Spend some quality time with your literature forefathers.
Photo by: Nicole S./Flickr profile: http://www.flickr.com/people/smartbydesign/

I think at some point during each of our grade school days we all experienced the suffocation of a tedious, dry, and all around boring work of literature. Though I agree that children should be reading classics from an early age I think a certain level of maturity is required to appreciate most well written work. Just like any other preferentially driven topic you have to find what works for you! You could despise Shakespeare but love Chaucer, you never know until you try. Here are 5 authors who will draw you in with astounding writing and demolish any pre-existing notions of classic literature frustration.

• Ernest Hemingway. Recommendation: “For Whom the Bell Tolls” or “Collection of Short Stories.” Every time I see the most interesting man alive commercial for Dos Equis I can’t help but think it was based on Hemingway. He drove ambulances in WWI, hunted big game in Africa, lived all over Europe, sailed the seas, and got into bar fights. Do you think a guy like that makes for boring writing? Hemingway writes with incredible meaning, each of his stories are layered with metaphor and symbolic references; and he manages to do this in a very compact sentence style making his work seamless to read. If your looking for a good war story pick up “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, or for an avid fisherman “The Old Man and The Sea”.
• Ambrose Bierce. Recommendation: “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” and “Chickamauga”. The only reason I read “Chickamauga” was because it had such a strange name. I would always see it in my literature book so I finally stopped to read it. Hands down one of the most amazing stories I have ever read in my life. Bierce often writes about things he had seen in the war, grotesque and so vividly described you will see it as if you were there. I consider Bierce a master of the surprise ending as well, check out any of his short stories and you’re sure to become a fan.
• Edgar Allen Poe. Recommendation: “The Complete Works of Edgar Allen Poe”. The only thing scarier than John Cusack thinking he could play Poe in that awful move “The Raven” is Poe’s actual writing. Borderline insane, an alcoholic, addicted to opiates, an obsession with the macabre? Sounds like the makings of an excellent writer. Poe’s language alone is mind blowing, he wrote entire short stories with the flow and rhythm of a poem. Not to mention they are absolutely scary as hell. I started sweating while reading “The Pit and The Pendulum” and “The Black Cat”. Poe can really transport the reader to that dark place that not many other story tellers can do.
• Frederick Douglass. Recommendation: “Narrative of The Life of Frederick Douglass”. Another example of an incredible life leading to incredible writing. His biography is inspiring, I will leave out the details so you can read them for yourself. But I will say that with seemingly impossible odds against him Frederick Douglass rose from slavery with a spectacular level of perseverance and self respect. This book will humble you.
• Robert Louis Stevenson. Recommendation: “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”. I rarely hold any book dealing with horror to the standards of Edgar Allen Poe. However, this work by Stevenson I was really quite impressed with. The story flows very well and doesn’t drag on and on like many classic books fall victim to. Not a very long read, but a dense story, about the duality of man and our desire to tame the beast within. Sort of like, the Hulk before Marvel made him green.

“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.”     — Frederick Douglass

And Frederick Douglass would know.  A slave himself had been punished for his attempts to escape his bonds of tyranny.  He knew what injustice was.

We all have to decide what real slavery is. Sounds like what government is doing to its citizens.

]]> http://amazingartreviews.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/northen-lights-the-spooks-apprentice-mister-monday-book-review/ Tue, 10 Jul 2012 04:38:23 +0000 Kimberley Sutherland http://amazingartreviews.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/northen-lights-the-spooks-apprentice-mister-monday-book-review/ So I’ve decided to include book reviews on my blog, as I feel art is not limited to the visual – I also have the urge to write about my readings due to my love (but very picky opinions) of fantasy novels. Only in the last few years have I finally discovered fiction books I am falling head over heels for.

I recently finished reading Northen Lights (His Dark Materials Trilogy) by Phillip Pullman. It was fantastic and has now been added to my list of favourite fantasy novels, alongside Clive Barker’s Abarat and The Neverending Story by Michael Ende. I have found I enjoy kid’s fantasy books much more than adult fantasy books – there’s more situations, there’s more variety of different creatures and worlds, and although it might not be as in depth as books aimed at an older age group, I can still have fun along the way as it opens up my imagination to so many possibilities.

Since The Amber Spyglass, I have read The Spook’s Apprentice:Book 1 by Joseph Delaney. It’s an incredibly dark horror fiction book for young adults – I can’t say i recommend it to young kids due to the graphic nature of it. However i thoroughly enjoyed it as i don’t often read horror. Great storyline with all the scary and creepy parts to it.

I also just finished reading Mister Monday by Garth Nix (proud to say he’s an Aussie author!) who has done a great job creating a world within our own in which a young man named Arthur must collect all 7 keys to a hidden Kingdom. The first book entails Arthur’s adventures getting the first key, and the following books tell the tale of him obtaining the rest of the keys. There are creepy ‘dog-faced men’ chasing Arthur at one point – creatures of evil.

I am currently awaiting The Devil’s Diadem by Sara Douglass. – a review is to come once (and if) i finish reading it. It sounds interesting, and hopefully this will be the first of many adult fantasy books that i enjoy – unfortunately i’ve been through several that just didn’t hold my attention.

“I say it with a sad sense of disparity between us.  I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary!  Your high Independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us.

The blessings in which you this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common.  -The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me.”

