Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

In honor of Jazz Appreciation Month (April) in the USA, throughout March and April our chosen nonfiction read is Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin.
While jazz music originated in New Orleans, it played a great part in the Harlem Renaissance in New York. Baldwin grew up in Harlem and reflects on his life there and other subjects within the book. Most editions listed are around 200 pages, give or take a bit. Welcome to all who choose to join us in reading essays written by this voice from history.

Official Goodreads description of this edition of the work:
Since its original publication in 1955, this first nonfiction collection of essays by James Baldwin remains an American classic. His impassioned essays on life in Harlem, the protest novel, movies, and African Americans abroad are as powerful today as when they were first written.

I haven't read this yet, but from the topics it sounds like a book that holds potential to really speak to readers today, over 60 years after its original publication.

Herding Cats (AKA A Great Day in Harlem) 1958
Many jazz fans have seen the iconic image, but few know its complete backstory. On Aug. 12, 1958, graphic designer and fledgling photographer Art Kane took a 35mm photograph of 57 jazz musicians on the doorstep of a Harlem brownstone at 17 E. 126th St.
Five months later, it was the lead photo in Esquire magazine’s spread on the past, present and future of jazz. In 1962 it became part of the first jazz coffee table art book,


https://www.theguardian.com/music/gal...

Great article on Jazz
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/2...

Very cool photo and info on it you found, Jazzy. One of my favorite things about going to the French Quarter in New Orleans, although I haven't done it in years, is listening to all the random jazz musicians on street corners and throughout the Quarter. Always fun to stop, listen, and throw a little money in their instrument cases.

Samantha wrote: "Very cool photo and info on it you found, Jazzy. One of my favorite things about going to the French Quarter in New Orleans, although I haven't done it in years, is listening to all the random jazz..."

I used to have this picture on my wall. My dad was a huge jazz fan, he met a lot of the greats. I belong to a swing dance society and we listen to a lot of jazz, and i play simple versions on my guitar, but I have so many friends who are very prolific. Both my dad and myself are Swing Kids.

One of the best surprises was the French jazz band busking on the street when I was in Madrid a couple of years ago. I was with my friend who also swings and we danced to their tunes.

That sounds like a great time. I'm not sure how much of jazz itself is in Baldwin's book, but perhaps you'll enjoy the parts about Harlem, if you get to read it.

I'll be reading this book. It's my first Baldwin.

That is a jazz galaxy! The first jazz coffee table book? I must have one!!!

Bernard wrote: "That is a jazz galaxy! The first jazz coffee table book? I must have one!!!"
I want one too!

One lovely spring Sunday morning we encountered a gypsy jazz band on the quayside whilst we were at a Balboa breakfast and we danced to their music for a few hours and then booked them to play a gig so we could have a swing evening.

Kathy wrote: "I'll be reading this book. It's my first Baldwin."

Oh how I envy you, you're in for a treat!

Who has read this before? Without giving away anything too specific, what did you think of it?

It's a good group of essays and just as relevant today as they were when he wrote them.

I am such a huge fan of James Baldwin.

Have you read this book before, Kelly, or do you plan to read it now? Why do you love Baldwin so much? I’ve never read him before.

I should have mentioned, If you HAVEN'T read
Native Son by Richard Wright
This book has all the spoilers as it presents essays based on premises in that book, so go away and read that one first.

A couple of weeks ago I read Baldwin's Giovanni's Room.

Baldwin taps human emotions, prejudices, fears, guilt, to a great extent. His characters are believable and real with all their faults.

I finished it today, I liked the nod to W.E.B. Du Bois' The Souls of Black Folks.

I especially enjoyed reading the last two essays in Baldwin's book, "Equal in Paris," where Baldwin has to deal with the police, and "Stranger in the Village," which shows Baldwin's time in a village in Switzerland.

Great to hear that the overall opinion of this book is well-received so far.

Any specific thoughts on certain essays?

Welcome to the read, John! I’m curious about it but have many other books on my plate right now. Feel free to share your thoughts here as you read or when you’re finished.