1 - True to the Game III by Teri
Woods
2 - Purple Panties: An Eroticanoir.com Anthology by Zane
(Editor)
3 - Payback With Ya Life by Wahida Clark
4 - True to the Game by Teri Woods
5 - Succulent: Chocolate Flava II by Zane (Editor)
Nonfiction
1 - Hiding In Hip Hop - On The Down
Low in the Entertainment Industry from Music to Hollywood by
Terrance Dean
2 - Confessions of a Video Vixen by Karrine Steffans
3 - Don't Blame It on Rio: The Real Deal Behind Why Men Go to
Brazil for Sex by Jewel Woods
4 - The Vixen Diaries by Karrine Steffans
5 - Until Today!: Daily Devotions for Spiritual Growth and Peace
of Mind by Iyanla Vanzant
Boyd is an awarding
winning author and journalist who has published over a dozen books and
countless articles for national magazines and newspapers. Brotherman�The Odyssey of Black Men in America�An Anthology (One
World/Ballantine, 1995), co-edited with Robert Allen of the
Black Scholar journal, won the American Book Award for
nonfiction. In 1999, Boyd won three first place awards from the
New York Association of Black Journalists for his articles
published in the Amsterdam News. His most recent book is
Baldwin's Harlem: A Biography of James Baldwin.
The
author of the critically acclaimed novels Tumbling, Tempest
Rising, Blues Dancing, and Leaving Cecil Street, Diane
McKinney-Whetstone is the recipient of numerous awards,
including the Black Caucus of the American Library Association's
Literary Award for Fiction. She teaches fiction writing at the
University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Samad is a columnist and scholar, and the author of three
books. His previous works, Souls For Sale: The Diary of an
Ex-Colored Man, and 50 Years After Brown: The State of Black
Equality In America, were both national bestsellers and won
critical acclaim. Dr. Samad is an Associate Professor of
Political Science at East Los Angeles College, and is Managing
Director and Host of the Urban Issues Forum.
Clarke grew up
in Washington, D.C., and was educated at Webster College and
Howard University. Her writings have appeared in the anthologies
Contemporary Plays by Women of Color and Street Lights:
Illuminating Tales of the Urban Black Experience. She currently
administers the Editorial Diversity Program at Time Inc. in New
York City.
Orchester
Benjamin is an old school Hustler and ex-Black panther, 73 years
of age, who has spent a life time on the streets playing the
Game for fun and profit; now turned Researcher, Writer, and
Historian of the Game. His time is divided between his
children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, promoting his
books, enjoying the Urban/Street literature movement on all
levels, and working on the second book in his trilogy, Story of
the Game the Black Family play.
Walker is in a league of her own. This accomplished Christian
author and comedienne has an amazing mind and talent for turning
her observations of church and black church life, in particular,
into gems of sidesplitting humor. It is her own special gift
from God that enables G�Orge-Walker to depict the often
ridiculous antics of church folk. She does it without subverting
the Good News or watering down the potency of its message.
RECENT AALBC.COM BOOK & FILM REVIEWS, ARTICLES,
INTERVIEWS & VIDEOS
Attorney-turned-actor Hill Harper received
nothing but positive feedback a couple of years ago after the
release of
Letters to a Young Brother, his inspirational how-to book
aimed at African-American males. Its uplifting message
emphasized the value of a good education over the accumulation
of material possessions while also stressing the importance of
being the architect of your own life.
Still, everywhere he went, Hill was
surprised at how many women approached him about an opus
offering similar sensible advice for their daughters, so it was
only fitting that he would choose to write a companion text
entitled Letters to a Young Sister. With the help of a host of
celebrities from all walks of life, such as
Angela Bassett, Michelle Obama, Ruby Dee, Congresswoman
Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick,
Nikki
Giovanni,
Sanaa Lathan, Bishop Noel Jones, Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford,
Nia Long, Tatyana Ali, Lauren London and business executive
Cathy Hughes, he addresses a litany of concerns occupying the
inquiring minds of impressionable black females in their
formative years.
Boris Frederic
Cecil Tay-Natey Ofuatey-Kodjoe was born in Vienna, Austria on
March 8, 1973 to Eric, a physician from Ghana, and Ursula, a
psychologist from Germany. While attending Virginia
Commonwealth University on a tennis scholarship, the striking,
6�3� student-athlete was spotted by a talent scout and signed to
a contract with the Ford Modeling Agency. After appearing in ad
campaigns for Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis, Yves Saint Laurent and
The Gap, Boris blossomed into a rarity, one of the world's few
male supermodels. So, it's no surprise that he would one day be
named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World by People
Magazine.
