Daylian

AALBC is proud to celebrate the patron saint of black women writers, Zora Neale Hurston, born on this day in 1891. To commemorate the anniversary of her birth, Amistad Books has created a landmark event – for today (January 7, 2020) only, download a copy of her seminal book, Their Eyes Were Watching God, for free at celebratingzora.com. Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated mailing. This eNewsletter was Sponsored by Amistad

This will be the last newsletter for 2019. I trust it reaches you in good health and spirits. AALBC.com experienced tremendous growth over the past year, despite operating in an environment that is monopolized by a few powerful companies who are increasingly hostile to indie websites. Your visits and engagement, sharing of our content, book purchases, advertising, newsletter subscriptions, and words of encouragement and feedback are the only reasons AALBC continues to grow. Of course growth does not come without challenges, but I’ll meet those challenges with your continued support. Reader, you have been a blessing and I thank you. I’ll be attending the following events in the coming weeks. Hopefully I can meet you at one more: ▪ January 2nd, I’ll be interviewed by famed poet, and literary activist, E. Ethelbert Miller on his radio program “On The Margin” which is broadcast on WPFW in Washington, DC. ▪ January 11th, I’m talking about the business of books during the F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival in Daytona Beach, FL. ▪ I’m covering the author presentations at the African American Cultural Celebration at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh, NC on January 25th. ▪ I’m working on attending the William C. Morris Award presentation, which will take place during the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting, on January 27th, in Philadelphia, PA. Please keep reading and sharing what you read with others. Here’s to a 2020 that is even better than 2019! Peace and Love, Troy Johnson Founder & Webmaster, AALBC.com Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated mailing. ★ AALBC.com eNewsletter – December 31, 2019 - Issue #284

A ferociously talented writer makes his stunning debut with this richly woven tapestry, set in a small Nova Scotia town settled by former slaves, that depicts several generations of one family bound together and torn apart by blood, faith, time, and fate. More ► AALBC Book Reviews Jacob’s Ghetto by Travis Peagler Usually commercial young adult novels steer clear of thorny issues, such as drug addiction, gang violence, racial profiling, or poverty. This one does not. Travis Peagler, the author and youngest of seven kids, was born in a low-income neighborhood on the east side of Dayton, Ohio. The author has seen a lot of the misery and suffering that comes with disadvantaged conditions, which forms the foundation of the plot of this scripted novel, Jacob’s Ghetto. More ► How We Fight for Our Lives: A Memoir by Saeed Jones This memoir is fierce and knocks you out of breath with each page you turn, it is almost impossible to put the book down. It is the sword and armor a warrior would take into battle with them, and the battle cry that echoes afterward. It is a memoir in poetic fragments pieced together with such skill; it leaves one in chills for the entire read. Jones leaves nothing out as he becomes exceptionally personal, emotionally gritty, and unflinchingly candor, How We Fight for Our Lives is a perfect harmony of hostility, hope, violence, love, acceptance of self, transformation and resentment. More ► The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates To mix magical realism with historical fiction is a bold task. To discuss the topic of family pride from the perspective of the offspring of a slave and a master is an awkward task. To create a vernacular specific for a novel is a speculative task. To accomplish either of these tasks would require a seasoned fiction writer; however, Ta-Nehisi Coates’ premier novel, The Water Dancer, achieves these tasks. More ► The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson Have you ever felt like an outsider, or like you just did not belong? In this big world, with so many different faces, it can sometimes feel overwhelming and as if you are drowning, but in Jacqueline Woodson’s children’s book The Day You Begin Woodson flips this narrative on its head, by writing about the beauty that comes from being unique and different. In the book Woodson is writing about the first day of school, and how daunting of an experience this can be. Walking into a classroom full of new faces is never an easy thing to do, but Woodson’s storytelling has a way of humanizing everything and putting things into perspective. More ► Solving The Race Issue In America by H. J. Harris He [Harris] suggests “the Paradigm of Slavery” is the creation of white Christian Americans and only be changed with a “Paradigm of Freedom” based on love, equality and justice. Whites must own up to their past sins against the Black race, he notes. Here the argument is buttressed with various Biblical verses about equality, morality and evil, but the Christianity Harris is addressing is quite different from the one spotlighted in the media. This Christianity is based in division, intolerance, and prejudice. Nevertheless, Harris applies an Old Testament approach to the solution of “The Paradigm of Slavery,” citing that “virtually nothing has been done to date by white Christian Americans to undo the damage they have done to Black Americans for the last 400 years.” More ► The Roots of Rap: 16 Bars on the 4 Pillars of Hip-Hop by Carole Boston Weatherford In Carole Boston Weatherford’s children’s book The Roots of Rap, Weatherford depicts the unique history of rap music and all the progenitors who made it into the success it is today. Through Weatherford’s catchy word play and intricate writing style, you really get a taste of Hip-Hop flavor. Weatherford’s words read as an alluring song, that will contiguously get stuck in your mind. With Weatherford’s wording, your child is sure to learn how to rhyme. With all of the amazing art by Frank Morrison your child’s mind is free to run wild, and every page, is a different and introspective scene in which emphasizes to Weatherford’s story telling. More ► Unchon-ni: South Korea, I Remember 1962-63 by Codis Hampton II Korea was also dangerous. Squads of North Korean regulars would come across the DMZ, take shots at them, and sometimes kill them. The darkness was also an enemy. You were warned to stay out of the dark alleys. You were warned not to get drunk where you couldn’t defend yourself. You were warned a village girl could get you in trouble. And you were warned to always use a condom when dealing with a Korean female. Period. Hampton’s writing is very descriptive and informed in matters of the heart. He doesn’t shy away from wrestling with the insecurities and contradictions of being a teen coming into manhood. More ► Book Festivals and Fairs F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival Where: Midtown Cultural and Educational Center, Daytona Beach, FL When: Saturday, January 11, 2020 What: F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival was developed to assist young inspiring authors with their marketing and to introduce them to veterans of the book business at the festival. Most first time book writers are eager to learn more about the business, and the F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival gives them the opportunity to receive information from other authors, publishers, script writers, and editors. AALBC’s Founder and Webmaster will be on hand to talk about the Black Book Ecosystem. Why The Relentless Promotion of am*zon Is Bad for Everyone Everyone knows am*zon sells books, so why do authors and publishers give the multibillion-dollar company free promotion by telling readers to buy their books from am*zon? In the early days of am*zon, there may have been some level of validation when am*zon offered one’s book for sale — sort of like seeing one’s book on the shelf of a prominent bookstore. More ► Dear Reader, It is hard to believe the third decade of the 21st century is about to begin! Thanks to you, Reader, 2019 has been a year of tremendous change and growth for the AALBC. We upgraded our hardware to accommodate a record number of visitors. We began fulfilling book orders ourselves and have helped a record number of authors connect with readers. Enjoy your friends and family this holiday season and please keep reading. I know I have several titles I’m anxious to start reading. Peace and Love, Troy Johnson Founder & Webmaster, AALBC.com Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated mailing. ★ AALBC.com eNewsletter – December 10, 2019 - Issue #2

