The late author's UK editor remembers a funny, gracious, kind, demanding, delightful and wise human being and writer of one of the world's great autobiographiesMaya Angelou was one of the world's most important writers and activists. She lived and chronicled an extraordinary life: rising from poverty, violence and racism, she became a renowned author, poet, playwright, civil rights' activist working with Malcolm X and Martin Luther King and memoirist. She wrote and performed a poem, "On the Pulse of Morning", for President Clinton on his inauguration; she was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama and was honoured by more than 70 universities throughout the world.I last saw her at the beginning of this month in her home in Winston Salem, North Carolina, and though she obviously wasn't entirely well, she was very much her larger-than-life self: funny, gracious, kind, demanding, delightful and wise. Our conversation ranged over Michelle and Barack Obama, for whom she held huge respect; her "daughter" Oprah; her son and grandchildren, and my family. She talked about James Baldwin and Malcolm X, and we ate pancakes and then, later, wonderful spare ribs. We laughed and we drank. At the time I thought how blessed I am, and now I know I was. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2014-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
Of course, Michelle Obama’s Becoming was No. 1. Barack Obama may be out of the White House, but he is continuing a few traditions. The former president–and current most admired man in the U.S.– took to social media on Friday to share a few of his favorite things, including Black... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2018-12-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Last year, nine months after Hurricane Irma tore through the Caribbean, I traveled from my home in North Carolina to Anguilla to teach writing workshops to children and adults as part of a literary festival. As a prompt, I asked them to describe what they could not forget about the storm. When... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-09-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Barack Obama, in an August 19 Facebook post, shared the books he’s been reading lately. Of those, 'An American Marriage' by Tayari Jones returns to our lists after an absence of a few months, as does Hans Rosling’s 'Factfulness.' Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-08-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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When Tejan Karefa-Smart asked his uncle, James Baldwin, “When are you going to write a book about me?” he may not have expected his Uncle Jimmy to follow through so quickly. Baldwin’s only children’s book, Little Man, Little Man, which was published in 1976, chronicles a day in the life of three... Continue reading at Slate
[ Slate | 2018-08-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Louisville Magazine and its website Louisville.com have been purchased by former U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom, Matthew Barzun, for an undisclosed amount. The monthly publication, which is known in its community for shedding light on often-ignored neighborhoods and stories, will be under... Continue reading at Folio Magazine
[ Folio Magazine | 2018-08-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Barack Obama has revealed that Tara Westover’s Educated, Michael Ondaatje's Warlight and An American Marriage by Tayari Jones are among his favourite summer reads of 2018. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-08-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Former President Obama has shared his summer reading list, and it shows a drive toward understanding and empathy. Obama posted some of his book recommendations on Facebook on Sunday. The former president praised five books he's enjoyed in the last months, including a novel by a Canadian literary... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-08-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nelson Mandela and Ben Rhodes are among the authors featured on Barack Obama's summer reading list ahead of his trip to Africa. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-07-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hodder & Stoughton has acquired a book about women and leadership from a former Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton aide, Jennifer Palmieri. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Korean film adaptation of Sarah Waters’ bestselling Fingersmith triumphed at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) last night, along with the documentary, “I Am Not Your Negro”, based on James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript, and James Ivory’s adaptation of 2007 novel Call Me By Your Name... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-02-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Donald Trump has this much in common with Barack Obama: Both presidents’ first years spawned books that chronicled crises. Obama’s crisis, however, was inherited. Trump’s has been largely self-made. Trump even provided the alliterative title — “Fire and Fury” — for the book that has roiled... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-01-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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It’s not an overstatement to say that, if you are a young writer who interrogates American race relations and white supremacy, Cornel West is the foundation upon which you stand. Alongside the likes of Kimberlé Crenshaw, Angela Davis, Toni Morrison, and, of course, James Baldwin, West’s work is... Continue reading at Slate
[ Slate | 2017-12-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Veteran reporter ‘deeply sorry’ after five women say he sexually harassed themAlleged incidents occurred at ABC in early 2000sProminent MSNBC journalist Mark Halperin – co-author of a best-selling book about Barack Obama – has been suspended from his role as a contributor to the network... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2017-10-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The American edition of Hillary Clinton’s What Happened looks stylish and elegant; the UK one is dreadful. But the reasons that books differ so much across different markets isn’t solely down to simple salesCovers sell books. But in the case of Hillary Clinton’s memoir What Happened, you can’t... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2017-09-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Parnassus Books adds an airport outlet; new bookstores open in Indiana and North Carolina; an Iranian bookstore in Los Angeles closes; and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-08-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Website for beacon of alternative journalism, which featured literary giants Norman Mailer, James Baldwin and Ezra Pound, will continue to publishThe Village Voice will cease publication of its print edition, 62 years after its culture-focused, alternative journalism first hit the streets of New... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2017-08-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The memoir of late Labour MP Jo Cox, written by her husband Brendan, has received the backing of former president Barack Obama who said she "made the world a better place". Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2017-05-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon sets date to open Lynnfield, Mass., store; new kids store lands in North Carolina; Delaware LGBTQ store to close; and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A Texas bookstore readies for opening in a former Borders location; a New Jersey bookstore inspired by Barack Obama’s first election turns eight; a New Hampshire college store ponders going corporate; and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-01-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New stores prep for openings in Texas and North Carolina; a store takes root in the former home of a long-time Pennsylvania bookstore; an Illinois bookstore considers going nonprofit; and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-01-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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