Robert George Seale was born on
October 22, 1936 in Dallas, Texas where, from the age of six, he
was raised by his father to be a carpenter-builder and a
hunter-fisherman. During WWII, the family migrated to Northern
California where Bobby graduated from Berkeley High with plans
of becoming an architect.
However, those plans were put on hold when
he instead enlisted in the Air Force, serving for almost four
years, till being discharged for insubordination. He then moved
to Los Angeles to take a shot at showbiz as a stand-up comedian
and as a jazz musician, before returning to the Bay Area in
1961. The next year, while working the night shift,
full-time in the aerospace industry, Bobby attended Merritt
College as an Engineering Design major. It was during this
period of his life that he would meet Huey Newton and develop a
passion for grassroots organizing and progressive politics.
Does Muslim intolerance of Jews emanate from the creation of
Israel 60 years ago, or is it merely the reflection of a
deep-seated prejudice which is part and parcel of their
religion? This is the question relentlessly addressed in The
Legacy of Islamic Anti-Semitism: From Sacred Texts to Solemn
History an exhaustive study undertaken by Andrew Bostom, MD.
His 768-page opus, the result of years of scholarly research
into the subject, makes a persuasive argument that, while the
animosity currently exhibited by Muslims toward Jews might have
been further fueled by the Arab-Israeli conflict, such hatred is
a motif which has been around since the inception of Islam.
How dare the New Yorker put an automatic
weapon in her hands! Are they trying to get her killed? What the
heck is its rationale except to hint that she's a traitor guilty
of treason who deserves to be shot? And why link a natural
hairstyle with anti-American sentiments, as if to say that
African-Americans who don�t straighten their hair but wear it as
God intended are automatically suspicious and unpatriotic!
On Saturday,
June 28, 2008 at 8pm, presented by Festival Network in
partnership with Carnegie Hall and co-produced by Jill Newman
Productions, the JVC Jazz Festival brought Brooklyn's own
renaissance man, Dante Smith, a.k.a. Mos Def, to town with his
big band Amino Alkaline Orchestra, featuring special guest Gil
Scott Heron. Mos Def: Amino Alkaline � TheWatermelon Syndicate
rocked the dome of Carnegie Hall for a multi-generation audience
of what seemed like thousands. The show opened with Mos�
twenty-three piece band walking onto the stage and the image of
the late, legendary radio man, talk show host, and activist,
Petey Greene, shown overhead on a large screen above the stage,
eating watermelon. Petey Greene urged the audience to eat and
enjoy; perhaps a metaphor for the evening to come.
When Katrina Browne's grandmother wrote her
memoirs, one chapter revealed a long-suppressed secret, namely,
that the DeWolf family had been the most successful slave
traders in the entire United States. In fact, one ancestor,
United States Senator James DeWolf of Rhode Island, had become
the second richest person in America at the time of his death.
Are you a single guy who hasn�t had much luck
with ladies? If so, and you�re looking to change your fortunes
in a big way, you might like to read The Chronicles of a
Gentleman (The Untold Truth) by Leroy Sanders. You might also
want to read this book if you�re a single woman and concerned
about what types of games guys are running nowadays to get you
in bed. In fact, this book is so entertaining I recommend it
heartily to anyone just for the laughs. Anyone over 18, that is,
because love guru Sanders is prone to peppering his sage sex
advice with plenty of salty language.
Jesse Jackson,
Sr.'s "live mike" comments about Barack Obama reminds us that
there's always someone laying in the cut to divide and conquer
black America. For once, Black America seems to be all on the
same page in Obama quest to become the nation's (real) first
black President.
Remember, the only reason the statements even came to light
in the first place was because conservative talk show host, Bill
O'Reilly, intended to out Jesse (and swiftboat Barack) on his
show last week � but Jesse came forward first with the apology
and it became a non-story.
Edward Lansing
Gordon, III was born in Detroit in 1960. Both his parents,
Ed and Jimmie, were schoolteachers, although his father is
best remembered for winning a gold medal in the long jump at
the 1932 Olympics. Ed credits them both with instilling in
him his dedication to the tireless work ethic which served
him well while earning his B.A. in communications and
political science at Western Michigan University and
subsequently in his Emmy-winning career as a television
journalist.
