Books for Summer

There are a lot of interesting books that have either just come out or are coming up. I'm going to be getting some of these, but I know I won't get to review them for awhile. So I'm just going to pick some, throw up some links and hopefully help introduce them to some readers who haven't heard about them otherwise.

If you know of a hot book coming out this summer, post it in the comments. It's really important to get the sales going in the first few weeks and months of publication. And if money is tight - request a copy from your local library. Library orders matter.

So today, I found Felicia Pride's interview with Farai Chideya, whose debut novel, Kiss the Sky is out.
Read the Pride interview.
Buy it: Amazon Charis Powells


And I'm really curious about Percival Everett's I Am Not Sidney Poitier. Mostly because of what Martha Southgate posted about Sapphire's PUSH and the movie based on it, Precious.

I think of PUSH as one of the most wrenching books I've ever read. It didn't offend me - I thought it was beautiful and crushing, similar to the way The Bluest Eye affected me years ago. Sapphire gives us just one (horrendous and tough) story of the human experience.

Anyway, Martha says that Everett's Erasure is the counterpoint - a funny, intelligent one - to PUSH. So, I'll start with that novel of his. Here are the details on I Am Not Sidney Poitier.
Reviews: Time Out New York


Buy it: Amazon

Quick links - better than none!

Life has been doubly busy for me in my "real-world" incarnation. So I'm trying to get back in the groove and figured I could post a few links.

Here's an excerpt I can't wait to read - from Otto Penzler's Black Noir: Mystery, Crime and Suspense Fiction by African American Writers.

I love mysteries and am intrigued by how race is presented in the genre.


The NY Daily News has a story on African American romances and how the success of some authors is gaining notice and lucrative contracts. It's really interesting to me that the romance authors are so prolific, even though many of them still work day jobs.

Black Voices has reviewed Children of the Waters, by Carleen Brice. I am already committed to buying it and the review confirms that decision ;).

Publishers Weekly has an item on the African American programming at BEA this week.

Notes late at night

It's been a long time ... I shouldn't have left you (or something like that, I have terrible recall for hip hop line and movie plots).

Anyway, I've been reading about Colson Whitehead's new novel, Sag Harbor. But it wasn't until I read this review in Time that I felt (feel)compelled to read it. Even though I have never owned a beach home, I really did say dag and listen to Tears for Fears.


Alice Walker at Emory
The exhibit from Alice Walker's papers is now open at Emory University in Atlanta. I'm a proud Emory grad and a lover of Alice Walker's work. I hope to make it to ATL by the end of September to see the exhibit.