Books

[Irine]

I found this article and would like to know if anyone has read any of these books. Would like to try get some of them before we come in March.

Thanks everyone!



https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesel.../#16bb95c2669c

[Odinson]

I only read non-fiction but for some reason, I break that rule for books about or around Jamaica. I think because there may be truths in some of these (e.g. Brief History of 7 Killings) that makes the author afraid of repercussions. That 7 Killings book is really good, have not read the rest.

Dead Yard (Ian Thomson) is also a very good read - nonfiction although the veracity of some events in there has been questioned. I've read a bunch of other nonfiction books - mostly history - about Jamaica. I can put together a list if anyone is interested.

[Irine]

We are for sure. Don't want you to spend too much time on it, but both of us are voracious readers so a list would be great. Somehow reviews from magazines and "NYT best seller lists" just aren't as good as a review from person you know has like interests. So your picks would be great!! When we get back I'll send you a note on the ones we really liked.

I only read non-fiction but for some reason, I break that rule for books about or around Jamaica. I think because there may be truths in some of these (e.g. Brief History of 7 Killings) that makes the author afraid of repercussions. That 7 Killings book is really good, have not read the rest.

Dead Yard (Ian Thomson) is also a very good read - nonfiction although the veracity of some events in there has been questioned. I've read a bunch of other nonfiction books - mostly history - about Jamaica. I can put together a list if anyone is interested.

[mwenvlay]

i'm way more into non-fiction these days, but try to keep up on new novels coming out of the caribbean, particularly haiti and jamaica.

i started books # 3 (A Brief History of Seven Killings, Marlon James) and 4 (Here Comes the Sun, Nicole Dennis-Benn) and didn't find either interesting enough to finish.

i passed on yardie, because i'm not into hood crime fiction set in london.

i have book #2 (Finding Samuel Lowe: China, Jamaica, Harlem, Paula Williams Madison) on my kindle right now, but keep forgetting to read it. will probably re-download it before my upcoming trip (in february). i wish there was an audiobook version.

and i keep meaning to add dead yard to my overdrive app, but there's only an e-book version, and similar to Finding Samuel Lowe, i know i'll never get around to reading it until i'm on vacation. audiobooks are just easier for me nowadays.

(thanks for posting the list)

[Kold Ass Mofo]

I highly recommend Steppin' Razor: The Life of Peter Tosh by John Masouri. A friend loaned me a copy a few years ago.

[Bnewb]

Many of the books on the Forbes list are also recommended by other sources...and reading the descriptions there seems to be a running theme.
I have a copy of 'The True History of Pardise'...but have yet to read...maybe I'll do that this weekend and let you know what I think.
From the perspective of living here and to get a better understanding from these author's points of view...a couple of books on the list that seem interesting to me would be...'Myal' and maybe the book 'Finding Samuel Lowe:'.
Thanks for sharing!

[rocknrollfarmer]

I requested "Steppin' Razor" The life of Peter Tosh, from the library. They have it comin'.....

[Odinson]

Let's try photos. 1k words and all.

[Irine]

This is great!!! I'll be all set this time. Last year ran out of books and was trolling the take a book leave a book spots but the good reading usually goes first. I swear I read a book in two days down there. Might be the 5 hours a day we spend on the beach!!

Let's try photos. 1k words and all.

[Odinson]

Glad to help - learned an awful lot from these books. Still, confident to say that I know absolutely nothing. There is some glare here (rare winter sunshine in Chicago), let me know if you can't read a title or author.
FYI the large book with the dude holding the lobsters is a kids book.