I just finished the autobiography of Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa music. She told her story of growing up in pre-Castro Cuba until the end where she was revered in the Spanish-speaking world. I have been a fan of her music but did not know about her life story until now. Cruz is a musical treasure and I'm glad that I read her story.

I just found out today that fantasy author Patricia McKillip passed away. She has been someone I‘ve wanted to read for years but never got around to it.

Also, she has seemed to slip under the radar or bypassed because she did not write one series after another. Most of her books are standalone novels…which is rare for commercial fantasy fiction.

I bought a copy of The Book of Atrix Wolfe earlier today & will finally read her work. Rest in Love!

I have a very small list of writers whose novels I look forward to when they release something new. Guy Gavriel Kay is on that small list. Only one week from away from the release of his latest, All The Seas Of The World. Set in the same world as Children of Earth and Sky & A Brightness Long Ago…I‘m totally looking forward to see where else Kay goes in this world. Kay is one of our best contemporary fantasy writers and should be read widely.

I don't read many celebrity or famous musician autobiographies. However, I have started research on my next novel and Natalie Cole is one of my favorite singers. And a childhood crush! Cole shares her life story growing up as the daughter of the great Nat King Cole. The highs & lows. Finally embracing her father's legacy when she recorded Unforgettable..with Love in the early 90s. I'm glad she told her story.

I have a question. Is there a book or book series that you hated the protagonist initially but ended up liking the main character by the finish of it?

I felt that way by Frank Bascombe from the Bascombe series of novels by Richard Ford. I did not like Frank in The Sportswriter but warmed up too him in Independence Day and liked him in The Lay of the Land. That has never happened to me in my reading life. Has this happened to someone else?

Guy Gavriel Kay is on the shortlist of my favorite novelists. His brand of historical fantasy is unique to the genre on the whole. His books show that well-written literate stories can come from imaginative literature too.

I just realized that I have never read, Tigana. This novel is considered his breakout book. It is a much loved novel by fantasy readers worldwide and after 100 pages I can see the reasons why. Full review to come.

Glass Soup is the sequel to White Apples and continues the story of the philanderer, Vincent Ettrich and his true love, Isabelle Neukor. Both of them have crossed over from life to death and back to life again. Isabelle is carrying their special child, who can restore the balance between life and death. However, the agents of chaos are determined to keep Isabelle and the child in a place where that result can not happen.

Jonathan Carroll has one of most unique and distinctive voices in all contemporary fiction. This review of White Apples was the first of the Carroll novels I‘ve read. I had never heard of Jonathan Carroll before reading a post from Neil Gaiman about him. Besides Gaiman, he has been endorsed by novelists as diverse as Stephen King to Pat Conroy to Katherine Dunn. Because of his reputation as a favorite of writers, I‘ve decided to to check him out.

Buffalo Soldier by Maurice Broaddus tells the story of Jamaican agent Desmond Coke and his companion, Lij Tafari. They are on the run and Desmond wants the boy to have a normal life, but it seems unlikely because of those who want to capture Lij for nefarious reasons.

As I continue with my short story reading, I found this chilling and tragic story about an encounter between a stepfather & stepdaughter that turns deadly. Turner Banks does not tell the reader who commits the crime but leaves it open to interpretation. The Cookout is a story (under 10 pages) from the groundbreaking anthology, Shades of Black: Crime & Mystery Stories By African-American Authors. Crime & Mystery fans should check it out!

“Good storytellers are like good wine—the older the better!”

The aforementioned sentence came from the last paragraph of The Storyteller by Rafik Schami. This short story was taken from his novel, Damascus Nights and reprinted in The Year‘s Best Fantasy and Horror: Seventh Annual Collection published in September 1994.

Toni Morrison is one of those authors have I admired & respected but not loved her fiction. I have read Song of Solomon, Jazz, & Paradise but my feelings as a reader toward her work have been lukewarm. This short story, she wrote in the 1980s, is finally a work I liked (not quite loved) on a storytelling level. Recitatif is a story of race, identity & womanhood that could have been written by Octavia Butler or Ursula Le Guin. Recommended.

