Walking With the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement by John Lewis

Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement by John             Lewis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I assigned this book in one of my college classes a couple years ago. Lewis presents an amazing account of his childhood in Alabama, his work with the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and his relationship with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Lewis is an ordained Baptist Minister and believes deeply in non-violent protest as a means of social change.

My favorite part of this book is Lewis's accounting of his first meeting with Martin Luther King, Jr.  Lewis, who was quite a bit younger, had already been active in student protests on college campuses. But meeting King was one of the highlights of his life. He had deep respect for MLK and subscribed to MLK's idea of the 'Beloved Community.'

Lewis's book is honest and open. He writes about internal conflicts within SNCC and the many personal relationships he formed during the movement. After reading this book, I felt more informed about the behind-the-scenes activities and inner-workings of the Civil Rights Movement.
My rating for this book is 4 out of 5 stars.



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Americanah by Chimamande Ngozi Adichie

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story is about identity and belonging. It's about the journey to find your authentic self; to live a life of meaning and truth. The setting of the book is 1980's Nigeria, and the main character, Ifemelu, is part of the country's growing middle class.  Adichie narrates this story from the third person omniscient point of view, which allows the reader access to the thoughts and feelings of the characters.

I think the strongest part of this book are the chapters about Ifemelu's 13 year stay in America as a student and worker. While becoming acclimated to American culture, Ifemelu remarks upon many "Americanisms" that she finds odd, quirky, or disturbing. She ends up writing about her observations in a succesful blog targeted at non-American blacks (Africans & Caribbeans). Her blog posts are insightful. Because of her long stay in the U.S., her friends designate her an "Americanah" when she returns to Nigeria.

This book is part immigrant story, part self-realization story, part love story. As in Purple Hibiscus, Adichie's use of language, as well as the story itself, make this an enjoyable read. The book is full of colorful characters and places. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.





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1984 by George Orwell

1984 by George Orwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 Can you imagine a government so obsessed with control that they monitor your every word and movement? Can you imagine a government so intent upon keeping and growing their power that they devise ways to control the minds of their citizens? Can you imagine a government so convinced of their perfection that they alter or erase the past to support the current reality they project? In his dystopian novel 1984, George Orwell does just that.

This novel is magnificent for the way it draws you in by its believable characters and engrossing story. The pace of the novel is perfect. The more I read, the more I wanted to read. I could not put it down. What I like best was the author's description of how "doublethink" required a person to hold contradictory ideas within himself/herself while totally believing and defending the one idea espoused by the government, but then being able to seamlessly retrieve and believe the alternate idea when necessary.

As an aspiring writer, I wonder what Orwell's process was like writing this book. Did he have it all mapped out before he started? Did he unearth the fossil/plot (as King talks about in his book On Writing) as he went along? Did he feel pain and terror in his heart as he wrote it, the way I felt when I read it? My rating for this book is 5 out of 5.



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On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a bible for aspiring writers like myself. I am grateful Mr. King took the time to write it and that I read it before reading any other books about the writing process (besides Shrunk & White and everybody's read that right?). King demystifies writing, while at the same time letting you know there is a sort of magic to it. One of the things I did immediately after reading the book -- really before I finished it -- was to turn of my "glass teat" (this is what King calls the television). It was easy for me to do this because somewhere inside me I already knew it needed to be done.

Of the many statements King makes and pieces of advice he gives, the one most inspiring to me was that with hard work, a competent writer can become a good writer. I know I am at least competent; Mr. King says I can be good! That is enough for me.

King writes about the importance of a daily "strenuous reading and writing program." He even gives his readers "permission" to do all the reading and writing their heart desires. I like that he said this. And I agree with him that four to six hours a day of reading and writing "will not seem strenuous if you really enjoy doing these things and have an aptitude for them."

My rating for this book is 5 stars.


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