I am a Bookoholic. There I said it. Gosh I feel so much better now. I am making this open confession to appease my conscience after my recent trip to New York. I need to talk about it, because I’m growing uncomfortable with the number of times I’ve caught myself staring dreamily at my new books and grinning like a …. . Well, like Scrat when he sees and holds an acorn.
[Of course only those of you who watch deep insightful classics like, Ice Age and Ice Age:The Meltdown would know who Scrat is and understand how I'm feeling right now.]
I could hardly contain my excitement when Dr. Delroy Reid-Salmon suggested that we take a trip to up to the Maryknoll Center, the home of Orbis books.
I felt like I was in Acorn heaven! Orbis has published some of my most favourite books I’ve used during Seminary, and up to the present. Naturally, I could just barely contain myself that I was finally going to visit Maryknoll. Trust me, I was a regular “Gladys”! Camera on ready, snapping anything that caught my attention.
The visit was a really big deal for me and I was not disappointed. The archicteture of the main building, the shrine, and other places of interest all reflect a strong Asain influence. And everything told the story of the mission of God that goes beyond cultural boundaries to touch the lives of all peoples.
I am especially pleased with the new (to me) works by Susan E. Smith, Women In Mission:From the New Testament to Today [2007] and Elsa Tamez, Struggle For Power In Early Christianity [2007]. Elsa Tamez is one of my favourite feminist theologians who writes from Costa Rica. Lurking in the back of my mind is how close I am to Costa Rica…are you thinking what I’m thinking?
Then I’m absolutely ecstatic with two other acquisitions (major stuff) – both works edited by Dr. Anthony G. Reddie – Black Theology In Britain: A Reader and an issue of Black Theology:An International Journal. I haven’t had much encounter with Black Theology from the British perspective and especially that which is flavoured by the Caribbean experience. Some pretty exciting stuff (of course mi start read dem aready…dem is not souvenirs yuh noh!).
Those of you who know me know that if it falls in the categories of ‘women’ and ‘Black’ then it’s right up my street. It seems some people are afraid to use the ‘Black’ word since Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s sermon. I am not. That would be like trying to erase myself and who I am.
Two other books I got at ‘the’ large bookstore elsewhere were Black Man’s Burden by Basil Davidson. It’s been out since 1992 and I’ve read excerpts but I’m just getting my own copy. And then there is The Next Christendom:The Coming Of Global Christianity that I have now removed from my Amazon Wish List.
The day ended with a lovely visit to Fordham University Library. Yes..more books again. And what a treat that was. So my trip to New York wasn’t just about preaching and church services. There were sessions of reasonings I’ve missed. And then there were lapses into delightful bookaholism….
And I’m still smiling and staring dreamily….
Marvia
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