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Homecoming Weekend
From an Essence bestselling author, a provocative novel takes readers back to school as five people show up at their college homecoming with sex and secrets on their minds.
If you thought Las Vegas was where “what happens” stays, you have not been to homecoming at a historically black college or university, which means you have missed out. Until now, that is.
Curtis Bunn’s novel, Homecoming Weekend , provides readers a provocative, engrossing and humorous journey to an HBCU campus for those two days of reminiscing, partying, sex, romance, laughs and even tears.
There is nothing quite like homecoming. It is a combination of a massive family reunion and festival, a sentimental and reaffirming annual experience that is laced with rekindled romances from years gone by, weekend flings and surprising revelations. Bunn paints high-definition images of the events as he takes you on the odyssey of five sets of friends back at their alma mater seeking satisfaction in different fashions. And while they arrive anticipating one thing, they end up with realities that place them in moral and ethical dilemmas—and the resolutions are as satisfying as a warm embrace from a dear old friend.
Best of all, Bunn makes you feel like you are right there with the characters—or wish you were there.
If you thought Las Vegas was where “what happens” stays, you have not been to homecoming at a historically black college or university, which means you have missed out. Until now, that is.
Curtis Bunn’s novel, Homecoming Weekend , provides readers a provocative, engrossing and humorous journey to an HBCU campus for those two days of reminiscing, partying, sex, romance, laughs and even tears.
There is nothing quite like homecoming. It is a combination of a massive family reunion and festival, a sentimental and reaffirming annual experience that is laced with rekindled romances from years gone by, weekend flings and surprising revelations. Bunn paints high-definition images of the events as he takes you on the odyssey of five sets of friends back at their alma mater seeking satisfaction in different fashions. And while they arrive anticipating one thing, they end up with realities that place them in moral and ethical dilemmas—and the resolutions are as satisfying as a warm embrace from a dear old friend.
Best of all, Bunn makes you feel like you are right there with the characters—or wish you were there.
368 pages, Paperback
First published September 4, 2012
19 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Curtis Bunn
15 books51 followersCurtis Bunn, a Washington, D.C. native and graduate of Norfolk State University, is an Essence No. 1 best-selling author whose ability to expose the mind, thoughts, motivations and vulnerabilities of his characters has made him a reader’s favorite.
In his latest offering, “A Cold Piece of Work” (July 2011, Strebor Books), Curtis again delivers an engaging work in an original story that takes the reader on a thought-provoking journey. Solomon Singletary is an ideal catch — except that he finds it more satisfying to leave women than to please them — and sometimes after pleasing them. Years later, he encounters one of his “victims,” and immediately realizes he made a serious mistake. His mission then is to recapture Michele Williams’ heart, thinking reuniting with her would turn his cold heart warm. The odyessy features surprising subplots and twists that keeps the pages turning.
In 2001, Curtis crafted his first novel, “Baggage Check” and watched in amazement as it became a word-of-mouth national success. The audacious, moving and funny story of Greg, Larry and Julian blossomed into a must-read for women and book clubs who sought a genuine peak into the psyche of men. Significantly, men embraced the book as an accurate depiction of their mindset, motivations and conflicts. It debuted as No. 2 on the Essence best-sellers list and It was on the list for five months, including ascending to No. 1 in August of 2001.
In 2009, Curtis self-published “That Was Then This Is Now,” the much-anticipated followup to “Baggage Check” and it is another literary achievement, a virtual tour inside the minds of men. Amid the realistic and engaging plots and subplots, you discover the motivations of the male characters as they contend with true-life relationship issues; their innermost thoughts about women and how to deal with them; and insightful male personality idiosyncrasies – vantage points that educate and entertain at once. As you go on this riveting odyssey with Larry, Julian and Greg, you will laugh, you will cry and . . . you will learn. And you will definitely want more.
Just as with its predecessor, this sequel is written with deft prose and and honest, raw insight. It is a triumph that begs for another follow up entry.
Meeting with book clubs to discuss “Baggage Check” inspired Curtis to create the National Book Club Conference in 2003. It became such a strong coming together of readers and authors that he was named to the “Power List” by Black Issues Book Review Magazine. Now, the NBCC is the must-attend literary event of the year.
Curtis also contributed the short story, “Home Alone” in the anthology, “After Hours: Black Men Writing On Erotica.”
The Journalist: As a sports journalist, Curtis worked for The Washington Times, New York Newsday, New York Daily News and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, covering the New Jersey Nets for three years, the New York Knicks for eight years, two Olympics (Seoul, Korea in 1988 and Sydney, Australia 200), 17 NBA Finals, five Super Bowls, four NCAA Final Fours, four World Series, championship boxing, college football bowl games, six Masters golf championships and so much more. He has been awarded for his writing by the Professional Basketball Writers Association, The Associated Press Sportswriters Association and the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists numerous times.
The Professor: Since 2008, Curtis has served as an adjunct professor/guest lecturer at Morehouse College in the Sports Reporting class, which is part of the Journalism and Sports Program founded by film director Spike Lee and the late, great journalist Ralph WIley.
Curtis, who lives near Atlanta, has a son, Curt, and a daughter, Gwen (Bunny), www.gwenbunn.com.
In his latest offering, “A Cold Piece of Work” (July 2011, Strebor Books), Curtis again delivers an engaging work in an original story that takes the reader on a thought-provoking journey. Solomon Singletary is an ideal catch — except that he finds it more satisfying to leave women than to please them — and sometimes after pleasing them. Years later, he encounters one of his “victims,” and immediately realizes he made a serious mistake. His mission then is to recapture Michele Williams’ heart, thinking reuniting with her would turn his cold heart warm. The odyessy features surprising subplots and twists that keeps the pages turning.
