The Ultimate Top 10 Books Lists, Great New Books, Black Classic Press Celebrates 40 Years, and More!
Please join us as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Black Classic Press hosted by the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. We will be celebrating a full weekend, May 18–20. On Friday May 18, there will be a welcome reception celebrating the literary arts. Saturday, May 19, there will be a Black book fair, discussions at the museum, and a Gala of Gratitude.
Buy your tickets for the Gala or place an ad in the souvenir book. To purchase your tickets over the phone, please call Black Classic Press at 410-242-6954.
Terrific Books Coming Out Soon
On AALBC you can always be the first to learn about great books before they are published by visiting our books coming out soon page. Here are just a few:
Raisins in Milk by David Covin
“David Covin has mastered the art of storytelling. If you want to read a novel that presents a portrait of resilience, this is one for you.” —Brenda M. Greene is Professor of English, Medgar Evers College, CUNY (AALBC Book Review)
Book Clubs are invited to choose Raisins in Milk as one of their upcoming books. Members of Those clubs which choose Raisins will receive the book for $10 (instead of the general retail price of $15) if they order it prior to the publication date (of June 1, 2018). The books will be shipped free of charge. Additionally, one club member will receive a free copy for agreeing to write either a blurb or a review of the book. Read an excerpt.
Sisters and Champions: The True Story of Venus and Serena Williams by Howard Bryant, Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Everyone knows the names Venus & Serena Williams. They’ve become synonymous with championships, hard work, and with shaking up the tennis world. This picture book, by an award-winning sports journalist, details the sisters’ journey from a barely-there tennis court in Compton, CA, to becoming the #1 ranked women in the sport of tennis.
Night Hawks: Stories by Charles Johnson
This new collection of short stories from National Book Award winner Charles Johnson offers an eclectic, engaging range of narratives, tied together by Buddhist themes and displaying all the grace, heart, and insight for which he has long been known.
In “The Weave,” Leesha and her boyfriend carry out a heist at the salon from which she has just been fired — coming away with thousands of dollars of merchandise in the form of hair extensions. Read the “The Weave.”
Strut by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie
Strut, Tallie’s second book of poetry, emerges from an intense engagement with contemporary issues of crucial importance in our historical moment — ranging from global warming, genocide, capitalism, and racism to sexism, slut-shaming, slavery, and mental illness — in creative ways that facilitate dialogue. This is a work about struggle, survival, injustice, transcendence, and love. Strut explores themes of ancestry, survival, sensuality, and acceptance of self. This book celebrates the gorgeousness of life even as it bears witness to the ugliness that accompanies, and often seems to permeate, the human experience.
A History of Black Americans by William L. Katz
“Bill Katz is one of the few members outside of our community who has made a significant, lasting contribution to it.” —Dr. John Henrik Clarke
A History of Black Americans recounts the history of the American Negro from the days of the African slave trade and the arrival of Negroes in the United States to the 1970’s when blacks still face many problems with a new introduction.
Video Book Program: The Tea
The Tea is a weekly video talk show which features five Black women, from diverse backgrounds, who use books to drive their conversations. Whether you’ve read the book or not, the conversations are inspiring, funny, and informative. Check them out on Facebook and YouTube. I was a guest on the An American Marriage Book Discussion and had a great time.
AALBC Top 10 Book Lists
We have compiled a list of The Top 10 Black Panther Books. Agree or disagree with the titles on our list; it is a great way to learn more about the Black Panther Party For Self Defense.
We are in the process of compiling a list of 100 “Top 10 Lists” across a wide range of genres. Yes, that is 1,000 books! We have already created top 10 lists for, Books Published Before 1860, Erotica, Urban Fiction – Pre 1999, Ultimate Black History Books, and more.
Let us know which categories and books you’d like to see included — be creative. Discover interesting genres and share them with others.
Upcoming Book Fairs, Festivals, and Conferences
Our events calendar captures information on 153 book fairs from all over the world. It has become one of the most popular places on AALBC. The busy season for events has already started; check out the list and map out your literary journey for the next 12 months. The Bocas Lit Fest in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, starts today.
On June 1 and 2, I’ll be in Sacramento, CA for the 5th Annual Sacramento Black Book Fair. I will be giving a presentation, #readingblack What it Means and Why It Matters.
Also save the date for our 12th Anniversary Black Pack Party – May 30, 2018.
#readingblack Means…..
The mission of #readingblack.com is to encourage everyone to read quality books written by Black people and to purchase those books from Black owned booksellers. We strive to develop strategies that will make it easier for book buyers to support our mission.
#readingblack means patronizing Independent Websites Dedicated to Authors of African Descent. These booksellers know their genre and you better than any algorithm. But they must be patronized in order for them to continue to grow.
Authors, when asked where can your books be purchased, be sure to mention one of these booksellers — everyone already knows books can be purchased at the “Big A.” Also, link to these websites, when it makes sense. There are almost 3,400 authors profiled on AALBC; if you are profiled on AALBC and have a website; please link to your author profile — help us help you.
Dear Reader,
Reader, your paid subscription is so important. Please consider purchasing your subscription to the AALBC.com eNewsletter. For those of you who have already purchased your subscription — I thank you on behalf of AALBC and all of the readers and writers who have benefited as a result of your support.
Peace and Love,
Troy Johnson
Founder & Webmaster, AALBC.com
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★ AALBC.com eNewsletter – April 25, 2018 – Issue #258
