What's Really Hood!: A Collection of Tales from the Streets

by Wahida Clark

Life in the streets take on a whole new meaning in this urban anthology of "hood" tales compiled by New York Times bestselling author Wahida Clark. WHAT'S REALLY HOOD!Black Is Blue by Victor L. Martin delves into the life of a corporate woman who falls in love with a thug and finds out just how easy it is to stray from the straight and narrow. Eighteen and hungry Wiz's only addiction to drugs is the money it made. But Crystal changed all of that and shows him just how powerful a woman can be in The P is Free by LaShonda Teague. In The LastLaugh by Bonta, Bobo, a member of the infamous Eight-Trey street gang, learns that gang life isn't all it's cracked up to be as "street wars" take on a whole new meaning. Shawn "Jihad" Trump tells the story of loyalty, love and honor, when The Point Blank Mob is brought to its knees leaving the crew fighting for their lives and freedom in All for Nothing. And New York Times bestselling author, Wahida Clark, introduces Nina, a woman tired of being disrespected by men who takes revenge to the ultimate level in Makin' Endz Meet.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Drama, Urban, African American, Anthologies

319 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2010

About the author

Wahida Clark was born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey. She decided to start writing fiction while incarcerated at a women's federal camp in Lexington, KY. Her style is street, raw, and she has an imagination that's in overdrive. When you read her novels they are so real you are convinced of one of three things: that you are inside the book, you know the characters, or you just have to meet them.
Her first novel, Thugs And The Women Who Love Them and the sequel, Every Thug Needs A Lady appeared on the Essence Best Sellers List.

Reviews

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being that I've been extremely disenchanted with almost the entire urban fiction genre lately I fully expected to be bored through these stories.
I'm very, very tired of reading about characters and only getting a sense of who they are from the brand names they wear and their measurements. I know for a fact that there are authors in this genre with enough intelligence and talent to fully round out a character. Why are they stifling themselves like this? It's almost as tacky as inserting theirself or an author friend in their own book. It smacks of non-talent to be honest and I wish it would stop. I envision authors sitting in front of their computer Googling little known pricey designers and using them in their stories. Is this supposed to one-up the reader? It only makes this one laugh and pity the author honestly and after reading other reviews and talking to people I now know I'm not the only one.
And while I found that I liked Wahida Clark's the least I still found myself enjoying it. The others were all better than Clark's in my opinion and I think any and all could be, and more importantly, should be, made into full length novels.
There were a few minor points that irked me but only one I can remember and since the book isn't in the room with me I'll only mention it. In the first story, Martin writes of a characters "baby mama" using 'BM' and then for some reason deems it necessary to specify, in parathensis, that BM = baby mama. Is there anyone reading urban fiction that wouldn't know this? If so, why? The same story uses the term 'alphabet boys' with no explanation. I would think more people would be confused about the latter personally. I hardly think too many people would have read the sentence with 'BM' in it and assumed it was meant to be 'bowel movement'. I can't see the story delving off into the character going in the house to visit his pet turd floating in the toilet.
Anyway, I'm not a huge fan of short stories and for exactly this reason - I get ticked off when I get into a story and all of a sudden it's cut down. Bonta's story started slow for me and as I was thinking I wouldn't like it I got more and more into it. The ending of Clark's story was no good at all I think and the "reader's guide" questions for all of the stories are jokes.
The short stories themselves, if turned into full novels, I'd read in a heartbeat and I'm looking forward to pulling out some of Jihad's books that I have here. I may even give Victor L. Martin a try with one of his.
I'd have to say my favorite was Jihad's and my least favorite was Clark's. I do have to say there isn't much between them though, they were all pretty good and would be much better as an entire book.

[Kristen · Rating 1 out of 5]

In my opinion, the two biggest problems facing the black community today are, first and foremost, Tyler Perry (this can't be emphasized enough, he's just that awful) and secondly Urban Fiction. This book is just the bottom of the barrel of an already worthless genre. What a piece of absolute shit!

The unabashed worship of mindless materialism is by far the most disgusting aspect, of not only this particular book, but the entire genre. More attention is given to page long descriptions of cars and rims than any sort of character development which sadly consists of little more than listing the woman's measurement and a detailed description of her backside. Which leads me to my next point, the misogynistic tone of these books are just disgusting especially for books that are read almost solely by women.

Fellow Goodreads members, if you find yourself giving this book anything other than one star I would suggest you seriously reevaluate, not only your taste in books, but your entire life.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I won another first-reads.
OK, so I admit I entered to win this book with the sole intention of trashing it. I can't wait to get to it! It looks deliciously bad!

[OOSA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Really Hood

“What’s Really Hood” is a compilation of five short stories depicting hood life.