Part 7 of the New York Times Bestselling Thugs Series Reader, Thugs: Seven is Available Now and Wahida and I have a Big Giveaway for you! “Expose yourself to drama and action like never before as the new Thugs: Seven picks up right where Honor Thy Thug (Book 6) leaves off (Learn More). For Today Only – Download the Thugs: Seven eBook for 99 cents and for FREE you get the 5 Extended Box-Set!! (valued at $75.00) Only because I love you!! What’s in the Box-Set? I’ll tell you now. Did you know that your favorite characters of the Thug Series, Tasha Macklin, Trae Macklin, Kaylin Santos, and Angel Santos have written their own books? This is your opportunity to Binge-Read on titles such as Baller Dreams, Flippin’ The Hustle, Gun Smoke, and Swag. As a Platinum Bonus: You get to read Uncle Yah Yah: 21st Century Man of Wisdom. And you definitely want to read this one because Trae wants to take Faheem to spend a lot of time with this wise sage. But … you will have to read Thugs: Seven to understand why (Click here).” —Wahida Clark Dear Reader, Wahida Clark has entertained over a million readers with her signature brand of street tales. In fact, she has made AALBC’s bestsellers list an amazing 75 times, making her our 5th all-time bestselling author. Clark is also a savvy business woman who runs an independent publishing company, Wahida Clark Presents Publishing. She is truly a force in the book business and it has been a pleasure to see her continue to great things. Our regular newsletter will be mailed later today. Peace and Love, Troy Johnson Founder & Webmaster, AALBC.com Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated mailing. This eNewsletter was Sponsored by Wahida Clark Presents Publishing

A lavishly illustrated and elegantly designed tribute to Prince as captured by celebrated photographer, Randee St. Nicholas, who collaborated with the icon for a quarter of a century. More ► Reader, AALBC Sells Black Books Directly African American Literature Book Club, the oldest, largest, and most frequently visited website dedicated to books by, or about, people of African descent now offers a one-stop-shop for fans of Black literature. “We maintain a curated and growing collection of over 13,000 titles covering a century of Black writing from around the world,” said Troy Johnson, Founder and Webmaster. For many, AALBC is a book lovers haven and a collector's paradise. Johnson says one woman was recently willing to pay $100 for a book by bestselling crime novelist K’wan Foye that would complete her collection. It was out of print, but that didn’t stop Johnson from calling the publisher and then Foye, himself to get the book for a woman he’d never met. That’s the type of service Johnson provides through his full-service eCommerce site, founded in October 1997. And providing a personalized book buying experience to his online guests is one of the reasons, in August, he ended his 18-year relationship with the am*zon Affiliates program. “Readers appreciate that if they discover a book on AALBC.com, it only makes sense to purchase it from us. Their sales help strengthen AALBC, which allows us to bring them more books they are likely to enjoy” The other reason Johnson cut ties with am*zon.com is to keep Black book publishing solvent. “According to published reports, am*zon.com sells nearly 90% of all books sold online. The tech giant is impoverishing the Black Book ecosystem. am*zon.com has its hands in almost every transaction, weakening booksellers and reducing profits for authors and publishers.” Now, if visitors find book information on AALBC, their purchasing power won't leave via an affiliate link. Instead, they can buy before they bounce. AALBC.com is set up to be the “front end” of the online shopping experience. Consider one of the Top 150 African-American Children’s Books Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o. There, you will find an “Add to Cart” button where readers can add the title to a shopping cart that follows them around the site and persists if they leave the site and come back later. This feature is essential because, with the am*zon links, people clicked the buy link and were sent away from AALBC to am*zon; this lowered the number of books ordered. “Today I get much larger orders as people are buying ten books at a time; they did not do this when I was an am*zon Affiliate.” Currently, AALBC.com sells hardcover, paperback, mass market paperback and board books. Books sell at list price. AALBC collects sales tax on Florida shipments, only. Orders over $40 qualify for free shipping. Visit AALBC.com to find your favorite Bestselling, Award-Winning, New, and Classic Titles. ### African American Literature Book Club (AALBC.com) is the oldest, largest, and most visited website featuring books by or about people of African descent. Started in 1997, AALBC.com is a widely recognized source of information about Black authors. Troy Johnson is President, Founder, and Webmaster of AALBC.com. Contact: Troy Johnson troy@aalbc.com (347) 692-2522 Dear Reader, This newsletter is a variation of a press release I intend to send this week. If you are in, or have connections with, the media please feel free to share our story. BTW, if you discover a great read please share it on our Black Literature Discussion Forum. Also let us know “What you’re reading now?” This is one way I learn about good books to share on the site. Peace and Love, Troy Johnson Founder & Webmaster, AALBC.com Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated mailing. ★ AALBC.com eNewsletter – November 19, 2019 - Issue #282

