Andre(Read-A-Lot) > Recent Status Updates

It’s good reading Mr. Wideman’s work. He is a master of words. There have been several instances where I’ve read a paragraph and had to just catch my breath. I’m seriously considering moving him into the Prosey Posse!

Interesting. A mix of memoir, poetry, meditation motivation, mantras, zen philosophies.

I’m thrilled to announce that Zadie Smith has joined our Prosey Posse. She’ll be the sixth author to be a part of this exclusive group of writers whose prose is simply beyond description. When you’ve exhausted all the adjectives that can describe prose, you’re left with nothing but pure prosey! So, welcome, Zadie Smith, to the Prosey Posse!

I put this book aside for quite some time because other books grabbed my attention, but I started reading it again today and it’s flowing quite well, so I should be done shortly

Devi is dropping the knowledge. I think her discussion/explanation around meditation may be the clearest and best I e ever seen in a book. She is preparing you for a journey of healing, know that this is deep hard and serious work. But you are in good hands with Ms. Devi Brown

Heading towards the finish line. It’s been a bit of a slog. It has veered away from the history and morphed into vignettes of notable Kings and rulers. Also a tad bit of a travelogue, as the author details her visits and time spent with various scholars and historians. Uneven!

Been away from this for quite some time, recently picked back up and committed to making it to the finish line. Some parts are snoozey, but then comes pages full of details about the push for the affordable care act, and strategies about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the interest (for me) ramps back up.

My five best reads for 2024 also known as
Andre’s Aces

📘 James by Percival Everett
📘 Martyr by Kaveh Akbar
📘 The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates
📘 The American Daughters by Maurice Carlos Ruffin
📘 Knife by Salmon Rushdie

There is no regard to genre and no particular order. I had a few other books in consideration, but these were the ones that stood out! Happy Reading in 2025!

I’m calling it. Officially DNF. I’m not sure if I’ll ever come back to this book, the thought of starting this over is quite unsettling.

Got sidetracked by Martyr, but so far it’s going well

I’m in the home stretch, about to wrap it up.

Say it ain’t so. Could this “classic “ end up in the DNF pile. Started this in September of 2023 and just started reading several books and had trouble getting back to this. Too many characters with the same damn name and just convoluted mini plots. I’ll try to go back but DNF is calling

A bit redundant but pushing throough

Coming along nicely

My Top Five Reads Of 2023
I call them Andre’s Aces. There is no regard to genre and they are not ranked. Just the five books that moved me the most this year.
Lone Wome
Yellowface
August Wilson A Life
Let Us Descend
Black AF History

Top Five Reada of 2023

I got it y’all and so far the prose is otherworldly. Wheeew.

A bit wonky, lots of numbers but they help buttress the premise

My fabulous five of 2022!
The five best books I read this year.
I call them Andre’s Aces

Mother Country
Dr. No
Yonder
South To America
Didn’t Nobody Give A Shit What Happened to Carlotta

Just outlandishly beyond the pale

I am now rolling through. Should finish tonight or tomorrow. I actually started the whole thing again. I was going to skim the first third, but really focused in and paid close attention, so my mind wouldn’t wander as it did on the initial pass through. So, now I’ve been locked in for two days and feeling good that the end is in sight. Yay!

I’m still trying to get my skimming started, some thing about this book just saps my motivation. However, yes m not giving up!