Today’s recommendation was an easy choice – The Word : Black Writers Talk About the Transformative Power of Reading and Writing edited by Marita Golden came to mind as soon as I woke up this morning. I read The Word last month as a recommendation by my friend Rosa. She said it was a book she found enlightening and informative. Agreed. The Word was that and much more.
If you don’t know who Marita Golden is, she wrote a novel called The Wide Circumference of Love which was released in 2017. I haven’t had the pleasure of reading it or any of her other works for the moment you better believe it is on my #backlistbooksbliss discovery list for 2020. The premise of The Word is reading 13 interviews from various writers conducted by Marita Golden about how reading and writing transformed them. You’ll read inspiring interviews from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Pearl Cleage, J. California Cooper, Edwidge Danticat, Nikki Giovanni and many more.
I picked this one up for Nonfiction November and it was a lovely short but 
inspirational read. What more to get me in the mood to write more frequently and with intention. If this book taught me anything it’s that there is no wrong way or right way to write a book. I recommend it to understand some very well known writers better. I also recommend it to people who are looking for black authors they may not know but should read because they are all very important ones. Last but not least, you’ll get a bunch of backlist book recommendations from brilliant writers to round off your TBR lists. The Word is a hidden jewel that should not be missed. It would make a wonderful Christmas gift to avid readers and people who are interested in writing.
The Word: Black Writers Talk About the Transformative Power of Reading and Writing – edited by Marita Golden
Publisher: Broadway Paperbacks
Pages: 209
My rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
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Didi, as you probably know, The Word is one of my favorite books of all time. I love that the writers’ book recommendations are included at the end of each interview – that’s just the whipped cream and cherry on top for me!
For me as well Leslie! I thoroughly enjoy the intimate feel of the interviews. Marita Golden did that the questioning very well. More people should read it.