On My Nightstand

It was a big summer for black writers with the publication of several highly anticipated and critically acclaimed novels.  I discovered many of these books on the Instagram Well Read Black Girl.  Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Here Comes the Sun, by Nicole Dennis-Benn

Here Comes the Sun is about a trio of women living in Jamaica struggling to better their lives.  The novel explores issues of class, color, and sexuality, but it is really about the commodification of the female body-first by force and then by choice.  Here Comes the Sun strikes the perfect balance between being readable and thought-provoking.  If you are interested in stories about the complicated dynamic between mothers and daughters, read this novel.

2. Behold the Dreamers, by Imbolo Mbue

Behold the Dreamers is especially timely considering the current state of election politics.   It tells the story of  a family from Cameroon who immigrates to the United States and develops a relationship with the family that they come to work for.  For most of the book I was afraid that it would devolve into a tale of "magical Africans" whose presence transforms the lives of the wealthy, but dysfunctional, family that they work for.  Fortunately, this novel is not that.   

3.  Another Brooklyn, by Jacqueline Woodson 

  

Another Brooklyn is a short poetic novel describing the narrator's coming of age in the 1970's.  It is about the strength of female friendships and the danger of beauty when it develops before it its power is fully understood.  As I felt this book coming to a close, I immediately knew that as soon as I had read the last word, I would start reading it again from the beginning.  It was as if I had been introduced to people that I needed to get to know better.

Happy Reading!

My Favorite Short Stories

After an eventful summer I am preparing myself for the upcoming school year by thinking about my favorite short stories to read and teach.

"Jumping Monkey Hill," by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
A writer attends a conference in South Africa in this story from one of my favorite collections "The Thing Around Your Neck."
Read it here

"Stone Mattress," by Margaret Atwood
An aging beauty seeks revenge against an ex-lover.
Read it here

"The Space Traders," by Derrick Bell
Aliens arrive in America and want to take all black people back with them. Seriously timely.
Read it here

"The Story of an Hour," by Kate Chopin
A woman receives unexpected news in this thought provoking and ahead of its time short story.
Read it here

"The Most Dangerous Game," by Richard Connell
Action packed and great for teaching literary devices.
Read it here

"The Landlady," by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl at his creepiest; a favorite with middle-school students.
Read it here

"Between the Pool and the Gardenias," by Edwidge Dandicat
Also read "Children of the Sea" from the author's classic collection Krik? Krak! 
Read it here

"The Cheater's Guide to Love," by Junot Diaz
Read this if you've ever been cheated on and immediately feel better; it's like a magic pill!
Read it here

"The Lottery," by Shirley Jackson
A powerful reflection on society and human nature.
Read it here

"The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas," by Ursula LeGuin
A story without a plot whose theme will stay with you long after you have finished it.
Read it here

"Recitatif," by Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison never specifies the race of the main characters and our assumptions reveal our racial biases.
Read it here

"Everything That Rises Must Converge," by Flannery O'Connor
A great story for teaching irony.  Classic.
Read it here

"Examination Day," by Henry Seslar
You know a short story is good when it is made into a Twilight Zone episode.
Read it here

"The Tell Tale Heart," by Edgar Allen Poe
One of my favorites from 9th grade.
Read it here

"Fish Cheeks," by Amy Tan
Tan writes about two of my favorite topics: identity and food.
Read it here

"The Man Who Was Almost a Man," by Richard Wright
A 6th grader introduced me to this story and I'm glad he did.
Read it here

"Harrison Bergeron," Kurt Vonnegut
A thought provoking read about a future in which everyone is equal.
Read it here

Happy Reading!

Summer Style Inspiration

Malaika Firth for J.Crew

Homegoing . . .

I've read a series of mediocre books this summer, so I was looking forward to the release of Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi.  It did not disappoint.

She's only 27 years old!

