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Friday, August 14, 2009

In My Mailbox

This week I had a library request come in and books in the mail. Overall a great week. Kristi at Story Siren created In My Mailbox. Marcia hosts Mailbox Monday and I focus on multicultural lit with New Crayons at Color Online. Here are a few of our goodies for the week:

Song of The Buffalo Boy by Sherry Garland. Saw this at Chasing Ray. This week, Colleen is hosting One Shot: SE Asia Round-up. If you haven't check it out, do. Great round-up of posts featuring works by SE authors or about SE characters. I read Alyssa's review at Teens Read and Write, and knew I wanted to read it. I picked up this copy at the library.

Seventeen-year-old Loi, whose father was an American soldier, is ostracized by her fellow villagers because she is con-lai, a half-breed. Loi has been promised to a cruel older man, but rather than marry him, she flees to Ho Chi Minh City, and along with thousands of other Amerasians, she begins the confusing process of applying for the Amerasian Homecoming Program.

She's So Money by Cherry Cheva. This came in a box of donations. While I was not impressed with the story (see my review here), I am glad to have a copy for our shelves. I don't have to like a book. My aim is to provide our readers with as much diversity as I can.

1 overachieving girl+ 1 insanely cute guy + 1 massive fine + 1 scheme involving a little dishonesty and a whole lot of cash?

The Other Side of Paradise by Staceyann Chin. Really stoked to get this. I follow this poet/feminist on Twitter. She's an activist and like all activists, she has plenty to say. The downside is I can't afford to buy every book I want so I requested my library did and I got a call yesterday. Before getting the book, I was impressed but when I read Dorothy Allison and Walter Mosely both endorsed the memoir, I was, "Hot damn!" If you don't know who Allison and Mosely are let it suffice to say they are highly respected writers.

Staceyann Chin, acclaimed and iconic performance artist, now brings her extraordinary talents to the page in a brave, lyrical, and fiercely candid memoir about growing up in Jamaica. She plumbs tender and unsettling memories as she writes about drifting from one home to the next, coming out as a lesbian, and finding the man she believes to be her father and ultimately her voice. Hers is an unforgettable story told with grace, humor, and courage.

14 comments:

evelyn.n.alfred said...

Staceyann's memoir is fantastic. It's a hard book to put down.

Serena said...

More books I haven't read or heard of...how will I ever read all the books I want to in my lifetime.

Color Online said...

Serena,

I no longer think it's possible. I keep list, piles and collecting more as a go. Reading what fits my mood at any given time.

Rebecca said...

Great books you got this week, they all sound really good. Hope you enjoy reading all your books.

Lauren said...

The Other Side of Paradise sounds really interesting.It's great that you can get your library to order copies in.

the story siren said...

fantastic books this week! they all sound very interesting! happy reading!

Unknown said...

Looks like you got some amazing books. Happy Reading.

Lizzy said...

I hadn't heard of these books before, but some of them sound really interesting (especially The Other Side of Paradise). Happy reading!

susan said...

Lauren,

My experience with libraries is that most are willing to purchase patron requests if they have the money. I think a lot of patrons are unaware that they can ask.

The memoir is really good. It's the kind of book you want to plow through. I'm loving her writing style.

Rich Mom, Rich Dad. Poor Mom, Poor Dad. said...

Song of the Buffalo Boy looks great! I am getting a book later next week that part of the proceeds goes towards orphanages and homeless kids in Vietnam.

http://booknerdextraordinaire.blogspot.com/2009/08/in-my-mailbox-4.html

Anonymous said...

I LOVE memoirs. I hope you like your books!

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Song of the Buffalo Boy sounds great!

Samantha LeAnne said...

I have a copy of She's So Money, I got it in a bargain bin for like $1 that way if it sucks, I'm only out $1 lol

susan said...

Samantha,

It got mixed reviews. A lot of readers liked it. I didn't. I'd be happy with a $1 tag, too. Happy reading.