Reading two wildly popular books: James by Percival Everett and Caste by Isabel Wilkerson

This was a wonderful vlog. You certainly stirred my interest in these two books. To answer your question as to what I’ve been reading, I’m happy to share that I revisited a couple Tintin books from when I was ten years old, but have not reread in a while. Last night I started by reading just the first few pages of Destination Moon but I could not put the story down until I finished the final page of Explorers on the Moon at 4 AM. Hergé produced such great pacing and humor and pathos, and stunning artwork.

Hi Shelly! I just purchased a copy of Huckleberry Finn as a prelude to James. Another book you might really appreciate is The “N” Word by Jabari Asim. I moderated a book discussion on it for the library I worked at and it really blew me away. It’s not as academically stylistic as Caste and it’s definitely more sarcastic; but wow . . . It takes the reader on a tour of American history from the first slaves on American soil to Aunt Jemima, to Gone With the Wind to traveling minstrel shows and forward to hip hop. It builds on the scholarship of Caste with everyday examples of systematic racism through a focus on the history of one word.

I am in the middle of way too many books!😿 I used to love school field trips as a child--Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village were a regular destination.🧡

Isabelle Wilkerson is amazing! I loved both Caste and Warmth of Other Suns. I definitely want to read James.

I am currently reading the new release Everest Inc. SO interesting!! I find myself googling stuff on the side and watching videos on Everest as companion material. 🙋‍♀️ And I feel seen! I had Caste on my TBR and then removed it because I want to fill my spare time with topics that take me away from the day to day topics which can weigh heavy. I’m glad you went the extra mile to encourage people like myself to pick this up. It’s back on the TBR and will be read in the next couple months! 😊 And yaaayyy Graham!! 🎉👏

Love reading vlogs! This one was wonderful and very charming! Currently I'm reading The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters, it's been interesting so far but I'm still fairly early into the book and I'm not 100% sure what the plot is going to be. But I've been enjoying the characters. Also reading Hyperion by Dan Simmons, a science fiction book that I'm having a love hate relationship with. There will be sections that I find so slow or unappealing that I debate just DNFing the book but then it punches back with some of the most engrossing stories and twists that I never see coming so I get dragged back in.

I really liked James! It will definitely win the Pulitzer next year. I'm currently reading Night Watch, which won the Pulitzer this year - announced Monday. I am having a tough time with it, unfortunately.