Furious Flower: Seeding the Future of African American Poetry African American poetry has come a long way since its inception. With Furious Flower: Seeding the Future of African American Poetry, we are introduced to a new generation of poets who are pushing boundaries and challenging norms. This anthology is an excellent representation of the diverse range of voices that make up the African American poetic tradition. The editors, Elizabeth Catlett and Angela Davis, have curated a collection that showcases both established and emerging poets. The poems cover a wide range of topics, including race, gender, sexuality, politics, and history. What sets this anthology apart is its focus on the future of African American poetry. The editors are not content to simply present a retrospective view of the tradition; they want to see it continue to evolve and grow in new directions. One of the standout poems in the collection is "The Black Girl's Guide to Surviving the Apocalypse" by Jacqueline Woodson. This poem speaks directly to the experiences of African American women, addressing issues such as racism, sexism, and violence. It is a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is hope for the future. Another standout poem is "The Poet X" by Elizabeth Catlett. This poem pays homage to the late poet Audre Lorde while also exploring themes of identity, race, and gender. It is a poignant reflection on the role that poetry can play in shaping our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Overall, Furious Flower: Seeding the Future of African American Poetry is an excellent anthology that showcases the diversity and richness of the African American poetic tradition. It is a must-read for anyone interested in poetry or social justice issues. Roots Roots by Alex Haley is a classic novel that tells the story of Kunta Kinte, a young man from West Africa who is kidnapped and brought to America as a slave. The book follows his journey through slavery, freedom, and eventual reunification with his family in Africa. Haley's writing style is engaging and accessible, making it easy for readers of all ages to follow Kunta's story. He brings the history of slavery to life in a way that is both informative and emotionally resonant. The book also explores themes such as identity, culture, and family, making it a powerful exploration of the African American experience. One of the things that sets Roots apart from other slave narratives is its focus on Kunta's journey back to Africa. Many slave narratives end with the protagonist's escape to freedom in the North or Canada. In contrast, Roots ends with Kunta returning to his homeland and reuniting with his family. This gives the book a unique perspective that is both uplifting and thought-provoking. Overall, Roots is an excellent novel that provides a powerful insight into the African American experience. It is a must-read for anyone interested in history, culture, or social justice issues. Murder at Hartigan House: a cozy historical mystery (A Ginger Gold Mystery Book 2) Murder at Hartigan House is the second book in the Ginger Gold Mystery series by Laura Alder. The novel follows Ginger Gold, an amateur sleuth who uses her skills as a former nurse to solve mysteries. In this book, Ginger is called upon to investigate a murder that has taken place at Hartigan House, a historic mansion owned by a wealthy family. The writing style in Murder at Hartigan House is engaging and fast-paced, making it an excellent choice for readers who enjoy cozy mysteries. The novel also features well-developed characters, including Ginger herself, who is both intelligent and resourceful. One of the things that sets this book apart from other mystery novels is its historical setting. The novel takes place in 1920s England, a time when social class played a significant role in society. This provides an interesting backdrop for the murder investigation, as Ginger must navigate the complex web of relationships between the wealthy family members. Overall, Murder at Hartigan House is an excellent cozy mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very end. It is a must-read for fans of the genre and anyone who enjoys historical fiction. Murder Aboard the Flying Scotsman: a cozy 1920s historical murder mystery (Ginger Gold Mystery Book 8) Murder Aboard the Flying Scotsman is the eighth book in the Ginger Gold Mystery series by Laura Alder. The novel follows Ginger Gold, an amateur sleuth who uses her skills as a former nurse to solve mysteries. In this book, Ginger is called upon to investigate a murder that has taken place aboard the Flying Scotsman, a luxury ocean liner that is sailing from England to New York City. The writing style in Murder Aboard the Flying Scotsman is engaging and fast-paced, making it an excellent choice for readers who enjoy cozy mysteries. The novel also features well-developed characters, including Ginger herself, who is both intelligent and resourceful. One of the things that sets this book apart from other mystery novels is its historical setting. The novel takes place in 1920s England, a time when social class played a significant role in society. This provides an interesting backdrop for the murder investigation, as Ginger must navigate the complex web of relationships between the wealthy passengers on board the ship. Overall, Murder Aboard the Flying Scotsman is an excellent cozy mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very end. It is a must-read for fans of the genre and anyone who enjoys historical fiction. HALLOWEENTOWN HIGH Halloweentown High is a young adult novel by Debbie Harkness. The book follows Willow, a teenage girl who moves to Halloweentown, a small town in England that is home to supernatural creatures such as vampires and witches. At her new school, Willow discovers that she has the ability to communicate with these creatures, which puts her in danger. The writing style in Halloweentown High is engaging and accessible, making it an excellent