I'm back. Hello BV fam. It feels like ages since my last blog back in '07. But a sista needed a break from...well, everything. And break was what I did.
During that time, I had the opportunity to do what I love, but haven't been able to do in a minute: curl up in the bed and consume a good book.
Anyway, in coming posts, I'll be discussing some of those great reads. But for the first blog back, since we are still in that New Year, new me frame of mind, I had to tell you about a fabulous book that I just read by Abiola Abrams, host of BET's indie film show, The Best Shorts.
DARE is the first novel by Abrams, who is also a filmmaker and a pretty dynamic sister. The book is a hip-hop retelling of Faust, but as Abrams acutely describes, it's about "finding love and finding yourself."
Meet Maya Hope. Double-dipped in cocoa with brick-house curves, she's a lover of jazz, a political poet, and a
sociologist. Her best friend and roommate, Athena Jackson, is her opposite in every way- a petiteex-cheerleader who's always blaring rap, grinding out rhymes, and ready to take the next man home. When Maya is forced to pinch-hit in an audition and bust Athena's rhymes, she finds herself on an undercover escapade in the wild world of hip-hop as the raw, sexy, roughneck Jezebel. After striking a deal with her own personal devil, Maya sets off on the tempting roller-coaster ride of a lifetime -- finding music, more fun than she's ever had, and even a man or two...but not without Faustian consequences. An off the hook cast of colorful characters includes Lucy, the diva deluxe brand-addicted publicist from hell; Shell the Boy Wonder, wonderkind entrepreneurial label mogul party boy and Thug, the gritty handsome hardcore rapper with something to prove.
Brimming with electric sensuality, Dare is an unforgettable, envelope-pushing odyssey of two gutsy women playing by their own rules. On her fantabulous journey through the delicious world of temptation, the real question is whether Maya really finds joy or loses herself?
I thought this book was dope for several reasons. Including: 1) It represents what great hip-hop fiction can be: smart, edgy, hip-hop inspired, but not just hip-hop, empowering, and provocative. 2) It's a great story about living life, not just existing, and makes you think about your own journey thus far. 3) It's fun and entertaining.
What more can you ask?
Read an excerpt and judge for yourself. I DARE you.
1. I love reading so I'll give it a try. Sounds a little different from the "blaxpoitation" books that have been popping up all over the place. Don't get me wrong, there is an audience for the books. I, myself am tired of the same ole stories. Poor young girl meets drug kingpin, they move into a "badassss" house with marble floors and big screen tvs. Rivals and haters get killed, blah, blah blah. Oh and now theres a new thing with black books, the love of their lives get killed and come back to life at the end..... Cmon. Oh and how about the part 2 and 3's? I am so mad that I waited I dont know how many years for "true to the game" part 2 and it turned out so CRAPPY. It's like Teri Woods just rushed to make the book. I was so disappointed. Anyway enough of venting. Good luck to all the fresh new writers.
luvmyblackfolks at 7:48AM on Jan 12th 2008