Author Sheryl Sandberg and co-writer Adam Grant For the most part, incarcerated people aren’t worried about the impact of social media—we’re disconnected. And, if I walk around the prison yard 100 times and talk to dozens of my fellow inmates, I’d be lucky to find one who’d know that Sheryl Sandberg is the chief operating officer of Facebook. That being said, all of my fellow prisoners could connect with Sandberg’s grief—the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one. After her husband died, Sandberg wrote Option B (2017), an incredibly … [Read more...] about Dealing with an unexpected loss of a loved one
Book Review
Writer draws inspiration from incarcerated pen pals
Take Two: A Collection of Short Stories (2018) If your writing is to be believed, experience is the best teacher. However, that’ll be a tragedy, if you’re writing about prisons. Nonetheless, C.P. Henderson, a retired federal employee, tells very interesting stories without the incarceration experience. What I’ve learned about Henderson is that she took an old fashion way to get information about fictional characters—she took pen to paper and became pen pals with some incarcerated people. She did a good job in the 11 short … [Read more...] about Writer draws inspiration from incarcerated pen pals
Videogame-based novel draws influences from real life
I recently walked into San Quentin’s library and noticed on a whiteboard a list of books. I asked the clerk, Kevin Rojano, “Which one of these would you want reviewed in our newspaper?” The bright-eyed 23-year-old recommended Halo. Halo: The Fall of Reach by Eric Nylund (2001) is the first in an ongoing series of the videogame-based novels. It takes place in the 26th century. Humans have settled on planets throughout the galaxy. Aliens attack “Reach”—a first strike that jeopardizes all of humanity, including earth. Tasked with taking down … [Read more...] about Videogame-based novel draws influences from real life
Short story illuminates themes from two classic novels
I love short stories. The challenge of the short story writer is to be concise without being shallow. As such, the form requires that settings be suggested, characters be sketched and complexities be implied. A story I stumbled upon this month -- An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Pierce – does all of that but also, in a succinct way, illuminates and ties together the themes of two classic novels: The Red Badge of Courage (1895) and Johnny Got His Gun (1939). All three have war themes. Each exposes the inner thoughts of the main … [Read more...] about Short story illuminates themes from two classic novels
PEN America releases Issue: 21 Mythologies
No matter the restriction, the control mechanism or oppression, PEN America is a platform for authentic stories—voices that ring loud and free on the page. Jennifer Finney Boylan contributed to PEN’s latest publication Issue: 21 Mythologies, with Transfigured. It connects with incarcerated readers as she writes, “For a long time, I thought I didn’t exist...It was like walking on a long-deserted beach without any footprints.” Searching for identity is not limited to incarcerated people — agency is a normal, human want and need — it’s the … [Read more...] about PEN America releases Issue: 21 Mythologies
Formerly incarcerated author, Donna Hylton
Donna Hylton, who was abused as a child, spent 27 years in prison and wrote a book about how she turned her life around. She said her mission today is to be “a voice for the silenced” women still in prison. At age 20, Hylton was sentenced to 25 years to life for her role as a nonviolent accessory to kidnapping and second-degree murder. She is finally freed. Hylton’s childhood was a living hell. She was abandoned by her mother in Jamaica, N.Y., at age 8, according to the article by The Glow Up. At that time, she was subjected to … [Read more...] about Formerly incarcerated author, Donna Hylton
“The Force” by Don Winslow
In the wake of the public demanding more transparency in police departments, The Force is a novel with characters led by police officer Denny Malone, who easily relates to people who’ve had questionable encounters with the criminal justice system. For many behind bars, the concept of justice and fairness is jaded by life experiences: evidence-planting cops, greedy con artists posing as legitimate businessmen, unscrupulous lawyers, and corrupt judges. All of these are elements of this fast-paced story. Author Don Winslow’s ability to … [Read more...] about “The Force” by Don Winslow
“Just Sit” by Sukeu and Elizabeth Novogratz
Authors Sukey and Elizabeth (Beth) Novogratz didn’t write their book on meditation exclusively for prisoners, but much of their approach seems tailor-made to deal with the issues we at San Quentin confront in our everyday lives. On August 1, they traveled from New York to the Q on a quest to discover how their approach to meditation could intersect with our programs. Just Sit: A Meditation Guidebook for People who Know They Should But Don’t emphasizes the importance of story and the writers alert readers to pay attention to the stories … [Read more...] about “Just Sit” by Sukeu and Elizabeth Novogratz
Becoming Ms. Burton: … by Susan Burton
Of the many memoirs that have landed on my desk, Becoming Ms. Burton: From Prison to Recovery to Leading the Fight for Incarcerated Women (2010) is one of the most inspirational. In the foreword, writer Michelle Alexander sets the stage by drawing a comparison between the memoir’s author, Susan Burton, and the legendary Harriet Tubman. Tubman helped create the Underground Railroad for runaway slaves yearning to be free; Burton helps women held captive by our prison system make a constructive break for freedom and rebuild their lives. “African … [Read more...] about Becoming Ms. Burton: … by Susan Burton
Beyond the Messy Truth by Van Jones
Beyond the Messy Truth: How We Came Apart*How We Come Together (2017) is a frank reading of American-style democracy that encourages an honest debate on how to shape the country. Author Van Jones travels around the country, touting The Beautiful Work: Four Solutions that he says would clean up the “Messy Truth” concerning the way Americans came apart and what conservatives and progressives could do to find unity. Beyond the Messy Truth takes readers through a fact-based history that is hard to dispute. In 2016, American voters were fed up … [Read more...] about Beyond the Messy Truth by Van Jones