In the first story, ‘Black is Blue,’ Victor L. Martin relates the story of Tyrone aka Polo, a thug vying for the love of Desiree, a legal assistant trying to make a better life for herself, which includes staying away from bad boys. She is involved with Lamar, Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes. Looks can be deceiving.

The second story is a tale of two people; Wiz, who is looking to come up in life selling drugs, and Crystal, an erudite girl who was on her way to college and the American dream but whose life is now heading for the dumps. As fate would have it, they meet. Like two cars in opposite lanes on the highway, Wiz and Crystal’s lives were heading in opposite directions. Fate brought them together again, where Wiz took an interest in her and decided to help turn her life around, but another twist of fate sends them in yet another direction.

In the ‘Last Laugh’ by Bonta, he reveals the nature of a person scorned. Bobo runs his section of Chicago administering brutal punishment to those who cross him. But can Bobo handle what he dishes out?

Jihad’s ‘All for Nothing’ is a tale of two friends who after committing a crime are able to evade the police.

In ‘Making Endz Meet,’ Wahida Clark shows what greed will do to people. There are lessons to be learned.

This compilation as a whole was okay. Teague did a good job of showing the many twists and turns life can throw our way. Jihad’s story was crafty. And Clark teaches to be satisfied with what you have. That said, there was nothing really impressive or outstanding about any of the stories. There were highs and lows, more lows and evens out to a just okay read.


Reviewed by: Humble
2.5

[African Americans on the Move Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

I HAVE TO SAY THAT I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED WHEN I RECEIVED THIS BOOK.I LOVE READING SHORT STORIES AND WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS COLLECTION.THERE ARE 5 STORIES IN THIS COLLECTION AND EACH ONE WAS AN EXCELLENT READ. EACH STORY HAD ITS OWN IDEATION OF WHAT'S REALLY HOOD! IN THE STORY "BLACK IS BLUE" THE STORYLINE FOCUSES ON THE POTENTIAL LOVE INTERESTS FROM DIFFRENT ENDS OF THE CLASS SPECTRUM.CAN LOVE BE TRUE FOR A CORPORATE WOMAN AND A THUG? THIS READ WILL LET YOU KNOW. IN "THE P IS FREE" A YOUNG WOMAN CAUGHT IN THE GRIP OF DRUG ADDICTION IS TOLD TO "FIGHT" FOR HER LIFE SO THAT SHE CAN LIVE. "THE LAST LAUGH" TELLS THE TALE OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN SOMEONE THINKS THEY ARE ABOVE AND BEYOND REPROACH."ALL FOR NOTHING" SHOWS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THINGS TURN BADLY WHEN STREET THUGS RUN INTO TROUBLE AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST "MAKIN' ENDZ MEET". THIS HOOD TALE GIVES THE READER A TASTE OF WHAT THE HOOD IS LIKE WHEN A FEMALE IS RUNNING THINGS FOR HERSELF.THE ORDER IN WHICH THE TALES ARE PRESENTED, THE PACE AT WHICH. THEY ARE TOLD ALL GIVE THE READER THE DESIRE TO WANT MORE. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT ALL OF THE FOLLOWING AUTHORS BE ADDED TO YOUR BOOKLIST AS THEY ARE THE NEXT HOTTEST READS.(VICTOR L. MARTIN, LASHONDA TEAGUE, BONTA, SHAWN "JIHAD" TRUMP AND. WAHIDA CLARK-AUTHOR OF A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER)

ZANDRA BARNES
AAMBC REVIEWER

[Charlene (Char)🍁☕️📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book on audio maybe it was the narrator but it was a good book wasn’t a fan of the narrator but these stories are truly hood inspired !

[Kimmylou · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok ladies and gentlemen, it's hard for me to write such reviews so here goes...I DID NOT LIKE IT! It pissed me off because it was soooo stereotypical, the characters were out of an old tore down cracker jacks box lost in a 1978 Duster. No depth , the stories were unbelievable and I grew up on the North End of Detroit ! I’m sorry it did not hold my attention, I had to force myself to read it, because It was given to me to do so, one redeeming thing I will say is that if the authors took their time and really build out their plots and characters and put a little time in their writing they would have an awesome book. Well have a good day and happy reading!!!

KimmyLouLa

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Out of the 5 short stories in this anthology, they were all OK.
Actually, the first one had a LOT going on. A lot of characters, subplots... Too much.
If I had to pick a favorite? Wahida Clark's was (surprisingly) not it. Hers was OK. It ended somewhat abruptly.
The P Is Free would probably be it.
There are better collections of urban short stories. But if you have nothing else...
2.5 stars

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this collection of hood stories...some more than others, of course. Some authors I knew and others I read for the first time, but I am always open to new people.

