Casa de Charlotte Della Luna

(My remarks follow this notice.)

Dillard University
Black History Month
Literary Event
Lyceum Committee


Black Books by the Numbers:

4 Books on New Orleans Culture
4 Black Authors
4 Women

2 Novelists:
Alice Wilson Fried & Dedra Johnson

2 Poets:
Valentine Pierce & Mona Lisa Saloy

Reading, Book signing, Reception
Dillard University
Stern Hall Amphitheater
Wednesday, February 27th, 2008
7:00 p.m.
Free & Open to the Public

Dedra Johnson’s novel: Sandrine’s Letter to Tomorrow
Alice Wilson Fried’s novel: Outside Child

Valentine Pierce’s collection of verse: Geometry of the Heart
Mona Lisa Saloy’s collection of verse: Red Beans and Ricely Yours

FREE & Open to the Public: for more information contact Dr. Mona Lisa Saloy
504-816-4354, or 816-4450

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I’ve had the pleasure of meeting two of these remarkable women personally in the past year. I highly recommend both their books, Geometry of the Heart by Valentine Pierce and Sandrine’s Letter to Tomorrow by Dedra Johnson.

I wrote here a while back about Valentine’s book when she graciously allowed me to post two of her poems, Perfect Friend and On The Fourth Day. Maybe she’ll let me post another one soon….(hint,hint).
I love the authenticity of Valentine’s voice and her way of pulling the reader into her world. Her poetry for me is so expressive and powerful as to almost be a physical entity. If you’re into poetry, you must get her book.

Dedra Johnson’s Sandrine’s Letter to Tomorrow was not what I’d call enjoyable. That’s not a criticism, it’s a compliment. I read it a month or so ago with the intention of blogging a review here but…..what to say? The story of Sandrine could be the story of many young girls who grew up under challenging and less than optimum circumstances, with a tweak of a detail here and there. Much of what’s in the book certainly hit home for me – dragging forth memories long buried – willingly and intentionally buried. In that sense, it was a difficult read for me but it has prompted me to examine the coping mechanism I’ve had in place for many, many years. Self-examination can be a good thing. To those who read this book and lived a difficult childhood I would say, be prepared. But do read it. For those who lived over the rainbow, read and learn. This book is a must-read.

I haven’t had the pleasure of reading or meeting the other two featured authors but I hope to remedy that omission!

Related Links:

Dedra Johnson’s Blog

Valentine Pierce is interviewed in The Times-Picayune

Valentine is interviewed in the T-P about Geometry of the Heart

Valentine – Writer in Residence 2006 at Studio in the Woods