My reading excursion into short stories continues with an excellent whodunit story set in a suburban Oregon town where a single mother who owns a housecleaning business of foreclosure homes ends up on the wrong end of a home explosion.

https://marion-hill.com/wisdom-from-kammbia-story-review-7-what-people-leave-beh...

Carlos Fuentes is a writer I have wanted to read for a long time. I have seen his books, The Old Gringo & The Death of Artemio Cruz, in used bookstores for years. I have always meant to get one of those books, but never did. However, I read a review about Aura last week that gave me the push to read Fuentes. The story a young writer hired to write a widow's deceased husband's memoirs but falls hard for her niece. Haunting & thought-provoking.

I just finished with this unique, steampunk novella in an alternate Cairo. Clark takes the detective story and mixes it with supernaturalism. I did not love it but the world building is excellent and adding the women's suffrage movement to the story gives it depth. I'm looking forward to reading more of Clark's work in the future.

Charles de Lint is one of my favorite writers & the author who has influenced me the most in my own writings. Also, he is my favorite fantasy writer (Guy Gavriel Kay is a close second place) & his brand of fantasy has shown the best of what the genre has to offer in contemporary fiction across the board. Timeskip is my favorite story in his Dreams Underfoot collection. De Lint's take on the ghost story is unique and refreshing.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has been a writer I've wanted to read for awhile. I've had her novel, Americanah on my Kindle app for several years. However, I found out about this short story, Ceiling and read it recently. Adichie did an excellent job in showing how our lifestyle choices can affect the past & present. Well done and recommended.

https://marion-hill.com/wisdom-from-kammbia-story-review-6-ceiling-by-chimamanda...

My penchant for short stories began a few years ago when I read the story Haven by Alice Munro. Haven is the from Dear Life collection & tells the story of a young Canadian girl living with her ultra-religious uncle & aunt. The girl can not understand why her aunt plays the role in her marriage as she does. This is a thoughtful story that delves beneath the surface of a marriage in unexpected ways. I will read more stories by Munro in the future.

This post may come across as stirring the pot. However, I recently listened to a podcast where author Maurice Carlos Ruffin was asked what novel he would like to rewrite. Ruffin chose To Kill A Mockingbird. I'm so glad he did. I have always felt that TKAM was somewhat overrated and the black characters in the novel were one dimensional at best. I wrote a blog post acknowledging Ruffin's position and stand with him in his assessment.

This story comes from the excellent short story collection, Sabrina & Corina. Galapago tells the story of Pearla Ortiz, a widow, who has an encounter with a man that breaks into her home. Pearla‘s granddaughter, Alana, wants to sell the house & move her grandmother into senior housing. This story tackles aging, gentrification, and change simultaneously. I hope Galapago becomes required reading for high school & college literature students.

I have decided to review & post individual short stories regularly going forward. L'Alchimista by N.K. Jemisin is one of the best short stories I read last year. The story of a talented but frustrated chef stuck working at a small Italian inn until a mysterious stranger comes in with an unusual request. Jemisin shows a versatility I did not think she had.
https://marion-hill.com/wisdom-from-kammbia-story-review-4-lalchimista-by-n-k-je...

I got the idea for the recommended reading postcard from author Kali Fajardo-Anstine‘s post on her IG account. She‘s a good follow on IG. Kali shared her recommended reading list and many readers commented on it.

I hope more authors will create cards like this one for their readers. BTW, I highly recommend reading her Sabrina & Corina collection. Some of the best short stories I have read since Charles DeLint‘s Dreams Underfoot collection.

I was a participant author at the San Antonio Carver Library African American Book Festival yesterday.

I created my own recommended reading postcard to give out to everyone at the festival. I have recommended these 15 books the most over the past few years. A few of these are on my shortlist of all-time favorites like Parable of the Sower, Invisible Man, Winter's Tale & Home Is The Sailor.

I enjoyed handing out these postcards!

