What is the What

"and someday you will find your own jailer's daughter, and in her you will bring light." ~Father Matong

 

I am the jailer’s daughter. I have become her. Valentino Achak Deng’s words providing me a sight I never knew existed. My vision was dimmed to parts of the world. But Achak’s memories and words gently formed by Eggers, granted me light.  From this light I have learned a valuable lesson. This was a prophesy spoke to Achak by Father Matong while at a refugee camp in Ethiopia. And I believe it came to pass while reading What is the What and I believe anyone that reads this book the same shall happen to them. I just completed this book today. I stayed up late last night and spent a good part of my early morning reading What is the What. It seemed to take me forever to read this book. It is long 532 pages to be exact, but with an increased font size of one point it would have easily doubled to 1064 pages, nevertheless; it was well worth it.

We in America are such a privileged people. Even our poorest and lost have options and opportunities readily available. In Sudan they have no such assistance. I don’t think our western minds could bare such destruction in life, both to property and to life. Reading firsthand what occurred in Sudan during a war that lasted over 20 years is baffling. It seemed unbelievable. There were times I had to stop reading. I often shook my head in disbelief and sighed in horror. Yet, I did not skip a word. I did not skim a sentence. I did not speed-read through one paragraph. I wanted, needed to take it all in. In doing so, I have been changed. The atrocities that happen against human rights in Sudan must be stopped. Although this book was written in 2006 the injustice against Sudanese still exists.

Saturday morning as I was enjoying my early morning cup of coffee, sitting on the leather recliner with books, a newspaper and my Kindle surrounding me, the windows open allowing the sun to light my home, the cool morning air entering, I was comforted in the stability provided; comforted by the privilege freedom and a stable government brings me. I began to read the BBC news and to my astonishment read that a multitude of women in Southern Sudan had been raped, that over 50,000 children face the possibility of death because of wide spread famine and diseases. I thought to myself, is this not what I am reading in What is the What, could it be that the same conditions that Achak speaks of in his book still remain in Sudan. How is one to hear of such horror and think we in America have it bad? Nothing can compare to what Sudanese bare everyday of their lives. This book has changed me. I hope that if you have not yet read this book, you will. What is the What should be required reading for every human on earth. It is too powerful to not be read. It will shed light on a dark place of the world and scream for you to do something., to help.

I will review this book next.  I encourage you to read it. I encourage you to visit Achak’s website and become familiar with his cause.  Again, Dave Eggers does not disappoint. I swear Eggers can do no wrong. He is easily one of the best, if not the best writers of our time.

Valentino Achak Deng Foundation

www.vadfoundation.org

~Francine

Wow! Who is BJ Ward???

Wow! Who is BJ Ward? I halted sleep an extra hour for him, read his poem "Resurrection" twice in silence, then again out loud.

In the current issue of "The Normal School" Fresno's best literary mag I came across his poem tucked in the corner of page #51. It took my breath away, far away and my slumber too. So moved by this work of art, I woke in urgency and had to blog to tell readers YOU MUST BUY THIS MAGAZINE...YOU MUST READ... YOU MUST DISCOVER BJ WARD THE POET.

I Googled him. I love poetry.  I have now found a new favorite modern-day poet. ahhhh poetry truly makes my heart beat a new rhythm.  It has saved me time and time again. Tonight this... BJ Ward and his words will send me to sleep in peace.

-did Eve turn to Adam knowing the globe had him......pause, then whisper........ "bite the apple.We'll construct a chapel--"? - BJ Ward

Such lovely words to a lovely poem.  So glad I stayed up a tad later than usual to read The Normal School.

Happy Reading!

Francine ♥

The Normal School's Spring 2014 edition is out!

Fresno's best literary magazine, The Normal School is now out and ready to be read. I purchased my copy at Barnes & Noble Bookstore for only $5 bucks.

Editors Steven Church, Sophie Beck & Matt Roberts have put together another great edition. I encourage you to pick up a copy today.  Help support local writers and local Fresnans like Church, Beck & Roberts that are keeping readers up to date in the literary scene.

Another great read to keep you busy this holiday weekend.

Happy Reading!

~Francine

Memorial Weekend Reads

What will you be reading this holiday weekend?

There is nothing better than relaxing with a good book and a cup of coffee. This four day holiday weekend I plan to do just that.

Here goes my reading list... I am rereading Tennessee William's "Eight Mortal Ladies Possessed". This is one of my favorite short story collections written by him. I only reread the first story of the bunch which is my favorite. It is titled "Happy August Tenth". It brings back fond memories of my friend Maria.  My wonderful boss purchased this edition for me when a few weeks ago he found out my copy was falling apart and so old and beat up from constant usage. He is one of the best attorneys I know and I am so thankful for him and his kind gestures. 

I am also reading in entirety Dave Eggers "What is the What". I totally love this book so far. I'm only on the third chapter but already I am addicted. Eggers is one of our best writers today. I adore him and his ability to have me so intrigued with the serious nature of his novels and at the same time Iaughing at his dry humor. He must be the smartest man in the world. He also wrote one of my favorite movies Away We Go. I swear this guy can do no wrong.

I am also simultaneously reading Arthur Miller's collected plays from 1944-1961.  I usually read this book late at night before bed and I am in no rush. This is my fun book. I love plays and Arthur Miller is my favorite playwright. Shattered Glass is my favorite play. I will eventually begin reviewing plays and have a tab indicating where to find the reviews. So look forward to that. I know I am.

My romance book read this month is "Labor Day" by Joyce Maynard. O my gosh, I am so a sucker for love and this book is so lovely.  Love always comes unexpectedly and when it does it should be sweet and peaceful. This story is just that. The relationship begins unexpectedly but is welcomed by both with such sweet unconditional love and trust. I will finish this probably tonight. I can't wait.

