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AALBC.com eNewsletter - September 20th, 2002 |
Celebrating
Our Literary Legacy! |
RECENT AALBC.COM BOOK REVIEWS
AALBC.com publishes scores of articles, books reviews and author profiles
each month. Below is sample of the most recently added content.
Portable
Promised Land: Stories by Tour�
http://reviews.aalbc.com/the_portable_promise_land.htm
"The Portable Promised Land is a remarkable collection. It's
cynical, witty, sarcastic, thought provoking, lyrical, upsetting and as
seductive as a quiet suicide. Simply put, it's dangerous."
Harlem Redux by Persia Walker
http://reviews.aalbc.com/harlem_redux.htm
"Persia Walker busts on the literary scene burnin' rubber and
smokin' with her debut novel, Harlem Redux, a multi-faceted fictional tapestry.
Harlem Redux is an absorbing history lesson, an intriguing mystery, and a
leisurely review of 1920's Harlem society."
I'm
Telling by Karen E. Quinones Miller
http://reviews.aalbc.com/imtelling.htm
I'm Telling is a delicious family drama that includes
betrayal, jealousy, love and the messy ties that bind families together. This
novel is intoxicating. I loved it, and I am proud to proclaim Karen E. Quinones
Miller's arrival as a major author.
Meet Karen E. Quinones Miller, in
Harlem, at Harlemade this Sunday, September 22nd.
http://events.aalbc.com/harlemade_book_signing.htm
Abide by Me By E. Lynn Harris
http://reviews.aalbc.com/abidewwithme.htm
"Warning: The following comments reveal a conflicted and
divided point of view, a la the characters who populate the novels of E. Lynn
Harris. Readers are advised to take this review with a grain of salt, (or a
glass of champagne)."
Emperor
of Ocean Park by Stephen L. Carter
http://reviews.aalbc.com/emperorofoceanpark2.htm
The novel attempts to combine elements that are not
complimentary, thus producing a large novel dotted with nice moments and a few
well-constructed scenes, but suffers from being long-winded.
http://reviews.aalbc.com/emperoofoceanpark.htm
"Carter's examination of the indignities that upwardly mobile
African Americans must endure to survive in a predominately white world is a
subject seldom discussed and he is to be commended for his even handed
treatment, and for choosing to bring this issue to light."
Black like Us: A Century of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual African American
Fiction
by Dwight A. McBride (Editor), Donald Weise (Editor)
http://reviews.aalbc.com/black_like_us.htm
"The stories included in Black Like Us are extraordinary. There were a number of excerpts and short stories that I had read before, such as Samuel R. Delany's Aye, and Gomorrah, Wallace Thurman's Infants of The Spring, and James Baldwin's Another Country."
Echoes
of a Distant Summer Past - Guy Johnson
http://reviews.aalbc.com/echoes_of_a_distant_summer.htm
"In Standing At The Scratch Line, Guy Johnson created one of
the most memorable protagonists in literature with King Tremain. Johnson's
second novel, Echoes of a Distant Summer, features the other members of the
Tremain family. Echoes of A Distant Summer is a tale of vengeance, betrayal,
violence, redemption and forgiveness, and is literally OFF THE HOOK!"
Promises to Keep by Gloria Mallette
http://reviews.aalbc.com/promises_to_keep.htm
"Promises to Keep is not in the same vein as Shades of Jade,
but it does share the same fast-paced timing, good plot, and solidly written
story."
Granddaddy's Dirt by Brian Egeston
http://reviews.aalbc.com/granddaddysdirt.htm
"Granddaddy's Dirt had unfulfilled possibilities. I wish more
time had been spent developing the narrative, characters, and pacing. As it
stands now Granddaddy's Dirt reads like an unfinished novel that still needs
much work."
The
Urban Guide to Biblical Money Management By Oteia Bruce
http://reviews.aalbc.com/biblicalmoney.htm
"Have you ever felt like you missed out on something God had
for you because you did not handle your money matters in quite the right way?
Well then, this book is for you."
BUY AN AALBC.COM COFFEE MUG
AALBC.com
Logo Mug
Original Price $11.99
Sale Price $8.99!
Show your support for AALBC.com and African American Literature by purchasing AALBC.com branded merchandise, like this high quality coffee mug. Your purchases help further our goal of promoting African American literature and authors. All of the merchandise offers a full money back guarantee and arrives in a few days.
TWO SUMMER RELEASES FROM ONE
WORLD/BALLANTINE
In 1991, One World was founded to publish
multi-cultural titles encompassing subjects of African-American, Asian, Latin,
and Native American interest across all categories and formats. Titles include
Hot Johnny (And the Women
Who Loved Him) by Sandra Jackson-Opoku; Sisters & Lovers by
Connie Briscoe; and The
Black Rose by Tananarive Due,
based on research by Alex Haley. One World received a Literary Market Place
Award in 1993 for Excellence in Trade Publishing.
