Round the Corner by Quanda R. Graves (Until)

Today I want to talk about a book that I fell in love with at the age of six years old. I attended my very first book fair at my favorite elementary school (52^nd Street) to be exact and that is where I and this book met and it was my very first purchase. 

So proud was I to pay my money for a book I absolutely wanted. You know what else? It’s a purchase that I have never regretted.

This book had such a great impact on my life that I still have it today and I continue to reference back to it, even now. I am also currently looking to purchase a newer edition just to have.

The book is called “Round the Corner” written by The Bank Street Reader and it was published in 1966. Ever since I can remember I’ve always had a vivid imagination, love to daydream and have always enjoyed stories, poetry and of course much more and that is what this book has to offer. It is a mixture of stories, poetry, play’s and pictures that is a lot of fun.

This book teaches upstanding values, helps build confidence, vocabulary and expands your mind. So I guess you can say I’m feeling a little nostalgic about when life was simple, fun and exciting and you wanted to learn. Ah-the good old days!

If you want to travel back in time with me to a place that offered innocence, joy and an imagination of a safe environment then purchase this book for you and your children, you’ll love where it takes you.  

For more books please visit the new California Crusaders Newspaper Book Review Blog at www.cnnbooks.blogspot.com. Also to check out “Until’s Book of the Week” please listen to the Sunset and Gumbo Radio Show on www.urbansoulradio.fm on every Friday’s at 8:45pm. 

Enjoy, for life is a treasure so you definitely should cherish it. Smile!

Posted 21st June 2011 by CCN BOOK REVIEW

Labels: 52nd Street School California Crusaders Newspaper Book Review Quanda R. Graves The Bank Street Reader Until Until's Book of the Week Untilnomore

Oliver Twist by Quanda R. Graves (Until)

Hey everybody! You already know who this is and I’m here as always to provide you with my latest book of the week. This week’s book is a classic. Oliver Twist written by Charles Dickens. For those who haven’t had the opportunity of reading this book or know about the story, please allow me to enlighten you.

Oliver Twist is a story about an orphan who endures a miserable existence in a workhouse and then is placed with an undertaker. He escapes and travels to London where he meets the Artful Dodger, leader of a gang of juvenile pickpockets. Oliver is led to the lair of their elderly criminal trainer Fagin, naively unaware of their unlawful activities. 

However, there is much more to this story but that’s the just, but all in all a great story. The very first edition was published in the year of 1838.  Wow! I love it.

This book of the week is a tribute to the books that are considered classics and to the article that I’ve written in regard to a new play called TWIST; the hot new twist on the Dickens classic! If you’re interested in purchasing Oliver Twist please go to www.amazon.com.  

You can get your paperback copy for about $13.00 and if you’re a Kindle user you can get the book for $0.99. For more books please go to www.calcrusnews.com and to hear “Until’s Book of the Week” please listen to the Sunset and Gumbo Radio Show on www.urbansoulradio.fm on Fridays at 8:45pm. Enjoy it’s on us!

Posted 12th July 2011 by CCN BOOK REVIEW

Labels: California Crusaders Newspaper Book Review Charles Dickens Debbie Allen Oliver Twist Quanda R. Graves The New Play Twist Until's Book of the Week

London Flair PR Quotes from the Media (Quanda R. Graves of CCN)

LONDON FLAIR PR, PUBLICISTS & PUBLIC RELATIONS COMPANY
USA: 7119 W. SUNSET BLVD, SUITE 150, LOS ANGELES, CA, 90046
UK: REGENT STREET, LONDON, W1B (Request postal address)
TEL USA: 310 492 5182 TEL UK: 0203 371 7945
INFO@LONDONFLAIRPR.COM