I would recommend this book to a lover of hood books, because you will truly enjoy it.

[LaRhonda · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5

[Deanna Cosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Another good book from Wahida. Could not but it down. Very interesting how she brings it all together . Waiting for the next one.

[Nesie · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good book.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

What’s Really Hood! is a collection of Tales from the Streets, comprising five fascinating stories of varying lengths in one satisfying book. I’ve never read street tales before, and I’m not familiar with the language or ways of the streets, except inasmuch as I’ve heard them on TV. So I wasn’t sure how I’d like this book, but I was pleased to have the chance to try something new. Hachette sent me an advanced reading copy in readiness for the editor’s blog tour and launch-date celebrations, and I’m delighted to be a part of that tour.

As I started to read, I found myself struggling over unfamiliar words. Ho, hoes, babymama, shorty, and all the different names of types of cars, of clothes, of shoes, of bags… But the language in these tales is beautifully consistent, and soon I find myself hearing the voices in my head, fluidly telling their tales. I was particularly impressed with the way that the dialog reads, without the awkwardness that so often arises with different dialects and slang. Perhaps the fact that the writing voice matches the characters so perfectly is what makes it so smooth.

The concerns of the characters are so far from my own—drugs, the search for another high, or another customer to sell to, the need for sex. But each of the authors conveys the characters’ lives convincingly, drawing sympathy through the pain.

Of all the stories, the one that will stay with me most is The P Is Free by LaShonda Teague. Even as the story grew darker, and hope more deeply obscured, this story seemed to continually promise something more, which it very satisfyingly achieved by its end.

Black is Blue by Victor L. Martin is the first in the collection, well-placed as it crosses the lives of a corporate woman with thugs on the streets, and leads the reader into that different world, just as she finds herself awkwardly led. The Last Laugh by Bonta, builds up to a fascinating mystery and kept me turning pages, watching and wondering at each of the characters’ motivations. All for Nothing by Shawn “Jihad” Trump tells a sad tale, movie-like in its scope and fierce emotion. And Wahida Clark’s own Makin’ Endz Meet closes the collection with ends that should never have met and a woman whose hopes and dreams have spiraled miserably out of control.

The writing is very different from anything I’ve encountered before, frequently “telling” the character’s emotions, but in such words and nuances that they’re equally clearly “shown.” I enjoyed this introduction to the characters and their world, a harsh place peopled with fascinating characters and cruel fates, but touched with hope. Thank you Wahida for this fine collection.

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I USUALLY DON'T LIKE ANTHOLOGIES , BUT THIS ONE WAS PRETTY GOOD :)(: EACH STORY HAD IT'S OWN UNIQUENESS. SOME STORIES MADE ME LAUGH AND OTHERS HAD ME LIKE DAMN DID THAT REALLY HAPPEN SMH. BASICALLY !!!! "What's Really Hood" is a compilation of five short stories depicting hood life.

In the first story, `Black is Blue,' Victor L. Martin relates the story of Tyrone aka Polo, a thug vying for the love of Desiree, a legal assistant trying to make a better life for herself, which includes staying away from bad boys. She is involved with Lamar, Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes. Looks can be deceiving.

The second story is a tale of two people; Wiz, who is looking to come up in life selling drugs, and Crystal, an erudite girl who was on her way to college and the American dream but whose life is now heading for the dumps. As fate would have it, they meet. Like two cars in opposite lanes on the highway, Wiz and Crystal's lives were heading in opposite directions. Fate brought them together again, where Wiz took an interest in her and decided to help turn her life around, but another twist of fate sends them in yet another direction.

In the `Last Laugh' by Bonta, he reveals the nature of a person scorned. Bobo runs his section of Chicago administering brutal punishment to those who cross him. But can Bobo handle what he dishes out?

Jihad's `All for Nothing' is a tale of two friends who after committing a crime are able to evade the police.

In `Making Endz Meet,' Wahida Clark shows what greed will do to people. There are lessons to be learned.

This compilation as a whole was okay. Teague did a good job of showing the many twists and turns life can throw our way. Jihad's story was crafty. And Clark teaches to be satisfied with what you have. That said, there was nothing really impressive or outstanding about any of the stories. There were highs and lows, more lows and evens out to a just okay read.

[Sarah T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every time I interview at my library with a certain department, I’m always asked, “So what urban fiction have you read?” Since I always had to say, “Um… none,” I decided I might as well give it a shot and I always figure when delving into a new genre, anthologies are the way to go.

I found “What’s Really Hood” while shelving and thought BINGO! It took me a while to actually get around to reading it and even when I started, I found myself sidetracked by other books so I wouldn’t say this one was really gripping. It was interesting though and I’m glad I read it.

