I was drowning in them. I like that in a novel, but in a short story it's a bit much to take. I think, ultimately, Ten Little Indians is going to require multiple readings (I've read it twice since I firist picked it up). but I think it'll be worth it.
5) Selected Poems of Nikki Giovanni by Nikki Giovanni
this one was a re-read, because I need something to clear my head. I've had this book for years, it's even signed. it's my comfort food. it makes me happy and sad, angry and peaceful, determined and resigned. it has all the words I need and can't say.
6) Parable of the Sower, Octavia Butler
another re-read, because I finally found another copy of the edition I had originally. I don't like the new edition, and I've had Parable of the Talents for a while and haven't read it because I wanted to re-read this first. I like Octavia Butler's biological/psychological sci-fi, it's long been my favorite. we've had enough discussion of how "dark" and "depressing" it supposedly is, but I prefer to think of it as pragmatic with regards to the realities of life for POC. alternative realities have to take into account actual realities, and the actual realities of POC and poor/lower class peoples of all races are qualitatively different, so the speculative futures of those peoples would be qualitatively different as well. if they are less ideal as well, they are possibly still comforting for all that. they have been for me.
7) Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years by Sarah L. Delany, A. Elizabeth Delany, w/ Amy Hill Hearth
I have mixed feelings about this book. The interviewer/chronicler is White, and her perspective and privilege so obviously colors the choice of topics and the direction of the stories that I had a real struggle engaging with the narrative at times. The intended audience is also very obviously White, and that colors a lot of what you glean for the narrative as well. On the other hand, the voice of the stories is clearly that of the Delany sisters, and there is a lot to learn about life, about determination, about pride and dignity and self-respect from their struggles and accomplishments. just as an example, I gained a whole new perspective on the idea behind the "Talented Tenth," and also on non-violent resistance from Sadie's descriptions of her way of resistting both Jim Crow in the South and the more subtle discrimination and segregation of the North. all in all, I'm glad to have read the book, despite it's shortcomings.
8) The Way of the Traitor by Laura Joh Rowland
my favorite genre of fiction, appearances to the contrary, is mysteries. unfortunately, I know very few POC mystery writers. I found Laura Joh Rowland a few years back, via The Concubine's Tattoo. I've been looking for her earlier books for a while, and I finally found this one at the Wheaton Library book sale, which immediately preceeds it. I hate reading series out of order, but it looks like I'll have to. anyway, The Way of the Traitor chronicles the misadventures of samurai detective Sano Ichiro, who has been banished to Nagasaki by the shogun's chamberlain and lover for the crime of offending the chamberlain by competing with him for the shogun's attention and favor. in Nagasaki, Sano discovers corruption, smuggling, and murder, and has to walk a fine line to discover the roots of these crimes without being sentenced to death for treason. I really enjoyed this book; I loved the descriptions of life in 17th Japan, of intra- and interpersonal dynamics among the Japanese and between the Japanese and the foreign "barbarians," and the descriptions of the conflicted feelings of all the characters. I love that no one is purely a villain or a hero, everyone acts with ambiguous motives and questionable virtues, even Sano. I even liked that the solution to the mystery doesn't resolve the major conflict of protagonist, that his personal desire to pursue truth and justice conflicts with his sworn duty to obey his corrupt and weak master.
okay, I think I'm all caught up now. I just need to figure out what I'm reading next.