The Librarian At Large

      Art.  Books.  Music.  Each one are avenues to the mind, heart and soul of the receiver.  Whether you hear the music,  see the art or hold the books, the power of communicating a feeling or thought is conveyed and in some cases never forgotten.  Years ago at a catechism workshop,  there were a group of students speaking about the power of music as a ministry.  One woman, a native of Detroit, African American and Catholic stated that the "European" Catholics would never feel at home at a predominantly black Catholic Church.  We all vehemently disagreed.  The mass is the same in every Catholic  church.  Yes, but the music is very different.  It resemblers closer to Negro spirituals.  She was right.  It is different and although it is not the same as the Ave Maria or Ode to Joy, it speaks about the soul hearing for God in a very different yet passionate way. ...

     A Modern day musical visionary is our focus for today's post.  The rise and fall of many Black performers is the testimony to the unique sounds and beats that have shaped the musical landscape in America.  In the fifties and sixties,  music lovers fell for the style of Fat Domino, Ray Charles,  Little Richard, and James Brown.  Each one of them brought talent and a twit in music that has never been heard of before.  Fast forward to the eighties and nineties music,  black artists made their music stand out in ways that honored those who went before them and made a niche fro themselves in the process.  Michael Jackson.  Whitney Houston,  MC Hammer and of course, Prince.  Each of them made their way to stardom but Prince stands out from the rest.  No disrespect to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson whose talent will never be replaced, but Prince's t...

      At the start of Black History Month,  Black and White Like You and Me was featured because of it's unique perspective on racism by two gentlemen, one white one black.  Today's blog will feature a similar book but the voices belong to two women.   We're Not Colorblind: Healing the Racial Divide  written by Alveda C. King, and Ginger Howard.    Both women have backgrounds in public speaking, political activism and perhaps, in their eyes more importantly they are both Christians.  What motivated these two women to come together to write this particular book is that Howard was convinced that this book was a calling  from God.  With this in mind, where Black and White was not a spiritual read this book most definitely is and it makes no apology for being that way.  Nor should they be apologetic.       The choice for the title of this book is an interesting one.  When discussing race, we ha...

     The Story of Motown,   was a  re-released in 2018 containing a  new forward by Greil Marcus.  This book is a must read for any music lover of the 1960's and especially Motown.  The songs that were produced here sparked the imagination of an entire generation.  To say that Berry Gordy was a genius is an understatement.  What he actually achieved was a phenomenon that the world has never seen or will see again.    Who would have ever thought that in the middle of the Motor city there would be a music capitol like no other in the United States?  Or even in the world?    Peter Benjaminson's book does an excellent job in telling the Motown story and its impact on music, culture and Detorit.       It all started with Berry Gordy borrowing $800 to begin the Detroit-based record company.  In less than a decade Gordy built the largest black-owned business in America.  The conce...

     A review of books for Black History Month would not be complete without Toni Morrison.   She is the "giant" of our generation. Ms. Morrison will always be in many minds the consequential voice of the African American writer.  Her works from The Bluest Eyes to Solomon Son g have touched many readers, of all generations.   If you have not read at lest one her books, you do not have a complete comprehension of Modern American Literature.   Fans of Ms. Morrison will enjoy   Toni Morrison : the last interview and other conversations.    In 2019., readers mourned her death and wondered who could ever compare to Morrison.   The simple answer was that no one could and the only consolation to be had was the fact that her work was her legacy.  In 2020 when the last book was published,  Niki Giovani wrote in the introduction of the book, "The title of this book is The Last Interview but th...

      Keeping with the spirit of successful black in business, today's post will not focus on a fiction story but  rather six true stories of Black entrepreneurs who made it to the mark of Millionaires in America.  Personally these stories are uplifting because they defy the odds and the impossible become a reality.  There needs to be more stories like this to share.  Shomari Willis'   Black Fortunes: The Story of the First Six African Americans Who Survived Slavery and Became Millionaires  is definitely on the must read list for February for many reasons.  The most important one of all is that it speaks to everyone.  To read the stories of these six individuals is inspiring enough for anyone to feel empowered that they too can overcome any obstical to become a success.     Willis focus is primarily on the last germination of blacks born into slavery and dare to break the mould by attaining financi...