All I have heard about urban fiction was that it was so hard core with violence and sex, but I was surprised that it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. It was more the descriptive language that was used that made the sex seem explicit rather than the actions themselves, if that makes any sense. The violence didn’t really bother me but I suppose that’s because I’m a typical jaded American. I was surprised though at how the stories ended because I’ve heard urban fiction described rather inspirational in the end, because “they usually end up with a woman overcoming the odds by being introduced to a better way of life, usually by a man.” *shrug* Well, if you’re looking for any success stories—you won’t find them in this book. But that makes sense after all because this book is supposed to be about stories from the hood, and knowing what I know about generational poverty, escape from the hood can seem impossible and take generations to happen. That’s exactly what this book illustrates.

For a first foray into urban fiction, I think this is a good choice.

[Sabrina Rutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm new to the Urban Fiction genre so this was a perfect book for me. With all of the different stories I was able to get a glimpse of the different styles of writing in this genre. Up to this point I had only read young adult Urban Fiction, and after reading this book I know now that I enjoy the ones directed toward a more mature audience.
I definantly liked some stories more than others, but overall they were all pretty entertaining. There was a lot of action, sex, and unexpected endings. Some of the sex scenes were quite graphic, but since I'm new to this genre I'm not sure if that's how most of them are. I'm an adult so the sex didn't bother me.
The only thing I didn't really like in this book was when an author would describe a womans body by using her bra size. I don't like numbers anyway so this could just be me. It didn't take from my enjoyment of the story so all in all this was a pretty good read.I definanlty plan on reading more books like this in the future. This is a great book for someone who is looking for a quick entertaining read.

[E G · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really can't get into collorbations. This one was not so good. I probably liked two stories out of all of them. If this wasn't a audiobook, I would never gotten through it. Audiobook Chapter 16, and the last Chapter 26. I have used my first and last credit on Audible for nothing. Read at your own risk.

What is starting to kill me most is.... All of the good authors that I have come to love are taking another route in how they write books... it is not necessary. Another thing is.... they should be more picky on who they collb. with. Like none of these authors really matched in how they write. It was like a roller coasted ride.

[Shanae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this one 3 stars because it was just okay. The stories I thought were fairly interesting and would even make great novellas: "Black Is Blue" by Martin, "The P Is Free" by Teague, "All for Nothing" by Trump/Jihad, and "Makin' Endz Meet" by Clark. Though I could have given 4 stars for the 4 stories I liked, there were some things about the tales that I did not find interesting and therefore, I'll just have to call this one average = 3/5 stars.

[Sheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through Goodreads First Reads Program. Thanks for giving me the chance to read it!

I love Urban Fiction and this book kept me interested throughout each story. Some had very surprising endings but I hated the ending of the last story. This was a very easy read. I would recommend to other urban fiction readers.

[JazzyRacquel · Rating 3 out of 5]

All These Stories Were BULLSHIT Even Wahida's .... & This Is Coming From A HUGE Fan Of Her Work !

The Only Story That Was Readable Was Jihad's All For Nothing.

The Book Had A Shit Load Of Grammar & Spelling Mistakes & The Stories Were Meaningless !

I Would Definitely Pass ! ♥

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through Goodreads First Reads Program. My first book I had Won. I couldn't wait to start it.I had a hard time putting this book down. It only took me a few days to finish it. Thanks for giving me the chance to read this book.

[Sabrina · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book contains several short stories about scenarios that might occur in the 'hood'. I found this book to be full of sex and profanity. I did not enjoy reading this book, nor would I recommend it to anyone.

[BabyGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is so good. Its really what goes on in the hood no matter where your from. Wahida Clark and the others really know how to paint crystal clear images from the stories... Everyone should check them out!

[Laura Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK WAS OFF THE METER IF I COULD GIVE IT 15 STARS I WOULD. THE AUTHORS WENT HARD WITH THIS SHORT STORY WITH THEIR CHARACTERS THERES NOTHING ELSE I NEED TO SAY ONTHER THEN IT WAS GOOD AND SAD I WANTED TO READ MORE ABOUT WHAT HAPPEN

[Shavonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually entered to win this book for my mom, and she read it. She said that is was "gritty and street" That is had alot of "drama", which she loves. She also felt that the short storis were somewhat un-finished and would have been more complete with longer stories.

[Benjamin]

Disclaimer: I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads program.

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this on goodreads giveaways. The quality of the stories varied, but I felt the editors' was the best.

[Cassy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was very hard to get through and not really what I thought it would be.

[Göksel Karagöz]

beatiful book

[Keshia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good...

[Queen Readers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Wahida Clark's books