It is the first day of fall and I finally have a chance to get on line…. it has been a busy morning and now in my office I can crank out a little bit of 
“Sheilaism.” Coffee Cup and I have not made it to any blog stops this morning and that is a bit annoying as I love to start my mornings with visits.
However – never fear…. I do have something to chat about this morning so fill up your cup and pull up a chair.
I am so into books that have to do with other countries, and cultures… Dragon House by John Shors, Jantsen’s Gift by Pam Cope,Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin and so many more. The post I put up last night in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (and giveaway!) has generated comments with other great book suggestions that I will want to take a look at as well.
So today I want to mention the books that is currently making its way through the blogesphere – Oprah’s latest book club pick, Say You’re One Of Them by Uwen Akpan.
On Friday, September 18, 2009, Oprah revealed the 63rd Oprah’s Book Club pick Say You’re One of Them by author Uwem Akpan. Her selection of Akpan’s debut collection marks the first time Winfrey has ever chosen a book of short stories. She said, “These stories left me stunned and profoundly moved.”
Told in five separate stories, each from the perspective of an African child protagonist, Say You’re One of Them vividly captures the resilience of children in the face of unimaginable devastation. Published in 2008, this compelling unforgettable work depicts Africa in its glory and grace as well as its horror and pain.
Author Uwem Akpan was born in Ikot Akpan Eda in southern Nigeria. After studying philosophy and English at Creighton and Gonzaga universities, he studied theology for three years at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
He was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 2003 and received his MFA in creative writing from the University of Michigan in 2006. “My Parents’ Bedroom,” a story from his short story collection, Say You’re One of Them, was one of five short stories by African writers chosen as finalists for The Caine Prize for African Writing 2007.
Say You’re One of Them won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book (Africa Region) 2009 and PEN/Beyond Margins Award 2009 and was finalist for the Los Angeles Times Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction. In 2007, Akpan taught at a Jesuit college in Harare, Zimbabwe. Now he serves at Christ the King Church, Ilasamaja-Lagos, Nigeria.
I am not one who follows what Oprah picks, but this book caught my attention and has held on. I think for me this is a read I will have to pursue… and coffee cup and I are on our way to do that right now.
Have you seen any books lately that are calling you?
Book Journey 
Hi Shelia,
I just reviewed a lovely book, “Laughing Without An Accent” by Iranian-American author Firoozeh Dumas. I’ll have the review up shortly.
And I’m partial to Irish authors..does that count?
Happy First day of Fall!
Like you, I don’t always follow Oprah’s picks, especially lately…but this one does sound unique.
Have to add it to the list!
I like the new look alot. I’m trying to figure out what to dow ith all the awards I have now.
Hey Ryan – I like the tab option I am using but also have seen where they are set up in a scroll type format on side bars… that looks good too.
BTW, love the “falling leaves” thing you’ve got going on!
Thank you – it was a first day of fall post after all 🙂
Say You’re One Of Them sounds very interesting!
I like your new header!!!
Thanks Vicki!
I am not an Oprah pick follower but this one has peaked my interest.
Your blog housekeeping is wonderful by the way. And I have something for you:
http://booktumbling.wordpress.com/2009/09/21/its-award-time/
Thank you! 🙂
I really like the new header! I don’t usually follow Oprah’s picks either, even if I’ve read one or two of them.
Hi.
I’m a loser and forgot to come over and tell you I left you an award on my blog.
Forgive me.
I also thought it was interesting that Oprah’s pick was a booke with short stories. That is a style I so rarely read, yet are usually just a wonderful as full novels.
I usually do not read short stories either – they wrap up too fast … you dont feel as though you really got to know the character… bu this one sounds interesting
Hello, Sheila! I was quite surprised with Oprah’s pick myself. But I can’t wait to get my hands on this book! Knowing our local bookstores here in Manila, they’d be stocking their shelves with this book (since it has Oprah’s endorsement on it).
I still have to get mine as well!
When Op did away with her book club picks the first time, she lost me as a fan. She claimed there were enough good books…really chapped my rear.
Anyway, are the tabs new too?
Hi J Kaye – I havent followed Oprah’s BC at all…. many years ago I tried to read a couple different choices that I found just to be hard reads…. kind of lost interest then – this time it is the book that interests me and not her recommendation. 🙂
I had no idea Oprah had done away with her picks…. interesting.
Tabs are not new – added the awards one that is it… I think they stand out more with the new header.
This was a LONG time ago. 😉 I can’t remember how long she stopped, but I was doing the monthly thing with her. When she started back, my heart wasn’t in it.
I too love books that take me to new places and immerse me in different cultures. They open my eyes to sides of the world that I don’t normally get to see. Thanks for pointing this one out. I don’t usually follow Oprah’s picks either, but this one sounds like a real winner.