Welcome to Litsy!

Come important, leave important. Leave a bag of diamonds for all I care. Kill em and leave, Rev. WHATEVER YOU DO AVOID THE EXECRABLE MOVIE “GET ON UP”. Read this book, rather.

$1 Dollar Tree book find and indulgences I didn‘t plan to get! 😂

A series of essays, really, about McBride's travels to learn about James Brown, and many interviews with family and friends. This was my first McBride, and his writing style sings with an original sound on every page. Particularly of note is the chapter about his first wife and their 2 sons, one who died in a car accident as a young adult.

Wishing James McBride a happy 60th birthday!

I'm eagerly awaiting his short story collection, FIVE-CARAT SOUL, being released later this month - and planning to attend his tour stop at the main branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia in October.

Reads more like a series of essays, rather than a standard biography, and covers issues such as race, music, and law in addition to recounting events in the lives of James Brown and his associates. I enjoyed the conversational tone McBride uses and recommend this book even if you are not a fan of Brown's music.

Today's #labsoundtrack as I write reports on this rainy, dark Friday and count down the hours until freedom! 💜

finely written musician biography

This slim volume tells a larger than life story. It's not a traditional bio. It's sort of a road trip/travel memoir as the author visits GA, SC, NYC, and even goes abroad to talk with Brown's family, band, business associates, and childhood friends. It was intimate and revealing, but wasn't trashy or gossipy. I could feel Mr. Brown's energy pulsing through the pages. Even if you're not familiar with him I think you'll find this book interesting.

#riotgrams Day 16: #bookmark These magnetic markers are my faves!

#riotgrams Day 15: #booksandtreats...I'm a sucker for a fun bookish pin! And of course tea.
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#goawayimreading #booksandtea #currentread #amreading #bookstagram #jamesbrown #ifeelgood #killemandleave #jamesmcbride #rnb #soul

This is one of the most interesting books I've read in some time. Part biography, part racial commentary, part music history: this book is all over the place, but in a very good way. I'm old enough to remember James Brown in his heyday, but there's a lot for people of all ages and musical likes to gain from reading this. McBride (a musician himself) did a great job. #blacklivesmatter #diversebooks #godfatherofsoul #overthis

I love to read in bed! 🛏. I get up early and go to bed early so I can read in bed. 😊. I usually have my cat with me, but it's cold here and she's hanging out in front of the register keeping warm 😺 #readinginbed #photoadaynov16

Wow!! 😱😱You know the feeling you get when you've only read the first three pages and you are completely blown away...

I really loved this book. The main thing I didn't like was that McBride tended to repeat himself. For a lot of stories, McBride mentioned them at least two to three different times. Overall, it was a great book. #nonfictionnovember

My next pick for #NonfictionNovember is ostensibly about the groundbreaking musician James Brown, but is really about American racism, greed, violence, and poverty.

If you're interested in hearing about the book from the author himself, here's a live stream of his talk at the Free Library of Philadelphia that I attended - he is an amazing speaker! http://livestream.com/FLP/McBride

#currentlyreading #jamesmcbride #overit

I just started to listen to this today. It is very good so far. I also like listening to Julian's, I mean Dominic Hoffman's narration. #nonfictionnovember

So bookseller Kenny Coble in Tacoma, WA lets us know that Brazos Bookstore in Houston was robbed, and I'm sitting at a park in Colorado buying books from them to show support. Litsy is amazing.

So bookseller Kenny Coble in Tacoma, WA lets us know that Brazos Bookstore in Houston was robbed, and I'm sitting at a park in Colorado buying books from them to show support. Litsy is amazing.

There are four B' s in music: Bach,  Beethoven,  Brahms,  and Brown.

Every chapter in this book was an adventure and a bit of insight into the life of a musical genius, an icon, a search into the life of a man many claimed to know, understood by few

A truly outstanding book. Brilliant writing and commentary...on James Brown, music in general, the American south, and race in the U.S.

Brilliant writing. As much a commentary on the south as a biography of James Brown. Wow.

If the title, table contents, and mind-blowing foreword don't hook you like they've hooked me, don't tell me...I don't want to know.

James McBride on James Brown: a riveting blend of investigative journalism & memoir from a brilliant writer & musician