An inspiring and illuminating guide to a journey of self-discovery that will help you turn shame into self-acceptance, self-rejection into self-love, blame into freedom, and old hurt into power. Wise and powerful, The Little Book of Big Lies will completely change how you think and live. We Mourn the Passing of Ernest Gaines Author Ernest J. Gaines died in his sleep of cardiac arrest at his home in Oscar, Louisiana November 5. He was 86 years old. Gaines wrote one of my favorite books, A Lesson Before Dying. The novel, one of the most popular and critically acclaimed books on AALBC, tells a story that reveals the power of love expressed through teaching, when wisdom is related not just information. Gaines was probably best known for his novel The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman the fictionalized story of a woman who lived long enough to have experienced both the horrors of enslavement and the pride of the Civil Rights Movement. Gaines’ passing signals the lost of storytellers old enough to have have known formerly enslaved citizens of America, and with his transition we lose an important window into our past. Fortunately Gaines’ literary legacy will remain with us — all we have to do is read. 2019 Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence Now in its 13th year, the Gaines Award honors rising African-American authors, while paying tribute to Gaines, a literary legend who grew up in Louisiana’s Pointe Coupee Parish. Houston author Bryan Washington’s debut novel, Lot, has won the 2019 Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence. Lot is a collection of short stories set in various Houston communities, but primarily in the East End, where Washington was raised. My 10 Favorite Black Owned Bookstores My 10 Favorite Black Owned Bookstores I’ve visited a wide variety of bookstores across the country. Whenever I visit a new city I try to visit an indie bookstore. I’m sharing my 10 favorite Black-owned bookstores in the United States. Take it for granted that the owners and staff are knowledgeable about Black books and are driven to serve Black people by exposing them to books they need to read and will enjoy. I’ve visited each of these stores and have learned something important or enjoyed a wonderful event at all of them. When you visit, you’re virtually guaranteed to discover a great read — even as a bookseller — I always do. Check out the my list ▶ — AALBC Founder and Webmaster, Troy Johnson Recently Reviewed Books We Cast a Shadow: A Novel by Maurice Carlos Ruffin The AALBC Book Club Selection for November In Maurice Carlos Ruffin’s first novel, We Cast a Shadow, the reader meets a complex and unnamed protagonist. The main character of this futuristic novel is an educated attorney who is “woke” to the restraints of American racism, but despite his tuned-in Black consciousness, he believes the capitalist arena is the best choice for any American. And for the majority of his life, he struggles to become a successful Black man in that environment. Read More ► Syncope by Asiya Wadud As a third-grade poet teacher, an author, and as a leader for an English conversation group for immigrants, Wadud is involved with her community. She is also a finalist for the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award in Poetry. Her work centers around immigrants and refugees, Syncope was far from surprising. In fact, it was harrowing, chilling, above all, it was haunting. As a collection of poems eulogizing the events of the “Left-to-Die” incident in 2011, it gives voices to those who died, provides power to silence, gives honor and respect to the disrespected — to let them know they will not be forgotten. Read More ► The Prime Anniversary by Jay Wright Jay Wright’s anthology of poems have been, by far, the most challenging poems of all to read as a creative intellectual he merges African, Mexican, Spanish, and Navajo cultures in his poems with mathematical theories. His poems examine harmony in an arithmetical lens and go back pre-Socrates to analyze thoughts in verse. Wright references many psychiatrists, poets, mathematicians, and other intellectuals in The Prime Anniversary, adding to its complexity and its depth. In one poem, he references about three different figures: a philosopher, an author, and an adventurer. Read More ► Adding Bookstore or Event Information on AALBC AALBC is a massive website. We are not just a web based bookseller. We host perhaps the most comprehensive list of Black authors and their books. We also provide a great deal of related information including; the most complete and updated list of Book Festivals and Fairs across the United States and many foreign countries; Black-owned Bookstores; and more ► Here are links to pages where you may share information about Book Festivals and Fairs or Black-Owned Bookstores we may have missed Dear Reader, Occasionally someone will ask, why do I invest so much effort in promoting other booksellers? The question, while well intentioned, I’m assumes a competitive mindset I don’t have. There are just so many great books out there today 20 bookseller can’t share them all. This is not to suggest that I’m naïve about the marketplace (I hold an MBA). My “competitors” are not other booksellers — these folks share my passion of uplifting our people through our stories and make me better. The business that pose a real existential threat to AALBC are a couple of massive corporations with seemingly infinite resources. After 22 years of selling books on the web, I know one thing for sure Reader, you are my best offense against these massive corporations. AALBC survives because of your patronage and support. So continue to buy your books from us. More sales mean lower prices over the long term. We are already offering free shipping on orders over $40 and only have to collect sales tax in Florida. If you have not done so already, please consider paying for your AALBC eNewsletter, at a level which make sense for you, and share our content with others! Peace and Love, Troy Johnson Founder & Webmaster, AALBC.com Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated mailing. ★ AALBC.com eNewsletter – November 12, 2019 - Issue #281

