TOP TORONTO REALTOR ELLI DAVIS LAUNCHES BOOK REVIEW SECTION ON HER SITE.

Look what I bumped into. With two books coming out this fall, I hear that Elli Davis is reviewing crucial books for you to read. OK, one of mine is about homicides of young, black men and the other about cyberbullies. Get ready Elli!

Even in this busy age, many of us still like to spend quality time with a book whenever possible. Toronto Realtor® Elli Davis launches a new book review section on her website to help us decide which books are worth our immediate attention and which we should postpone until retirement.

If you have enough time to grab a book of your liking on a regular basis, consider yourself privileged. Many of us strive to scrape up more time to spend with books, and sometimes we lack the initial motivation. Well, not any more, according to Elli Davis, a real estate agent from Toronto. After the successful launch of Elli Davis’s guide to Toronto golf courses, Elli and her team

launched a new section where they review books that are either written by authors from Toronto, take place in Toronto, or are about Toronto.

“Just to make sure the books we review are just as useful to tourists visiting our wonderful city as they are to Torontonians themselves, many of our reviews are of books of fiction that may in fact interest anyone,” explains Elli. She further says that it is her hope that readers “will find inspiration in our reviews and will learn about interesting books they did not know about. And who knows, some will decide to avoid a book because of our review. Well, that’s great too!” concludes Elli enthusiastically.

These days, when it’s challenging enough to find time to read — let alone to research literature, every bit of help and advice is greatly appreciated. And if you’re a bookworm yourself, maybe you can let Elli know what you think of her reviews in each review’s discussion section, or recommend her a book to review next.

The reviews are accessible on the website of Elli’s real estate team, ellidavis.com/toronto-real-estate-news/toronto-book-reviews .

FOUND IN THE ARCHIVES: WHY DO RAPPERS LOVE THE "N" WORD?

In 1785, the sexual behaviour of black woman is just like that of an orangutan. That was said by Thomas Jefferson, a U.S president. Rappers love to use the word. Nigger, Nigga, Nicca....whatever. Maybe you need to listen to what Jabari Asim, the author has to say about his 2007 book "The N word" and all the controversy surrounding that word and black people!

CANADIAN BORN MUSIC MOGUL DAVID FOSTER EXPOSES MUSIC GREATS IN NEW TELL-ALL!!

WHITNEY HOUSTON, MADONNA and PAUL McCARTNEY are among a long list of music legends whose bizarre behaviour is exposed in a new tell-all book by music mogul DAVID FOSTER. The Grammy-winning producer writes about their alleged antics in his new memoir, Hitman. In the book, he calls former Beatle Paul McCartney "one of those musicians who needed to be reminded of his greatness".

Remembering his collaboration with the legend, he writes, "(McCartney was) a little like being on a bad date. Ten bad dates, maybe." According to Foster, he didn't see even a "hint" of drug use by Whitney Houston - whose erratic behaviour in more recent years has sparked rumours of drug abuse.

Though he adds, "She and hubby Bobby Brown certainly seemed addicted to each other... When Bobby was gone, she'd begin to fade." But Foster admits there was a more distinct duality when he worked in the studio with Madonna - who divorced from her husband of eight years, director Guy Ritchie, earlier this month (Nov08).

Foster admits he told the pop star he didn't approve of the guy-on-guy kissing featured in her 1991 film Truth or Dare, and she quipped, "If that bothered you, you're too square for me. You represent everything I'm trying to change." But in a rare, and more somber moment, she confessed, "I just need a man. I need to be with a real man."

The economy is so bad these days, you need all you can to make a buck!!

Faith Evans Almost Shevled Memoir, Book Climbs Best Sellers List.

With her memoir "Keep The Faith" climbing the New York Times Best Sellers List, Faith Evans recently shed light on her purpose for penning the book and who she credits for allowing her to share the story.

"Keep The Faith" has been a hot topic over the last three months with just about every blog, radio station and online magazine covering excerpts of the book that finally sheds light or at least in many ways clears up rumors about the singer and the Notorious B.I.G.

According to Evans, however, the book was almost shelved. "I was worried about the 'Big' element and I knew that it was one of those things that people would talk about more, especially in the media" says Faith, who spoke with Soultracks recently.

Evans credits Biggie's mother, Volletta Wallace with giving her the okay to release the book after several months of collaborating with Aliya, who worked on the memoir. "I was going back and forth with myself and then I spoke to Miss Wallace and she said 'You should do it. People think they know you and they don't'. Wallace may have been right as Evans' novel is getting close to hitting the top 10 on the New York Times Best Seller's List, according to recent reports the book is sitting at #21 after just short of a month on shelves.

Detailing everything from experiences with Biggie, Lil Kim, Mary J. Blige, Tupac and even Suge Knight to her struggle as a woman in the game, Faith Evans' story has proven to be a riveting and relatable to story to many.

"It's not like I'm trying to go back and open old wounds, rehash situations or what have you, but it was therapeutic and it made me look back and see how far I have come and know that those experiences are like wisdom now."

Faith Evans' "Keep The Faith" is in stores now.

