AALBC.com eNewsletter, February 5, 2001 |
African
American Literature Book Club eNewsletter - February 5, 2001
Celebrating Our Literary Legacy!
AALBC'S YEAR 2000 BESTSELLERS
Best-Selling Poetry Book
She by Saul Stacey Williams -
http://aalbc.com/authors/saul.htm
Best Selling CD
Eargasms: Crucialpoetics, Vol. 1 -
http://aalbc.com/authors/saul.htm
Best Selling Book Nonfiction
The African American Writers Handbook: How to Get in Print and Stay in Print: by
Robert Fleming -
http://aalbc.com/books/the_aa_writers_handbook.htm
Best Selling Novel
Not a Day Goes By by E. Lynn Harris -
http://aalbc.com/authors/e.htm
Best Selling Book Sold Directly by AALBC.com
Step into a World: A Global Anthology of the New Black Literature - Edited by
Kevin Powell -
http://www.aalbc.com/authors/step_into_a_world.htm
Best Sellling Magazine
Mosaic Literary Magazine -
http://www.aalbc.com/writers/mosaic.htm
A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT - TOP NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLERS LIST! http://www.aalbc.com/authors/terry.htm Ms. McMillan's anxiously awaited novel, A Day Late and a Dollar Short, released, January 15th 2001, has rocketed to the top of the current New York Times Best-Seller's List. "A Day Late and a Dollar Short is tearing up many other bestseller's Lists including AALBC.com's (http://www.aalbc.com/books/bestsellers.htm) and Cushcity.com's (http://www.cushcity.com/bsbk101.htm).
Read an AALBC.com review written by Paige Turner http://www.aalbc.com/authors/aalbc.htm
You may also read an excerpt http://www.aalbc.com/authors/excerpt11.htm
TWO EXCELLENT BOOKS - SUBJECT: INCARCERATION
Last Man Standing: The Tragedy and Triumph of
Geronimo Pratt
by Jack Olsen
http://aalbc.com/books/biograph.htm
This is an incredible story! Geronimo Pratt, a former Black Panther Party leader who was framed authorities for a murder he did not commit. Pratt served 27 years behind bars until a coalition of clergy and lawyers (including the Johnnie L. Cochran) was able free him. Pratt recently won a $4.5 million civil settlement. It was the first time that the FBI was forced to acknowledge that it helped to railroad an innocent man.
The Prisoner's Wife: A Memoir
by ashe bandele
http://aalbc.com/books/the1.htm
How did a beautiful, talented college student fall in love with a man serving twenty to life for murder? And why did she marry him? At a time when one in four black men are caught in the web of the criminal justice system, Asha Bandele shatters the myths of prisoners' wives and tells a story of embracing the beauty of love in the ugliest circumstances and of people's ability to change, to do better, to grow. Whether she is describing her restricted but romantic courtship with Rashid - when letters were like dates, like "whispers on the slow, blue-light dance floor" - or riding the bus upstate with the other wives and girlfriends, Asha Bandele creates haunting images and reflections so powerful and unique that they beg to be reread and savored.
CHILDREN'S BOOKS - CORETTA SCOTT KING AWARD
WINNERS
http://www.aalbc.com/books/children.htm
Miracle's Boys
by Jacqueline Woodson
http://www.aalbc.com/books/2001.htm
Jacqueline Woodson won the 2001 Coretta Scott King Author Award for Miracle's Boys, a moving tale of one family's struggle to make a better life for themselves despite overwhelming odds and terrible tragedy. Woodson is also the winner of two previous Coretta Scott King Honors Awards.
Uptown
by Bryan Collier
http://www.aalbc.com/books/2001.htm
Collier won the 2001 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award. Uptown is a rich mix of flavors, colors, sounds, and cultures that come together to create a vibrant community like no other in the world. Seen through the eyes of one little boy who lives there, the details of life in Harlem are as joyous as a game of basketball on a summer's afternoon and as personal as a trip to the barbershop where old-timers reminisce. Bryan Collier's spare, poetic text and beautiful, intricate illustrations evoke every aspect of Harlem, from the legendary Apollo Theater to chocolate-colored brownstones, weekend shopping on 125th Street, and the music of Duke Ellington.
Bud, Not Buddy
by Christopher Paul Curtis
http://www.aalbc.com/books/2000.htm
Yes, I know I mentioned this book last month; but I just finished reading it to my 7 and 8 year old children and they loved it! I was touching, very funny - just a good story. Adults will like it too. This phenomenal book is the winner of both the 2000 Coretta Scott King Award and the 2000 Newbery Medal.