Homegoing, is about the descendants of two sisters born in The Gold Coast in the 1700's.  One sister marries a British man and lives in the Cape Coast slave castle, while the other sister is sold into slavery and passes through the dungeons of the same castle on the way to America.  The story is told in vignettes that describe the experiences of members of both families from the 18th century to the present day.  Much has been written about the impact of American slavery on the black family, but Homegoing demonstrates that the damage began in Africa as nations engaged in warfare and forced intermarriage in order to profit from the slave trade.

Yaa Gyasi's writing communicates the brutality of slavery and segregation without being gratuitously violent or sexual.  When Gyasi describes prison labor in the coal mines of Alabama her words are so vivid that you actually feel suffocated as you are reading them.  One weakness of the novel is that it does a better job of describing the impact of slavery on modern America than it does describing its impact on Ghana. Nevertheless, if you enjoyed reading Roots, Things Fall Apart, or Americanah read Homegoing.

*This post was edited by Chloe.  She said that I spent too much time describing the plot and that "the next time I do something like this" I should try not to spoil it for other people :/

Oh, The Places You'll Go (For Free)

If left to my own devices, I would probably spend my summer vacation in bed watching reality television and then feeling guilty about it.  Because my natural tendency is to be an introvert, I have to be proactive about contacting friends and planning activities so that my days off feel productive.  Below are a few of the free or low cost things that I have been enjoying.

The MET Roof Garden Cafe and Martini Bar:

Technically, the Metropolitan Museum of Art isn't free unless you have an IDNYC card.  Luckily, entrance into the museum is a "donation" of your choosing.  This year's installation, Cornelia Parker's PsychoBarn, is inspired by Norman Bates' home in the1960 film Psycho.  The 30 foot exhibit is striking, but the real appeal of the Roof Garden is the view and the deliciously strong cocktails.  James, Kyle, and I celebrated the beginning of summer by rediscovering the joys of day drinking, while Chloe took advantage of the rare opportunity to have a Coke. 

Summer Exhibits @ The Studio Museum in Harlem: 

Chloe is more into performance art than visual art, but I drag her along to the exhibits at The Studio Museum with me anyway. She is good company and I use the museum as an opportunity to work on her communication and critical thinking skills. As we take in the exhibits I ask her questions like: 

• Why do you think the artist made this choice? 
• What painting do you like best? 
• What does this remind you of? 

Alma Thomas's collection of vibrant mosaics is perfect for summer; the light and the color serve as excellent art therapy after the depressing news week.  Also check out Artist in Residence Jordan Casteel's portraits of men who work along 125th Street.  The Studio Museum is open Thursday- Sunday, and it is free on Sundays.

Macbeth @ The Classical Theater of Harlem:

Sometimes I feel like I am the only English teacher in America who isn't into Shakespeare, but I jumped at the chance to see Macbeth in Marcus Garvey Park with Jackie.  The drumming, dancing, and fabulous costumes held my attention and enhanced my understanding of the play.  Watching a performance under the stars with lightening bugs twinkling in the sky was a beautiful experience.  Bring insect repellent for the mosquitos and a pillow.  A bottle of wine wouldn't hurt either! Macbeth is playing  July 8- 31st. Tuesday - Sunday the show begins at 8pm and on Friday it begins at 8:30.

Orchard Beach:

For the record, I am not a beach person but Chloe is and she has found a kindred spirit in RM (who insisted that I add Orchard Beach to this post).  Orchard Beach was known as "The Riviera of New York" when it was created in the 1930's on top of a landfill using sand brought in on barges.  Interestingly, the beach is near where Anne Hutchinson was killed by Native Americans after being chased out of the Masssschsets colony in 1638.  Orchard Beach is around 30 minutes from Harlem, and it is clean and well staffed by lifeguards.  There is a family atmosphere (tell your child that the person selling "nutcrackers" is  selling toys) and people are friendly.  Get there early so that you can stake out a spot and try the chicken empanadas sold at the concession stand.