Source: Singers room

FLORIDA RAPPER BIG G RECORDS SOUND TRACK TO HIP-HOP LITERACY CAMPAIGN.

Florida rapper Big G has recorded the Hiphop and Books theme song. The song is called "I'm Not The Same." It's a very good track and I give it 5 stars!

Here is the download link: http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=789270&da=y

and check out the HIPHOP AND BOOKS site: http://www.hiphopandbooks.com

Brad Meltzer - The Book of Lies: Companion Soundtrack.

For every author there is the one book they believe they were meant to write. For bestselling author BRAD MELTZER (The Tenth Justice, The Book of Fate), that book is THE BOOK OF LIES, for which he also thought it was very important to have an accompanying soundtrack.

Book available September 2, 2008 Companion CD available August 26, 2008.

Family Feud we told you about: Madonna's Brother Tells All in Book.

The book's coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MADONNA'S BROTHER TO TELL ALL ON TV.

MADONNA's estranged brother is set to go public with his sister's secrets in a series of TV interviews. Interior designer Christopher Ciccone has been booked to appear on U.S. breakfast show Good Morning America next week (14Jul08) to kickstart a flurry of media activity surrounding his upcoming tell-all Life With My Sister Madonna.The book, which is rumoured to contain some of Madonna's darkest family secrets, officially goes on sale on 15 July (08).

ROUND 3: CANADIAN AUTHOR ALANA WYATT SPEAKS OUT AGAINST EX MOS DEF IN A RECENT PODCAST!!

IceDot says...

"There is no honor in the rap game, especially if you're a married rapper as in the case with Mos Def's wife former video vixen & self proclaimed groupie Alana Wyatt. The above audio is a recent interview done with itsdnb.com about her up coming tell all that details their marriage & current divorce proceedings, the abuse she suffered, her one night stands, her "friendship" with Shaq, the five NBA players she's dated which includes Antawn Jamison & Jermaine O'neal and how she was infamous for accepting thousands of dollars from these ball players promising to visit them only to never get on the flight. And oh yeah she wants Lil Wayne, Chris Brown and an X5. Uhh...yeah. - ICE"

SO, EXACTLY WHY IS EVERYONE GOING BONKERS ON THIS WOMAN? If she wants to dish out her dirt, let her. I won't dare call her a slut because some of you out there are worse! Do not judge people y'all! Thank God there are no comment fields here. ICEDOT's field is crazy!!!!

Hip Hop & Books - Online Listening Party Today.

Thanks to Sumit, Editor of our sister blog The Hip-Hop Chronicle in the U.K for notifying us. At 12pm today (1pm EST), log on to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive where Hip Hop & Books will give listeners worldwide a first listen to the entire compilation cd ; Hip Hop & Books: The Compilation.

The CD boasts the likes of C-Murder, Blak Circle, , C. A. Webb, C-James, Dj Down South, Dream Team Stars, Jon Boy and many more

In related Hip Hop & Books News, the dance group STATUS QUO from MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew, Season One is now a proud supporter of our music and literacy campaign.

http://www.hiphopandbooks.com

http://www.myspace.com/hiphopandbooks

MADONNA PLANS DOCUMENTARY SEQUEL.

MADONNA is reportedly set to mark her 50th birthday by releasing a sequel to her infamous IN BED WITH MADONNA documentary next year (09). The Holiday hitmaker will produce the documentary with filmmaker Alex Keshishian, who directed the controversial 1991 movie, to celebrate her continued success in the music industry. And the film will act as a reunion for Madonna - she has reportedly signed up most of the original production team for the new venture. Keshishian is set to film the superstar over three weeks as she goes about her day-to-day life in London, according Britain's The London Paper.

A source tells the publication, "It's like an In Bed With Madonna but made for today. She leads an amazing, high-paced life now and Alex thought the time was right to do another documentary of her life and career." The original documentary followed the star as she embarked on her hit 1990 Blonde Ambition tour, and proved a hit with fans, grossing £29 million (£14.5 million) at the global box office.

YAWN! Trick Daddy is writing his autobiography!

Rapper and Dunk Ryder Record label CEO Trick Daddy is set to take on yet another title: author. The 33-year-old Miami-born rapper, told AllHipHop.com that he is currently working on a new autobiographical book. “The book is amazing already,” Trick Daddy told AllHipHop.com about the untitled book. “I have a writer, I have a agent already shopping the book, and actually, I think we’ll have a book deal by next week.” The untitled book will offer readers Trick Daddy’s personal, honest account of his life, from his upbringing in Miami’s notorious Liberty Square Housing Development.
Now why do some rappers want us to know that they were raised in some housing development and that is news? Please I live in a Toronto project right now! More of the drowsy book idea here.... Yawn!

PLUMPY: Janet is writing a weight book!

Above is her upcoming tour poster. Janet Jackson is writing a book about her weight struggles. The singer is planning to document her constant battle with self-esteem issues, and discuss her fluctuating waistline. The publication, which is set to be released in November by Karen Hunter Publishing, will include lifestyle and diet tips from Janet's nutritionist David Allen. Meanwhile, Janet - who turned 42 last week - has also announced plans for a tour to coincide with her latest album 'Discipline'.