Frederick Douglass

1852

While Frederick Douglass spoke as an African-American 112 years before legalized discrimination against blacks ended in this country;  the same words can be applied today, 48 years after the Civil Rights Act, to a group of Americans within the 1% who, like wealthy slave owners, have used the labor of previously independent men and women to increase that wealth by subjugating the rights and access of the middle class to our government in order to create two societies in the United States: the wealthy and the working poor.

Working Americans tying their boats to these politicians will find themselves on the same side of history as early Americans who didn’t agree with, but sat by and watched slavery created after Bacon’s Rebellion in an attempt to protect the interests of wealthy land owners from workers (white, black and native Americans) asking for fair wages and reasonable working conditions.

By 1850, the time that Douglass made his remarks, there were more millionaires per capita in slave-states like Natchez, Mississippi than anywhere else on earth.  So many that the term ‘millionaire’ was created in 1840. 

Yet greed caused our founding fathers to expand slavery to over 4 million men, women and children rather than pay free men fairly for their labor.  The same greed we see today!

I do not make the claim that these individuals  are inherent to one political party or another; or that all wealthy Americans believe in the ‘trickle-down theory of wealth’ and ‘the trickle-up theory on taxes’; 

Rather that there is a consorted effort in Washington and our state governments to divide and conquer Americans along economic lines using ideological attacks based on moral issues in the guise of limited government.  

Until we recognize the purchase of our legislators by individuals and corporations with agendas and deep pockets; and demand an end to inequities and the denial of participation by the average citizen in our government…

-The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by our fathers, will be shared by them, not by us.

Music by The Ambassador

http://alldatsassybizzness.com/2012/04/01/does-it-help-to-start-the-discussion-on-racism-in-america-with-names-like-zimmerman-martin/

Now, yesterday I wrote a post concerning one of Frederick Douglass’ quotes and it seems that’s where we’re heading.  Would YOU give up your ability to make decisions with your own money?  Would YOU trust your (or any) government to tell you how to spend your own money?  Do YOU think it’s okay to forcibly take money from anyone so you can spend that money on items you want?  You better think about those questions, because this won’t end with Obamacare.

All Obamacare has served to do is anger more than half of the country’s citizens.  And as Judge Napolitano notes in his video above, 1/3 of Americans were mad enough to kick the British Empire (the most powerful Kingdom and military) out of the US.  What do you think about the near-60% of Americans who hate Obamacare?  Do Americans find government sacred?  Its just a matter of time before “SOMETHING” happens…

— Kali Pinckney

Saturday night, the Douglass High School Athletic Association sponsored a blues concert at the Snack Bar on Chelsea, featuring Big Don Valentine with the Charles McDaniel Blues Band. The event was held out on the parking lot in front of the building, with plenty of barbecue and cold drinks. 6/16/12

Next Phaze band performing at the Juneteenth in Douglass Park, North Memphis, 6/16/12

@EckoRecords artist Sonny Mack performs with his band at Juneteenth in North Memphis’ Douglass Park, 6/16/12

Douglass’ own Minni Squad performs at the Juneteenth in Douglass Park, North Memphis, 6/16/12

Memphis rap duo V-Dog and @BlackGold901 perform at the Juneteenth in Douglass Park, North Memphis, 6/16/12

At the Juneteenth Freedom Festival, Douglass Park, North Memphis, 6/16/12

This good blues band at the Juneteenth was announced as the Ms. Burnside Blues Band, but I was never able to determine whether the female singer is related to the Burnside blues family in North Mississippi. 6/16/12

Italian ice was a welcome treat at this year’s Juneteenth celebrations in Douglass Park, North Memphis, 6/16/12

The Christian rap group FYM performs at the Juneteenth in Douglass Park, North Memphis, 6/16/12

Memphis rap artist @CrownVega performs live for the crowd at Juneteenth in Douglass Park, North Memphis, 6/16/12

Juneteenth Freedom Festival, Douglass Park, North Memphis, 6/16/12

Tune C and legendary Memphis DJ Care Bear at the Juneteenth in Douglass Park, North Memphis, 6/16/12

Memphis rap artist Tune C at the Juneteenth in Douglass Park, North Memphis, 6/16/12

Juneteenth commemorates the effective date of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas, where planters apparently attempted to defy it (in the remainder of the South, the proclamation took effect on May 8). What is unclear is why the Texas “Juneteenth” has become the day of celebration for African-Americans nationwide, replacing the “Ada May” celebrations that used to be held in the rest of the south. In Memphis, Juneteenth is held in Douglass Park as a three-day festival of music, food, dance and wholesome activities for children. This year there was also a classic car show in Douglass Park. 6/16/12

I’s Cafe in New Brunswick, NJ has rightly earned itself a reputation for delicious, fresh drinks. Owner Iris Chang, a Douglass College graduate, brought bubble tea to New Brunswick after spending time in her native Taiwan.

What exactly is bubble tea?

Beloved by Rutgers students, the drink is just as quirky and cute as it sounds. The drinks come in practically every flavor imaginable and are made to order. I’s freshly-brewed bubble teas are lactose-free, blended with soy creamers and other flavorings. The bubbles are tapioca-based and chewy, reminiscent of a grown up gummy bear. Chang boils them until soft and soaks them in black sugar.

By creating drinks that are both figure-friendly and inexpensive, I’s Cafe has gained a loyal following.

At 23 calories per serving and about $3.50 per drink, it’s easy to see why.

“I do enjoy seeing returning customers,” said Chang. “And that’s really what makes my day.”