AALBC Bestsellers, New Books Out Today, and More - 7/6/2021

[Daylian]

“Superb...Cuts right to the heart of the most important questions of our times.” —Michael Connelly A Black father. A white father. Two murdered sons. A quest for vengeance. Provocative and fast-paced, S. A. Cosby’s Razorblade Tears is a story of bloody retribution, heartfelt change - and maybe even redemption. Start reading it now. More ▶

Full of biting humor and careful honesty, Give My Love to the Savages is a collection of nine stories that illuminate the multifaceted Black experience, exploring the thorny intersections of race, identity, and Black life through an extraordinary cast of characters. From the absurd to the starkly realistic, this collection takes aim at the ironies and contradictions of the American racial experience. Chris Stuck’s provocative and raw debut collection of short fiction is reminiscent of Junot Diaz’s Drown. More ▶

By Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, The Personal Librarian is a biographical novel based on the life of Belle da Costa Greene, the daughter of Richard T. Greener, the first Black man to graduate from Harvard. But Belle was best known for being the woman who helped JP Morgan amass his amazing collection of art and rare manuscripts. However, as she became one of the most powerful women in the country in the early 1900’s, she harbored a secret — no one knew she was Black…she was passing. More ▶

A husband, a father, a son, a business owner...And the best getaway driver east of the Mississippi. Blacktop Wasteland is now available in paperback. Start reading the thriller that The New York Times, NPR, The Los Angeles, Times, Crime Reads and more all called a best book of 2020. More ▶

AALBC Bestsellers May/June 2021

AALBC’s bestsellers list has been published continuously since 1998 and is the most visible list focused on Black books in existence. You will learn about books selling well, in the Black community, that may never show up on lists published by larger corporate entities. Fiction: The #1 Fiction title for this period was, Voices of the Harlem Renaissance: Originally Published as The New Negro an Interpretation Edited by Alain Locke and Introduction by AALBC.com’s Founder, Troy Johnson. Sales were bolstered by a 50% off “Flash Sale” offered exclusively to AALBC text message subscribers. Nonfiction: Books dealing with racism continue to sell strong. The new book, How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith led all nonfiction titles. Children’s Books: Cool Cuts written and illustrated by Mechal Renee Roe makes our list for the 2nd time and takes the top position for the first time.

Social Media Can Never Do for Us What We Must Do for Ourselves

“This is also why I actively promote Black-owned book websites, Black-owned book stores, Black-owned newspapers, Black-owned magazines, the best Black-owned websites, and much more. The support is not always reciprocated, but when it is, it is great, because it is mutually beneficial and one of the reasons AALBC has lasted almost a quarter of a century on the web.” More ▶

Dear Reader, As always, you are why I’ve been able to make AALBC the premier online platform for books by, or about, Black people. Your paid subscription, book purchases, suggestions, engagement on the site, commenting, social sharing, and advertisements helps support AALBC’s mission to celebrate Black books and authors. Peace and Love, Troy Johnson Founder & Webmaster, AALBC.com

This Newsletter was Sponsored by Amistad Books and Flatiron Books Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated mailing. ★ AALBC.com eNewsletter – July 6, 2021 - Issue #329