Lisa Marie
Diane Kudrow was born in Encino, California on July 30, 1963
to Nedra, a travel agent, and Lee, a physician specializing
in headaches. Lisa came belatedly to acting, having focused
more on athletics and academics both in high school and in
college. She attended Vassar where she earned a BS in
Psychobiology while playing tennis on the school's varsity
team.
In her recently released novel, Trading Dreams At Midnight,
acclaimed author Diane McKinney-Whetstone brings us a
hauntingly beautiful story of mothers and daughters, love
and pain. The author threads issues of mental illness,
alcoholism, broken marriages, prejudice, racism, and
neighborhood gentrification throughout her novel. Although
at times soft, it is still a hard-hitting, bittersweet novel
about a family of black women who stand tough as times get
tougher.
The author tells the story of Nona, Shay
and Sunshine with much clarity, depth and poetry. The scenes
are vivid offering a mental picture of the little cottage
where Nona and Sunshine live. You can smell the flowers and
herbs in Nona's garden, and taste the healthy meals she
cooks as well as hear her singing as she prepares them.
Carleen Brice is an amazing new author who has written an
equally amazing first novel. Her story of love, pain,
understanding and forgiveness speaks to the heart of women
readers who enjoy a good tear-jerker. It kept me laughing
from the very first chapter. As well, it brought tears of
compassion to my eyes for Shay and Nona. Orange Mint and
Honey is a five-star read.
Passman addresses virtually every question you can think of,
structuring his invaluable advice in the logical order in
which it will be needed by the neophyte. He suggests that
you start your assault on the industry by assembling a team
of advisors which ought to include a personal manager, a
lawyer, a business manager and an agent.
The next section breaks down every aspect of a record deal,
from advances to royalties to albums to videos to marketing
to touring to merchandising. Next, he focuses on an often
overlooked area, intellectual property, which is comprised
of copyrighting, publishing and songwriting. And the text
subsequently answers an array of ancillary inquiries about
creative control, bootlegging, fees and financing.
I know that Mr. McWhorter's prior work
has generally been dismissed by his detractors as the rants
of an effete, out-of-touch, neo-con. I probably trashed a
couple of his earlier books myself. However, this one is
worth reading, if only for its highlighting a serious flaw
in African-American culture which allows cadence to serve as
a substitute for substance and critical thinking.
With a new
identity, a new city to live in, and a wonderful new husband,
Rachel Moore believes she's finally free of the demons in her
past. But nothing could be farther from the truth. For the
deadly secrets she thought were long-buried are now on the brink
of being exposed�
Someone has a vendetta against Rachel. Someone whom she
betrayed a long time ago. Someone who is determined to make her
pay�no matter the cost�
Now Rachel knows it's just a matter of time before her
dangerous past meets up with her present�and destroys everything
she's worked so hard for. Because if there's one thing that can
be counted on�her enemy never forgets or forgives and will do
whatever it takes to see Rachel suffer...
Up From Rock Bottom is a poignant and inspiring work that is
meant to encourage and strengthen people who have experienced or
are experiencing life's darkest hours. Up From Rock Bottom is a
compilation of real stories shared by various individuals from
different socio-economic backgrounds. Each person candidly
recounts compelling, emotional and intimate details about their
�rock bottom� experiences.
National Indie Excellence Book Award Finalist; Long Walk Up
is gripping tale of a young orphan girl's journey from
poverty and despair en route to her remarkable and triumphant
destiny.
For a limited time only, order directly from the
publisher and save 50%
A bright and talented young African-American girl, Danielle
Webb lives in an upper-middle-class neighborhood along the
central California coast and attends a private elementary school
with her best friend, Francesco. However, her life takes an
unexpected turn when her father's business fails, placing a
financial and emotional strain on the entire family.
After many months of slamming doors and angry whispers, her
parents separate, and ten-year-old Danielle must leave her cozy,
familiar world to attend a public junior high school, where she
faces the challenge of fitting in and making new friends. For
the first time in her life, she must confront issues related to
race, social class, and the importance of religion in the
African American community.
In time, Danielle befriends Maya, a cheerful, religious girl.
As their friendship grows, the girls learn from one another and
ultimately develop a deeper appreciation of culture, family, and
spirituality. Trinity Soup shows how Danielle's strength and
determination help her to overcome the challenges in her life.
