Name: Stacey Seay
Location: Woodbridge, VA
Short Bio: Presently I am a
stay-at-home mommy, but my background is in Clinical Psychology. I used
to work with children and families, particularly those families impacted
by community and domestic violence.
I have been with The RAWSISTAZ
Reviewers since September of 2001. In addition to being a reviewer, I am
the Children's Editor for RAWSISTAZ, one of the staff members for
Tee-Time, a small group of 5 reviewers who assist Tee with major decisions
for the groups, and I help out behind the scenes in other capacities as
requested. Last year, I helped plan, execute, and present The
RAWSISTAZ Affair, held in D.C.
As a reviewer and unpaid volunteer, what is your
motivation for reviewing? In a
nutshell, my motivation for reviewing is simply my love of reading, in
general and African-American literature in particular. As I child, I
always found myself wanting to read about people like me, so when I
discovered African-American literature I was hooked for life. Back then,
I read a lot of the classics, and found myself searching the shelves of
bookstores for books I hadn't read. Now with the explosion of
African-American lit. I can go to bookstores and have a field day. I see
reviewing as an opportunity to support authors and readers alike, by
spreading the word about various books. In addition, I love the vision
and foresight of RAWSISTAZ and its founder, Tee C. Royal; what the
organization offers to readers and authors is amazing and I am honored to
help support that vision.
Share your best moment as a
reviewer: After being a reviewer for
several years, it is difficult to pick just one best moment. But in
general, the moments that are dearest to my heart are the ones in which an
author or reader lets me know that my review touched them in some
meaningful way.
What do you look
for in books? While I will read just about anything, the books
I enjoy the most are those that are off the beaten path. I look for a
creative storyline and I LOVE me some family drama, so those are among my
favorites. I also look for books with strong characters and those that
make me think AND feel.
What is the best book you've ever
reviewed: Again it is difficult to pick just one, but I would
have to say A Woman's Worth by Tracy Price-Thompson. After reading
that book, I was literally afraid to write the review because I just
didn't think my review was capable of doing the book justice -- it was
just that good to me.
Share your Top 5 list of books reviewed in 2004:
A Woman's Worth by
Tracy Price-Thompson
The Dewbreaker by Edwidge Danticat
Angel of Harlem by Kuwana Hausley
As Real As It Gets by Monica McKayhan
Do Lord Remember Me by Julius Lester
Top 3 Children's Books.
Roy Makes a Car by Mary Lyons
The Best Recess Ever by Stephanie Dawson
Imani All Mine by Connie Porter
Now, pick just
ONE as your favorite: I am going to get in trouble for this, but I am
not picking just one...lol. Since I already picked A Woman's Worth
as the best book I reviewed ever, I would have to say Angel of Harlem
by Kuwana Hausley. I like historical fiction and Hausley really brought
the characters to life in that book. My favorite children's picture book
of 2004 would be Roy Makes a Car, adapted from one of the
folk stories collected by Zora Neale Hurston. Although the book has
historical value, the story is just plain fun.
When
you're not reading/reviewing, what do you do?
Hmmmmm, talking to
Tee via IM (does that count?). I also spend time with my hubby and son.
I like watching movies, am into genealogy, and scrap-booking. Of course,
I don't pass up the occasional shopping spree either <<wink>>.
How many books are on your Review Pile? Ummmmm, do I really want to
tell? Right now I think there are 9.
