quote: each new book
Truly each new book is as a ship that bears us away from the fixity of our limitations into the movement and splendor of life’s infinite ocean.” – Helen Keller
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book: zen in the art of writing by ray bradbury
This should be required reading for writers. Bradbury eloquently shows writers what the writing life is like after a lifetime of writing. He takes them through his life as a writer and gives them the tools to be a better writer. For Bradbury, writing is not a chore, but a nurtured love over the course of his life. He learned through many trials that one must write for the love of writing, not money. And when that is done, the rewards for showing this love will come.
Bradbury has written every day for well over 50 years. He writes no less than 1,000 words each day. His reward? A permanent place in the world of literature. There is much to be learned from his habits.
Writers, read this book.
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book: the seven sons of ballyhack
This book by Thomas Sawyer Spivey wasn’t easy to stay with. Once you get passed what seems to be an insane and grotesque world, Spivey gets to the meat of the story by showing us that the Seven Sons of Ballyhack is really just a representation of the seven continents, with seven sons leading each one into certain plunder. In this world, nothing looks exactly like our earth, but everyone acts just like some of the people here, and the unfolding of certain systems is dissected cleverly by Spivey.
When Satan steps in and begins to speak, it immediately draws you in and adds flavor to an increasingly engaging book. After visiting Ballyhack to see what is going on, Satan decides that he will, show “eternal sympathy” to the inhabitants of Ballyhack.
“I am very sad,” Satan begins to speak. “I have been starting new colonies in my realm with people sent there from this country. I thought because they had been convicted under your criminal laws it was right that they should receive the time-honored punishment. I have found out my mistake. They are deserving of eternal sympathy. I shall return at once, apologize, and introduce into my realm all the comforts of home.”
“…Why, practically all your crimes here are committed either in self-defense or in a fit of irresponsible insanity. The human mind as well as the human body has limits to its endurance. A man may be physically as fat as an ox, yet be a mental cadaver. You are starving the mentality and common sense out of your people, by working them to death physically. Your system is driving your thinking people insane and your ignorant masses, who do not understand, into an unspeakable state of crime.”
“…What you call liberty is license. There is… Continue reading
book review: the beautyful ones are not yet born
Again, yes, that is how beautiful is spelled in the title.
As usual, Ayi Kwei Armah serves up a fantastic work that speaks to anyone willing to listen. He takes us through the life of Ghanians who have succumb to the materialism from the West which has now infected their way of life. Now, they must have everything. The fancy cars, the big boats and houses. Wine from Europe and name brand clothes. If one does not live or attempt to live the “high” life, then they are a nobody.
But the naked wise man who lives in a room with nothing more than a bed and books, has much to say about the high life. The irony of it all is that what he doesn’t say is what stands out most. The way he lives is the real conversation and lesson in the story. Some may see it as drastic, but when juxtaposed with the drastic way in which the materialism is embraced in the culture, one can readily see how tame the naked wise man is comparatively.
In the end analysis, this is not just about Ghanian culture, but about black culture in general. How much has materialism taken hold of us, and how does it keep us from seeing life as an adventure? The world is filled with knowledge that could elevate us in ways we never imagined. Can this knowledge be found if our attention is focused on the hottest new Via Spiga shoes coming out next season? How much further could we be were we not distracted by consuming, rather than creating?
A great book that delves deep into the heart of our potential issues through witty humor. Grab a copy.
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