choice for young adult readers. The novel also features well-developed characters, including Willow herself, who is both intelligent and resourceful. One of the things that sets this book apart from other young adult novels is its supernatural setting. The novel takes place in a world where magic and the supernatural are real, which provides an interesting backdrop for the story. It also explores themes such as identity, friendship, and love, making it a powerful exploration of the teenage experience. Overall, Halloweentown High is an excellent young adult novel that will keep readers engaged from beginning to end. It is a must-read for fans of the genre and anyone who enjoys fantasy fiction. Mystery Weekly Magazine: April 2016 (Mystery Weekly Magazine Issues) Mystery Weekly Magazine: April 2016 is an anthology of short stories that feature mystery, suspense, and intrigue. The collection includes a variety of genres such as cozy mysteries, hard-boiled detective stories, and psychological thrillers. The writing style in this anthology varies from author to author, but it is all engaging and well-crafted. The stories are short and to the point, making them perfect for readers who enjoy quick reads. One of the things that sets this anthology apart from other collections of short stories is its focus on mystery and suspense. Each story features a unique plot twist or surprise ending, which keeps readers guessing until the very end. Overall, Mystery Weekly Magazine: April 2016 is an excellent collection of short stories that will keep readers engaged from beginning to end. It is a must-read for fans of mystery fiction and anyone who enjoys quick reads. Take a Girl Like You Take a Girl Like You is a romantic comedy novel by Helen Fielding. The book follows Henrietta Larkin, a young woman who has just graduated from university and is struggling to find her place in the world. She meets Jack, an older man who is both charming and mysterious, and they embark on a whirlwind romance that challenges their preconceptions about love and relationships. The writing style in Take a Girl Like You is engaging and witty, making it an excellent choice for readers who enjoy romantic comedies. The novel also features well-developed characters, including Henrietta herself, who is both intelligent and resourceful. One of the things that sets this book apart from other romantic comedies is its exploration of age differences in relationships. The novel challenges traditional notions of what constitutes a "good match" and explores the complexities of love and relationships across generations. Overall, Take a Girl Like You is an excellent romantic comedy that will keep readers laughing and smiling from beginning to end. It is a must-read for fans of the genre and anyone who enjoys lighthearted fiction. Crime and Punishment Crime and Punishment is a classic novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky. The book follows Raskolnikov, an impoverished ex-student who formulates a plan to kill an unscrupulous pawnbroker in order to gain financial security. However, as he carries out the murder, Raskolnikov begins to experience guilt and remorse, which leads him on a journey of self-discovery and redemption. The writing style in Crime and Punishment is dense and philosophical, making it an excellent choice for readers who enjoy literary fiction. The novel also features well-developed characters, including Raskolnikov himself, who is both intelligent and conflicted. One of the things that sets this book apart from other novels is its exploration of morality and ethics. The novel raises questions about the nature of good and evil, and whether it is ever possible to justify criminal behavior in the pursuit of a greater goal. Overall, Crime and Punishment is an excellent classic novel that will challenge readers to think deeply about moral and ethical issues. It is a must-read for anyone interested in literature or philosophy. A Guy Named Joe A Guy Named Joe is a romantic comedy novel by Henry Koster. The book follows Dorothy Boyd, a young woman who has just moved to Hollywood and is struggling to find her place in the world of show business. She meets Joe Bradley, an actor who becomes her mentor and guide through the ups and downs of life in Hollywood. The writing style in A Guy Named Joe is engaging and witty, making it an excellent choice for readers who enjoy romantic comedies. The novel also features well-developed characters, including Dorothy herself, who is both intelligent and resourceful. One of the things that sets this book apart from other romantic comedies is its exploration of the Hollywood lifestyle. The novel provides a behind-the-scenes look at the world of show business, which adds depth and complexity to the story. Overall, A Guy Named Joe is an excellent romantic comedy that will keep readers laughing and smiling from beginning to end. It is a must-read for fans of the genre and anyone who enjoys lighthearted fiction. Walking Tall - The Payback Walking Tall: The Payback is a Western film directed by Sam Peckinpah. The movie follows Sheriff Buford Pryor, a tough and uncompromising lawman who returns to his hometown after years of fighting crime in the city. He finds that his old enemies have returned and are causing chaos in the town, so he sets out to clean up the place once and for all. The writing style in Walking Tall: The Payback is action-packed and fast-paced, making it an excellent choice for readers who enjoy Western films. The movie also features well-developed characters, including Sheriff Pryor himself, who is both intelligent and resourceful. One of the things that sets this movie apart from other Westerns is its exploration of themes such as justice, revenge, and redemption. The movie raises questions about the nature of violence and whether it can ever be justified in the pursuit of a greater good. Overall, Walking Tall: The Payback is an excellent Western film that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.