I would like to give my condolences to family, friends, and legions of readers for author Eric Jerome Dickey. I found out the news of his passing earlier today and realized that I had not read none of his books. Nothing personal....just an oversight on my part. I...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 52: White Pages by Ran Walker
by MHill | Jul 24, 2020 | 2020 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
In a reading life, you will come across a novel that speaks directly to what you are going through. It is interesting that the power of a story can connect with a book that you read at the proper time. This is the case with White Pages by Ran Walker. Kamal Jackson is...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 50: Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
by MHill | Jul 19, 2020 | 2020 Book Reviews, Black History Month, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorite Duologies, Octavia Butler, Rereading Series, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
I want to update a review from 2012 for one of my all-time favorite novels, Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. Parable of the Sower is the story of Lauren Olamina, a teenager growing up in a grim LA suburb where their gated community provided a semblance of a...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 47: Devil In A Blue Dress by Walter Mosley
by MHill | Jun 21, 2020 | 2020 Book Reviews, Easy Rawlins Series/Walter Mosley, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
I will admit that I came late to the party on the work of Walter Mosley. I read White Butterfly back in 2012 and liked it. However, I had not read other Walter Mosley novels until now. As a reader and reviewer, you get sidetracked or distracted by other books you...
Marion’s Black Author Reading List
by MHill | Jun 8, 2020 | Binti Series, Black History Month, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
I have been deeply affected (and many Americans) by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25th. Seeing a human being die like that should never happen in a civilized society. As a black man, I saw my worst fears come to light once again. Also, I’m a book...
Cassandra’s Revelation: A Kammbia Short Story
by MHill | Jan 12, 2019 | Wisdom From Kammbia Column
“Cassandra’s Revelation,” is about a chance meeting between Cassandra Applebaum, a sultry-voiced singer who hadn’t sung in years, and an old friend—one who saw Diondray stop a rainstorm. Inspired by her friend's account, Cassandra penned a new song, “The One Who Made...
Book Review 128: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
by MHill | Feb 28, 2018 | 2018 Book Reviews, Black History Month, Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Rereading Series, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
Can a novel you read in your early 20s effect you in the same manner when you re-read it in your mid-40s? Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison gives this reviewer a split verdict to the aforementioned question. It is the story of an unnamed protagonist who leaves the...
Book Review 101: Meji Book One by Milton Davis
by MHill | Mar 2, 2017 | 2017 Book Reviews
I was asked to read and review two books for Black History Month and here's the review of the first book. It is Meji Book One by Milton Davis. Meji Book One is an epic fantasy in the style of Conan or Tarzan in an African inspired setting. It was a...
Wisdom From Kammbia 4.6: Diversity Reading Challenge
by MHill | Feb 1, 2017 | Wisdom From Kammbia Column
As January ends and we head into February, I was issued a reading challenge. For African-American History Month, I must read and review one novel from an African-American Male author and one novel from an African-American Female author. I have chosen for my male...