TBR Book Tag - WHAT'S ON YOUR TO BE READ LIST?

Darkowaa at African Book Addict! tagged me in on the TBR (to-be-read) tag. It’s been awhile since I’ve participated in blog shenanigans, so I’m happily joining in.

How do you keep track of your TBR pile?
I read publisher’s catalogs weekly. I try to use their online system to keep track of upcoming books to request and be on the lookout for, but I really use Goodreads for everything. Occasionally I run into books that aren’t in their system yet, but it’s easy to add them. I also like that I can scan the barcode with their mobile app and add books to any of my shelves.

Is your TBR mostly print or e-book?
I’m not sure. I just add books and read them as they’re available, either through print or e-book.

How do you determine which book from your TBR to read next?
It depends on my mood. Since my list is so lengthy and my local library has a huge catalog, I can get just about any published book on my list as an e-book or request it in print and get it within a few days.

A book that has been on your TBR the longest?
This Child’s Gonna Live by Sarah E. Wright (since Nov. 5, 2009)

A book you recently added to your TBR?
Cold Creek Running by Zelda Lockhart (added Nov. 3, 2015)

A book on your TBR strictly because of its beautiful cover?
The Secret of Magic by Deborah Johnson

A book on your TBR that you never plan on reading?
The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Who Got Trapped in an IKEA Wardrobe by Romain Puértolas - I love the title, but it’s not likely that I’ll read any time soon or ever.

An unpublished book on your TBR that you’re excited for?
Before We Visit the Goddess by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, The House with No Windows by Nadia Hashimi (no cover yet) and The Mother by Yvette Edwards (no cover yet)

A book on your TBR that everyone recommends to you?
Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward

A book on your TBR that everyone has read but you?
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

A book on your TBR that you’re dying to read?
Glory over Everything: Beyond The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

How many books are in your Goodreads TBR shelf?
I’m almost embarrassed to admit, but 492 as I write this. By the time it posts, there will probably be 506. I’m always adding to it.

I'm tagging some of my fellow book loving bloggers:

Marie at Literary Marie
Nakia at ZoraToniMaya
Maya at The Reading Diva
Dominique at The Sweet Escape

and whoever else wants to join in.  What books are on your TBR list?

Changes are Afoot!

You may or may not have noticed that I've been taking more frequent blogging breaks and posting sporadically when I do blog.  That's happened for a few reasons, but mostly because I'd rather read than review any day.  But if I want the good people that publish books to continue sending me books I want to read, I have to review them.  However, I don't have to review them all here.

Starting this week, I'll be posting reviews of books that I've given four or five luxurious chairs to here.  All other books will be reviewed very briefly over on my Goodreads account as time allows.  Also, instead of posting Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, I'll be posting on Saturdays and Sundays, since those tend to be the days that people read my posts the most.

Occasionally, I'll post during the week, but only if I'm participating in a blog tour or if a publisher requests that I post on a specific date.  Otherwise, check me out on the weekends.

I'm at BEA & You're Not

That was so rude of me, wasn't it?  To make it up to you, I've dedicated a page just to live streaming the conference so you can feel like you're there.  Not sure of what BEA stands for or what it is?  Check out this post, then follow along here or by clicking on the BEA 2013 Live Stream tab at the top of the page. 

That's still not enough?  Okay, the lists of authors I want to see and books I want to nab are pretty short, so if you click on the links below and find author autographs or books that you want, let me know and I'll make every effort to grab them for you.  Limit your requests to no more than two books and one autograph.

Authors at BEA

Books at BEA

I'll try to post on the blog, but I'm not sure how much time I'll have for that.  I'll definitely be live tweeting my time at BEA and in New York, in general, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@Reads4Pleasure) for updates.

Shining the Spotlight on Book Bloggers

I feel like I should cue the Julie Andrews' version of My Favorite Things and twirl around the blogosphere like Fraulein Maria on top of a hill while I introduce you to some of my favorite book blogs.  Most of my reading choices come from reading publisher catalogs and pitch emails from publicists, but I also read tons of book blogs and add suggested titles to my to be read list.  Though this list doesn't hardly include all of the book blogs I read, they're the ones I can usually count on to find my next great read.  Make a note of them and give them a follow.