After the above mentioned books are devoured by my eyes I will begin to read and review local Fresno or Central Valley writers. So if any of you have any recommendations please share your thoughts with me.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend.  Be safe and take time to read a book.

Happy Reading!

~Francine

Books vs. Kindle Fire

photo courtesy of bookhurricane.com  

And the winner is............. 

I received a Kindle Fire for Mother's Day. I can't say I was ever completely opposed to Kindle Fire or any other handheld book reading device. However, because of my strong adoration for books, they never interested me.

On Mother's Day, my mother surprised me with one. I immediately enjoyed it. I have always read at least two books at a time. One book would be a serious novel and the other something fun like a memoir or biography.

While enrolling on Amazon.com I purchased a few magazines from the New Yorker and The Atlantic and as I was scrolling through the pages of newly released books, I came across an angelic looking face that compelled me to inquire more. After reading the first sentence of the book I knew immediately who this angelic looking face belonged to. It was Michelle Knight one of the three women from Cleveland that were kidnapped and held captive for eleven years.

Finding Me, was my first book purchased on Kindle Fire. I read the entire book in two days. Just like an actual book, I was able to highlight and type notes in the margins.. I was able to stay up way past midnight with the lights off, huddled in my bed reading in the dark with an aching heart at what this poor woman had to endure. This will be my next book review after I complete Capote this week.

In the end, I would much rather hold a book but am still a fan of the Kindle Fire. I love its simplicity, the virtual bookshelves used to display my magazines and books, and the convenience of it all. I love that it weighs little and easily fits in my purse. It holds its charge well, which allows me to read well into the night while my sons sleep soundly in dreamland, no longer waking them with the bright light in my room.

I will still purchase books. I still long for the day in old age where shelves of books line my family room and the pride of knowing all that knowledge was devoured by my eyes and lives deep within the matter of my brain and I will be happy.

Kindle Fire vs. Books, in the end they both win. Thank you mama for always knowing what is good for me :)

Happy Reading!

~Francine
Anthem Book Review

NEXT BOOK REVIEW

When I was 17 I read Truman Capote’s "In Cold Blood". It scared me beyond belief and at the same time I fell in love with that little odd man and his majestic writing. When the brilliant movie Capote was released I watched it immediately and then, fell in love with Phillip Seymour Hoffman. What can I say; I am a book-to-movie-adaptation-whore (total joke).
Anyhow, during this time I was working with a wide-eyed woman named Robin. She and I shared a love of literature and one day while she and her daughter were out shopping, she purchased a book for me. Yes, a Truman Capote book. An old paperback, a yellow stained brittle paged of a book. It smelled of warehouse dust but wore its age wonderfully.

The book is "Music for Chameleons". I had it holed up in my "to read" section of my bookshelf. Well, I am reading it finally. In memory of Robin, not that she has passed, I just no longer work with her, I have placed as my bookmark an old picture she took while at the beach that reads:

"Danger previously dry beach areas can be swept without notice by large waves. Don’t turn your back on the ocean."

The photograph is inscribed on the back, picture taken by Robin in 06’. It is just the most bizarre and lovely photo ever. I am thankful for having known her. I have attached a picture of both the old Capote book and the photo. I think the antiquity of both is marvelous. With that said, I will be reviewing Music for Chameleons throughout the upcoming weeks. The book contains three sections. I will review the first section this weekend and so forth and so forth. I will add on to the first section in the blog post page tab. So if any of you want to review it in its entirety do so in the tab which will be titled Truman Capote book review. 
Lastly, this is my book review and it will be unconventional; as I am unconventional. Art is interpreted differently by all. So you may not like my review. It is okay but I hope you continue reading. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me. I respect differences and actually welcome them, without it we would be rigid animals.
Thanks for your time. Thank you Robin for your gift many years ago and I’m finally reading it.
Happy Reading!
~Francine

Coffee & a good read

Coffee-My Daily Habit

 

As I sit at the mother ship Barnes & Noble Booksellers, I contemplate whether or not I should have a second cup of vanilla latte coffee. A second cup would assure I finish reading the 8th Chapter of Dave Eggers, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. With this thought,  I remember a brief intro I wrote during my brief stint as a "Coffee Examiner" and decide to share with you readers, as I order my second cup :).  Enjoy!

One of the earliest legends of the beloved coffee bean is that of a young goat-herding Ethiopian named Kaldi, which also means hot in ancient Arabic, who noticed his herd acting bizarre after eating berrylike beans from a nearby bush. With a deep desire to understand this odd occurrence of his goat’s behavior, he too, partook from the bush, consuming, eating, and possibly chewing what would centuries later become America’s favorite daily habit-coffee.

It didn’t take long for Kaldi to discover the benefits of coffee and legend has it that after the jolt of energy he experienced Kaldi shared this new discovery with nearby monks. The monks began boiling the beans and drinking it. Eventually they shared it with others, whom shared it with more and eventually coffee made its way into the households and hands of millions of Americans.

Of those millions, a slew of coffee loving Americans abide here in Fresno.  Coffee is a core factor in the daily lives of local Fresno residents, myself being one of them. Just like larger metropolitan cities in California, coffeehouses with outside patio seating line the streets and shopping plaza’s in many areas throughout Fresno and with it carry the scent of freshly brewed coffee beans into the hearts of many.

Regardless, of the location or the way one prefers to consume the drink, the fragrant bean is a staple guaranteed to stay. It may have had humble beginnings but now has worldwide recognition; it may have begun as a hot drink but now it is also favored cold as well. Although, the coffee bean has had its share of change one thing is certain- the legend of Kaldi and his perky find has too, become for most people of Fresno a daily habit.  

Written By Francine Ramos-McMillon