As Black History Month comes to a close, I have always wanted to read something about our history that I did not know about before. I found out two weeks ago about the most prominent African American entrepreneur in Alabama, A.G. Gaston. His niece and grandniece wrote a bio called Black Titan about his rise from post Civil War poverty to immense wealth & his significant role in desegregating Birmingham during the Civil Rights Movement.

I love this photo…..

#reading #childreading #blackgirlmagic #blackhistorymonth

My second appearance on the Best Book Ever Podcast aired today. The host, Julie Strauss, and I discussed one of my all time favorite novels, Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler.

I have read this novel 3 times (when it first came in October 1993, then 10 years later, and most recently last summer for the podcast) and it is one of the very few books that has stayed with me throughout my adult life. Check it out when you get a chance.

My weekend reading is Rosewater by Tade Thompson. The main character is labeled as a sensitive (where he can read people‘s thoughts) and is trying to navigate in a volatile, futuristic Nigerian society. This is the first book of the trilogy and pretty good after 100 pages.

#weekendreading

I‘m halfway through my 1st read of the year. This novel has been on my main bookshelf for over a year & I have known about the book since it was published in 1996. The story of a writer who inherits the Tucson AZ estate of a famous poet. The writer arrives at the estate & begins to learn the nature of the poet‘s death & the people that were connected to him. This is the kind of fantasy novel that needs to get more recognition. Full review to come!

I have seen several reading challenges for 2022 throughout social media in the past few days. Here is my reading challenge for the new year. I will read what's on my shelf both physical and digital. I'm not buying any new books for the entire year. Many readers have more than enough books to read in their own collection instead going after the latest or newest book. I'm looking forward to this challenge!

I have finally read this one & Jemisin's imaginative storytelling skills are on full display. The world building is outstanding & representation comes through clearly in the story. There is a difference between reading a work of fiction that becomes a favorite than one which becomes one of importance. The Fifth Season is the latter part of the prior sentence and I can appreciate the work on that level.

Christmas has passed and 2021 is coming to an end. Here are my favorite reads of the year.

https://marion-hill.com/marions-favorite-reads-of-2021/

My 12 year old daughter asked me an interesting question last week.

Daddy from all the books you have read what one book surprised you the most? I‘ve been thinking about it for the past few days.

I answered her question by writing that Elantris by Brandon Sanderson is the book that surprised me the most. Fantasy is my favorite genre to read but I have always mixed feelings about epic fantasy. Too many long series and dragons are not for me.

“Tate opened the door for those who grew up on hip-hop, jazz, and soul, but also had an affinity for rock, folk, and pop. He wrote for those who walked to the bus stop with a Public Enemy cassette in the Walkman, but could appreciate Elton John too. Tate did for Black music writers what groups like Jungle Brothers and De La Soul did for aspiring alternative rappers in the ‘80s and ‘90s: He made it OK to be different.”

Another cover version for one of my favorite novels by the excellent Guy Gavriel Kay. I would like to do a buddy read with some Litsy folks next year for this one. Let me know if anyone is interested.

I'm finally reading this novel. I will admit I have not been able to get my reading comfortability with Jemisin's books until I read her short story collection, How Long Til Black Future Month earlier in the year. That reading experience has lead me to her award winning Broken Earth Trilogy. After 50 pages....the world building is outstanding & her use of second person narration is an intriguing choice to tell a story. Full review to come.

I'm a Gene Wolfe fan and truly believe he was one of the very best writers America has produced who happened to write science-fiction and fantasy. I'm slowly reading through his works outside of The Book of New Sun Series. Solider of the Mist is an interesting look at a 5th Century Greek soldier that has lost his memory and can talk to gods and goddess with regularity. Not my favorite Wolfe book but intriguing.

Happy Pub Day to Ciscoe's Dance!

Glad to get my fourth novel out into the world. I want to thank the reviewers and advance readers that took a chance on this unique fantasy story centered around music and dance. Also that cultural appropriation is not as black & white than we think and how a son keeps a promise to his late father to keep a traditional music alive. Ultimately, my hope is that readers find another story to escape too.

