 |
| Originally Posted: 3/23/2009 |
- Na'im Akbar
- Scott Alexander
- Robert G. Allen
- Derrick Bell
- Octavia Butler
- Agatha Christie
- Jim Clingman
- Ralph Ellison
- Melvin Gravely II
- John Grisham
- Arthur Haley
- Robert Heinlein
- Napoleon Hill
- Kyra Hicks
- Robert Kiyosaki
- Louis L'Amour
- Tim Lahaye
- Robert Ludlum
- Og Mandino
- Walter Mosely
- Larry Niven
- Barack Obama
- Robert J. Ringer
- Ralph Wiley
- Richard Wright
A few of my AfroSpear colleagues have talked about starting a book club. However, we haven't moved very far with that idea. Maybe this meme will get us going.
The rules say that I'm supposed to tag 25 others. I am interested to see the 25 influential authors listed by La Shawn Barber, Necole Bitchie, Julius Clark, Mike Collins, Cheryl Contee, Kai Dupe, Milt Haynes, Karen, Danielle Lee, Los Angelista, Ajuan Mance, Marenda, Kevin Myles, Tariq Nelson, Keith Owens, Daryl Plummer, Monica Roberts, Cliff Samuel, Pam Spaulding, Baratunde Thurston, Urban Scientist, Jose Vilson, Shawn Williams, Oliver Willis and Womanist Musings.
The act of creating the list of influential authors makes me want to read more over the coming days and weeks. I'm currently reading 'Free Lunch: How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (And Stick You With the Bill)' by David Cay Johnston. What are you reading now?
19 comments:
1,5,6,8 are classics. lets expose folks to good reading and retract that reality tv mentality
hey, just checking if you osf entry was up
anyway, have a gr8 weekend
Fresh - I'm not doing OSF this week. I hope to participate again next week. Any thoughts on the 25 authors that I listed in this blog post?
RawDawg - I appreciate that I had chance to document these 25 influential authors. The four (Akbar, Butler, Christie and Ellison) you point out are indeed classics. I think that Octavia Butler might be my favorite author of the 25 listed. She had a remarkable imagination and was able to paint a future that included people of African descent. As a science fiction fan ... it was truly uplifting to finally find a future in which Black people had a part...
Hotep Villager,
I had to jump over here to see your list. I was tagged by RDW and I tagged SjP.
Great List. There are some authors I am not familiar with on this list. But I might know their works by title. There are also classics on this list that should be read by everyone.
Speaking of the book club. I set up an account and did my reading list. Maybe we will generate some interest after this meme circulates.
I love hearing what other writers enjoy. I'll definitely participate with my own list. I have always liked Walter Mosley but only recently discovered his books on writing. I have in my current pile of recent deliveries "This Year You Write Your Novel." I'll be sure to share once it's read. :-)
Karen
@karenswim
Karen - I look forward to seeing which 25 authors you come up with!
Lady D - This is a very unique meme. I'm glad that I took the time to participate. I added a link to each of the authors ... it usually points to the specific book that opened my eyes up for one reason or another...
Wonderful and classic list! Much obliged for participating!
So glad you tagged me with this meme. We definitely have some similarities on here. One of the wonderful things my parents did was to always have books around, so I grew up seeing Napoleon Hill, Og Mandino and Agatha Christie just sitting around the house. I couldn't watch much TV so I read what was around! But I've never read a Louis L'Amour book! Maybe I should amend that!
If readers here don't know half the authors, maybe you could follow up with an article why we should be well-read, the importance of literacy. We're currently hosting am Around The Globe reading challenge at Color Online, celebrating Women's History Month with an emphasis on women of color.
Last month we held our first Black History Month Writers' contest. You're invited to check out the reviews. Might find new reads or read about favorite authors.
I am sometimes discouraged when I talk to people of color and they tell me they don't have time to read. What? You don't have time to think and learn?
Anyhoo, not hear to preach but to encourage. Thanks for posting the list and I know almost every author you listed.
And since you asked who influenced my world and what I'm currently reading. I am currently reading a new, emerging writer, Kekla Ragoon's book, The Rock and The River a coming-of-age story about a son of a civil rights leader and the brother of a young man who chooses the path of the Black Panthers.
My 25 list:
1. Octavia E. Butler
2. Audre Lorde
3. Edwidge Danticat
4. Sandra Cisneros
5. Alice Walker
6. Alex Haley
7. Pearl Cleage
8. Barbara Kingsolver
9. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi
10. Chinua Achebe
11. Alice Munro
12. Sonia Sanchez
13. Cornelius Eady
14. Jacqueline Woodson
15. Toni Cade Bambara
16. Julia Alvarez
17. Nikki Giovanni
18. Gloria Naylor
19. John Edgar Wideman
20. Walter Mosely
21. Walter Dean Myers
22. Gwendolyn Brooks
23. Merle Collins
24. Naomi Shiab Nye
25. Richard Wright
Yeah tagged me to punish me didn't ya LOL
Renee - I had the same thought when Sojourner tagged me. However, I must admit that it was a rewarding exercise. I hope you enjoy it...
Color Online - I look forward to checking out your Women History Month tribute ... and I appreciate you taking time to share your 25 most influential authors. There are some names on your list that I will need to look up...
Los Angelista - I look forward to reading your list when you publish it! Louis L'Amour was my father's favorite author. I drove from Los Angeles to Cincinnati a couple of years ago. I listened to L'Amour 'books on tapes' during most of that trip!
Like you Villager,
Happy to talk about them. And how can I become a member?
Color Online exists to inform and empower. We're all about books. Hope you'll visit and interact often. We're about literacy and activism. Don't be a stranger.
My latest read is Kekla Magoon's The Rock and The River. The novel is set in 1968. See my review at BES.
Color Online - You asked what it takes to become a member. Can you clarify what it is that you are seeking membership information about?
Gee, thanks Villager ;)
Talk about a tough exercise, name 25 authors that shaped my world over the hundreds of books I've read.
Hey Villager,
You have compiled a very interesting list!!
{thumbs up}
If there are people who haven't heard of those writers then it's time to turn OFF the television and put their face in a book once a week....
Seriously.
Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
Lisa
Monica - Thank you for participating in the meme. I've updated the link to your name so that it points to your post of 25 influential authors.
Lisa - I see that you have a new avatar. Kewl!
Post a Comment