AALBC Bestselling Books October 2019 Children’s books outsold all other categories this period. The #1 bestselling book this period is the awarding winning I Can Be Anything! Don’t Tell Me I Can’t by Leo & Diane Dillon. Wonderfully illustrated and “Brimming with joy and enthusiasm, Zoe playfully explores all the things she can be. A world of opportunities are within her reach, from becoming an archeologist to becoming U.S. President!” Fiction sales were led by the final book in the Wolf Queen series, The Promise of Aferi. The author, Cerece Rennie Murphy, brings us another epic fantasy/historical novel. Nonfiction sales was led by Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing by Joy DeGruy Leary. Originally published in 2005 this book helps us understand the generational, epigenetic and genetic, influences on our psyches after hundreds of years of extreme trauma. Not enough poetry books were sold this period to generate a bestsellers list, however A Fortune for Your Disaster by Hanif Abdurraqib and the National Book Award finalist, The Tradition by Jericho Brown, sold this period and are worth checking out. AALBC Videos Kwame Alexander Reads his Acclaimed Children’s Book, The Undefeated Alexander reads, recites actually, his Top 150 African-American Children’s Book, an AALBC.com Bestseller, that was longlisted for a National Book Award, The Undefeated. This video was recorded during the 2019 Black Authors and Readers Rock book celebration held in Oxon Hill, MD. Look out for more videos from this terrific event Use coupon code UNDEFEATED when you buy The Undefeated from AALBC and we'll cover sales tax and shipping! Recently Reviewed Books A Fortune for Your Disaster by Hanif Abdurraqib, Reviewed by Brianna-Christine Alicea A Fortune for Your Disaster is a beautiful masterpiece of heart, of poetic language, of resilience, and of music. The speaker draws on metaphorical resonance from pop-cultural references to reclaim the black body and black history, making it more than a series of music poems, or heartbreak poems. It’s creating a space for forgiveness and empowering us to hold memories tighter so we won’t forget, so we cherish them close to the heart. One can’t prepare for the pain they experience, but Abdurraquib’s poetry opens the heart and allows it to heal with real, uncensored writing. More ► I Missed the Bus, But I Arrived On Time! by Willis L. Drake, Reviewed by Robert Fleming Our reading community gets tired of memoirs celebrating guns, drugs, loose morals, and general mayhem. Willis L. Drake’s recollections, I Missed The Bus, But I Arrived On Time, bucks this trend of lawlessness and decadence with a tribute to Old-School family traits of hard work, dedication, determination and self-reliance. Raised in St. Louis, Drake enjoys a pleasant childhood based on Christian beliefs, alongside his hard-working father and dutiful mother. His father worked night shift on a job, which allowed him little time to spend with his family. Still, his son recognized his father as a role model and a good provider. He was very close to his mother, whose family believed to be a woman of visions and divinely blessed. As a child, he remembers his mother’s “bright outlook,” proclaiming “her boy could do anything if he put his mind to it.” More ► The King of No: A Financial Firefighter by Loyall Wilson, Reviewed by Robert Fleming Compliance demands complete honesty, Wilson writes. He explains the crime of forgery, stealing as a side hustle, the cleansing effect of confession, and the details of white collar thievery. The book is full of teaching moments, applicable in banking and investment. Wilson’s unforgettable manual for effective investment, client trust, and compliance is rich with insight and illumination. Believing his work has made a difference in the industry, his wise words in his book will do the same. More ► Verses by Jewel Caston-Mendoza, Reviewed by Brianna-Christine Alicea Verses chronicles the emotions and thoughts of a lover, wife, mother, yet most importantly, a woman whose life is captured in emotional verses. The verse form is a composition written in metrical rhythm, forming rhyming lines. As each poem is categorized into seven chapters and paired with a visual image by Chantece Dayshon Mendoza, the titles are reflective of the themes present in the poems. As the entry point for her book, Caston-Mendoza uses the “Once Upon A Time,” chapter to indicate the feeling of nostalgia for past love and bliss with some undertones of despair in them. It is within this section that the reader gains a full impact of life before the skeletons in the closet. More ► Film Reviews Dolemite Is My Name, Reviewed by C. Liegh McInnis The film investigates what white America simultaneously loathes and fetishizes about black culture, while ensuring that black bodies remain subjects rather than objects so that their humanity can teach, heal, and inspire others. Yet, ultimately, Dolemite Is My Name is not interested in telling a story about overcoming racism or the white normative gaze; it is interested in showing the power of self-belief, which is a power, if realized, that can transition African people from begging white folks to be nice to them to creating their own institutions to nurture their own sovereignty. More ► Dear Reader, Our cutting ties with am*zon this summer has been a godsend. We are selling more books by getting more and larger orders. I've always said AALBC thrives only with your support. Each thing your do to help spread the word matters. Whether it is social sharing of our content or telling a friend about our website, it all matters. As a direct result of your patronage, we have recently upgraded our servers to accommodate an increase in traffic. We have also deployed software to process our book orders. The site is truly world class thanks to you! As always, thank you for your support. Please keep reading and sharing our content! Peace and Love, Troy Johnson Founder & Webmaster, AALBC.com Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated mailing. ★ AALBC.com eNewsletter – November 5, 2019 - Issue #280

From one of the most distinguished civil rights attorneys working today, Open Season details his life mission to preserve the hard-won justice for all. National Book Award Finalists Announced “The mission of the National Book Foundation is to celebrate the best literature in America…” This year, the foundation honored 15 books, written by writers of African descent. This is far-and-away the most books in contention for a National Book Award — the Academy Award of the publishing industry — since the award inception 70 years ago. National Book Awards are given in five categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature. Winners will be announced November 20th. Discover all the honored titles, written by Black writers, since 1953. AALBC’s Audiobook Solution AALBC does not support e-book or audiobook platforms who restrict which devices you may listen to or read your books. Therefore, we have chosen to highlight the following vendors. Libro.fm for Audiobooks Libro.fm is the first audiobook company to make it possible for you to buy audiobooks directly through AALBC. Your Libro membership provides DRM-free audiobooks, free audiobooks each month, and many more benefits. Kobo for Audiobooks and eBooks AALBC has no formal relationship with Kobo. However we noticed this deal: Kobo is offering your first 30 day membership for free and a free eBook. After 30 days you pay $9.99 per month and get a free eBook each month! If you cancel your account, you keep the audiobooks previously purchased. Any unused credits are good for six months after cancellation. Yes, this means you can the free eBook if you cancel in less than 30 days. I just download Malcolm Gladwell’s, Talking to Strangers, which is not merely someone reading a book, but an audio documentary with music and audio clips from a variety of sources — for 8 hours of immersive listening. In the coming weeks we will integrate audio, and e-book, sales into AALBC’ website. AALBC Online Book Club Selection The Complete Muhammad Ali by Ishmael Reed “One can’t help but think about the controversy that surrounds such an icon. Everyone in his circle has been criticized for his extended boxing career leading to Parkinson’s disease, but who knows when those injuries occurred, and with what is known today about concussions – the identification of the injuries is impossible. Reed provided a good history Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam: non-judgmental – he simply told of the organization. The Mafia’s intrusion into Black boxers’ careers was enlightening, and the history of Black boxers was informative as well. The interviews gave such insight into so many situations and so many people – writing the book had to exhausting. The ancillary knowledge was worth the price of the book.” —Tony Lindsay, AALBC’s Online Book Club Moderator Record Number of Readers Visit AALBC’s Website During the first week of October AALBC displayed over 1 million page views — thanks to you sharing AALBC’s content! Most visitors enjoyed our Top 150 Children’s Books page. Our server was slowed to a crawl, and many visitors were unable to bring up the pages they wanted to read. However, book sales and advertising revenue were at all-time highs. The additional revenue will fund the installation of more powerful servers, which will allow us to meet the demands of a growing audience. Please keep sharing our content and helping AALBC to grow! Dear Reader, The increase in traffic that AALBC has received on the 22nd anniversary of launching this site has been a gift. My ability to continue to grow AALBC is not a function of what I do or technology — it is driven by what you do! While a great deal of sacrifice, both personal and financial, has gone into growing AALBC over the past 22 years, I simply can’t do it alone. {first_name,fallback=Reader}}, your sharing of AALBC’s content, purchase of books and services, feedback, and words of encouragement are all necessary to keep AALBC growing. Thank you on behalf of the authors whose stories — our stories — you help me to share with a growing and diverse audience. As always, keep reading and sharing our content! Peace and Love, Troy Johnson Founder & Webmaster, AALBC.com This email is sponsored by Amistad Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated mailing. ★ AALBC.com eNewsletter – October 18, 2019 - Issue #279