African Literature News and Reviews

As I Turn the Pages

The Happy Nappy Bookseller

Literate Housewife

Reading Rendezvous Reviewz

Reading While Riding

Reflections of a Bookaholic

Sew Transformed

Take Me Away

White Readers Meet Black Authors

Free for All Friday, July 15

It's Free for All Friday and I've got a hodgepodge of things to talk about, so let's get started.

"The Black Weblog Awards was founded in 2005 to give recognition to Black bloggers (and those of the African diaspora) which were largely overlooked by other Internet award events online. What started out as a barely-known event has now grown into an international showcase. With participants from over 90 countries, the Black Weblog Awards stands out as one of the most widespread Internet award events for Black bloggers." - source  A few of you were nice enough to nominate me for the category of Best Book, Author, Literature blog and even more of you voted for me.  As you can tell by my over dramatic avatar, I won!  So to the new readers I've picked up as a result of the exposure, let me bring you up to speed on all things Reads4Pleasure.

I read, write and rant about books and literary happenings at least three times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays), though occasionally I'll drop a weekend post.  In early 2010 I started giving every book I read a theme song after one book (can't remember which one) just screamed for it.  Theme songs may have nothing to do with the book, they're just songs that reminded me of a character, a scene, etc. while I read the book.  Unless a review is accredited to a guest blogger, it's safe to assume that I've read every book I review here, even the horribly bad ones.  It all balances out when I read the extremely magnificent ones.  I read and review primarily books by or about African-Americans and other people of color and chick lit.  Street lit and erotica make my skin crawl so the chances of me reading and reviewing them are slim to none.  There's nothing worse than posting a review and getting no feedback, so please feel free to comment!  Moving on.

Emmy nominations were announced yesterday and I have to acknowledge some of my favorites actors and shows that received accolades.

Downton Abbey - Outstanding Miniseries or Movie; Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special; Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie; Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or Special; Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie; Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or Special; Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special and gobs more.  Including Elizabeth McGovern for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series as Cora, Countess of Grantham and Maggie Smith for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries of Movie as Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham



Idris Elba - Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for the role of John Luther in Luther and Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for the role of Lenny in The Big C.

Laurence "Don't Call Me Larry" Fishburne - Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for the role of Thurgood Marshall in Thurgood.







Loretta Devine - Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for the role of Adele Webber in Grey's Anatomy.

 



Andre Braugher - Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the role of Owen in Men of A Certain Age.

Alfre Woodard - Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for the role of Ruby Jean in True Blood

Pillars of the Earth - Outstanding Miniseries or Movie

Mildred Pierce - Outstanding Miniseries of Movie; Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or Special; Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special.  Kate Winslet also got a nod for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries, Movie or Drama

Upstairs Downstairs - Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special; Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie; Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or Special; Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or Special;

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has gone above and beyond with their nominations this year.  Normally I don't bother to tune in because the shows and/or actors I like aren't nominated.  This year I'll be tuned in with a bag of kettlecorn and a Pepsi.  How about you? Did any of your favorites get nominated?

The floor is open so feel free to share whatever's on your mind.

A Vote for Me is a Vote for...

Literacy? Books? Book lovers everywhere?  Am I reaching here? Probably so.  Thanks to your nominations, I've been placed on the ballot for Best Literary/Author/Book Blog for the 2011 Black Weblog Awards.  I'd love it if you took the time to tip on over there and vote for me.

My category is on the last of the five page ballot.  So as you click through, take the time to vote for some of my favorites.  Black 'n Bougie is nominated in three categories: Best Writing in a Blog, Best Blog Post Series for those Bougie Bachelorette Chronicles and Blog of the Year.  Shadow and Act is nominated for Best Film Blog.  Ari over at Reading in Color has been nominated for Best Teen Blog. Urban Science Adventures is nominated for Best Science or Technology Blog.

I appreciate your votes and the time you take to visit my literary world.

Free for All Friday, April 1

It's been a minute since I've done a Free for All Friday so I thought I'd take a break from book reviews and throw a few things out there.  If you're like me, you start thinking about Friday as soon as Sunday rolls around, so you'll forgive me for my friend to the left doing the "Thank God It's Friday" dance on my behalf.  Let's start with the most "are you freaking kidding me" thing I've seen this week.

