There's literature, and then there's.... - Page 2

BrownSugar · #8 06-11-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSUlady

what books have you read that you didn't like, because to me it all depends on the book and author

One author I don't care for Sista Soulja' (sp?). Dont get me wrong, if you want to read something with drama, then read one of her books. It won't take much mental energy to get through it. I'm sure the movie will do well, though. But I would not classify her works as well writen literature *shrugs* . . . it's simply "something to read".

facetious · #9 06-11-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrownSugar

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSUlady

what books have you read that you didn't like, because to me it all depends on the book and author

One author I don't care for Sista Soulja' (sp?). Dont get me wrong, if you want to read something with drama, then read one of her books. It won't take much mental energy to get through it. I'm sure the movie will do well, though. But I would not classify her works as well writen literature *shrugs* . . . it's simply "something to read".

thats how i feel. if the book does not expand or maintain my vocabulary, i have little respect for it unless it is well written and isnt about sex, money, fashion, and drugs. overall, i just need it to have a deeper meaning and force me to look beyond the surface.

Jamila iz Back! · #10 06-12-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrownSugar

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSUlady

what books have you read that you didn't like, because to me it all depends on the book and author

One author I don't care for Sista Soulja' (sp?). Dont get me wrong, if you want to read something with drama, then read one of her books. It won't take much mental energy to get through it. I'm sure the movie will do well, though. But I would not classify her works as well writen literature *shrugs* . . . it's simply "something to read".

:nods head:...I feel you on that.

RevolutionarySistah · #11 06-12-2004

first and foremost.......I would like to hold my fist up in honor of Facetious and Brown Sugar, you held me down while I was away. I honestly thought a lot of people would come in and try and say that I am dissing alot of the black authors out today......

and YOU ARE ABOSOLUTELY RIGHT!!!!!

I understand that right now, the black movement is going through a whole "write about life in the ghetto" faze, and I can respect that.....to some extent. Sistah Souljah is aiight, but when you start seeing 10 other books with the same story line practically, something is definitely not right. Then we have our "ghetto love" faze as well, heralded by Terry McMillan and taken away by Eric Jerome Dickey, who I can't stand. then its just books that is just about sex, (APF) straight out. I understand white people write about this stuff as well, but do we have to?? they also write thriller novels and suspense....there aren't enough black authors doing this as well. It seems that most of our authors today write about the same thing.....sex, drugs, and life in the worst ghetto possibly imagined. I mean why does a black book always have to take place in the hood. don't get me wrong, I love the hood and always will, but not all black people live there and I respect and give props to those that don't. then we wonder why people think the ghetto is all we know.....maybe it's because that is all we write about!!!

Authors like Claude McKay, Richard Wright, and Maya Angelou wrote about issues, and added story lines to those issues, but the main focus of the book was a social problem associated with life....not just life for black people. These books shaped your opinions on life and even changed the way you thought about a particular place or event. I mean look at the Souls of Black Folk and Things Fall Apart.....you know how many read those books? How many people learned from those books?? I mean people of all colors all around the globe. That, my friends, is what I consider literature.....something that stimulates the mind and causes you to really think about what you are reading!

and to the person who said maybe you should right your own book, be prepared, cuz that is just what I intend on doing.

tWiNkLeNuReYe · #12 06-12-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevolutionarySistah

BULLSH*T! I am not trying to downplay any of the hot authors out right now, but is it just me, or does it seem like they can't write books the way they used to? this leads me to believe that there must be a difference between literature and just something to read. I would love to see responses to this post, as to what most of you would consider literature.

I am soooo glad someone finally said this. Bullshyt authors include Zane, Sistah Souljah (howeva you spell her name) and the other popular authors out right now. The writing is very amateur, kind of stuff any 8th grader can read. It is not challenging at all.

facetious · #13 06-12-2004

we need more zora neale hurstons and ralph ellisons!!! aiight thats my piece, had to rep the authors or my two fav. books...

blaquezilla · #14 06-13-2004

oh my god every where i go Ekow is acting a damn fool. lol.

but anyways yeah i have picked up some hot trash in the past year. ya know the book that starts off nice and in the middle it loses everything and goes every direction and makes absolutely no sense. we do this as college students sometimes in those essays and papers we dont want to write. ya know get to the middle and just put some BULLSH!t up in their and then expect to get a good grade on it. lol. yeah i hate reading trash, makes my mind wanna boil.