Top Recommended African-American Children’s Books Our list of the “Top Recommended African-American Children’s Books” was complied with input from children book authors, editors, publishers, booksellers, and avid readers. We know children and young readers will enjoy most, if not all, of these books, as they have already brought joy to countless children and parents. We recommend printed books for young readers, or when reading to a child. Some of these books are decades old, but are still in print due to their significance. Others are brand new, reflecting contemporary voices and themes. Popular Book Events, Festivals, and Conferences Black Authors and Readers Rock will be held at the Harborside Hotel, in Oxon Hill, MD. Friday October 4th and 5th. This year’s conference will feature a keynote address by poet, educator, and New York Times bestselling author of 28 books, Kwame Alexander. Many other authors will be presenting including AALBC favs, Mary Monroe, Brian W. Smith, Steven Van Patten, Rochelle Alers, J.B. Vample, Victoria Kennedy, Joy Copeland, Joan Vassar, and Blacc Topp. AALBC's founder, Troy Johnson will participate in the “Why Black Books Matter!” panel discussion and chronicle the event. The two-day literary conference is open to everyone. There are still a few tickets available. Tickets will not be sold at the door. #blackauthorsandreadersrock 15th Annual African American Literary Awards Show The Annual African American Literary Awards Show will take place Saturday, October 5, 2019 at the Schomburg Center For Research In Black Culture in Harlem. Launched in September of 2004, by Yvette Hayward, this event is unique in that it celebrates both authors and book industry professionals. If you are a reader or author this is a great event to see and meet the people who produce the book you love. If you are in the area, check it out; tickets are still available. AALBC Online Book Club Selection The Complete Muhammad Ali by Ishmael Reed “One can’t help but think about the controversy that surrounds such an icon. Everyone in his circle has been criticized for his extended boxing career leading to Parkinson’s disease, but who knows when those injuries occurred, and with what is known today about concussions – the identification of the injuries is impossible. Reed provided a good history Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam: non-judgmental – he simply told of the organization. The Mafia’s intrusion into Black boxers’ careers was enlightening, and the history of Black boxers was informative as well. The interviews gave such insight into so many situations and so many people – writing the book had to exhausting. The ancillary knowledge was worth the price of the book.” —Tony Lindsay, AALBC’s Online Book Club Moderator A Surge in Traffic Has Slowed AALBC’s Website Over the past couple of days AALBC’s website has benefited from surge in traffic — thanks to the sharing of our content on social media. This has resulted in an increase in books sales and advertising revenue. However it has also slowed our website’s response time dramatically and made portions of it, like our discussion forums, inaccessible. I apologize for the inconvenience. Fortunately, the resulting increase in revenue will allow us to to purchase a faster, more powerful, web site hosting solution to handle future spikes and increases in traffic. Dear Reader, In October of 1997, I sat down to create what would ultimately become AALBC.com. I was experimenting with eCommerce, so that I could better advise the clients I had for a website development sideline business I ran. I chose books not because I was an avid reader, or even knowledgeable about selling books. Books simply seemed like a product I could easily sell on the world wide web. Immediately, after launching the site, a whole new world opened up to me! I was discovering amazing stories, ideas, history, and poetry, from the pens of talented Black writers, for the very first time. Sharing these discoveries with others became my passion. In 2008, this passion became my livelihood. As always, thank you for your support and please keep reading — and sharing our content! Peace and Love, Troy Johnson Founder & Webmaster, AALBC.com Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated mailing. ★ AALBC.com eNewsletter – October 1, 2019 - Issue #278

Sweat the Technique by Rakim is the book Hip-Hop fans have long awaited. Part memoir, part writing guide, Sweat the Technique, offers insight into how Rakim thinks about words, music, writing, and rhyming as it teaches writers of all levels how to hone their craft. It is also a rare glimpse into Rakim’s private life. 2019 National Book Award Nominees of African Descent Fourteen writers of African descent were longlisted, by The National Book Foundation, for a 2019 National Book Award — one of the most prestigious awards bestowed upon an author. Awards are given in five categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature. Read More About These Terrific Books ► What Are You Reading Now? Sharing what you are reading now with others is a great way for readers to discover a good book to read or even one to avoid. Let us know what book you are reading now and what you think about it by sharing it on our discussion forum ► Dear Reader, The reaction to my decision to cut ties with am*zon resonated with a lot of readers. I received many emails from publishers and authors who offered support and shared their own stories. Publishers Weekly, the publishing industry’s leading trade magazine, reported on this decision. Others including; Melville House, an independent publisher based in Brooklyn, NY; and ActuaLitte.com a daily newspaper focused on books (French Language) reported on AALBC’s story and have been writing about am*zon’s abuses for some time. Some authors expressed concern that AALBC would no longer list their books if they were only available only on am*zon; this is not the case. The books will stay on the website, as AALBC has evolved into a historical archive of the books our authors have published. AALBC has simply stopped sending readers to am*zon’s site to buy books. I’m also encouraging authors to avoid allowing am*zon to be their exclusive bookseller. As always, thank you for your support, and please keep reading! Peace and Love, Troy Johnson Founder & Webmaster, AALBC.com This email is sponsored by Amistad Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated mailing. ★ AALBC.com eNewsletter – September 24, 2019 - Issue #277

In this thought-provoking and heartbreaking memoir, an award-winning writer tells the story of his father, John Stanley Ford, the first black software engineer at IBM, revealing how racism insidiously affected his father’s view of himself and their relationship. Read More ► Books on the Fight Against Enslavement “In the US, violence, and heroism have been made synonymous … except when it comes to Blacks.” —James Baldwin When we think about slave rebellions, many have heard of the revolt led by Nat Turner and popularized in Nate Parker’s critically acclaimed 2016 film The Birth of a Nation. However, many slave rebellions have been virtually erased from history. Fortunately, there are excellent books that ensure these inspiring stories of unimaginable spirit are never forgotten. Have you heard of the largest slave revolt in American history led by Charles Deslandes? If not, check out American Uprising by Daniel Rasmussen. The most successful slave rebellion is described in The Creole Affair by Arthur T. Downey. The River Flows On: Black Resistance, Culture, and Identity Formation in Early America by Walter C. Rucker covers slave resistance in America, spanning the colonial and antebellum eras in both the North and South. The 1997 Coretta Scott King award-winning book for children, Rebels Against Slavery: American Slave Revolts by Patricia C. and Fredrick McKissack describes slave revolts in language appropriate for younger readers. Dear Reader, The reaction to our decision to cut ties with am*zon resonated with a lot of readers. Publishers Weekly, the publishing industry’s leading trade magazine, reported on this decision. Some authors expressed concern that we would no longer list their books if they were only available on am*zon; this is not the case. The books will stay, as AALBC has evolved into a historical archive of the books our authors have published — even if they are unavailable for sale on am*zon. We also provide links that checks for the availability of the books on our site at your local library. As always, thank you for your support, and please keep reading! Peace and Love, Troy Johnson Founder & Webmaster, AALBC.com This email is sponsored by Amistad Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated mailing. ★ AALBC.com eNewsletter – September 19, 2019 - Issue #276