What happens when an author reads a review of his or her book and doesn't like it?  From what I know of the authors I talk to, they may take it personally, but rarely do they ever attack the reviewer.  In other words, "everythang ain't for everybody." So if a reviewer likes your book, fine.  If not, someone else does so whatevs, right?  Well self-published author Jacqueline Howett read a blogger's review over at Big Al's Books and Pals and didn't care for his review.  In all fairness, the blogger did say he liked the story line, his issue was with the number of typos and grammatical errors, which made it difficult to read.

What started with the author pointing out all of the good reviews of her books quickly evolved into her dropping several F bombs.  At some point either common sense (or her publicist) reeled her in and the madness ended.  Well, it really didn't.  When I first read the post, there were maybe 27 comments.  As of Wednesday, it was up to 307.  It was also revealed that several publishing houses troll book blogs looking for self-published works that might be worth signing.  So now the author has not only lost credibility in the blogging community, but in the publishing community as well.  The link to the blog has been retweeted, linked on Facebook and on Amazon.  Several commenters noted that while they might have purchased the book, even with the review given, there was no way they would do so now.  And the blog that had 15 followers on Monday now has 771.  You tell me who's having the best week ever.

In other "what in the entire hell" news, @sarahsosincere sent me the link to a story about a middle-aged, suburban, white father of three that writes street lit for black and Latino youth.  Paul Langan defends his writing by saying that as someone that has spent time with disadvantaged youth (yes, a summer in 1997 was all it took), he thought he'd write lit that they could relate to to help them improve their reading skills.  Okay, fine, you want to dumb down books for kids that are reading below their grade level, I'm good with that.  What I'm NOT good with is you writing lit about gang bangers, teen pregnancy, etc. as if those are the only  topics to which this kids could relate. What say you? Should we feed kids garbage and just be happy that they're eating?

The books would feature black and Latino characters, and the characters’ conflicts and choices would ultimately model positive decision-making. The books would be written at a level that struggling middle and high schoolers could read (fifth grade), about topics they would want to read about (guns, theft, pregnancy), for a price they would pay ($1). source

In happier book news, a group of your favorite authors (and mine) have gotten together and created A Chapter A Month.  What's that?

No more waiting for a year to hear from your favorite author. Now you have us inside this amazing new experience where reading meets the brave new digital world. As a reader, you will enjoy fresh, exciting chapters every month as we reveal our stories to you one chapter at a time. You will travel with us on our writing journeys and watch our novels come to life on paper...and beyond. Each month the authors will offer you something behind the pages - whether it's a live interview with your favorite character or an ask-the-author-anything session, on this website it's more than just the story.

You will be able to download the stories to your e-readers, iPads, iPods, Smart Phones and personal computers.

If you're excited like I am, you'll like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and check out their website for the April 4 debut.

Reading challenge updates
Of the 144 books I've committed myself to reading this year, I'm up to 33.  My goal is to read at least 12 each month, so I'm close, but just a little behind. 

For the Colorful Chick Lit Challenge, my goal is 12 or more books featuring women of color.  So far I'm up to nine.  It's been fun reading about women from different cultures and I'll be at my goal before June, but  I'm always looking for suggestions.

So thoughts, comments, feedback? Is it okay for authors to attack reviewers or should they have thicker skin? Is street lit acceptable for your kid or others? Whose down for a chapter a month? And how are your reading challenges going?

Top 10 Posts of 2010

It's been a long year.  Just in case you missed them, here are the top 10 most viewed posts of 2010. Read them...then read them again...I do it all the time. (Sorry, I've watched too many Diddy Ciroc commercials.)

Casting for Kathryn Stockett's "The Help"

Meh, the movie has been cast and none of my actresses were picked, but these are the people I picked last year before casting had even started.

32 Candles Live Discussion

Books to Movies Week: "Meh, They Made It Into A Mo...

When Social Media Goes Wrong

Black on Black Friday

Bitch is the New Black - Helena Andrews

'Fess Up Friday

Give a Book, Get a Book

Colorful Chick Lit Challenge

Books to Movies Week: Lights, Camera, Action!

