African American Literature Book Club eNewsletter - January 7, 2001
Celebrating Our Literary Legacy!

VISIT OUR "FRESHLY" UPDATED COOK BOOK SECTION
http://www.aalbc.com/books/aa.htm

If the existence so many good African-American cookbooks surprises you - you won't be surprised after checking out our newly revised cookbook section - courtesy of our very own Thumper (bet you didn't know the brother could burn too!)

We hope to educate a little, sing the praises a lot, and bring your attention to some wonderful cookbooks by African-American food journalists and chefs. Also in this section, are a few Thumper's own recipes, along with some of his cooking tips, and links to some of his favorite food websites. If you love to eat don't miss this, the tastiest part of AALBC.com.



CHILDREN'S BOOKS
http://www.aalbc.com/books/children.htm

Bud, Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis
http://www.aalbc.com/books/2000.htm
This phenomenal book is the winner of both the 2000 Coretta Scott King Award and the 2000 Newbery Medal. Recommended for ages 9 to 12. Bud, Not Buddy set in Flint, Michigan 1936, is the story of ten-year-old Bud. His mother never told him who his father was, but she left a clue: posters of Herman E. Calloway and his famous band, the Dusky Devastators of the Depression! Bud's got an idea that those posters will lead to his father. Once he decides to hit the road and find this mystery man, nothing can stop him.

Black Books Galore!
http://www.aalbc.com/books/black3.htm

These are exciting times for African American children's literature. Never before have there been so many titles available. Now two of the mothers [Donna Rand & Toni Trent Parker] who founded Black Books Galore!-the nation's leading organizer of festivals of African American children's books share their expert advice on how to find and choose the best African American books in two new fully annotated guides-one featuring boys, and one featuring girls. Discover hundreds of young black heroes, heroines, and positive role models of every age in every category, including board books, story and picture books, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, history, biography, fables, and more. An invaluable tool for parents, teachers, and librarians.



THE COFFEE WILL MAKE YOU BLACK ON-LINE READING GROUP
http://aalbc.com/discussion/Reading_List.htm


Reading List 2001
http://aalbc.com/discussion/Reading_List.htm

We are pleased to announce our on-line reading group's reading list for the next 8 months:
Jan 2000 - Youngblood, by John Oliver Killens
Feb 2000 - Captain Blackman, by John Alfred Williams
Mar 2000 - DEM, by William Melvin Kelley
Apr 2000 - Anyplace but Here, by Arna Wendell Bontemps
May 2000 - Train Whistle Guitar, by Albert Murray
Jun 2000 - The Spyglass Tree, by Albert Murray
Jul 2000 - Jubilee, by Margaret Walker
Aug 2000 - Drop, by Mat Johnson

The list includes a combination of older classics, a highly touted first time author, Mat Johnson and two titles by an under recognized talent Albert Murray. Even if you don't participate in our reading group, check out these titles. Each of these books are excellent reads.


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/.



WHEN CHICKENHEAD COME HOME TO ROOST BY JOAN MORGAN
http://www.aalbc.com/books/when1.htm

When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost---My Life as a Hip-Hop Feminist
When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost is a decidedly intimate look into the life of the modern black woman: a complex world where feminists often have not-so-clandestine affairs with the most sexist of men; where women who treasure their independence often prefer men who pick up the tab; where the deluge of babymothers and babyfathers reminds black women, who long for marriage, that traditional nuclear families are a reality for less than 40 percent of the African-American population; and where black women are forced to make sense of a world where "truth is no longer black and white but subtle, intriguing shades of gray."



AN IMPORTANT MAGAZINE
African Voices Magazine "A Soulful Collection of Art & Literature"
http://www.africanvoices.com/

Published since 1993 African Voices Magazines stands tall and virtually alone in a sea of overly commercialized pabulum. This grassroots publication provides opportunities for emerging artists of color to gain experience and exposure. Many contributors have gone on to have their works published in Newsday, Black Enterprise, the New York Times and literary anthologies.

Publisher Carolyn Butts also exposes readers to new writers who are shaping the landscape of American literature. The magazine has published works from Junot Diaz, asha bandele, Jessica Care Moore and many others. We must support this publication!



STEP INTO A WORLD - EDITED BY KEVIN POWELL
A FREE AUDIO BOOK WITH PURCHASE FROM AALBC!
http://www.aalbc.com/authors/step_into_a_world.htm

As a special bonus to AALBC eNewsletter subscribers: Purchase Step into a World, directly from AALBC.com for $25 (including shipping, handling & tax) and get a free audio book [A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines or Volunteer Slavery by Jill Nelson] as a special thank you for your support. Even at $25, for the book alone, you are not likely to find this title for less! 

The list of contributors to this 470 page masterwork is a who's who list of young African-American writers - Jabari Asim, Paul Beatty, Farai Chideya, Trey Ellis, Ruth Forman, dream Hampton, Sarah Jones, Jake Lamar and over 100 other writers under 40 years of age. 

Nikki Giovanni says; "Step into a World is a kaleidoscope into the world not bound by artificial constructs like nation. John Coltrane recorded 'Giant Steps', which is a riff on the sight and sounds in his muse. Powell plays the computer with equal astuteness.

To qualify for the free audio book you must be an subscriber to this eNewsletter AND you must purchase the book through AALBC.com [use the paypal button NOT the BarnesandNoble.com link on the web page http://www.aalbc.com/authors/step_into_a_world.htm]. While supplies last.



CONTESTS
http://www.aalbc.com/fun/contest.htm

There are now six opportunities to win. We've even provided hints to some of more difficult questions, which have not been answered correctly. 

Finally, as an additional incentive to get those mental juices flowing those who previously answered incorrectly or who have won in the past are eligible to win until midnight January 14th.



EVENTS
THE 10TH ANNUAL ETHERIDGE KNIGHT FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
Friday, April 20th thru April 22nd, 2001, Indianapolis, IN

Featured Artists include Kalamu ya Salaam, from New Orleans, along with other national and local artists. This event will include a youth poetry contest, open mike, open stage, Caribbean night, Po-Rap-Try concert and youth & adult workshops. To Learn more about Etheridge Knight visit http://www.aalbc.com/authors/etheridg.htm

For more information about this event contact Eunice Knight-Bowens via e-mail at EKFestival@aol.com



AALBC.com privately maintains their mailing list. It not made available to outside parties. All recipients of this eNewsletter must subscribe to receive it. If this eNewsletter was forwarded to you, and you would like to receive your own subscription visit http://aalbc.com/listinfoadd/enewslettersignup 

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