Nikki Giovanni: 'I Read!'

Nikki Giovanni was immortalized in Teena Marie's 'Square Biz' in the 1980s (during the rap portion, Marie mentions Giovanni as well as William Shakespeare,) but this author and academic is best known for her poetry, and is an icon in the genre. Recently, she has made a detour into the children's book market (including 'Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry With a Beat') where she is finding best-seller success. In her spare time, Nikki Giovanni teaches and she reads -- a lot.

What Are You Currently Reading?
I'm embarrassed to say that I've been reading a bunch of children's books. I just finished 'The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane' by Kare DiCamillo.

My next project will be either 'The Pied Piper' or 'The Prodigal Son,' so I am doing research on those two, as well. You know that the Pied Piper was black, right? He was a gyspy and that's why the people of Hamelin (Germany) didn't want to pay him. I'm trying to get over to Hamelin and continue my research.

Book That Most Inspired or Had An Impact on You?
The Bible. I know it's cliché, but I love the Bible. It has such great stories. I'm not religious like that but I really the love the stories. My favorite is the story of Ruth.

When Ruth said to Naomi: "Be not against me, to desire that I should leave thee and depart. For whithersoever thou shalt go, I will go, and where thou shalt dwell, I also will dwell. Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God..." I said to myself, I want friends like that!"

My mother always had great friends and I always admired their devotion to one another. Now I don't have many friends, but I do have three good ones who I would do anything for and who I've known forever. I did find some friends like Ruth of the Bible.

Best Books of the Week: 12.16.08

The Complete Quincy Jones by Quincy Jones
Insight Editions, $45
There's a foreword by Clint Eastwood, an introduction by Bono and a preface by Maya Angelou. There is major star power here even before you even get into Quincy Jones' story, which is part photo history, part music history and part colorful life led by perhaps the greatest producer of our generation -- Mr. Quincy Jones.

Insight Editions

The Black List (Nonfiction) by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and Elvis Mitchell
Simon & Schuster, $29.95
Slash from Guns & Roses is black? It's details such as these that you'll find here as he talks about growing up "different" and how he got into rock and roll. The Black List is one of a series and features prominent black people from Slash to Serena Williams, from Chris Rock to Susan Rice, the newly appointed head ambassador of the United Nations. This book will make a wonderful holiday gift and would be a nice coffee table addition.

Simon & Schuster

The Shack (Fiction) by William P. Young
Windblown Media, $14.99
The Shack is back on our list. While it's fiction, the authors certainly seem to have a real grasp of the nature and character of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. As we head into this holiday season, it's nice to explore the spiritual side of the holiday. (And don't be surprised to find out that God is actually a black woman!)

Windblown Media

Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice (Nonfiction) by Dennis Kimbro
Fawcett Crest, $6.99
Dennis Kimbro takes the Napoleon Hill classic, which I believe is the foundation for any plan for wealth and success, and spins it for the black community. Using a blend of anecdotes from successful blacks along with some common sense tools and solid business advice, this book will help you stay out of trouble during these tough times.

Fawcett Crest

The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook (Nonfiction) by Devin Alexander and Melissa Roberson
Rodale Press, $21.95
As a huge fan of the TV show, it's great to get some insight into how they do it -- with actual meal plans and recipes to keep the entire family healthy. Obesity is not an inherited disease, it's more a learned behavior. This is a chance to break the cycle. And you can do it all on a budget!

Rodale Press

The Boy in The Striped Pajamas (Children's Fiction) by John Boyne
Random House, $8.99
This is listed as a children's book and it is written to capture a young mind, but the message of right and wrong and friendship against the odds is one that many adults would enjoy as well. The backdrop is the Holocaust.

Random House

The Secret Lives of Bees (Fiction) by Sue Monk Kidd
Penguin, $15
This book is better than the movie. It's the story of one little girl and her struggle to find herself and love amid a very cruel beginning. It is also the story of a successful family of black women and how their love of one another and bees can overcome all. The black Madonna has a starring role in this book, as well.

Penguin Books

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