I've signed up as a reader for the upcoming 24 hour read-a-thon and am so excited. I spent some time compiling a list of reads. Anyone else this dorky? am I the only one? Well, I have to have some sort of plan as I'm prone to fickleness and need to have a number of alternate selections. I've noted that some  other readers have stated that short books are key to feeling some accomplishment with the read-a-thon. This make sense, so, I thought I'd go with YA fiction. I hardly ever read it so this would give me a reason.  After reading Bibliofreak's post today, I've also added some novellas to the list. But, my list is still too short. This is largely due to having crappy public libraries where I live. I don't own much of either YA fiction or novellas, so I figured this would be a good opportunity to utilize the library. Needless to say, I need a little help. Here's my list so far:
1. Quicksand by Nella Larsen (I own this one)
2. Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
3. Oroonko by Aphra Behn
4. The House On Mango Street by Susan Cisneros
5. The First Part Last by Angela Johnson
6. Night by Elie Wiesel

So, I've got a mix of cultures and ethnic groups but only one work of YA fiction.  I'm looking for an Asian title to add. I'd like to have at least four more books on the list giving me ten choices. Feel free to make suggestions.

Jonathan Tudan was about as green as a blade of grass when, in 1969 at age 18, he found himself the Super of a grimy apartment building in Boston's Combat Zone. The area was notorious for adult entertainment as strip clubs and prostitution were abundant. Tudan had left his comfortable upbringing in Hartford, Connecticut in the summer of 1968 to attend a technical college to study Architecture. While in school, he becomes acquainted with a student whose brother owns a building with rooms rented by the week needing a new manager. Jonathan thinks he's walked into a plum opportunity to live rent free in his own place and has asked another new friend, often referred to only by his surname, Van Helden, to join him. Of course, it turns out to not be what he's hoped for. In one short year, he has a number of experiences including his first sexual encounter which doesn't go quite right and is described with subtle hilarity and saving one of his building's tenants from being stabbed by her crazy boyfriend. Along his journey, he encounters a number of prostitutes, strippers, pimps, and other shady characters. All the while, he stays in school and manages to pass- barely.
         
 "Running this show is a mind-blowing business; a bit like being mayor in the Land of Oz on acid." -from Lovers, Muggers & Thieves

The really interesting thing about Tudan's story is that he's able to expose the humanity in this cast full of many lost souls. He befriends several prostitutes and strippers as well as lust after most of them. He also manages to maintain his own humanity. He's a great story teller as I had clear images of everything happening. Although, the memoir goes just over 400 pages, it never loses its momentum. Each chapter is a mini adventure but the story is the sum of its parts. Though he lives in a seedy area filled with unsavory types, petty crimes, and grimy living quarters, he never really becomes part of it nor it apart of him. This is where the wisdom he gains from this experience comes into play.  In the end, Tudan realizes that he's growing up too fast but he doesn't have to. However, this memoir is not so much about end results as it is about the coming of age of a kid in Boston in 1969. This  is an entertaining read that shouldn't be missed and, dare I say it...I hope it makes its way to the silver screen.

A huge thanks to Jonathan Tudan for letting me get all nosy and read about this unique period in his life.

The classic "Coded Language" by the formidable spoken word artist and actor Saul Stacey Williams.