In
the Arms of the One Who Loves Me by Jacqueline Jones LaMon
http://www.randomhouse.com/BB/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=0-345-44719-0
From fabulous new author Jacqueline Jones LaMon, a sexy page-turner that follows the lives of two young, black professionals as they navigate career and romance, ambition and heartbreak. Two paths that meet by serendipity.
Jacqueline Jones LaMon's is a prolific writer. Her poetry and book reviews may be found on AALBC.com's web site.
Back
in the Day by Darrin Keith Bastfield
http://www.randomhouse.com/BB/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=0-345-44775-1
A star during his lifetime, a legend after a bullet killed him at the age of twenty-five, Tupac Shakur was the most influential rap musician of his day�and the most misunderstood. Far from being the insolent �gangsta� that the press put forth, Tupac was a committed and fearless visionary determined to make a difference not only on the music scene but in the black community at large. Darrin Bastfield grew up with Tupac in a rough Baltimore neighborhood, rapped with him, fought with him, and performed by his side. Now in this vivid, highly personal memoir featuring never-before-seen photos of the rap artist, Darrin shows the world what Tupac Shakur was really like as a teenager destined for greatness.
THE SUMMER'S BEST SELLING BOOKS
http://books.aalbc.com/bestsellers.htm
Below are the top ten best selling books on the AALBC.com web site for
the 5 month period ending August 31st 2002. There is quite an
interesting mix
#1
- The Isis Papers: The Keys to the Colors by Frances Cress Welsing
http://authors.aalbc.com/frances.htm
Preface: "We now are nearing the final decade of the 20th century. Recently,
there has been an unraveling and an analysis of the core issue of the first
global power sysem of mass oppression-- the power system of racism (white
supremacy). One the collective victim (non-white population) understands this
fundamental issue, the ultimate organizing of all of the appropriate behaviors
necessary to neutralize the great injustice of the white supremacy power system
will only be a matter of time. The length of time required to neutralize global
white supremacy will be inversely proportional to 1) the level of understanding
of the phenomenon; plus 2) the evolution of self- and group-respect, the will,
determination and discipline to practice the appropriate counter-racist
behaviors--on the part of the non-white victims of white supremacy."
#2 - A Love of My Own by E. Lynn Harris
http://authors.aalbc.com/e.htm
Zola Denise Norwood is a young hot editor in chief of Bling Bling, (the magazine
�for people who want everything!) who�s at the top of her game, ruling the roost
in business as well as the bedroom. Having discovered �the power of three� (not
tying herself down to just one guy) Zola surrounds herself with a coterie of men
: her best male friend, the gay Hayden; her Monday night man, Jabar, and enjoys
stolen nights with married Bling Bling owner and media mogul Davis Vincent
McClinton, a man who chases power at all costs�Still, Zola dreams of finding
true love.
#3
- Thieves' Paradise by Eric Jerome Dickey
http://authors.aalbc.com/eric.htm
"Thieves' Paradise is an awesome book. I was left ecstatic and wholly
satisfied... A couple of years ago I stated on the discussion board that Dickey
would grow as an author. Starting with last year's Between Lovers and now
Thieves' Paradise, Dickey is bearing me out and proving to be one of our best
writers." ~Thumper, AALBC.com
#4 - The Sex Chronicles: Shattering the Myth Zane & Sara Camilli (Editor)
http://authors.aalbc.com/zane.htm
After more than two years of entertaining tens of thousands of loyal readers on
the Internet with her vivid imagination, a large collection of Zane's erotica is
finally available in a published format. Zane has captivated the minds of both
sexes and all races. She has completely shattered the myth that men are more
sexual in nature than women and that African-American women in particular are
inhibited compared to their female counterparts of other races.
#5
- LONG TRAIN to the redeeming SIN: Stories about AFRICAN women by Kola Boof
http://authors.aalbc.com/kola_boof.htm
Kola's powerful and shocking collection of short stories, "LONG TRAIN TO THE
REDEEMING SIN" is developing a growing fan base and Kola Boof's strong feminist
viewpoint is finally getting a look-see. Issues such as colorism, female genital
mutilation, authentic love and the "sexual longing" of Black Women are what make
Kola's work so daring. Her famous poetry can be downright chilling
#6 - Brown Sugar: A Collection of Erotic Black Fiction - Carol Taylor (Editor)
http://books.aalbc.com/bestsellers.htm
Brown Sugar brings together some of the most acclaimed voices in today's black
literary world-Sapphire, Natasha Tarpley, Reginald Harris, and Pamela Sneed,
among them. These titillating stories cover the full spectrum of black
experience and identity as they reveal sexuality and sensuality in all their
varied and exotic forms. From the subtle to the graphic, Brown Sugar embraces
the ardor and passion of black love and lust, and will appeal to both men and
women. Featuring both well-established authors and promising new writers, this
one-of-a-kind collection represents the past, present, and future of black
literature at its pleasurable and outrageous best.
