#69: Black History Month, Part 1
A plug for audiobooks
Hooray for audiobooks! No matter where you land on the “is listening reading?” debate, you can’t argue that there are certain benefits to the audiobook experience. I love being read to, especially by the author her/himself or a particularly enchanting voice (looking at you, Rebecca Lowman!).
This month I relied heavily on audiobooks. My commute to work is about 25-30 minutes, so I can get through a 10 hour audiobook in about 2 weeks. I also enjoy listening during chores or out on a run. Aside from the convenience of audiobooks, the two books featured below were really great listening experiences. Let’s talk about it.
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Pages: 193 | Published: 1937
Two things everybody's got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got tuh find out about livin' fuh theyselves.
The story of Janie Crawford is beautiful and tragic and not at all what I was expecting. Hurston captured a mood, a culture, a mindset, and so many other intangible things.
I couldn’t help but compare it to Steinbeck’s Tortilla Flat in how it dropped me into the conversations of the local folks milling about gossiping and joking with one another. Listening to the audiobook helped create the atmosphere and allowed me to get used to the dialect and expressions. It made reading the text easier. Full marks go to the narrator, she was phenomenal.
This may not be something I re-read, but I’m glad I read it and know the story and can refer back to the themes and beautiful writing.
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Pages: 289 | Published: 1969
It pleased me to fire up the audiobook and hear Maya Angelou’s own voice! This book is part 1 of her autobiography and hearing her tell her story was special. I will never be a young black woman in the south in the 30s and 40s so the only way to get a glimpse into that time and place is through stories. This book transported me with its details, which were specific and descriptive but never felt overdone. The writing was conversational, matter of fact, and straight forward. I loved listening to it and soaking in all her wisdom.
It ends with her pregnancy at 16 and the birth of her son, Guy Johnson, who sadly passed away this past Wednesday at the age of 77. She has other autobiographical books that continue her story that I hope to read in the future.
Thanks for being here! In a couple weeks I’ll feature The Warmth of Other Suns and The Color Purple in Part 2.
I’m looking ahead to March and the female authored books that are coming up (you can review the list here). I also started a mini project to read the Oscar nominees for best adapted screenplay and check out those films. Oscar season is always a fun time.
What are you reading and enjoying these days?
Kyle