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AALBC.com eNewsletter - April 9th, 2004

 Celebrating Our Literary Legacy! 

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Congratulations to Edward P. Jones Winner of the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his first Novel The Known World
http://www.aalbc.com/reviews/theknownworld.htm

However, not everyone sees a reason for celebration: http://www.thumperscorner.com/discus/messages/1/1031.html?1081521025

 

AALBC.com BEST-SELLER LISTS - MARCH 2004
http://books.aalbc.com/bestsellers.htm

Fiction

#1 - Bad Girlz: A Novel by Shannon Holmes
#2 - Black by Tracy Brown
#3 - A Hustler's Wife by Turner, Nikki
#4 - Dumb as Me: Women Gave Him Comfort, Misusing Them Gave Him More by Michael Gainer
#5 - The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni by Nikki Giovanni
 

 

Nonfiction

#1 - Satan, I'm Taking Back My Health! by Jawanza Kunjufu
#2 - Quitting America: The Departure of a Black Man from His Native Land by Randall Robinson
#3 - Donald Writes No More: A Biography of Donald Goines by Eddie Stone
#4 - Darkwater: Voices from within the Veil by W. E. B. Du Bois
#5 - The MIS-Education of the Negro by Carter Godwin Woodson
 

 

View the complete best seller list at http://books.aalbc.com/bestsellers.htm


 

RECENT AALBC.COM BOOK REVIEWS & ARTICLES
http://www.aalbc.com/reviews/book_reviews.htm

 

A Distant Shore by Caryl Phillips
http://reviews.aalbc.com/adistant.htm

"Caryl Phillips may have out done himself with his newest novel, A Distant Shore. It is in my opinion one of the most accomplished works I have read this year. The structure is unique. The plot is deceivingly simple and impressive. The writing . . . masterful. All the right ingredients for a good fiction novel have been whipped together for a wonderful read."
�Read the Rest of Linda Watkins' Review

 

Article - The Blair Bamboozle A Fiction Writer�s Encounter With Jayson Blair by Brian Egeston
http://reviews.aalbc.com/theblairbamboozle.htm

"His nails were grimy. He was unshaven. A thin layer of hair atop his head brushed some days ago for the first time in a while. A navy blue off-the-rack suit, too long for his limbs, draped from his body wrinkled as though he�d just awakened from a nap. A misfit of buttons lined the sleeve of his jacket.  Two buttons in a row, then a broken one, then the crumb of a button holding on to a single piece of thread. A rayon or polyester or mixed blend shirt tried its best to camouflage the bulge leaning over a belt pulled too far through loops. A cardinal sin of fashion had been committed�black belt brown shoes. Worn over shoes. Shoes curling at the toe more suited for a ride on magic carpets. Grayish-greenish socks with the heel turned to the front fit like an accordion around his ankle.  He shifted. Before doing so, I knew it would be there. Dry skin. Ash. The kind that embarrassed mothers."

 

Article - Never Die Alone: Goines Adaptation Marks Cultural History by Tracy Grant
http://reviews.aalbc.com/neverdiealone.htm

"Capitalizing on the popularity of hip-hop culture, rap music, and the rise of urban novels, Fox Searchlight Pictures this month [March 2004] brings �Never Die Alone� � a gritty, realistic look at the world of guns, money, power and drugs � to the big screen. �Never Die Alone� stars rapper/actor DMX in an action film set in the shady underworld of street life, where cunning and violence are the keys to success."

 

Standing in the Need of Prayer: A Celebration of Black Prayer
http://www.aalbc.com/reviews/standing.htm

"Standing in the Need of Prayer is a book dedicated the diverse and powerful subject of Black prayer. The photographs and other anthropological artifacts were compiled by the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York. In fact, Howard Dobson, the director of the center is the driving force behind this visually stunning book. The book primarily draws the conjecture that spirituality and particularly prayer are very much a part of Black culture. The research encompasses a multinational viewpoint of Blacks through out the globe. It hones in on the ancestors of the people whom were displaced during the African Diaspora." �Read the Rest of Rondall Brasher's Review

 

Black Power Inc.: The New Voice of Success by Cora Daniels
http://www.aalbc.com/reviews/blackpowerinc.htm

"This book is a must have for anyone who thinks they know the rules of the game. Black Power Inc. will institute its self as a testament to the only way to �fight the power� is to become the power. Daniels has gone a long way to distinguish that the battlefield has moved to the boardroom. And quite frankly, we are running short on true soldier.." �Read the Rest of Rondall Brasher's Review

 

Fourplay: The Dance of Sensuality by Brenda L. Thomas
http://www.aalbc.com/reviews/fourplay.htm

"Fourplay�the Dance of Sensuality, the latest novel by Brenda L. Thomas, is the continuing story of Sasha Boranni from Thomas�s first novel Threesome. I had not read Threesome or had any idea what to expect with Fourplay. I did not like the novel when I started reading it. Adhering to my 100 page rule, I kept at it. By the time I reached page 100, the novel had grown on me. But, despite the few major problems I had with Fourplay, I liked it." �Read the Rest of Thumper's Review
 


 

AALBC.com RECOMMENDS


PRECIOUS TIMES Magazine

http://www.precioustimesmag.com

Precious Times Magazine's goal is to assist Black women to grow in their relationship with God, self and others. Precious Times addresses the Life and Times issues of being Black, Female and Christian. Precious Times provides biblical perspectives with contemporary applications on marriage, singleness, work, health/fitness, sex, parenting, fashion, friendship and self, utilizing informative and motivational article on everyday living. Precious Times also includes interviews with interesting and relevant personalities.

 

BackList
http://www.abacklist.com

BackList is a monthly publishing and literary newsletter of African-American interest. Each issue is an intelligent and timely discussion of publishing, writing, and reading trends. March marked the first issue of BackList.