     It is a professional perk to discover new writers and recommend them to fellow avid readers.   Everyone knows of Toni Morrison,  Maya Angelou,  Langston Hughes. and so many talented black writers but it's exciting when a new generation writers come along to spark the literary landscape with a little razzle dazzle.  Mateo Askarjpour is a new to publishing and by the looks of his first novel,  it is to be believed he'll be around for a long time.  The book's title and cover art intriguing and eye catching that one can't help but be curious about the contents. What could a book titled   Black Buck,  possibly be about?    Money?  Coffee?   Well, yes and yes.  It has two do a little bit about both topics.        Mateo Askaripour's writing is  satirically, fresh and sharp.  It takes the reader on a journey of a tech start up company that promises the world to ...

      A little bit off the beaten path, but this book is surely one to put on the book shelves alongside the other books mentioned in previous posts.   It can pretty much be a fair bet that most people have not heard of this  person's name or know what famous "first" he has achieved.  It is even safer to say the most Catholic, which was the faith he practiced, do not know of him either.   This particular book was chosen because of the deep Christian spirituality that existed among the slaves.  However,  many consider the Catholic Church  as being a religion predominately "white" but that is not the case.  As we will see in the case of Father Augustine Tolton.  The first recognized African American Catholic Priest.  His story is riveting  as it is told by Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers.  The title of the book is simply titled,  Father Augustus Tolton: The Slave Who Became the First African-American Prie...

 "Float like a butterfly Sting like a bee." "I   am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was." “It's hard to be humble when you're as great as I am."      All of these quotes came from one remarkable athlete.  A man who took the world by surprise in many ways but in the end was always true to himself and to what he believed.  Even if you are not a boxing fan, or any type of sports fan,  most know who proudly said these lines.  Yes, the great Muhammid Ali spoke these words.  In and out of the boxing ring,  Ali had a unique way of expressing himself and his ideas.  Was Ali the greatest boxer of all time?   Yes, not just because he said so but because others have seen him in the ring and know a true champion when they saw one. He is the topic of this blog today because of  Mike Marqusee book,     Redemption Song: Muh...

    Black History Month would not be complete without a book  about the unsung heroes.  the ones hat public never hears about until someone  dares to to their story.  Today's focus is on Margot Lee Shetterly's book,  Hidden Figures: The Untold Story of the African American Women Who Helped Win the Space Race.   Most people are familiar with this story because of the movie.  The book is way better than the movie but in this case it is recommended to see both.  Why?  Both are powerful.  Both are inspiring.      Shetterly follows the lives of three computers who worked for NASA during the space age.    Computers is not a typo but an actual job title for NASA when humans did the calculations and mathematics that the computers do today.  These brilliant mathematicians had to face many obstacles.  The gender barrier. was one such obsta...

     Today it's time to go back to the college days reading lists for titles that inspired deep conversations about human behavior, race and society.  Over the years,  many novels that have been published dealing with this difficult topic of whites versus blacks,  society norms versus society's taboos.     On such title that comes to mind is Native Son .   Published in 1940,  Wright's contribution to American Literature sparked the debate of whether a man's action is caused by his DNA or is it the results of the culture in which he lives.   Most critics point out that Wright was not trying to justify his main character's actions but rather trying to get the reader to get inside the character's mind and understand the "why" of the actions.  For the purpose of Black History Month reading, this title can not be ignored because the story's plot is so familiar that it could be easily taken place in 2021.   The more ti...