Book Blogger Appreciation Week Nomination

Book Blogger Appreciation Week is coming up once again.  Hosted the week of September 13-17, it's a week long celebration of book blogs all across the netisphere (I may or may not have just made up a word).  At any rate, I put a lot of work into reading and reviewing books and while I think it's just tacky to toot your own horn, sometimes you have to.  I've put myself into the running for Best Cultural Book Blog.  I know, I know. I read a little and review a little bit of everything over here, but my focus is primarily books by and/or about African-Americans.

The good people at BBAW asked for a post with links to what I consider my five most representative posts, so here they go.  (By the way, if you think there's another post I should have submitted, feel free to let me know.)

• Bricktop by Bricktop with James Haskins
• Glorious by Bernice McFadden
• Crossings: A White Man's Journey into Black America by Walt Harrington
• Levittown: Two Families, One Tycoon, and the Fight for the Civil Rights in America's Legendary Suburb by David Kushner
• Live Chat with author Bernice McFadden for National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Day

Bodacious Blogging Book Reviewers Award

I received this award from Dren over at Dren's B-Spot

Here is how it works:

If you are given this award you must first accept it by leaving a comment on the post you were nominated on. Then copy and paste the post and add it to your own blog.

Make a list of the last 5 books you read and pass the award on to 5 other bloggers (no backsies!). Please also identify the blog from which you got the award and don't forget to tell them they have a blog award!

My last five books I've read:


1. House Rules by Jodi Picoult


2. Who Does She Think She Is? by Benilde Little


3. Till You Hear from Me by Pearl Cleage


4. Black Water Rising by Attica Locke


5. Visions: The Story of a Black Girl Determined to Make It Despite the Odds - Williette D. Dotson

So now, it's with great pleasure that I pass this fabulous award to five of my fav blog divas:


1. The Black Bookshelf


2. The Brown Bookshelf


3. The Happy Nappy Bookseller


4. Book Snob Wannabe


5. Love to Read for Fun

We're Back!

It was a long and torturous (well not really torturous, I'm just going for the "dramatical" effect here) process, but we're finally back up and running.  If you follow me on Twitter, you heard me curse the Google gods for striving for world domination, while neglecting to have a user-friendly customer service department.  I'd like to think that someone out there heard me, but it was probably just a matter of timing.  At any rate, the site is back up as a dot com and I'll get back to posting reviews tomorrow.

So did I miss any excitement? Did you read anything in the last week that you're just dying to tell everyone about? Spill it!

Black Book Bloggers: Where Bloggers & Authors Meet

At the request of an author I adore, and with no arm twisting required, I've created Black Book Bloggers.

With so many other websites promoting books, why is there a need for this?

I belong to many of those other websites and too many times books by and about us are relegated to a forum. This site has been formed as a collective place for both authors of African American lit and bloggers that read and review their works.

It will allow authors to promote their work directly to a community that also promotes books through their blogs.

It will allow bloggers to interact with authors they're already reading, discover new authors and give them a chance to provide those authors with open and honest feedback. It will also allow bloggers to promote their own blogs to authors and other bloggers of African American lit.

I hope to see you over there!

Blogs Her Color’s Color of Choice

*Stepping up to the proverbial mic* I'd like to thank the Academy, the people that write books so I can read them, the library that carries those books that people write so I can read them... Ok, I got caught up for just a minute. But I'm happy to announce that Blogs Her Color has picked my little, old blog for today's Color of Choice.

If you're a first time visitor here, welcome. I read...a lot. I started this blog to help me keep up with what I've already read so that I don't pick the same book up from the library more than once. Regular readers know that Sterling, the gay librarian, used to do a great job of keeping me straight on what I had and had not read already. Sterling has moved on to another library, without leaving a forwarding address, and now I'm stuck with Nonchalant Librarian who could care less about what I'm reading. Occasionally I get stuck in a rut and can't find anything I'm interested in reading and my faithful reading community gives me the push I need.

I'm passionate about African American lit, but I'm also partial to Asian, Hispanic and women's lit. I'll read just about anything though...no, really. Feel free to suggest any good books you've come across that you think others would enjoy. We're interactive here. Sometimes I read books so far off track that I give myself the side eye. And other times I read books that I think no one else has read and several people chime in...with the good, the bad and the ugly. I say all that to say, thanks and welcome!