“One of the finest directors I have ever worked with…” - Melissa Leo
An incredibly moving tale of family and faith. Melissa Leo gives a heart-wrenching, typically brilliant performance.” - Darryl MacDonald, Executive Director, Palm Springs International ShortFest
“Jordan Bayne does such a great job of directing Melissa Leo and Peter Gerety, among others, in the Sea Is All I Know, that I likewise cannot imagine her career languishing. She has a very bright future ahead of her in American cinema.” - Darryl MacDonald, Executive Director, Palm Springs International ShortFest
“Amazing Performances And Beautifully Directed” - Allison Anders, Filmmaker, Gas, Food & Lodging
“A Tour De Force…Moving, Painterly, Human…A Brilliant Film” - Jett Loe, FilmTalk
“Through excellent casting and classic storytelling Bayne has created an Oscar worthy unconventional love story” - Kimberly Jessie, The Huffington Post
“Scorecard: 10: This is a moving, fully realized film that showcases Academy Award winner Melissa Leo at her finest…” - Bruce Fessier, Desert Sun Review
“Emotional, haunting, and honest. Writer/Director Jordan Bayne allows the viewer to get pulled into the characters’ inner conflict.  Leo’s raw, jaw-dropping performance can take an audience’s breath away.  Gerety (The Wire) is so perfectly cast, he turns in an outstanding and multilayered performance. The film packs an emotional punch as is, reminding you that even in the darkest places, family, hope, and love can be found.” - Jessica Gardner, Back Stage.com
“With Bayne’s subtle, assured direction and powerful performances from Leo and Gerety, you won’t want to turn your back on The Sea.” - Christopher Wood, The Weekly Volcano
“The Sea Is All I Know starring Melissa Leo and Peter Gerety is powerful, haunting, and memorable. It is beautifully human, and a rare gem because of it, and it will stay with you long after the film ends.” - Henry K, Brave New Hollywood
“It is amazing so you are able to tell such a meaningful and intense story is such a short period of time. This film is wound so tight and so powerful that the you find that you were holding your breath throughout. The short is very smartly and sharply directed by Jordan Bayne.” - Media Mikes
“Bayne brilliantly juxtapositions the actors dialogue with symbolism. This short movie superbly tackles contentious moral issues with skillful acting and direction. Thoroughly recommended and thought provoking.” - Darren Cheers, Huffington Post
“It is a little gem of a movie that really does show off Jordan Bayne as a great script writer but also a fine craftswoman when it comes to weaving together storylines and character layers.” - Helen Earnshaw, Female First“Though very hilarious is she, Baynes directing hat is nothing to laugh at.” - Quanda Graves, California Crusader Newspaper
“Jordan Bayne’s poised and delicate direction and excellent acting from Leo and Gerety provides 28 minutes of poignant storytelling.” - Josh Lyons, The Coach Potato Club
“The film is an incredibly moving and immersive experience; filled with meaning and worthy of the highest praise.  I expect we’ll see much more from this bright young director in the future.” - Richard Lennox, Filmoria
“Probably the most important thing about filmmaking, is that you really know what your story is, and you restrict it to only the things that are necessary to tell that story. The Sea Is All I Know is a complete, short story about loss – and, perhaps, a little hope.” - Nicole Potter, Films in Review
“Rarely does so much emotions get packed into a short film, but Jordan Bayne showed her experience in crafting one that is as layered as it can get.  Recommended.” - A Nutshell Review
“Bayne’s 30-minute tale is the epitome of why short fiction filmmaking survives. It captures your attention from the start, hardly allows you to breathe along the way, and leaves you feeling as though your heart has been ripped from your chest as the credits roll and the haunting title song is played one last time. A nomination for The Sea Is All I Know would give credit where credit is due.” – Caitlin Colford, Paste Magazine
“Intimate, gripping and heart-wrenching, with raw and powerful performances from Leo, Gerety and Hutchinson. This was an beautiful film, which I recommend you see if you have the opportunity.”  - Olisa, Hey Do You.
“One of the buzziest (Oscar) possibilities, though, is Jordan Bayne’s The Sea Is All I Know which stars the LEOgend herself, Oscar winner Melissa Leo.” –  Nathaniel R, The Film Experience

“The Sea Is All I Know is beset by surprising moments of grace and human kindness.” Melissa Leo
“is something of a revelation here.” – Timothy E Raw – Cineoutsider
“(Melissa) Leo raises her game… Filled with great performances, and featuring an emotional punch that cannot be ignored, The Sea is All I Know is a short film that leaves a lasting impression.” – Big Thoughts from a Small Mind