Not Working: People Talk About Losing a Job and Finding Their Way in Today’s Changing Economy by DW Gibson

 

I enjoyed this book immensely!!! Everyone spoke plainly. There were recurring themes: resilience, tenacity, perseverance, faith, and hope. No one included had given up. Some had gained a deeper realism about their prospects. It relieves me that Gibson published people who chose to keep the faith.

rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A Wealth of Wisdom: Legendary African American Elders Speak, edited by Camille O. Cosby and Renee Poussaint

 

If you need wisdom or guidance, read this book. I believe the elders in this book wanted their words to reach young blacks but anyone could benefit from this advice.

I include some jewels to compel you to read this book:

"Do the best you can with what you've got; be yourself." ~Carmen de Lavallade, dancer, actor, choreographer

"My life got filled with the possibilities, and filled with the challenges to make those possibilities become real." ~Ruby Dee, actress, civil rights activist, writer

"When I decide that I was going to work with the problems of black women, I wanted to make people see them as beautiful, dignified, strong people, instead of, as Ralph Ellison says, invisible." ~Elizabeth Catlett, artist, educator


Thank you to the editors and the elders.

rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Nineteen by Ancco

 

Some of us get moments of despair whereas Ancco presents lives brimming with desolation and misery. The book is not written for the purpose of sympathy, just the presentation of shared reality. I had hoped that the last story would be sweet but even that had fangs of disappointment.

I applaud Ancco for her perseverance.

rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Men I Trust by Tommi Parrish

 

The ending feels unfinished. An open ending doesn't satisfy me for this story. I would rather imagine that Eliza doesn't repeat unhealthy cycles.

Kudos to Tommi Parrish for sticking with this story for three years.

rating: 3 out of 5 stars