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One of my pics for February ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿
“Sula” by one the greatest of all times my beloved Toni Morrison

Is there such a thing as exquisite pain? If so it‘s here in Toni‘s writing. The exchange between Nel & Sula after their estrangement wherein they compare their life choices & consequences is a knife to the heart. So poignant because both women are telling their truths, though so very different.💔

I have to spend more time thinking about this one. Sula is difficult to like for her narcissism & nihilism. I can though admire her self actualization.

As much as I appreciated Sula, at no point did I feel hooked. I slogged through some of the winding lengthy philoso-prose, didn‘t get much of a picture of some of the characters. Kept feeling like putting it down. Through telling of black stories, black community I gained something, the story and book itself a bit meh unfortunately.

Re-reading ‘Sula! I am so excited, and truly blessed, to experience and teach ‘Sula‘ again with my Year 12 IB Literature class over the next four weeks! I read a lot of books but ‘Sula‘ is STILL the greatest novel I have ever read! How marvellous is it to be a Literature teacher!

Picked this from my kindle backlog for a #booked23 entry and I was both confused and blown away and really would love to read it as a book club! Theee is no real plot just wonderfully drawn people and places until the town is the lead. Which is just as well as The main character is not introduced until a fir way in and then we lose her for 20 years of her life and what we see of her is not all that pleasant!

2nd book for author spotlight reading series on Toni Morrison. A re-read for me and I liked even better the 2nd time. Sula is the epitome of the unlikeable character, and yet, in the hands of Toni Morrison even an unlikeable character is not simple. Because why she is unlikeable ends up saying more about us than it does about her. Gorgeous prose as usual!

I wasn‘t sure when I started this book how I‘d like it, but it turns out that I loved it! It wasn‘t your typical friendship novel, but it was awesome. At times disturbing, at times lyrical, the language and writing was excellent. I might teach this book for a college class, so I‘m glad I chose it! 👍🏼

My January reads 📘

This is the first time I've read Toni Morrison but it won‘t be the last. A short little book that beautifully tells a generational story. I loved how everyone saw Sula‘s birthmark differently depending on their relationship with her. A tiny detail that conveyed so much meaning.

Break time at work… I haven‘t had too much time to read these last few days, but I‘ve been slowly easing into this one 📖

Another Morrison that is short enough to read in a day but it would not be recommended. I think I could have understood it much more if I had taken the time to slowly read. I definitely need to reread this to really comprehend what was going on

I enjoyed getting to read this book for class! It was dark but the magical realism aspects were enjoyable

Wonderful

It is amazing how Toni Morrison can create a character as straightforward as Sula and yet leave you with so many questions and feelings.

I am now initiated into the brilliant, lyrical world of Toni Morrison. I had expected an innocent story about friendship from what I had heard about this book. But Sula is not meant for casual reading, it requires patience. The best part about Sula is it‘s poetic prose. The descriptions in the book are so vibrant that you can feel every emotion, taste every flavour and connect with every character. Overall it‘s an incredible read.

I love Toni Morrison‘s characters and stories about female friendships, so this was right up my alley.

“Outlaw women are fascinating—not always for their behavior, but because historically women are seen as naturally disruptive and their status is an illegal one from birth if it is not under the rule of men.”

I am livid that I was never introduced to Baldwin or Morrison or so many other amazing BIPOC authors in school. Sure we read Langston Hughes and I discovered Angelou. But I wish I would‘ve read and analyzed Sula with my peers growing up. I wish it so much. Overall — Left to right/top to bottom in terms of rankings for Feb. I also had 3 DNFs. I know I‘m preaching to the choir, but make space for black authors every month, not just BHM.

#BlackHistoryMonth
Some wonderful books by some wonderful, powerful authors♥️

Such a good read! I love a story that focuses on female friendships!

I‘m finally ready to commit with my #bookspin #doublespin #BookSpinBINGO list for February!

Thanks again for hosting, @TheAromaofBooks ! I know I read more in January thanks to this fun challenge.

I got my mind. And what goes on in it. Which is to say, I got me. Lonely. But my lonely is mine.

Disappointed.

