If you're close to UC Berkeley, you may want to consider the following events:
--If you recall, in August 2009 I wrote a poetic offering on Natasha Trethewey's Myth. Well, the poet herself will be at UC Berkeley on Thursday March 4, 2010 for a reading! I'm so going to try ot make this. Trethewey won the Pultizer Prize in 2007 for her book Native Guard (which I highly recommend). If you're not aware of the Louisiana Native Guard, I'd especially recommend this collection. The book is wonderful; it also deals with themes of loss, as well as racial identity.
--Dan Bellm, winner of the California Book Award for his book of poems, Practice, will visit Berkeley Thursday February 4, 2010.
--Literary critic Terry Eagleton will be on campus Monday April 5, 2010 speaking on the topic, "The Death of Criticism." I might also try to make this event. He made post-structuralism a little easier for me to navigate into.
For the entire spectrum of artists, intellectuals and musicians visiting Berkeley, see the press release link here.
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"The Oasis of My Nation" is Simone Youngblood's debut collection of ten poems, released in September 2008.
The work meditates on words, their unapparent immediacies and the relationship of both to god. Fundamentally, it might be called an "experimental" book of prayer and thanksgiving.
The poems were mostly written from the point at which Simone recalls (mis)acquiring language to 2008.
Based on responses Simone has received from patient people who have read "The Oasis of My Nation," I urge you to close your eyes and put on your reading glasses before embarking.
Simone is a poet born and raised in Northern California. She recently received her Masters in English/Creative Writing.
The book is $4 in person / $6 shipped / $6.50 purchased/shipped through Paypal
Paypal: Please don't forget to include your shipping information in the notes portion of your payment.
Bless you all.