The run of shows, her first in seven years, will start in September and includes dates in the US and Canada. Janet said: "I was supposed to go on tour with the last album. We were actually in full-blown tour rehearsals at that point - learning numbers, getting everything together, set designs. I had to kind of shut everything down and go into the studio. "It will definitely be a big production but it will definitely also be something that I've never done before, that people have never seen from me before."

“Hiding In Hip Hop” Terrance Howard does Wendy Williams Interview!

Former MTV executive Terrance Howard appeared on The Wendy Williams Experience to discuss his new book, Hiding In Hip Hop. Terrance is determined to drag the rap industry’s “down low” brothers out of the closet screaming. Hope this doesn't backfire too much but his publicist has promised me a copy of the book! I wanna know who's hiding in R&B too!

THE DL LIST IS COMING SOON: Terrance Dean launches blog ahead of controversial book!

I reported about this book last week and plan to do a phone interview with Terrance after the book release! Many in the business as well as my readers and fans are going to rush this book!

When Terrance Dean's highly anticipated memoir is released on May 13, 2008 from Atria/ Simon and Schuster books, there is the strong likelihood that his rightful voice may be lost in the media hype. A true 'first' among firsts, Hiding in Hip Hop: On the Down Low in the Entertainment Industry-From Music To Hollywood is the explosive tale of his tumultuous life as a down low brother in not only the entertainment business, but within the testosterone-driven world of Hip Hop no less! With that acknowledgement, it is all to possible that his very personal story of tragedy turned triumphant may be missed by journalists, bloggers and gossip columnists alike as they scramble to uncover the who's who names behind his real life accounts. Sincere to his unending commitment as an activist, author and motivator, Terrance Dean has launched a personal blog in advance of the novel's release, "Reclaim Your Voice, Reclaim Your Life, Reclaim Your Power" at www.TerranceDean.blogspot.com.

The blog reflects Dean's own periodic musings as he embarks on this next dimension of his life's journey. Compelling, mind-blowing and jaw dropping, Hiding in Hip Hop will definitely stand apart as one of the year's most controversial page turners. Unmasking the deep unspoken secret of a prominent gay sub-culture within not only the entertainment community, but within the confines of Hip Hop, Dean's latest release is destined to send ripples throughout not only the Black and gay community, but the entertainment world at large.

In an industry that thrives on power, misogyny and machismo, Dean reveals homosexuality as a stark reality at nearly every level of Hip Hop. However his memoir is also a genuine sojourn of a young man searching for self, love, and sexual identity in the most homophobic places: family, community, church and Hip Hop. Struggling to find a place for himself in a homophobic culture, Dean's compelling story is one of hope, love, and in spite of everything, coming to terms with one's self and being a catalyst for change and empowerment in the game of Hip Hop. Check out his blog!

Rapper Ice-T set to document Author's life.

Rapper-turned-actor ICE-T is set to uncover the secrets behind the man who inspired his hip-hop stage pseudonym - he is producing a documentary about novelist ICEBERG SLIM. Ice-T - real name Tracy Marrow - has credited the acclaimed author and former pimp as his reason for seeking fame and fortune, prompting him to adopt his stage name in honor of his hero.

He is now planning to document the tale of the Trick Baby writer, spanning from his 35 years as a career criminal to his rise as one of black America's most revered writers.
And Ice-T believes fans will be as intrigued by the enigmatic man's biography as he is.
He tells the New York Post's gossip column PageSix, "Iceberg Slim has been one of the most influential people in black culture. Few people know the story behind the man and it's time that story is told."

Money x6: Meanwhile, Amy Winehouse and hubby get $2 million book deal about their MARRIAGE!

Moneyx6 means that song... Money Money Money Money Money......MONEY!

Troubled British singer Amy Winehouse and her jailed husband Blake Fielder-Civil have been offered one million pounds for a book about their marriage.

According to thesun.co.uk, the 24-year-old singer is negotiating with Penguin, while Blake has already agreed to the deal. Blake is in London's Pentonville jail for alleged assault and perversion of justice. A friend said: 'They are prepared for it to be warts and all.' Maybe she could fix these knees with that money!

Who's Zooming Who?: Black Gay Ex-MTV Executive to dish out all the gay juice on Hip-Hop!

As this juicy book is released on May 13th, you better go get yours! Former MTV executive Terrence Dean is blowing the lid off of a Gay/DL subculture silently festering within the confines of hip hop in a new book entitled Hiding In Hip Hop: On The Down Low in the Entertainment Industry from Music to Hollywood. Terrence will out the lifestyles of prominent gay celebrities of color from hip hop to Hollywood in the book. “This book is filled with intrigue, sexy celebrity bed partners, abundance of drugs, and of course, the down low/gay men and celebrities in the entertainment industry….

He says "This book is my voice, your voice, and many other voices of people who love Hip Hop, the black church, the black community, our families - our uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters who are gay, or on the down low,”

This is definitely a book that should get my summer reading list pumping! Gay sex in hip-hop?