International Bestselling Author of The Wedding Gift returns with Arrows of Fire, New Novel Taking Readers Inside the Conquest of Mexico “…exceptionally entertaining and unreservedly recommended.” – Midwest Book Review It’s October 1519 — and the Mexican empire is on the brink. Hernan Cortés leads an army of Spaniards and their native allies to Moctezoma’s capital. Moctezoma believes the only way to save his empire is to heed the God of War and sacrifice Flower, a beautiful woman warrior, in exchange for protection from the invaders. But a different faction — the resistance — wants to overthrow Moctezoma and go to war against the invaders. The resistance has other plans for Flower — if they can only help her escape before Moctezoma offers her as a sacrifice. Can Flower make it out in time and join the resistance? Or will Moctezoma carry out a centuries-old practice of human sacrifice? Told in behind-the-scenes portraits, bestselling author Marlen Bodden’s new novel, Arrows of Fire, takes the reader deep inside the bloody European conquest of Mexico, a colossal clash between powerful forces, and reveals the crack in Moctezoma’s armor – his use of human sacrifice. In this story, Moctezoma orders his henchmen to kidnap a girl named Flower from her family and imprison her so she can learn to impersonate a warrior goddess and, unbeknown to her, ultimately be sacrificed to the God of War. Moctezoma becomes obsessed with the beautiful Flower and is torn between keeping her as a concubine or offering her to the God of War. But now Cortés nears Tenochtitlan, the Mexican capital, and Moctezoma commands Flower be brought to him to perform the human sacrifice. Says Bodden, “Arrows of Fire unflinchingly illustrates the brutality of both Cortés and Moctezoma, but it also demonstrates the mightiness of the human spirit and the resilient power of hope.” Marlen Suyapa Bodden is a lawyer at The Legal Aid Society in New York City – the nation’s oldest law firm for the poor – and an anti-war activist. She drew on her knowledge of modern and historical human rights abuses to write Arrows of Fire, her second novel, and The Wedding Gift, an international Wall Street Journal bestseller. Marlen is a graduate of New York University School of Law and Tufts University. She enjoys hiking and has climbed to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. This Email is Sponsored by Roatan Hall Press, LLC © 2021 AALBC.com, LLC | Tampa, FL ★ Tulsa, OK ★ Harlem, NY

“An enlightening and engaging portrayal of the Harlem Renaissance’s stratified society, in which African Americans’ money and education counted for everything within but little outside … Holloway’s gifted storytelling makes her, and Weldon Thomas, a pair worth watching.” —Booklist. It turns out that Karla FC Holloway is the embodiment of the adage “Age is just a number.” At 55, she earned a master’s degree in law from Duke Law School and has devoted her career to gender and cultural studies and the ethics of vulnerability in law and medicine. The author of eight nonfiction books, the James B. Duke Professor Emerita of English and Law at Duke University has also been an advocate for those facing death and end-of-life issues. Now, Holloway makes her debut as a novelist with A Death in Harlem. With Holloway’s rich, suspenseful passages and unforgettable characters, one realizes early into the mystery that they will experience more than a simple whodunnit. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the Jazz Age, A Death in Harlem is replete with history, deception, glamour, and murder. The character at the heart of the story is Weldon Haynie Thomas, Harlem’s first black policeman, who is tasked with unraveling the circumstances surrounding the untimely death of a young woman and its relationship to members of Harlem’s beau monde, its secret societies, its working-class and a shadowy man with power and privilege whose interests in Harlem hold the key to the mysterious death. Inspired by the setting and denouement of Passing, Nella Larsen’s 1929 bestselling novel, Holloway, presents an enthralling and enduring novel. Visit Karla FC Holloway’s Website

First, there was Lust, next there was Envy, and now we have Greed, the third book in the Seven Deadly Sins series! Passion, money, and a deliciously devious twist: Greed is the latest novel from the award-winning New York Times bestselling author, Victoria Christopher Murray. You can’t put a price on love… Zuri Maxwell isn’t happy. Her job is a grind, and money is always tight. Her boyfriend Stephon is the best part of life, but between his income as an artist and her commission-based paycheck, they are barely scraping by. When Zuri meets a sleek entrepreneur eager to pick her brain, she jumps at the chance to talk business with someone who has everything she wants. As he wines and dines her, Zuri starts moving in elite circles, and she faces a crossroads: Will she give up the stable, loving life she knows for one that glitters but may not be gold? The novels in the Seven Deadly Sins series novels may be read out of sequence. Read the First Chapter of Greed ► In the video above, Victoria describes and reads from, Greed. Victoria Christopher Murray attended Hampton University, then attended New York University, where she received her MBA. With 30 novels, Victoria has received numerous awards, including the Phyllis Wheatley Trailblazer Award, nine African American Literary Awards, and has five NAACP Image Award nominations. In 2016, she won the Image Award for Outstanding Literature for her social commentary novel, Stand Your Ground. Recently, seven of Victoria’s books were optioned by TD Jakes and Shaun Robinson to appear on Lifetime in the 7 Deadly Sins Series. And Tracey Edmonds just optioned her Ex- Files series for a television show. Along with ReShonda Tate Billingsley, she is the co-founder and co-owner of Brown Girls Books. “As I always say, but can never say enough, THANK YOU for your continued support! None of this would be possible and happening without you!” Blessings, Victoria This email is sponsored by Victoria Christopher Murray victoriachristophermurray.com © 2021 AALBC.com, LLC | Tampa, FL ★ Tulsa, OK ★ Harlem, NY