 

Stanford Professional Publishing Course
 http://publishingcourses.stanford.edu

A handful of motivated publishing professionals will have their careers transformed this summer and will go on to change the industry. Care to join them? Stanford University's unique Professional Publishing Course immerses mid-career professionals in publishing trends, strategies, and best practices. One alumnus called it "the single most intensive course in publishing that I have ever attended." July 16-24. Apply: http://publishingcourses.stanford.edu

 


 

AUTHORS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Nathan C. Heard
http://authors.aalbc.com/nathanheard.htm

Nathan C. Heard is considered one of the forefathers of "street literature".  Heard's first novel Howard Street, published in 1968, depicts the underbelly of inner-city life of Black America.  Howard Street sold more than 1 million copies.

Vanessa Miller
http://authors.aalbc.com/vanessa.htm

Vanessa Miller of Dayton, Ohio is an author, playwright and motivational speaker. Her stage productions include: Get You Some Business, Don�t Turn Your Back on God and Can�t You Hear Them Crying.

Vanessa is currently promoting her first two novels in the five-book Rain Series: Former Rain and Abundant Rain. The other three novels, Latter Rain, Rain Storm and After the Rain, are scheduled for release in 2004 and 2005. Vanessa believes that her God-given destiny is to write and produce plays and novels that bring deliverance to God�s people.

Hallema
http://authors.aalbc.com/hallema.htm

Hallema is the author of Mass Deception.  Mass Deception is a story of love, lust, and lies. It's a gender-bending love story with a twist. Hallema takes you on a journey through the life of Toni T. Goodwin a twenty something advertising executive with a big title and an even bigger secret. This books taps into your deepest emotions and makes you wonder; How well do you know the person with whom you sleep? How well do you know yourself? Fasten your seatbelt and hold on because this ride is filled with twist, turns and laughter promises to be a thrill.

Carmi L. Johnson
http://authors.aalbc.com/carmiljohnson.htm

Author of Mommy, why did you choose your boyfriend over me? Johnson explains; Mothers come under the most criticism for abandoning their children. Others complain, children do not come with a "set of instructions". Fears caused by a parent leaving or abandoning the child(ren) with one parent, can have a mental or physical effect on a child(ren) advancing in daily life. The primary concern for the child(ren) are at risk. The importance of having a Mother in their lives is as vital as water is to our bodies.


 

AFRICAN AMERICAN BOOKS TO BE RELEASED MAY 2004
http://books.aalbc.com
 

On the Down Low: A Journey Into the Lives of "Straight" Black Men Who Sleep With Men
http://aalbc.com/cgi/aws/apf4.cgi?item_id=0767913981&search_type=AsinSearch&locale=us

by James L. King, Foreword by E. Lynn Harris

Delivering the first frank and thorough investigation of life "on the down low," (the D.L.) J. L. King exposes a closeted culture of sex between black men who lead "straight" lives. The trend is proving to have skyrocketing health consequences for wives and girlfriends unwittingly caught in the double lives of their men: African American women represent 68 percent of new HIV cases, and an alarming one out of 160 black women carries the virus, compared to one in 3,000 white women.

Drawn from hundreds of interviews, statistics, and the author's firsthand knowledge of D.L. behavior, On the Down Low reveals the warning signs and protective measures every African American woman needs to know. Providing a long-overdue wake-up call, J. L. King bravely puts the spotlight on a topic that has until now remained dangerously taboo. Volatile yet vital, On the Down Low is sure to be one of the most talked-about books of the year.


 

EVENTS
http://www.aalbc.com/events/

QBR's Harlem Book Fair 2004 - Harlem, NY - Tuesday, July 20 - Sunday, July 25, 2004
http://www.qbr.com

It�s time for the 6th Harlem Book Fair! This, the largest African American book fair of its kind, is expected to draw more than 40,000 New Yorkers and visitors to West 135th Street (from Fifth Avenue to Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevards) in Harlem. Over 250 booths will be set up along West 135th Street offering books, story-telling, readings, and opportunities to meet and greet authors on four stages that will feature spoken word poets, celebrities, and music throughout the day. Visit www.qbr.com for program details.

 

The RAWSISTAZ Affair 2004: Addicted to Books
http://www.rawsistaz-affair.com/

The Reading and Writing SISTAZ (RAWSISTAZ) Online Book Club is pleased to announce the Annual RAWSISTAZ Affair to be held at the Crystal Gate Marriott in Arlington, VA, right across the bridge from D.C.  This three day literary conference will take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 18-20, 2004 with a theme of "Addicted to Books." Their goal is to promote and celebrate African-American literature and unite with their fellow RAWSISTAZ (and friends) spread across the U.S.

They plan to have a literary ball in Arlington with book-signings, author readings, panel discussions, literary games & trivia, and keynote addresses by Zane and Leslie Esdaile. Their presentation of authors will be held on Saturday and is open to the public.  On Saturday night they'll have a semi-formal Literary Banquet and Awards Ceremony.

 

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

March 2004 Selection

The Coffee Will Make You Black reading group is currently reading Rendezvous Eighteenth by Jake Lamar

Our chat session is scheduled for Sunday, April 11th, 2004 at 6:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time . If you have already read Rendezvous Eighteenth and would like to participate in our on-line chat session; please join us in our chat room http://www.thumperscorner.com/chat/

Visit http://thumperscorner.com/Reading_List.htm to view the rest of The Coffee Will Make You Black on-line reading group's reading list for 2004

 

Read the chat transcript from our February 2004 chat with author Delores Phillips author of The Darkest Child http://thumperscorner.com/deloresphillipschat.htm


 

CONTEST
http://fun.aalbc.com/contest.htm

AALBC.com's April 2004 Contests have been posted.


 

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