      The development of the African-American genre in literature did not begin in the 1960's,  where most people assume this to be the case due to the Civil rights brand sweep through the  country.  It actually begins in the early part in America's history.   As a matter of fact,  the first African-American writer/poet to have their works published is Phillis Wheatley.  It is said, that she is one of George Washington's favorite poet.         Ms. Wheatley lead a very different life than that of most slaves. In 1761,  she was enslaved by John Wheatley for the purpose to be a slave for his wife Susanna.   The family was well established in Boston and they were considered to be progressive in their day.   Phillis leaned to read, write and learn with the help of each of the family members.   They encouraged her education which lead to her writing poetry.   It is recorded ...

     Rolling through the days of February, here is another title to consider for Black History Month.  This book would be  appropriate for teachers, educators and home schoolers as well.  I had the opportunity to meet the editor a few years back when he was on a book tour for winning an award from the Library of Michigan.  The book that had won the award was Rowing Inland .  Reading poetry is not for everyone, but  Mr. Daniels proved that it a rich story with the backdrop of gritty blue collared midwestern city could be as fascinating as reading a novel.  That book is not the subject of today's blog. The book to be discussed is the one  Mr. Daniels edited and suggested to add to the library's collection.     Challenges to The Dream:  The Best of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Writing  Awards at Carnegie Mellon Univeristy is an anthology of works from young writers who  speak about struggles w...

      Today in America we celebrate President's day.   How does one "celebrate" this day?  Well, the banks take the day off,  schools normally schedule a Winter break  and the rest of us go to work.  So much for celebrating, right?   We promised at the beginning this month that we could focus on titles that were related to Black History Month and give readers a full twenty-eight days of book suggestions to consider reading.   Today is no exception but it does come with a bit of  controversy given the political climate of the day.  In honor of President's day,  the focus will be on a newly published work by the 44th Presdient of the United States, who is also the First African-American Presdient.  Barack Obama's   A Promised Land has been recently published.  To be clear, this review is not a defense or criticism on President Obama's presidency.  It is merely a review of his...

     Love is the word of  the day.  We humans, love so many things.  Music.  Books. We may love a painting or film.  We can even love a play.  What a funny word that is and yet it used in many different ways and situations.   In keeping with this them of love and throwing it in with black history month,  is it beyond the possibility to explore English Literature to find examples of racial tensions and how society of the past dealt with the same topics that are faced today? Is that possible?  Indeed it is.    Don't look any further than William Shakespeare's   Othello.    Before going into the summary of the play and why it's befitting to read during Black History Month, let's take a step back together to see the big. picture.      First things first,  a full confession is due at this point.  Shakespeare has been and wi...

      In the world of children's literature, there are several books that are so wonderfully illustrated that there are no words to be written.  The pictures tell the story and somehow, every "reader"  hears the same voices, hard the same words and feels the same way.  Librarians and teachers are taught   that books like these are wonderful to share but never for story time.  Additionally, these books are perfect for the reluctant readers to become comfortable with books and hopefully begin a journey to becoming lifelong readers.   There may be some truth to the "common wisdom' of the professions,  it has been my experience that these types of  books are great for class or library story hours.  It provides a different spin on telling a story as well as engaging the audience with questions, comments that bring about teachable moments.      Henry Cole is well known in ch...

            There have been many books written about Abraham Lincoln and the Abolishment movement.  At this point one could ask, was there really a need for another book?   The answer to this question is a loud and affirming Yes.  James Oates produced one of the best books on this very subject.   The Crooked Path to Abolition: Abraham Lincoln n and the Antislavery Constitution.   It seems natural to bring this book up as today is his 212th Birthday.         There were many factors that presented "detours" on the path to abolishing slavery in the United States.  First of all, the South were not ready to see what was in front of their eyes.  Slavery was not only immoral but costly.   Secondly, there were those who looked at the Constitution in two opposing views.  One that it was a anti-slavery document the other the is was Pro-slavery.  What did the constitution mean when it...