#7
- Addicted by Zane
http://authors.aalbc.com/zane.htm
Addicted is the story of Zoe, an African-American female arts dealer. It traces
her life from the time she first meets her husband, Jason, in the fifth grade,
falls in love with him over a game of Twister in the eighth grade, loses her
virginity to him in high school and eventually marries him. Everything seems
perfect in Zoe�s life to her friends and family as she secretly deals with
serious problems in her marriage.
#8 - Bittersweet by Freddie Lee Johnson
http://aalbc.com/reviews/bittersweet.htm
In his first novel, Johnson gambles successfully with an unusual format: the
story is told by each brother in alternating chapters, a technique that works
well because it allows the reader to see each man's internal struggles and the
consequences for each family unit. With three stories being told simultaneously,
this novel has a huge cast of characters, and Johnson does an excellent job of
developing each character to the extent needed by the story. The result is a
loving tale of family and what it means to be an African American man in today's
society. ―Library Journal
#9
- Satisfy My Soul by Colin Channer
http://authors.aalbc.com/colin.htm
In a stunning novel of extraordinary power that involves a mystical journey to
Ghana, Colin Channer combines profound questions of faith, the aching search for
home, the long reach of history, and the double-edged sword of passion to
dazzling effect. Satisfy My Soul will linger in yours long after the final page
is turned.
#10 - Tough Notes: Letters to Young Black Men by Haki R. Madhubuti
http://authors.aalbc.com/haki.htm
"...The most pressing reason for Tough Notes is my personal response to the
hundreds of letters, notes and telephone calls I have received over the years
from prisoners and students -- mainly young black men (many without caring or
existing fathers), seeking guidance and a kind word. This work is for them and
other young men and women systematically locked out of this nation's wealth,
benefits and opportunities."
A
PLACE OF OUR OWN
http://www.apooo.org
Want to learn more about AA Literature? Check out A Place Of Our Own (APOOO, pronounced as A-Pu). APOOO's mission is to; 1) provide you the 411 regarding the African American Diaspora; 2) to share their love of books by and about AA with others; and 3) to be a primary source of reference to others who need the 411 regarding a good AA book. They aspire to offer information regarding books for all age groups, books that are mainstream as well as self-published, and books that target all genres.
LITERARY EVENTS CALENDAR
http://www.aalbc.com/events/
Our literary events calendar allows visitors to learn about up coming African American literary and cultural events. Visitors may post information on their own events and include a link back to their web site. If you don't have a web site AALBC.com can build one for you, for a nominal fee (often for free depending on the timing of the event and our work load).
New York is Book Country
http://events.aalbc.com/nyibc.htm
Join AALBC.com in Celebrating NYIBC. Be sure to visit
AALBC.com &
Mosaic's booth at the 24th Annual New York is Book Country 5th Avenue Street
Fair. Sunday, September 29th, 2002. Bring a copy of this newsletter
and get a free gift (while supplies last). Visit the link above to learn which
authors will be signing at the AALBC.com and Mosaic booth.
African American Male Fiction Writers Convene in Atlanta
http://www.theliteraryevent.com/symposium
Atlanta, GA ---On November 8 & 9, 2002, African American male fiction writers
from across the nation will meet in Atlanta for the country's first ever African
American male fiction writer's symposium to be held on the campus of Clark
Atlanta University.
National Black Writers Conference
http://events.aalbc.com/nbwc2003.htm
The eagerly anticipated National Black Writers Conference has been scheduled for
February 21-22, 2003 in New York City. Visit the official web site (www.nbwc.org)
or send an email to bgreene@mec.cuny.edu
for more information.
NEW FEATURE FOR AUTHORS PROFILED ON AALBC.COM
If you have or want an AALBC.com author's profile, we can also "dotcom" your name and have it point to your AALBC.com web page. AALBC.com will register your name at cost and charge an annual fee to maintain the alias. For example, visit AALBC.com founder Troy Johnson's web site at www.troydjohnson.com. There are couple of options for making this happen; contact AALBC.com at sales@aalbc.com for more information.
Peace,
Troy Johnson,
Founder AALBC.com
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