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This
issue, we step IN
DA CLUB with mega-reader
and book reviewer, Sharon
Lewis!
Sharon Lewis, a married mother of five and a grandmother of six boys and one girl, is an eclectic bookaholic. She works as an
administrative assistant and resides in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Why do you love to read?
Well, I've loved to read since I was 5 years old. Reading puts me in another state of mind. It relaxes me, takes me to a place of calmness. I also love to read to learn....reading is knowledge.
On average, how many books do you read a month?
On an average, I read about 15 books a month.
What book groups do you belong to, and do you do reviewing for those groups (provide links to groups if available)?
I belong to several online book clubs, but I mainly participate in
RAWSISTAZ and APOOO
Books. I am a reviewer of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers. I also belong to an offline
book club, Sister2Sister in Cincinnati. We're a small intimate group of women that always has passionate discussions about the book we've read for that month. We mainly read books by African-American authors and books written by other authors that have African-American characters.
What components do you like to see in a "good book"?
I like to see an interesting plot, characterization, vivid descriptions, and research. When I read a book and the characters seem real, and I can feel what the characters are feeling or when an author describes a place and I feel I'm right there, that author has penned a good book.
The "Bad" Book - what are some things that can ruin a book for you and why?
If a book has many misspelled words or grammatical errors, poor character development, or a jumpy storyline, I tend to lose my focus reading that book.
THE THREES
What are your top three favorite books of all time...and why?
I have read many books and have many favorites; however, the three books that made an impact on me were
Song Yet Sung by James McBride,
Weeping Willow Dance by Gloria Mallette, and
The Someday List by Stacy Hawkins-Adams. I was touched by Song Yet Sung for its complexity, lyrical style, historical detail and powerful characters. In Weeping Willow Dance, the author literally pulled me into the main character's world and our emotions became as one. When she cried, I cried, and when she laughed, I laughed. Stacy Hawkins-Adams's The Someday List is a fresh, light read, but yet inspiring and thought provoking.
What three authors, no matter how many books they put out, do you RUN to buy and read?
I can only do three? Gloria Mallette, Victoria Christopher Murray, Carl Weber, E. Lynn Harris, Victor McGlothin, Kimberla Lawson Roby.....there's more...LOL!!
What three books would make your BEST OF 2009 LIST thus far...and why?
Well so far only one and that is The Someday List by Stacy Hawkins Adams. As I stated above, it is
inspiring and thought provoking. As I get older, this book, on a spiritual level, made me wonder have I accomplished everything I wanted to do in life before I leave this earth.
What are three books you're looking forward to reading in the next couple of months?
I am looking forward to reading so many books; naming three is going to be hard but I'll try...LOL!! In May,
Sassy by Gloria Mallette; June,
Lady Jasmine by Victoria Christopher Murray; and July,
Blame It on the Sun by E. Lynn Harris.
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