When Death Comes Stealing  - Valerie Wilson Wesley. The beginning to the fabulously wonderful Tamara Hale mystery series. To say that it started with a bang is an accurate statement.

Song of Solomon - Toni Morrison. My favorite Toni Morrison novel. The reason why it is so probably lies in the fact that it was the first Morrison novel that I was able to read.

View from Here - Brian Keith Jackson. I don't know why Oprah hasn't picked this one yet, but I loved it.

Sister, Sister - Eric Jerome Dickey. Funny, interesting, just downright enjoyable. Plus, it's the introduction to one of my favorite characters in a good many years, Inda (like Linda without the L).

Things Fall Apart - Chinua Achebe. The very definition of the word classic!

B-Boy Blues: A Seriously Sexy, Fiercely Funny, Black-on-Black Love Story - James Earl Hardy. A wonderful book. A seriously fall down on the floor rolling with laughter book, that is also a wonderful portrait of a budding loving relationship. Not for the weak, homophobic heart.

Devil's Hatband - Robert O. Greer. Another wonderful beginning to an excellent black mystery series. The Devil's Hatband is the origin of C.J. Floyd, the bounty hunting, bails bondsman. One not to be missed.

Love like Gumbo - Nancy Rawles. Although I've reviewed this book, I find that I'm more impressed by it as time goes one. Especially, after reading other novels that fails to accomplish what Rawles easily does. Rawles is definitely one to watch out for.

Big Sea: An Autobiography - Langston Hughes. What can I say, I fell under the charms of the master.

Complete Short Stories - Zora Neale Hurston. Includes so-so stories to the King's Crown Jewels, such as "Sweat". Every library should have this one.

Blacker the Berry - Wallace Thurman. I have to say that floored me with this one and Infants Of The Spring. Blacker The Berry is the one that every African-American should read at least once in his lifetime.

Friends and Lovers - Eric Jerome Dickey. Dickey's second book. It shows a more mature effort by Dickey. A damn good read. Can't wait for his third one.

Bessie - Chris Albertson. The life and times of the great, Empress Of The Blues, Bessie Smith. An extraordinary introduction to an extraordinary life. You WILL be a fan of Bessie's by the time you finish reading this one.

Somebody Else's Child - Terris McMannis Grimes. The beginning of the Teresa Calloway mystery series. I love this one. It is not to be missed. Wait until you meet Teresa's Mama! Mama is to Teresa what Mouse is to Easy Rawlins...without the guns. An African-American heroine that has a 9 to 5, a husband, kids, bills, a nice sense of humor. She's a person that everyone of us knows and I love her and her mama. Check it out, you won't be disappointed.

Cold Medina - Gary Hardwick. The first novel of an author that doesn't get the attention that he should. Excellent mystery/ suspense novel that stays in THE REAL. Told in a confident, easy narrative with the force of a runaway train. I love Hardwick! Another new author that never leaves my mind for long. Because I'm constantly saying, "Where's the next book?"