2 Books Published by Dark Oak Press on AALBC — Book Cover Collage

Struggling to overcome wounds of growing up Black in the Jim Crow South, family conflicts, the strangling pressure to conform, and a descent into alcoholism, Frankie Lennon takes us to new battlefields in her new stories as she fights to break free of the prisons of racism, and homophobia to claim happiness, love, and her own life. Lennon’s intimate stories allow us to feel what it’s like to lose your way; then find it. With courage.

The Mee St. Chronicles: Straight Up Stories of a Black Woman’s Life (with Introudction by Nikki Giovanni) is the extraordinarily candid memoir of Frankie Lennon’s battle to claim her own life and sexual identity. Beginning with vivid stories of growing up in segregated Knoxville, Tennessee of the 1950’s, we are propelled into her struggle to find freedom from the many prisons and conflicts that bind her. From Jim Crow segregation, to her hidden same sex attraction, to her eventual battle with alcoholism, we witness her turbulent life journey through page-turning stories that speak truth, no matter what, to everyone.

Written in a down-to-earth style and from an unvarnished point of view, Frankie Lennon shares stories that connect us to each other by reminding us that life is rarely simple, but full of conflicting pulls and expectations that we have to confront and resolve to live to the fullest. This book is a must read for those who are trying to make sense of their lives. And for those who just want to go along for a joyful ride.