Join Daniel Tisdale, CEO
of
Harlem World Magazine, Inc., and his discussion with Claudia
Sampson of LEEDS CONSULTING, regarding Surviving Today's
Economic Environment: Staying Ahead of the Curve and Curving
Your Spending Habits. Ms. Sampson heads up LEEDS CONSULTING, a
full-service business that provides complete admissions
coaching/consulting for individuals seeking MBAs, executives
interested in re-tooling their professional lives through
coaching and career management tools.
July 26 - Philadelphia,
PA - The Gallery at Market East
August 9 - Greensboro, NC - Four Seasons Towne Center
August 16 - Atlanta, GA - Perimeter Mall
August 23 - Southfield, MI - Northland Mall
September 6 - Valley Stream, NY - Green Acres Mall
Special Offer for Book Clubs! Bring 5 or more members of your book club to Antigua for the
Festival, and we�ll arrange for a private dinner for your group
and one of our authors at a premiere Antiguan restaurant. You choose from a list of participating authors�first come,
first served, so act quickly! (AALBC.com
members contact Troy Johnson for more information). The Festival will pay transportation costs and the author's
meal tab, and make all necessary arrangements for your party.
All-inclusive Hotel Package $805 per person*
Includes:
Accommodation for 4 nights/5 days
Registration for full participation in Festival
All meals and house brand drinks
Transfers from airport to hotel and return
Hotel taxes and service fees
Entertainment on property
based on double occupancy; extra nights $135 per person
The
2008 African American Literary Awards Show - Thursday, September
25, 2008, Harlem, NY
http://literaryawardshow.com
2008 awards banquet will be
held at the Harlem Gatehouse, 150 Convent Avenue at West 135th
Street, New York, NY. General admission tickets for the
awards show and dinner are $75.00 in advance and $85.00 (cash)
at the door. Advanced tickets can be purchased by mail and must
be received by Friday, September 19, 2008.
The nominees have been announced, voting for winners will
begin soon.
Order before August 15th and Save 33% on the Power Campaign.
Your book appears on the the top of the homepages of three of the
oldest and most popular web sites that sell Black books:
AALBC.com,
CushCity.com, and
MosaicBooks.com.
Your book cover can run for two Weeks only $299, or 4 four weeks only
$599. Orders must be placed by August 15th. Ads may
run anytime in 2008. To get started email
info@mosaicbooks.com
If you receive a text version of this newsletter and would like
to read a version with the images included please visit:
http://aalbc.com/news_june2008.htm
Fiction
Nonfiction
Herb Boyd
Diane Mckinney-Whetstone
Dr. Anthony Asadullah Samad
Breena Clarke
Orchester Benjamin
Pat G'Orge-Walker
Letters
to a Young Sister by Hill Harper - Book Review
Boris
Kodjoe - The All about Us - Interview
Bobby
Seale - Seizing the Time with the Black Panther Founder - Interview
The
Legacy of Islamic Anti-Semitism: From Sacred Texts to Solemn
History Edited by Andrew G. Bostom, MD, Foreword by Ibn Warraq -
Book Review
Unforgivable!
New Yorker Cover Depicts the Obamas as Terrorists - Op Ed
Mos
Def: Amino Alkaline � The Watermelon Syndicate rocked the dome
of Carnegie Hall by DuEwa Frazier
Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North PBS Film
Review by Kam Williams
The Chronicles of a Gentleman (The Untold Truth) by Leroy
Sanders - Book Review
Come
On, Jesse: Don't Hate The Playa, Hate The Game! - Op Ed
Ed Gordon - The Daddy's Promise Interview
with Kam Williams
Lisa
Kudrow - The Kabluey Interview and Film Review
Trading
Dreams at Midnight: A Novel by Diane Mckinney-Whetstone -
Book Reviewed by Idrissa Uqdah
Orange Mint and Honey by Carleen Brice
- Book Reviewed by Idrissa Uqdah
All
You Need to Know about the Music Business (Sixth Edition) by
Donald S. Passman, Esq. - Book Review
All about the Beat: Why Hip-Hop Can't Save Black America
by John H. McWhorter - Book Review
Don't Ever Tell
by Brandon Massey 
Up From Rock Bottom
by
Alicia Williams
Long Walk
Up: Childhood Journey from Tragedy to Triumph by Denise Turney
Trinity
Soup by Carolyn Ortiz
Surviving
Today's Economy - July 24, 2008 at 6:30 pm 
The
Divas of Literature Tour
The
Antigua & Barbuda International Literary Festival - November
7-9, 2008 - Jolly Beach Resort & Spa
The
2008 African American Literary Awards Show - Thursday, September
25, 2008, Harlem, NY
