Sula – An Unconventional Librarian

Discover Black History Month with Toni Morrison

You can’t have Black History Month without Toni Morrison, right?

After all, Oprah picked Sula as a book club choice in the 90s!!

Let the record show that I already knew about Ms Morrison by then. (smirk)

I think my first Morrison book must have been

The Bluest Eye

“Pecola prays for her eyes to turn blue so that she will be as beautiful and beloved as all the blond, blue-eyed children in America.”

It seemed to me that Pecola and I shared the same desire. How did Morrison know??

Because she’s Toni Friggin Morrison, that’s how.

I can’t remember if I read this Jazz. I must have.

I’m beginning to have one of my brilliant ideas.

I think I will take ALL of my Toni Morrison books (my Toni shrine)

on vacation this summer and have a little Tonithon.

A Toni re-reading marathon. A Tonithon.

Which is your fave Toni Morrison book?

Disclaimer: while these books are for grown folks, I’m sure many teens will enjoy these as well.

There is violence, sexual violence and language in these books. It’s up to you to decide what’s right for YOUR child.

Happy discovery.

Qualifies for the Diversity Challenge too.

Toni Morrison has been around a while. And her work has inspired many discussions, arguments, and probably, homework assignments. Â It had been a while since I’d read anything of Morrison’s and although her works are great, they, unfortunately for me, contain ghosts, which as you know, scare me because I’m a chicken.

This collage only represents the books that I remember reading. It is not meant to be conclusive.

Morrison’s books generally take place in mid century America. In a time when civil rights where either just about to happen or are in progress. Â Her heroines and heroes are full of life and characters and flaws, and just like us all, have dreams of a better life. Â The human condition is the same in all of us, which I guess is a common thread in Morrison’s work.

I read Home this weekend and I loved it. Morrison’s writing will make you think about what home means and what it is to be a family. I didn’t find the action in Home to be as tumultuous and as ghost filled as her other works, but the resonating message is still there: I am a person.

Any and every Toni Morrison book qualifies for the Diversity Challenge! Have you read any of the nobel laureate’s books? Â Which one(s)?

Also? Her books have frequently been on the Banned Books list. Know which ones?