Executive editor's view.The New Year always brings with it mixed blessings: gratefulness to have lived through another year and optimism that the one ahead will be better than the last. Being an idealist (or at least I like to think so), I tend to approach each year with a sense of hopefulness and anticipation, sort of like turning the pages of a good book. This issue marks Black Issues Book Review's fourth anniversary and my first year with the magazine. One of the ideas we decided to explore in this "New Year" issue is to take a look at ways that readers can approach their lives with that same sense of optimism in making healthy, lifestyle changes--call it a literary guide to New Year's resolutions. Whether its building self-esteem, vowing to get an annual checkup check·up n. 1. An examination or inspection. 2. A general physical examination. checkup See Yearly checkup. or simply redecorating a room, this issue of BIBR BIBR Bay Islands Beach Resort (Roatan, Honduras) BIBR Backward Indicator Bit Received takes a look at books that can help you lead a healthier, happier life (see "New Year, New You" page 46) as well as books to help you design a home that reflects your unique sense of style (page 60). Both categories--health and well-being, and home design--are burgeoning markets for black books. And because there are so many books to cover in these categories, we could only include a fraction of what's on What's On (Traditional Chinese: 熒幕八爪娛) is a weekly half-hour TV series that airs on Fairchild Television. Format Originally started in 1996, the show is currently the longest-running program in Fairchild Television history. bookshelves and considered only newer releases. Another must-read in this issue is our feature on publishing's marketing push for black books, which starts with the King holiday and runs through Black History Month. For readers who feel inundated in·un·date tr.v. in·un·dat·ed, in·un·dat·ing, in·un·dates 1. To cover with water, especially floodwaters. 2. by the sheer volume of books and television programs about African-American history and culture that flood the market in January and February, here is a look at why it happens, and whether it's really such a good idea (page 36). You should also note that our coverage in this issue for EYE, Fiction and Nonfiction reviews has been expanded to accommodate the increased number of new books released in these two months. And we've also featured a roundup of erotic fiction (page 26) as a warm-up to Valentine's Day Valentine's Day: see Saint Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day Lovers' holiday celebrated on February 14, the feast day of St. Valentine, one of two 3rd-century Roman martyrs of the same name. St. . But it's our cover story on novelist, satirist, cultural critic A cultural critic is a critic of a given culture, usually as a whole and typically on a radical basis. There is significant overlap with Social Criticism and Social Philosophers Terminology and MacArthur award-winner Ishmael Reed that is worth savoring. A controversial figure in his own right for his reproach of certain feminists, Reed talks candidly about his childhood, his politics and his new book of essays, Another Day at the Front. Start off the year by turning the page and exploring books that can help you turn over a new leaf A New Leaf (1971) is a black comedy based on a short story by Jack Ritchie, starring Elaine May, Walter Matthau, George Rose and James Coco. Better known for her collaboration as a stage comedienne with The Graduate . |
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