Some Excellent New Books Were Published This Week - 9/14/2021

[Daylian]

With contributions by leading scholars and illustrated with 80 images from the forthcoming exhibition at Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (September 2021), Make Good the Promises explores the enduring legacy of the post-Civil War period known as Reconstruction. An incisive and illuminating analysis broken into five distinct yet intertwined sections—Liberation, Violence, Repair, Place, and Belief—Make Good the Promises is a comprehensive story of Black Americans’ struggle for human rights and dignity and the failure of the nation to fulfill its promises of freedom, citizenship, and justice. More ▶

More New Books Published Today (September 14)

Palmares by Gayl Jones First discovered and edited by Toni Morrison, Gayl Jones has been described as one of the great literary writers of the 20th century. Now, for the first time in over 20 years, Jones is ready to publish again. Palmares is the first of five new works by Gayl Jones to be published in the next two years, rewarding longtime fans and bringing her talent to a new generation of readers. Intricate and compelling, Palmares recounts the journey of Almeyda, a Black slave girl who comes of age on Portuguese plantations and escapes to a fugitive slave settlement called Palmares. Following its destruction, Almeyda embarks on a journey across colonial Brazil to find her husband, lost in battle. More ▶

You Got Anything Stronger?: Stories by Gabrielle Union “Gabrielle Union has written another wonderful book that pulls no punches. The searing honesty of You Got Anything Stronger? is a gift to readers. Union faces head-on the different ways women become mothers and partners in an emotionally resonant and universal way. Her voice is relatable, warm, and sharp. You owe it to yourself to curl up with this book and to pass it along to a friend.” —Tressie McMillan Cottom, Professor and MacArthur Fellow “Remember when we hit it off so well that we decided We’re Going to Need More Wine? Well, this time you and I are going to turn to our friend the bartender and ask, You Got Anything Stronger? I promise to continue to make you laugh, but with this round, the stakes get higher as the conversation goes deeper.” —Gabrielle Union More ▶

I Take My Coffee Black: Reflections on Tupac, Musical Theater, Faith, and Being Black in America by Tyler Merritt As a 6'2" dreadlocked black man, Tyler Merritt knows that getting too close to the wrong person can get him killed. But he also believes that proximity can be a cure for racism. Tyler Merritt’s video “Before You Call the Cops” has been viewed more than 59 million times. He’s appeared on Jimmy Kimmel and Sports Illustrated and has been profiled in the New York Times. The viral video’s main point—the more you know someone, the more empathy, understanding, and compassion you have for that person—is the springboard for this book. By sharing his highs and exposing his lows, Tyler welcomes us into his world in order to help bridge the divides that seem to grow wider every day. More ▶

Paradise on Fire by Jewell Parker Rhodes From award-winning and bestselling author Jewell Parker Rhodes comes a powerful coming-of-age survival tale exploring issues of race, class, and climate change Addy is haunted by the tragic fire that killed her parents, leaving her to be raised by her grandmother. Now, years later, Addy’s grandmother has enrolled her in a summer wilderness program. There, Addy joins five other Black city kids—each with their own troubles—to spend a summer out west (Target Age Group: Middle Grade). More ▶

Teaching Black History To White People by Leonard N. Moore With Teaching Black History to White People, which is “part memoir, part Black history, part pedagogy, and part how-to guide,” Moore delivers an accessible and engaging primer on the Black experience in America. He poses provocative questions, such as “Why is the teaching of Black history so controversial?” and “What came first: slavery or racism?” These questions don’t have easy answers, and Moore insists that embracing discomfort is necessary for engaging in open and honest conversations about race. More ▶

Subscribe to AALBC’s (SMS) Text Messages

Are you reading this message on a handheld device? Consider subscribing to our text messages. We will send book give-a-way and other exclusive text messages to our subscribers. Look out for a text message, going out later today, for a give-away of autographed copies of one of the books listed above.

Receive Our Text Alerts

Text messages are limited to just two a week (max); you can opt out at any time; and, as always, we do not sell or share text message, or newsletter, subscriber information.

Dear Reader, If you’ve discovered, through AALBC, a book you think you will enjoy consider buying it from AALBC or another indie bookseller. As always, you are why we’ve been able to make AALBC the premier online platform for books by, or about, people of African descent. Your paid subscription, book purchases, suggestions, engagement on the site, commenting, social sharing, and advertisements helps support AALBC’s mission. Peace and Love, Troy Johnson Founder & Webmaster, AALBC.com

This Newsletter was Sponsored by Amistad Books Consider sponsoring our eNewsletter or a dedicated email. ★ AALBC.com eNewsletter – September 14, 2021 - Issue #334