A story of four friends, Sista, Brian, Day and Nikki and the rollercoaster ride that they call their lives. Sista, who will lose the only man she ever loved, as she allows her weight to determine her self worth. Brian, who learned the hard way that a good woman isn't hard to find, he just has to be man enough to keep her. Day, who must learn to accept himself for who and what he is. Nikki, whose perfect world is shattered when she loved a man more than she loved herself and it almost cost her, her life, because of her man's infidelity and lies. I read this book twice and finished it in 3 days because I was so caught up with the book. Rasheed's style of writing is very fluid. Feel free to check out your local library, book stores. Check out Rasheed Clark's website for more details.Do you : 12 laws to access the power in you to achieve happiness and success / Russell Simmons ; with Chris Morrow.
Russell Simmons is no stranger to hip-hop. He’s helped create such groundbreaking ventures as Def Jam Records and Phat Farm, in the process becoming known the world over as “the CEO of hip-hop”. Russell might have helped introduce hip-hop to the world, but he credits his success to his belief in a strong set of principles - or laws - which he shares for the first time in this book. In 12 straightforward steps, he demonstrates how to get the right mindset, find the motivation to start, surround yourself with the right people, and understand the power of karma. But most importantly, this book will demonstrate how it’s impossible to receive any sort of lasting success from the world without giving something of lasting value to the world first. That’s a practice that is reflected in Russell’s own work as a mentor and philanthropist and one that he promotes as being fundamental to empowerment and success on every level. Also Check out Librarians choice on Auckland Libraries Website
Josefa and the Vu by Tulia Thompson.
When Josefa is met by a giant mysterious warrior claiming to be an ancestral spirit, everything gets chaotic. Meanwhile Jack Bucksworth, the school bully, has stolen the sacred tabua and to get it back, Josefa and his friend must embark on a terrifying and dangerous adventure.
Tulia Thompson is of Fijian decent. Vu is actually a spirit for Josefa who is
Flying-fox in a freedom tree and other stories / Albert Wendt.
This is one of my favourite Authors Albert Wendt. His way of telling of mythical and also legendary fables of the samoan and new zealand culture, always captures his audience. This collection is a must to have read on your list. Discovering Albert Wendt in high school, it took me a while to really appericate his work when I took Pacific Studies at Victoria University, Wellington.Purple heart: A funny, touching, inspirational memoir of growing up Samoan and proud in New Zealand
by Ta'afuli Andrew Fiu
Andrew Fiu came to Ponsonby, Auckland as a three-year-old, part of the wave of immigration from Samoa that turned Auckland's inner city suburbs into a vibrant cultural melting pot. At 14 he was misdiagnosed as having flu when in fact he had rheumatic fever, a disease endemic in Pacific Island communities. As a result of the damage to his heart he was rushed to hospital. Since that time Andrew has had five open heart surgeries, a record anywhere. He has spent so much time in hospital that he says he grew up there, experiencing tender and expert care from doctors and nurses but also enduring appalling racism. This memoir is the story of his hospital years, his clashes with his parents' traditional attitudes, the wisdom he learnt from his fellow patients and the medical miracles perfomed on his heart by famous surgeon Alan Kerr. It's also the story of growing up Samoan in Auckland in the 1970s and 1980s, a reminder of the bad old days when schools made Pacific Island children anglicise their names and hospitals did not have translators, an insight into the inter-generational tensions in Pacific Island migrant families, and a testimony to love and deep friendship, written with grace, insight and bucketloads of humour.Dream fish floating by Karlo Mila
Karlo's work introduces a fresh and poetic voice. Reading her work gives me comfort that she also sees what I see. Her roots in Pakeha NZ, Samoa and Tongan Karlo Mila writes with flair, engry and passion, creating a direct, accessible poetry. Unafraid of the truth as she sees it, Mila's poetry resonates with wit, insight and empathy. The winner of the New Zealand Society of Authors Jessie Mackay Best First Book Award for Poetry. Published by Huia.
DVD
Dave Chappelle's Block Party
Don’t you wish you were Dave Chappelle? The guy is funny, rich and famous for it. What’s more, he’s socially conscious and has impeccable taste in music. Thanks to Michel Gondry’s triumphant, uplifting film. We get to see Chappelle live out his personal fantasy, a “Block Party” in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy ‘hood. Chappelle handpicked his favourite hip-hop and R&B artists to participate, and the roster includes some of the most significant names of the past 10 years of “urban” music, including the Roots, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Common, and the reunion performance of the Fugees and many more!
You don't have to be a hip-hop fan to appreciate it, whatever your taste, the music and energy becomes infectious. This is one party that shouldn't be missed!
* * * * * Rating: 5 stars - Check out youtube.com you can view clips: Dave Chappelle's Block Party VostFr-Talib Kweli Get By (my personal favourite song)
