Thursday, April 24, 2008

WHAT'S ON MY NIGHTSTAND...

I am a reader. I have been since I was 3 years old. I was reading Tolstoy when I was 9 and Message to a Black Man when I was 11. My Dad had tons of books around and he read a lot. Yep there are good memories about my Dad and I can remember. Anyway, because of this blogging world, I have found writers who have moved me to new heights of passion and intellectualism. Yep, I am smarter, or better still much more well-read and more passionate because of the writers I have found in Blog land. So here is what I am enjoying and I hope you grab a copy for yourself! I will periodically share what's on my nightstand.

Butter Brown
Short Stories
Torrance Stephens, PhD.

Hhmm don't let the cover fool you, she may be Butter Brown, but she ain't the Butter Brown. From the moment I opened the book and got into my first story I was hooked. Dr. Stephens has a way with drawing you in that makes you feel like you are a part of the landscape. That you are almost there. He writes with a real passion that seems to wrap around you and holds you close.

As a New Englander who attended college in the South, I really didn't know the South. Not the south of Torrance Stephens experience. His use of language unique to Memphis, Tennessee is mesmerizing and engaging. I found myself wanting to know more about the circle of friends he writes about and where are they now? I am not sure it's possible to have favorites, but I do have a few that spoke to me. I loved the short story Melinda. He writes so beautifully about a tryst between a man and a photographer, is it him? perhaps. But what I like is the way in which he approached the intimacy. It could have easily been nasty and gratuitous but it was lovingly done with care and you come away with the sense that Dr. Stephens knows something about women and their needs, but more importantly his own needs come through. My other favorite short story was the last one, for which the book is named..Butter Brown. The setting in Dakar, Africa is heady and sensual and colorful. You can almost hear him walking through the village with all it's exotic sounds and people. You can feel his love for Africa, his love for Sabrina Avery...Butter Brown. I loved this collection of short stories very much and I think Torrance Stephens is a very prolific and sensual writer.

Torrance aka All-Mi-T has a blog too, so if you want to get a flavor for his writing style and his take on current and world events check him at Raw Dawg Buffalo

May 2nd is My Birthday
Calling all poets to celebrate with me
with poetry, prose and love missives

17 comments:

Keisha "Kitten" Isaacs said...

You're a great writer yourself! You made me want to read the book....

Babz Rawls Ivy said...

KKI,
Thank you very much. It is a really good read and I think you would enjoy it very much.

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

im flattered. glad u liked it. but for some reason i thought u would have been partial to "THE PERFECT CITY" or "BEAUTY AND THE BED". i am very much grateful

Babz Rawls Ivy said...

Hey Torrance,
I love the way you write and I am glad I had the opportunity to read this book of short stories. I wish you continued success.

Xave said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Xave said...

I bet I know what else is on your nightstand ;-)

Peace and Love,

Alizé (LoversA.blogspot.com)

James Tubman said...

he has good stuff

i read a post he did on slavery and how bad they treated us

his work should be read for it's indepth analaysis of our issues

and you know someone else who has a nice blog

you lol

Babz Rawls Ivy said...

Darling Xavier,
You do mean my lamp...right?

Hey James Tubman,
Yes you are right. Torrance has a way of making current events, history, whatever accessible to the lay person. And thank you for the kind sentiment about my blog!

CapCity said...

i gotta check out brother T-Dawg's other writings. thank Gawd we're in one book together - cuz this has been one BrokeBank year for this sistah. LOL! Will recuperate soon...

Babz Rawls Ivy said...

Hey Capcity,
I so feel you! But better days are ahead.

Don said...

i haven't read that particular book by Stephens, but i can definitely co-sign the way he writes with unabandoned passion. readers can feel the emotions. i can see why he is known as all-mi-t.

reminds me to purchase his new book this weekend.

Sister P said...

I agree with keisha, you should get paid for reviewing books!

I keep Essence and O mags on my night stand.

Babz Rawls Ivy said...

Hey Don,
It is a really good read of short stories. I think you would like them a lot.

Hey Sister P.
I have O, tons of other books, journals...thank God for 2 nightstands!

And thanks for the compliment!

dejanae said...

i love to read too
just something about it
i really cant understand folk who dont like to

nice review

Babz Rawls Ivy said...

Dejanae,
A very nice man just asked me out...now I work in a bookstore, and we were in the bookstore when he asked me out. But when he stood in my face and casually said he doesn't read, I could no longer tolerate his presence. So yeah I am with you, I can't understand folks who don't read.

Kai said...

your birthday is coming up. i'll write you a poem.....

Babz Rawls Ivy said...

Thank you Kai! I would love a poem from you. I love the way you write and I would so honored and so pleased!

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