I got a notification today from Bookbub the eBook version of The Stand is $1.99. Well, I bought the Kindle version a few minutes ago. I'm not a big Stephen King reader even though Bag of Bones was a very good novel & Misery (the book) was a solid read. The Stand is considered his magnum opus. My reading is booked for the rest of the year. But, I going to read The Stand & see why it's so polarizing for readers. Has anyone else read it?

There are very few books I have read in my reading life that give you “holy sh...“ moments. Blacktop Wasteland is one of those rare novels. Cosby's “southern noir“ crime novel made me care about street racing, jewelry heists, and a protagonist who is trying to do the right thing. Excellent but ultraviolent thriller.

https://marion-hill.com/wisdom-from-kammbia-book-review-92-blacktop-wasteland-by...

One of my favorite novelists, Guy Gavriel Kay had a cover release today for his upcoming novel, All The Seas Of The World, due in May.

Kay‘s brand of historical fantasy is thoughtful, intelligent, & unique to fantasy literature on the whole.

This novel is set in the same near Italian Renaissance world as my favorite Kay novel, Children Of Earth & Sky. I‘m looking forward to reading this one. A nice cover and Kay is an author worth reading.

Can you one of your all-time favorite books be read more than once and is still an all-time favorite?

I just reread Parable of the Sower for the third time and answer the above question on my latest blog post.

https://marion-hill.com/can-an-all-time-favorite-book-be-reread/

Sabrina & Corina is my 2nd favorite book of 2021. The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton is my favorite book of the year but Sabrina & Corina is alongside it. I love reading these powerful and thought-provoking stories by Kali Fajardo-Anstine. She gets a Bravo and standing ovation!

https://marion-hill.com/wisdom-from-kammbia-book-review-91-sabrina-and-corina-by...

I totally enjoyed reading this YA novel about an Argentinian girl trying to fulfill her dreams of becoming a futbol player. Furia will be one of my favorites of 2021!

https://marion-hill.com/wisdom-from-kammbia-book-review-90-furia-by-yamile-saied...

I'm 100 pages into this solid novel. I've been wanting to read Moreno-Garcia's work for awhile. This one has a chance to be a favorite read of 2021! Review to come.

I don't read a lot of anthologies in my reading life. However, I would like to read more of them & I had this New Suns anthology on my Kobo eReader app for quite some time.

As with most anthologies, not all the stories will blow you away as a reader.
New Suns covers a broad range of stories from various genres that opened me to new writers I had not heard before. If you looking for something different to read, then New Suns is worth a try.

One of my favorite reads of 2021. Crossing to Safety is a quiet novel. There are no affairs or betrayals of friendships to create the story's conflict. Stegner shows how stable friendships and marriages can actually make interesting fiction.

https://marion-hill.com/wisdom-from-kammbia-book-review-88-crossing-to-safety-by...

Since the TV Show is coming out soon....I have finally decided to read the first book in this beloved series. I'm not sure if I'm going to read the entire 14 book series. But, I will give this first book a shot. Has anyone read this book and the entire series?

Books are still the best bday gifts to receive. Thanks to @texreader for the birthday gift card and I got the 2nd book of Jemisin's Broken Earth Trilogy today. My daughter got me the 1st book of the trilogy for my birthday. Thank you Texreader so much! You have made my day.

Day 4 of my TX Hill Country Trip to celebrate another year. I made it to town of Lockhart, TX. Known for its great BBQ, but it might become more known for this sign to women around the world.

I'm a man that has 4 sisters, mother, and a daughter. Also, I've been a husband (now ex-husband) and had (and still do)great women friends in my life...I'm still not sure if I can agree with this sign. But (it's a big one), is funny. 🤦🏿‍♂️😂😂😂😂😂

I turned 50 today. I‘m on vacation in the Texas Hill Country to celebrate. I want to share my ten favorite books I have read in my reading life:

1)Invisible Man by Ellison
2) Home is the Sailor by Amado
3) Parable of the Sower by Butler
4) Winter‘s Tale by Helprin
5) Book of Strange New Things by Faber
6) The Little Country by De Lint
7) Book of Ecclesiastes
8) The Long Way Home by Penny
9) Albuquerque by Anaya
10) The Wooden Sea by Carroll