What are You Reading? Empire State of Mind: How Jay-Z Went from Street Corner to Corner Office

Well, I'm not currently reading this book right this second but it is in my cart as we speak on Amazon dot com. That counts right? LOL! I purchased Decoded for the hubster and he packed it around like a manual...I plan to surprise him with this one also. I need to sit down and read it myself because I am a HUGE Jigga fan...Not falling for the mumbo-jumbo that's been circling the blogs about Mr. Carter...just don't believe the hype about him being in a cult. I'll believe it when I see it. Anywhooo, the reviews on this book are below:

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"Fascinating, well-done biography of one of the most extraordinary entrepreneurs of our era."

-Steve Forbes

"Zack O'Malley Greenburg has become one of the rare reporters to bring dignified coverage of the hip-hop business into the mainstream. Empire State of Mind is a pure product of Greenburg's care and insight, an exploration of hip-hop's most enigmatic mogul, Jay-Z."

-Dan Charnas, author of The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip- Hop

"Empire State Of Mind follows the money and key pieces of the Jay-Z puzzle in this insightful, savvy read. From Jay's humble Bed-Stuy Brooklyn roots as Shawn Carter into street crime and the drug game, to his rocket rise to the heights of hip-hop and the music business as one of entertainments most successful players...this book is like a GPS leading us through the modern urban reality of how Jay-Z's empire was built."

-Fred "Fab 5 Freddy" Brathwaite, hip-hop pioneer, artist, and longtime host of Yo! MTV Raps

"Lively and often surprising, Empire State Of Mind analyzes one of the greatest assets of the hip-hop generation: the business mind of Jay-Z. In capturing Jay-Z's refuse to lose mentality, Zack O'Malley Greenburg tells an important, instructive American story of our time."

-Jeff Chang, author of Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation

SOURCE:: http://www.amazon.com/Empire-State-Mind-Street-Corner/dp/1591843812

Happy Black History Month!! Library Time...

This was the Martin Luther King book display at my local library from last month. I love how my library has so many books about African American History. A very thrifty way to teach your children about their culture is by taking them to the library. Its free, quiet and very resourceful to frequent the library...My oldest daughter suggested that we read a different book on Black History every day this month. There are also many free activities to enjoy...Below is a snapshot I took of the flyer advertising an event I plan to attend next week...

"Soulful stories to tell of strong black towns and communities with life changing history. Powerful stories of a colored hospital; "Bullet" Joe Rogan's no wind up baseball pitches and the foiled bank robbery of Pretty Boy Floyd's boys. History of Black Town's and Communities...Absolutely Soulfully! Join Rhythmically Speaking to celebrate Black History month. "

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Check out free programs in your community and visit your local library to attend activities and events that celebrate Black History Month.

*raises fist in the air*

Happy Black History Month!!!! :)

Habari Gani!!! Happy Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a holiday that celebrates family, community and culture. December 26-Jan 1



Umoja (oo-MOH-jah): Unity
Success starts with Unity. Unity of family, community, nation and race.
Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah): Self-Determination
To be responsible for ourselves. To create your own destiny.

Ujima (oo-JEE-mah): Collective work and responsibility
To build and maintain your community together. To work together to help one another within your community.

Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH): Collective economics
To build, maintain, and support our own stores, establishments, and businesses.

Nia (NEE-ah): Purpose
To restore African American people to their traditional greatness. To be responsible to Those Who Came Before (our ancestors) and to Those Who Will Follow (our descendants).

Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): Creativity
Using creativity and imagination to make your communities better than what you inherited.
Imani (ee-MAH-nee): Faith
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The Story of Kwanzaa by Donna L. Washington and Stephen Taylor, ages 6-10
Kwanzaa by Trudi Strain Truit and Ceceilia Mindin Cupp, ages 6-7
Horrible Harry and the Holidaze by Suzy Kline, ages 7-10
Kwanzaa Crafts by Carol Gnojewski, ages 8-9
A Kwanzaa Story, or How One Gentleman Found His Way by Nancy Guthorn Harrison, young adults
Kwanzaa Fun, Great Things to Make and Do by Linda Robertson, ages 5-8
My First Kwanzaa by Karen Katz, ages 3-6
Seven Spools of Thread a Kwanzaa Story by Angela Shelf Medearis, ages 7-10

If you have stories and ideas you're willing to share about how your family celebrates Kwanzaa in an eco-friendly way, Contact Celebrate Green.

SOURCE::: http://www.celebrategreen.net/

What Are You Reading?

Peekaboo Bedtime (Hardcover)
by Rachel Isadora

Search inside this book

Peekaboo Bedtime is a bedtime favorite! After seeing the cover of this book I just had to buy it!! Great book for the kiddos...