    Difficult topics are easier to explore though fiction than through everyday conversations.  There is a delicate balance that  must be established and maintained between the character's actions and emotions and the readers' reaction.  Go too far on a tangent with an idea that leaves the reader alienated or upset, the story is then ruined.   That is what makes great writers genius' at their craft is that the find the balance of respecting their characters and respecting their readers at the same time.  Which lends to the opportunity for the reader  to intently "listen" to a voice that is strong with reason,  emotions and undeniable truth, even when the truth is not a pretty picture.  Jesmyn Ward is a recipient of two National Book Awards.  Her. story,   Sing Unburied, Sin g is sprinkled with the ugly and uneasy truth about racism in Amer...

      Walter Dean Myers.  His works are the definition of engaging stories featuring African American characters.    His works has spanned over five decades, and countless number of teens, black and white alike, have enjoyed his books.  In July of 2014 Mr. Myers passed away but  his legacy as one the brightest African American writers has been solidified.  From picture books, to history books  and  drama YA novels,  Mr. Myers' shared his talent with the hopes of entertaining as well as educating his audience.    His earliest work written in 1979, Mojo and the Russians,   was a book assignment for this shy, avid reader and new kid on the block. In eighth grade  my English teacher instructed his 8th grade class to pick out a book that had characters that were different than themselves.  In other words, select a book that has a character living in world very different than their own.  I couldn't chose...

       Not sure if this will the be last children’s book to review for Black History Month, but if it is it certainly not the least in the array of titles that are chosen to be showcased in this blog.  Before going further,  it is important to explain why children’s books are so prominent in this blog and in the particular list.   One of the benefits of reading and critiquing children’s book is the author’s most times give a very simple yet accurate explanation of word or ideas that are sometimes hard to explain.  The book chosen for today, is an excellent example of how historical terms or ideas are explained in a straightforward manner which helps the adult and child enjoy the story with clarity.  Child of the Civil Rights Movement written by Paula Young Shelton and Raul Colon, is vivid,  well-paced story of a little girl who was born in the North and went to the Deep South with her family to help fight the unjust laws which were kno...

    The name Ruby Bridges may not be  familiar to  who lived through the tumulus times of the 1950's and 60's.   This little girl was the center of attention when public schools in Louisiana began to be  integrated. Certainly, many saw the pictures in 1962 of the protest outside of the elementary schools.  Names of the new students going to the schools were never released.  The photographs of Ruby going to school was how the world first met this bright, shy little girl.      Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges gives a unique perspective from the little girl who was at the center of the controversial belief  that all children should have access to a quality education regardless of  race, gender,  economic status  and cultural difference.  Another stepping stone to creating a society that could be truly equal for everyone.       What makes this book different autobiography  is that Ms...

     There are many controversial figures in history that have stirred the "pot" in their own particular way.  Today's subject of this blog is no different.   This book was published October 2007 by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.  When first looking at the title one would think that Justice Thomas would be writing about his father, but he's actually referring to himself.   My Grandfather's Son is a deeply inspiring tome that will have the reader turning the page wanting to find out more.  Whether you are a political junky, or a fan of Justice Thomas or not, this book is inspiring.  One doesn't need to have to "like" the person to read their story but it may just help understand the famous figure a bit better.  Perhaps, there is a chance of even liking him, even a lit bit.      Justice Thomas story is not a new one.  Most African American males his age have a similar...

From Left to Right:  Thomas "Cookie" Marsh,  Lisa "L ibrarian at Large" Valerio-Nowc, and Thomas "Whitey" Daniels.        A couple of years ago, I was working as a Library Administrator in a small urban library I had the opportunity to host the authors of   Black and White Like You and Me: Parallel Line Sometimes Intersect.    It was one of the highlights of my  time there.  Their book is was donated to the library and hopefully is checked out often due to the important message that the authors have to readers in Detorit and indeed, across the country.    The authors' approach to speaking about racism is different and refreshing. The task of talking openly and honestly about race is not for the faint of heart.   However, the authors make it seem easy by sharing their own stories how racism has effect both of them.  Thomas Marsh on my left in the picture, is known to many friends and folks...