A BOOK TARGETED TO HIP-HOP FANS
Street Sweeper - by Ronin Ro
http://www.aalbc.com/books/street1.htm
The Syndicate, an innovative new publishing company co-founded by Wesley Snipes and the editors of W.W. Norton's award-winning OLD SCHOOL BOOKS, have released their first [S]Affiliated fiction titles. Street Sweeper, in the tradition of Donald Goines and Iceberg Slim, "is a gritty, action packed and a little rough. But they are also first class page turners that explore all facets of hip hop culture� and come complete with soundtracks by Def Jam."
THE COFFEE WILL MAKE YOU BLACK ON-LINE READING GROUP
Next Monthly Book Chat Session
http://aalbc.com/discussion/Reading_List.htm
The Coffee Will Make You Black reading group is currently reading "Youngblood" by John Oliver Killens. Our chat session is scheduled for Wednesday, February 7th, 2001, 9:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time. If you have already read "Youngblood", and would like to participate in our on-line chat session; please join us in our new chat room http://www.aalbc.com/vchat/.
AN IMPORTANT MAGAZINE
The Network Journal
"Black Professionals and Small Business Magazine"
http://www.tnj.com/
Publisher Aziz Gueye Adetimirin, editor Njeru Waithaka and the rest of the network journal staff provide a much needed service to our community - a serious magazine for the small business owner. In The Network Journal you'll find more substance than celebrity.
"The goal of The Network Journal is to empower African-Americans through knowledge. The need for entrepreneurs and black professionals to come together and be strengthened economically is more important today than ever before. The Network Journal recognizes this reality and aims to publicize the accomplishments and contributions of African-Americans to the society in which we live. Each monthly issue includes profiles of successful business people, as well as articles on new management techniques, marketing ideas, legal matters, taxes, and office technology". Apply on-line and your first issue is FREE.
The Network Journal also welcomes all articles of interest to the African American, Caribbean American and African Business community.
MORE NOTEWORTHY ON-LINE BLACK BOOK STORES
Angel's Book Store
http://www.angelsbookstore.com/
This on-line book store boasts over 12,000 books of interest to the African-American Community. The subject groups are pretty exhaustive and the fiction area lists almost 1,000 books.
Cushcity.com
http://www.cushcity.com/
Cushcity.com is the African-American communities answer to Amazon.com. Featuring books, videos, toys, software, apparel, collectible, and more, Cushcity.com has a lot to offer.
Mosaic Books
http://www.mosaicbooks.com/
Mosaicbooks.com is one of the leading African American literary sites on the Internet. Started in May 1996 Mosaicbooks.com has been cited in Essence, December 2000 "Virtual Literature" and June '98 as "one of our favorite soulful cyber hangouts;" Black Enterprise, March '99 "BE's Top 50 Websites.
IMPORTANT EVENTS
2001 Black Writers Reunion & Conference
http://www.blackwriters.org
Date: Friday-Sunday, August 3-5, 2001 Location: Renaissance Dallas North Hotel, Dallas, Texas Conference registration: $165-$215
Friday and Saturday offer over 25 workshops on writing, publishing, and marketing led by renowned literary talents such as editor Carol Taylor (Brown Sugar), literary agent Denise Stinson, authors Kathleen Cross (Skin Deep) and many others. Robert Fleming, author of THE AFRICAN AMERICAN WRITERS HANDBOOK (top 10 AALBC.com best-selling book for 2000), will deliver the keynote address during the Gold Pen Awards Banquet.
You'll also be able to meet hundreds of authors and writers during the 50-Author Expo. This event is not to be missed.
London Book Fair
http://www.lbf-virtual.com/
Date: Sunday 25 March to Tuesday 27 March Location: Olympia, London
London Book Fair brings together over 20,000 members of the publishing community from 100 countries under one roof at Olympia in March. 1,500 companies from 45 countries are represented covering all areas of the book trade, including: General Trade, Childrens, Academic/STM, Publishing Solutions, Retailing Solutions, International Groups, Remainder & Promotional and Small Press A total gathering of over 20,000 publishing and bookselling professionals from 100 countries attend the London Book Fair, including: Booksellers/Retailers, Publishers, Literary Agents, Librarians, Print & Production Personnel, Authors, Designers/Illustrators, Teachers/Lecturers LBF also attracts over 500 trade and consumer media looking for titles, products and services to feature in their extensive coverage of the Fair.
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The African American Literature Book Club's goal is to increase everyone's knowledge of the richness of African American Literature, satisfy your on-line book buying needs and serve as a resource for aspiring authors and professional writers. There are NO membership fees -- just continue reading the work and sharing your ideas. To learn more about AALBC.com visit: http://www.aalbc.com/aboutus.htm
Peace
Troy Johnson,
Founder AALBC.com