Wow! You‘ve taken an emotional journey when you read a Tony Morrison novel. In the case of Sula a raw, painful but oddly right journey. Right only because life depicted in a black community in Southern Ohio at the beginning of the twentieth century was grinding and hard and respites brief. That lives can be so broken they needed a Suicide Day, the only day one would allow themselves to choose to end their suffering. Can unloved ever be lovable?

For #BannedBookWeek and #ReadwithMrBook - longest on tbr

What incredible writing. Each sentence was poetic and shocking to the senses.

This is so well written, but a really bleak tough read. There's something quite disturbing about the matter-of-fact way the terrible events throughout the book are described, but I guess that for a lot of people at that time that was just how life was. The non-judgmental way the characters are portrayed is really interesting and engaging.

I already loved Jamila Woods, but releasing a Toni Morrison-themed song? In 'hardcover' and 'paperback' editions? (and on the same day no less!) Be still my musical heart 🎶❤🎶

If you're interested in a listen or to purchase, here's the link:
https://jamilawoodsmusic.bandcamp.com/album/sula

I‘ve had a copy of Sula I‘ve been meaning to read forever, and I finally did because it was the August book club pick for the Stacks podcast. Today the host, Traci Thomas, discussed it with author Brit Bennett and their insights really helped. A lot happens in this very short book, and the words in it are all chosen well. I‘m glad I finally read this. Check out https://thestackspodcast.com if you‘d like to listen to the episode.

Next up

I happen to be reading this book by Toni Morrison this month for an online book club hosted by The Stacks podcast. It‘s short but I feel like it will not be a fast read. #AugustAuthors

Day 10 - #ToniMorrison #AugustAuthors
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

I picked this Toni Morrison today. I have read Beloved- what is your favorite Toni Morrison book?

#bookhaul I have tried really hard not to buy any books until I at least get through some of the books I already have... I made it two months 🙈

“The more he thought about marriage, the more attractive it became. Whatever his fortune, whatever the cut of his garment, there would always be the hem- the tuck and fold that hid his raveling edges; a someone sweet, industrious and loyal to shore him up. And in return he would shelter her, love her, grow old with her.”

Overall I didn‘t love the book, but the writing is lyrically beautiful. I will certainly read more by her!
This description- 😘

For most of this book I wondered why she didn‘t title it “Nel” or at least “Sula and Nel.” But then came that devastating ending. Even with all that had gone on before, that ending yanked the rug out from under me. I still liked Beloved better, but this is another winner from Morrison. #doublespin @TheAromaofBooks

Beautiful, yet disturbing story of a friendship between two women who grow up together. Morrison‘s rich, gorgeous prose contrasts with the ugliness of human behavior. At other times, her prose enriches the deep love and compassion her characters have for one another. This is a short book, but it demands time and attention.

This was on my May tbr but I didn‘t get to it. Picking it up for June instead

Wow! I knew this was a story about a female friendship, but I was unprepared for how dark, gritty and complex it would be. So excellent - the writing is powerful.

Online learning is DONE! So I‘m free to put my feet up with my first Toni Morrison while my boys play! ☀️

This is something - gritty, sexy, mesmerizing, and full of strange/unique characters who all revolve around Sula and Nel. Glad I finally read this! #bannedbook #sexualthemes #booked2020 #readmyowndamnbooks

About 40% done, but need a break. Moving on to a graphic novel. #readathon #update #deweyapril

Always 5 ⭐
As brilliant and haunting as the first time I read it.
If I had to recommend one Morrison...

Did anyone else think the ending was a cliffhanger? There is so much to unpack with an ending like that... I don't think I understood the significance of Sula and Nel's relationship until the end.

Toni Morrison is not new to me but I have never read her novels. I wonder what took me so long. #auldlangreads #1WordTitle #classicschallenge2020
#readwithMrBook

Fucked up if true
Also I really love the cover design for this edition.

I got to hear these beautiful speakers talking about Toni Morrison at #TXBookFest2019. They made me want to read all of her books right this second. They also made me want to buy both of their books, which I am likely to do first thing in the morning.

Day 1 of #TexasBookFestival2019 was wonderful.

This was a deep book. Tragedy after tragedy. I liked it even though it was a sad story.

Day 6
#covercrush
#7days7covers

This will be me all day. In bed, reading Sula by Toni Morrison. I‘m aiming for a silent day. No music. No podcasts. Just me and this book and the rain outside.