Friday, February 4, 2011

Free for All Friday, February 4

James Patterson's Alex Cross series has been on the downhill slope for quite awhile now.  He did redeem himself briefly with Alex Cross's Trial, but then he returned to grinding out less than stellar work at a pace only matched by rabbits procreating.  Really, did you know rabbits can have four to eight litters a years? File that one in your useless knowledge data base!


Anyway, when it was announced last summer that Idris Elba, he of The Wire and Golden Globe nominated Luther, would be the next Alex Cross, readers everywhere applauded.  Elba was a much better choice age-wise and description-wise for the fortysomething detective turned psychologist.  I always felt that Morgan Freeman was too old for the character when he played him in Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider. So I was excited that an age appropriate actor would finally play Alex and, perhaps, get Patterson back in my good graces.

And then it was announced this week that Idris was out and Tyler Perry was in.  How does one go from a stellar actor like Elba to Madea?!?!?!?  Idris is all rough and tough and takes care of business.  Tyler is all howUdoin. In my opinion Perry just doesn't have the acting chops for the role.  He's never been convincing in any of the males roles I've seen him in.  As far as I'm concerned he should stick to playing Madea.  On the other hand, since he plays women so well maybe the director can have him play both Alex and his grandmother, Nana.

Am I dead wrong? Do you think Tyler can carry off the role or will you be joining me in skipping the movie?


I've been having a blast participating in my own challenge.  So far I've managed to read, or start reading, a book from each category: African-American, Latina, Asian and Indian.  I've also had a chance to talk to speak with several authors so I'll be sharing those conversations with you in the next few months.  Below are just a few of the books that will be featured in the next few months as part of the Colorful Chick Lit Challenge.

Upcoming Selections
Feb. 9: Haunting Jasmine by Anjali Banerjee
Feb. 11: An Interview with Anjali Banerjee, Author of Haunting Jasmine
Feb. 14: Sweet Little Lies by Michele Grant
Feb. 16: Live Chat with Michele Grant, Author of Sweet Little Lies and the blogger behind Black 'N Bougie
March: Good-bye to All That by Margo Candela
April: Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing by Kathy Cano-Murillo
May: All That Glitters by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez
June: The Bum Magnet by K.L. Brady
July: Cafe au Lait by Liane Spicer

How are your reading challenges coming? Read anything good?

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