Three Fine Bookstores, Book Reviews, a Trailblazing Business Leader, and More - 12/22/2020

[Daylian]

The AALBC bestseller, Bourbon Street, by Leonce Gaiter, is back in print! The thrilling New Orleans noir is back. In 1958, Alex Moreau plays his rich, powerful white father’s minions like chess pieces as he fashions revenge for his mother’s death, and long-sought freedom from his father’s iron grip. “It has been a long while since I read a book as complex and gorgeous as Bourbon Street… a sheer joy to read from beginning to end.” —AALBC

Recently Reviewed Books

Badass Black Girl: Questions, Quotes, and Affirmations for Teens by M.J. Fievre “Black girls are often seen as more mature and in need of less protection than other students in the same age group. This is known as an adultification bias. Because of this, when Black girls express strong or contrary views, adults view them as challenging authority or, more fundamentally, simply assume a girl’s character is just plain ‘bad.’ Instead of being heard and understood, Black girls are too often treated like they have an attitude problem or are a threat. Studies have shown this can lead to some serious consequences for Black girls who are brave enough to speak up when they face injustice. For example, Black girls in school are more than five times more likely than white girls to be suspended from school.” More ▶

Sweet Sorrel Stand by Yolanda T. Marshall Teaching kids about money from an early age can help them learn healthy financial habits that will last a lifetime. Yolanda T. Marshall, shares her Caribbean heritage in this fun and educational picture book. Marshall uses her culture to teach valuable lessons to young children. She shows children how they can create their own business, earn extra money, and have some fun while doing it. The story revolves around two children, Rose and Nicholas, and their love for a sorrel drink, which they turn into a business. More ▶

Authors You Should Know

Businessman Extraordinaire, 94 Year-Old Tom Wood Wood is the first Black person to take their company public and the first be on a major U.S. bank’s board of directors. I had the pleasure of meeting Tom a couple of weeks ago. The video I created really can not do justice the man and his accomplishments. People like Tom must be recognized more, and AALBC’s coverage is our small contribution. Tom also published his memoir, Anna’s Boy, this month, and it is chock full of fascinating stories featuring personalities from Martin Luther King to David Rockefeller.

Videos: Three Terrific Black-Owned Bookstores from FL to AR

I visited three wonderful Black-Owned Bookstores this month and recorded videos of the owners. I visited Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing in Little Rock, AR; DARE Books in Longwood, FL; and Best Richardson African Diaspora Literature & Culture Museum in Tampa, FL. These stores have been in business an average of 31 years! If you live near, or happen to visit the area these stores are located in, visit them. Learn about these and almost 100 other Black-owned bookstores ▶

Dear Reader, This will be our last newsletter for 2020. I pray 2021 will bring us all closer together both spiritually and physically. The global pandemic has caused a great deal of personal and financial loss. The highlight of the year was the tremendous support, people of all colors, showed each other. While the media tends to focus on the negative, the real story is that people have demonstrated a tremendous capacity to support one another — when it matters most. For this reason, I know we will come out of this pandemic better than ever. My hope is that AALBC will help enrich 2021 through the stories we share. Despite the pandemic, you are why I’ve been able to provide this platform to celebrate Black culture through books. Your paid subscription helps support this effort. Peace and Love, Troy Johnson Founder & Webmaster, AALBC.com

This Newsletter is Sponsored by Legba Books. Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated mailing. ★ AALBC.com eNewsletter – December 22, 2020 - Issue #311