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—The adorable tot from Isadora's Peekaboo Morning (Putnam, 2002) is back in this getting-ready-for-bed story. As in the previous book, the child exclaims in big, bold letters, "Peekaboo! I see…," leading readers to turn the page to find the person or object of the game. Bright pictures, done with pastels, add to the fun as the child spies grandparents, parents, pets, a rubber duck, "my blankie," and finally, from atop the bed, "you!" Youngsters will enjoy searching for visual clues as they play along with the familiar toddler activity.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
A companion book to Isadora’s Peekaboo Morning (2002), this upbeat picture book follows an African-American toddler through an evening at home. After going outside to spot the moon with family members, the child comes back indoors to have a snack, a bath, and a story. As in the previous book, each right-hand page carries a picture accompanied by the words “Peekaboo! I see . . . ,” while the following page identifies what the child saw, such as “my daddy,” “my puppy,” or “my slippers.” After the first few pages, the book’s audience can use visual clues to guess what the child is seeing. Heavily applied pastels create a warm, colorful family setting for the story. This pleasant book is well designed to engage young children in talking about the illustrations as well as playing their own peekaboo games. Preschool. --Carolyn Phelan
See all Editorial Reviews From School Library Journal

Wordless Wednesday

"Thrifting"

For Colored Girls (Tyler Perry Film Starring Janet Jackson, Macy Gray & Whoopi Goldberg) [Movie Trailer]

What are you reading?

Lionsgate has released the first official photo of 'Tyler Perry's For Colored Girls,' which will now be shown in theaters on November 5th.

From left to right: Anika Noni Rose (as Yasmine), Kerry Washington (as Kelly), Janet Jackson (as Joanna), Kimberly Elise (as Crystal), Phylicia Rashad (as Gilda), Loretta Devine (as Juanita), Tessa Thompson (Nyla) and Thandie Newton (Tangie)
Written and directed by Tyler Perry, the film is based on the stage play 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf' by Ntozake Shange.
The story consists of a series of poems performed through a cast of nameless women known only by a color. The characters deal with subjects such as love, abandonment, rape and abortion.




'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf'
by Ntozake Shange.

To read the entire article click here:: http://www.bvonmovies.com/2010/09/03/first-official-photo-tyler-perry-for-colored-girls/

Another "JEM" to add to my collection!

I KNOW I am not the only one who used to LOVE to watch this show. JEM was more edgy and punk rock than those little Barbie's. Don't get me wrong, I love Barbie too but I loved how fierce these ladies were. I found this book for .99 cents and it was 30% cheaper with my membership card. I saw a JEM book go for $70 something bucks a while back on eBay...My retro book and video collection is gonna be a gold mine! WATCH. LOL!

A few faves from the library.....

In our home we love reading. My husband and I are both educators so books are all over the place. The girls have their own collection as do we. One of our favorite things to do with our children is to take a trip to the public library. Its free and fun!! In these economic times I am always down for free!! These are a few books I read to my students. I usually read them to my daughters first before taking them to work. Based on their interest and excitement in the books it prepares me for the reaction my students may have. These titles are awesome, bright colors and great subject matter. Visit your local library for great books and exciting programs and activities for the whole family!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Dr. Seuss is a childhood favorite of mine. I love Dr. Seuss because he is a weirdo, like ME!! LOL!! Just kidding...he was a literary genius. His animated fictitious characters are awesome!! Have a bar-ba-loot-y day!! :)



Eggs with 2 drops of blue food coloring...yellow+blue=green.. Incorporates primary & secondary colors!! :)

Green Eggs..I have a few students who don't eat pork so no HAM... but they loved the eggs!!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!! 3/2/2010 WE LOVE YOU!!!

Zane has a new book...FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!

I have read EVERY book this woman has ever published. Zane has a way with words mixing erotica with suspense, comedy and drama all in one juicy mind blowing book. She leaves you wanting MORE. She went on a hiatus, editing the books of other authors. *yawn* Its been a long time coming to get a new book from her and I'm so excited! I can't wait to get my hands on this bad boy!!

For the interview and article go here:: http://www.bvonbooks.com/2010/01/07/zane-a-total-eclipse-of-the-heart/

Eat this NOT that!

I LOVE THESE BOOKS!! OMG!! I saw this guy on Oprah and I ordered the first book on Amazon.com..I have purchased all 4 of these books and they are awesome. I have cooked so many healthy alternatives to my usual carb loaded dishes. If you have an issue with weight loss and loosing stubborn pounds like me, these books are perfect for a healthier lifestyle. They even have one for kids and supermarkets. It doesn't get any better than that.

The new books I purchased this summer and a few oldies but goodies..

Coretta Scott King, the pictures are insane but I figured that because the famous artist Frank Morrison did the illustrations...I wanted to frame the pics!

(Caldecott Honor Book) This one is based on a true story! I loved it.. Kadir Nelson did the illustrations, the same illustrator that does the pictures for Spike Lee's 'Baby Baby Please" books..

Be prepared to answer ALOT of questions after this one...Awesome book!

Classic, I won't tell..I'll let you see for yourself. Great addition to the collection!

BREATHTAKING!

We have all the Little Bill books, we watch the show on Noggin!

We haven't read this one yet.. Great pics and I love the title.

Self Explanatory! LOL My daughters love this one..

My 3 year old has memorized ALLLLL the words. Kadir Nelson is a genius! Written by Spike Lee and his wife.

TOOOOOOOOOOO CUTE! Its the sequal to the book above if I'm not mistaken, the pages are absolutely adorable!

I expected a little more but good book nonetheless, basically I bought it because I wanted to support Jada. It has great photography and its a good message to impower little girls to be proud to be a girl!

I bought this one because I love Willie Perdomo...He is a fantastic poet!! OMG! He reminds me of my hubby in a way..The book was pretty cool.. You gotta love Langston Huges.

I read books by Ezra Jack Keats as a kid, this book is great for the little boys!