Doris Payne was told poor black girls couldn’t dream big. But she proved them all wrong and became an expert, world-class jewel thief. More ► Bestselling Books August 2019 AALBC bestselling authors are encouraged to use our Bestseller Seal. Our book sales are also reported to The New York Times and the American Booksellers Association. Fiction: Bestselling fiction is led by the short story collection Evil Never Sleeps: Tales of Light and Darkness by Robert Fleming an accomplished and talented writer, and the new novel from Kalisha Buckhanon, Speaking of Summer. Nonfiction: Always a good mix of interesting titles, this period’s list reveals a theme of overcoming struggle with grace and dignity, as illustrated by Fifty-Five Unemployed and Faking Normal: Your Guide to a Better Retirement Life and After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom. Children’s Books: Children’s books outsold all other genres this period. Books on our “Top 150 Recommended African-American Children’s Books” are strongly represented on the list. Poetry: One book made our list this period, Rock And Fire - Love Poetry From The Core by Marc Lacy. AALBC is Done with am*zon! Given all we know, we cannot in good conscience continue supporting am*zon’s monopoly of online book sales. Therefore, we have removed all of the “Buy Links” on AALBC to am*zon’s website and are selling all books directly. We also encourage you to buy your books solely from AALBC and other independent booksellers. Read More ► Dear Reader, I’m often asked, “What is the best way to support AALBC?” There are many ways, but I’ll share three of the simplest; 1. When you discover something of value on AALBC tell others; 2. When you find an interesting book on AALBC, buy it from us; 3. Pay for your AALBC eNewsletter subscription. As always, keep reading! Peace and Love, Troy Johnson Founder & Webmaster, AALBC.com This email is sponsored by Amistad Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated mailing. ★ AALBC.com eNewsletter – September 10, 2019 - Issue #275

Pursue your literary passion or hone workplace skills in Spalding University’s School of Creative and Professional Writing, offering low-residency graduate programs in one, two, or four semesters. Option to earn an MA and MFA for about the cost of the MFA. Flexible, affordable, supportive, committed to excellence. Financial aid available. http://spalding.edu/schoolofwriting AALBC Bestselling Books June 2019 Fiction: Fiction titles were the most popular genre this period. The category was led by Raisins in Milk by David Covin. We are particularly proud of this title as it is perhaps the first book written, published, designed, and printed by Black owned companies, to make AALBC’s bestsellers list. Raisins in Milk is also the first book to sport AALBC’s Bestsellers Seal, on the printed book. Nonfiction: The brand new book, Life Is God’s Best Gift: Wisdom from the Ancestors on Finding Peace and Joy in Today’s World, by Sam Chege led all other nonfiction titles by a large margin. Children’s Books: The super-talented duo of poet Kwame Alexander and artist Kadir Nelson, bring us the top selling Children’s book, The Undefeated. Poetry: There were not enough poetry book sales, this period, to generate a bestsellers list for poetry. We encourage you to check out the poetry books recently nominated for a Hurston/Wright Award or search our site for some excellent poetry. Purchase the Killens Review of Arts & Letters from AALBC Published by the Center for Black Literature, the Killens Review of Arts & Letters, a biannual, peer-reviewed journal, includes creative nonfiction, essays, poetry, short stories, and visual art by newly discovered writers of the African diaspora as well as works by established writers and artists. The Killens Review welcomes the works of poets, novelists, short story writers, playwrights, journalists, essayists, scholars, newly discovered writers, and artists whose literature and artwork speak to the general public and to an intergenerational range of readers represented throughout the African diaspora, and whose works are oftentimes overlooked by publishers and literary circles. A limited number of copies of the Killens Review of Arts & Letters are available online, exclusively from AALBC. John A. Williams Classic Books For Sale John A. Williams, who passed on July 3, 2015, at the age of 89, was one of America’s finest writers. He was skilled in a variety of genres poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. His sharp critique of the racism embedded in our culture is perhaps the reason Williams did not enjoy the celebrity his writing deserved. Mr. Williams sold AALBC several of his titles, some autographed, and we are making those titles available to you to enjoy. We have fours titles left, Captain Blackman, Flashbacks, Clifford’s Blues, and !Click Song. Quantities are limited. Visit our store and get your copy today! Review: Adventures of the Rich and Famous “The right friends can motivate you best when it matters the most, just like the young trio in Tae Edmonds’ book, Adventures of the Rich and Famous. A buried treasure that holds special powers allows the pals to take a vivid glimpse into the future. The endless possibilities are narrowed down into a futuristic preview, of sorts, that exposes the true calling of the youngsters who are budding with potential. With a firm grasp on an extraordinary timepiece and wishful thinking, the ardent threesome is propelled into an alternate world of positive life choices that result in ideal career paths.” Read the entire review ► AALBC’s New Website Search Engine Over a period of 22 years, AALBC.com has compiled a massive collection of information on Black writers. As a result, we have one really humongous website! One of the easiest ways to find the information you desire is with our new search engine. You can find information on a wide variety of topics including Children’s Books, the Black Arts Movement, Lists of Books, and even more about AALBC's Founder Troy Johnson. In addition, you can also find books in over 1,500 categories and discover the authors who write in those categories. New AALBC Bookstore — AALBC.store AALBC is the largest, oldest, and most frequently visited website dedicated to books written by, or about, people of African Descent. However, as any independent bookseller can tell you, in the “Age of am*zon,” the direct sale of books is extremely challenging. AALBC is not fueled by Wall Street investors, so we can not sell books below cost or ship them at a loss. But every time someone tells us that they’ve discovered a book or author they loved, on our site, we recognize that we provide a service that am*zon won’t — highlighting the diversity of Black literature. In 2019, we have fewer platforms promoting Black books and writers than we’ve had in generations. We can’t allow am*zon, alone, to determine which books and writers are important. Go out of your way to support an independent bookseller, you’ll benefit in the long run. Events Austin’s African American Book Festival Austin’s African American Book Festival celebrated it’s 13th anniversary promoting literature, by and about, African Americans at the Carver Museum and Library, on June 22. Here are photos from the 2019 Austin African-American Book Festival. Here is a YouTube playlist of videos covering the event. Bryce Newberry, of KVUE (Austin’s CBS affiliate), broadcasted a brief interview with Troy Johnson. We’ll share the 2020 date as soon as it is available. Go on Girl! Book Club Reading List Go On Girl! Book Club recently announced their reading list for the 2nd half of 2019. As always, you are sure to find a great read from this carefully selected list of books. Added Bonus: Half of the profit from the direct sales of books on the Go On Girl! reading list will be donated to the Go On Girl! Book Club’s Scholarship Fund. Another benefit of buying directly from AALBC. Resources for Writers We share a wealth of information for both professional and aspiring writers. We provide manuscript editing, book printing, domain name registration (and parking), and a variety of other tools and articles to help writers produce their best possible book. We also share lists of bookstores, book clubs, book websites, and provide a variety of advertising opportunities to help authors and publishers connect with the readers who will enjoy their books the most. Visit our Resources Section ► Hello Reader, Our new store allows AALBC to directly sell books and magazines that even am*zon can’t sell. Our newly enhanced search engine allows readers to find the content they are seeking much more easily. I’ve been able to cover events, pay writers, and develop alliances all because of your support and patronage. Thank you! Independent booksellers, like AALBC, can thrive only with your support. When you discover something of value on AALBC please be sure to share the information with others. If you value what we do, please purchase your subscription to this newsletter. If you have already paid for an annual subscription, thank you so much on behalf of AALBC and the writers whose work you are helping to support. Peace and Love, Troy Johnson Founder & Webmaster, AALBC.com This email is sponsored by Spalding University Our newsletter may be read on your Kindle ebook reader or via RSS. Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated mailing. ★ AALBC.com eNewsletter – July 31, 2019 - Issue #274

