Book Club Please!

This week, my 12-year old cousin, Chanel came to stay with me at my college apartment, (though I'm not sure what can be entertaining for her on a college campus) we took a trip to the library to get some materials I needed for a class. I asked her did she want to check something out and she told me she didn't like reading. Now, I know this may not be much of a shock to a lot of people in our generation, but it made me feel like an outcast of some sort. lol When I was her age, I loved to read all kinds of things...maybe even loved to read as much as I liked to write! I still have an fascination of words and fictional stories.

Since I have been in college, I haven't spent much time reading non-school related books/textbooks. But as I am approaching the end of my undergraduate career, I figured I would have more time to do so. To assist me, I am strongly thinking about starting a book club. Maybe something virtual or online? There is only one issue: I'm not sure how to get many young adults, men and women, to engage and actually participate consistently in the book club. What are your thoughts? Would you join? If not, what would deter you from participating?


While you are pondering that, here are a few of my favorite readings for men and women! I have read some of them, and intend to read the others; But all of the following are great books on life, love, religion, politics, black men & women, self-esteem, etc. Enjoy!

Jocelyn's Favorite Readings

• "The Black Male Handbook"- Kevin Powell


• "Their Eyes Were Watching God"-Zora Neal Hurston


• "Fast Food Nation"-Eric Schlosser


• "Why I Love Black Women"- Dr. Michael Eric Dyson


• "Letters to a Young Brother"- Hill Harper


• "Beyond the Down Low: Sex, Lies, and Denial in Black America"-Keith Boykin


• "Whatever Happened to Daddy's Little Girl?: The Impact of Fatherlessness on Black Women"- Jonetta Rose Barras


• "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man"- Steve Harvey


• "Resurrecting Midnight"- Eric Jerome Dickey (August 2009)


• "Dysfunctional Beginnings"- Renee A

Till Next Blog.......write you later!

How You Doin'

Former radio gossip host, recently launched her television show on BET-The Wendy Williams Show. Although, I wasn't much of a fan of her radio show, I think her television talk show is much more entertaining. On the radio show that was aired on Vh1, I thought she was negative, messy, ignorant and just plain rude. No matter how much I tried to let my biased views dislike her television show before watching it, I couldn't help but to love it.

I think what I like most about it is her signature greeting, "How you doin'". Let us not forget the special instructions she gives for saying it. You cant say it like Rasputia in Norbit, or like Joey Tribbiani in Friends. According to Wendy, you have to dim your eyes and spread your bottom lip at the end of "doin" LOL. I thought this was so funny and even found myself practicing it. Its catchy!

On the television show, Wendy is much more open-minded, polite, and her interviewing is tasteful. She also does a great job interacting with her audience and respects other people's views/comments. Her PR people are really doing a good job on her image. (On TV at least) I am looking forward to watching future segments. Kuddos to Wendy and her PR team!

until next blog....write you later!

Spokenword DFW

Greetings Readers!

I know I have been neglecting you for a while without providing any updates on my post. You will have to forgive me, graduation is approaching and my mind has been preoccupied.

This past weekend, my best friend and I decided to attend an open mic poetry event at a lounge in Dallas. We went because we were tired of the club scene for a while and wanted to try something different. Something mellow. We didn't come with our own material to present, but I thought it would be something inspirational to hear. Although I like to write, I couldn't imagine sharing everything I write to everyone. I just don't have the courage to do that yet. However, the atmosphere and setting wasn't quite what we expected. The event was held at a lounge with limited seating and the crowd wasn't respectful of the speakers. We could hardly hear what they were saying because of the sounds of obnoxious laughing and drunkenness at the bar. Lol Okay maybe I am exaggerating a little bit, but there is a level of respect you must have when others are expressing their creativity. Anyway, it would be nice to attend at Open Mic event where we could appreciate the value of spoken word and textual creativity. If you know of any good ones in the Mextroplex, please inform me.