Dear Reader, Thirteen years ago I met Shaka Senghor. I was a young activist who wanted to change the world and he was a man serving a 17-40 year sentence for second degree murder. Through countless letters and phone calls and visits, we fell deeply in love. No one in my family understood why I was waiting on a man in prison. My friends thought I was crazy. I felt incredibly alone. But Shaka and I had an intense spiritual connection — it was as if God had created him just for me — so I ignored other people’s fears and took a chance on love. Almost from the start we dreamed about our happily-ever-after. We were going to build wealth in our community, travel the world, and make some beautiful brown babies. But happily-ever-after doesn’t always look the way you think it will. Once Shaka came home, the scars from his life on the streets and his 19-year incarceration proved to be far deeper than either of us realized. His homecoming turned out to be the beginning of the end. The Love Prison Made and UnMade is a story of love, sacrifice, courage, and forgiveness. It is a stark reminder of the emotional costs of American justice on human lives and it is my hope that it sparks much needed conversation about the impact prison has on lives long after the homecoming. I would love to hear from you and your thoughts on the book. Please connect with me on Instagram @loveisoursuperpower or on Facebook @EbonyRobertsPhD. You can also subscribe to my mailing list at www.theloveprisonmade.com. In gratitude, Ebony Roberts This email is sponsored by Amistad Our newsletter may be read on your Kindle ebook reader or via RSS. Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated mailing.

Hello Reader, Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am offers an artful and intimate meditation on the life and works of the legendary storyteller and Nobel prize-winner. From her childhood in the steel town of Lorain, Ohio to ‘70s-era book tours with Muhammad Ali, from the front lines with Angela Davis to her own riverfront writing room, Toni Morrison leads an assembly of her peers, critics and colleagues on an exploration of race, America, history and the human condition as seen through the prism of her own literature. Inspired to write because no one took a “little black girl” seriously, Morrison reflects on her lifelong deconstruction of the master narrative. Woven together with a rich collection of art, history, literature and personality, director Timothy Greenfield-Sanders’ film includes discussions about Morrison’s many critically acclaimed works, including novels The Bluest Eye, Sula, and Song of Solomon, her role as an editor of iconic African-American literature and her time teaching at Princeton University. In addition to Ms. Morrison, the film features interviews with Hilton Als, Angela Davis, Fran Lebowitz, Walter Mosley, Sonia Sanchez, and Oprah Winfrey, who turned Morrison’s novel Beloved into a feature film. Using Timothy Greenfield-Sanders’ elegant portrait-style interviews, Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am includes original music by Kathryn Bostic, a specially created opening sequence by artist Mickalene Thomas, and evocative works by other contemporary African-American artists including Kara Walker, Rashid Johnson and Kerry James Marshall. Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am Will be in Theaters Starting June 21st Get Tickets Watch the Trailer This email is sponsored by Magnolia Pictures Our newsletter may be read on your Kindle ebook reader or via RSS. Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated mailing.

AALBC’s Online Book Club’s Summer Reading List Participating in AALBC’s Online Book Club is easy. Discussions are held on the book’s description page, where it says “Join the discussion….” Feel free to join us anytime; discussions are not limited to the month the book was selected and anyone may join the conversation. June Book Club Selection: The Origin of Others by Toni Morrison Toni Morrison’s, The Origin of Others causes the reader to think about identity: what group does one belong to, who are those like self, and who are those not like self? Join the conversation ► July Book Club Selection: Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead A warm, funny, and supremely original new novel from one of the most acclaimed writers in America. Our discussion questions have been posted. Join the conversation ► Help Choose Our August 2019 Book What Book Would You Like to Read and Discuss? Starting in August, we will take selections, for our reading list, from our readers. You may submit your book choices here ► Video: The Hollywoodification of Madam C. J. Walker's Story A’Lelia Bundles, the great-great-granddaughter of Madam C. J. Walker, describes how the upcoming film on Walker’s life has distorted Madam Walker’s story. The video was recorded during the 2019 Austin African American Book Festival, which was held in Austin, Texas June 22, 2019. Hello Reader, I’m often asked; “What can I do to support AALBC?” A great way is to engage on our platform. Every book and author page on AALBC has a place where comments may be shared. We have also maintain one of the web’s oldest, continuously running, discussion forums. Our online book club, which was the focus of this newsletter, is a fun way to discuss the book we’ve chosen for the month. AALBC is “Social,” but without the invasion of privacy, psychological manipulation, and greed. Patronizing AALBC and sharing information, you find valuable, with others is also very important to ensuring readers and writers have an independent, online, platform to share our stories and ideas. Peace and Love, Troy Johnson Founder & Webmaster, AALBC.com This email is sponsored by Amistad Our newsletter may be read on your Kindle ebook reader or via RSS. Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated mailing. ★ AALBC.com eNewsletter – June 25, 2019 - Issue #273