In 2001, Curtis crafted his first novel, “Baggage Check” and watched in amazement as it became a word-of-mouth national success. The audacious, moving and funny story of Greg, Larry and Julian blossomed into a must-read for women and book clubs who sought a genuine peak into the psyche of men. Significantly, men embraced the book as an accurate depiction of their mindset, motivations and conflicts. It debuted as No. 2 on the Essence best-sellers list and It was on the list for five months, including ascending to No. 1 in August of 2001.
In 2009, Curtis self-published “That Was Then This Is Now,” the much-anticipated followup to “Baggage Check” and it is another literary achievement, a virtual tour inside the minds of men. Amid the realistic and engaging plots and subplots, you discover the motivations of the male characters as they contend with true-life relationship issues; their innermost thoughts about women and how to deal with them; and insightful male personality idiosyncrasies – vantage points that educate and entertain at once. As you go on this riveting odyssey with Larry, Julian and Greg, you will laugh, you will cry and . . . you will learn. And you will definitely want more.
Just as with its predecessor, this sequel is written with deft prose and and honest, raw insight. It is a triumph that begs for another follow up entry.
Meeting with book clubs to discuss “Baggage Check” inspired Curtis to create the National Book Club Conference in 2003. It became such a strong coming together of readers and authors that he was named to the “Power List” by Black Issues Book Review Magazine. Now, the NBCC is the must-attend literary event of the year.
Curtis also contributed the short story, “Home Alone” in the anthology, “After Hours: Black Men Writing On Erotica.”
The Journalist: As a sports journalist, Curtis worked for The Washington Times, New York Newsday, New York Daily News and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, covering the New Jersey Nets for three years, the New York Knicks for eight years, two Olympics (Seoul, Korea in 1988 and Sydney, Australia 200), 17 NBA Finals, five Super Bowls, four NCAA Final Fours, four World Series, championship boxing, college football bowl games, six Masters golf championships and so much more. He has been awarded for his writing by the Professional Basketball Writers Association, The Associated Press Sportswriters Association and the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists numerous times.
The Professor: Since 2008, Curtis has served as an adjunct professor/guest lecturer at Morehouse College in the Sports Reporting class, which is part of the Journalism and Sports Program founded by film director Spike Lee and the late, great journalist Ralph WIley.
Curtis, who lives near Atlanta, has a son, Curt, and a daughter, Gwen (Bunny), www.gwenbunn.com.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 29, 2019
4.5 star rating
What a wonderful surprise! This reads like a movie special. I laughed, frowned and gasped while reading. Netflix contact Curtis Bunn.
I was given an eARC of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss
What a wonderful surprise! This reads like a movie special. I laughed, frowned and gasped while reading. Netflix contact Curtis Bunn.
I was given an eARC of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss
January 6, 2013
This is How We Do It!
Curtis Bunn’s “Homecoming Weekend” is a fun read about reconnecting with old colleagues for homecoming and finding out what changes have taken place in their lives. Part of the book is about disillusions and readjusting in the face of real life and moving from the theoretical to practical living as participants try to hold on to youthful plights.
Kudos to Bunn for writing a ‘shout out’ to past attendants of historically black colleges and writing just a taste of their differences in how they do homecoming versus what may represent homecoming to other colleges. Bunn chose a good and interesting set of characters. There were many characters but the author pulled it off. Through the characters he realistically represented the varying stages of maturity (or lack of) in formulating problems of their reunion, the surprises and the fellowship.
As eclectic as these characters were, so much can be gleamed of Tidewater, Virginia, with its Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, and Virginia Beach flavor. Bring on the crabs, dance and ‘boom’ at 9:00 p.m.! Not only is it regionalization but a dynamite sub-state culture beautifully captured. I really enjoyed this novel.
Reviewed by: Gail
Norfolk State Alumni
Curtis Bunn’s “Homecoming Weekend” is a fun read about reconnecting with old colleagues for homecoming and finding out what changes have taken place in their lives. Part of the book is about disillusions and readjusting in the face of real life and moving from the theoretical to practical living as participants try to hold on to youthful plights.
Kudos to Bunn for writing a ‘shout out’ to past attendants of historically black colleges and writing just a taste of their differences in how they do homecoming versus what may represent homecoming to other colleges. Bunn chose a good and interesting set of characters. There were many characters but the author pulled it off. Through the characters he realistically represented the varying stages of maturity (or lack of) in formulating problems of their reunion, the surprises and the fellowship.
As eclectic as these characters were, so much can be gleamed of Tidewater, Virginia, with its Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, and Virginia Beach flavor. Bring on the crabs, dance and ‘boom’ at 9:00 p.m.! Not only is it regionalization but a dynamite sub-state culture beautifully captured. I really enjoyed this novel.
Reviewed by: Gail
Norfolk State Alumni
November 18, 2013
Curtis Bunn did an excellent job at capturing the essence of homecoming at an HBCU, especially my alma mater (and his), Norfolk State University.
September 23, 2012
Being in New Zealand , we tend not to make a huge deal of things like Homecoming etc , to be honest I don't even know if we celebrate it. When I saw this book available for review, I thought hmm this could be fun as I had seen movies with the american college Homecomings e.g Gilmore Girls , read a number of books with the topic and have enjoyed the whole thought of a college or school reunion. Homecoming Weekend is set at Norfolk State University , an all black school in the novel. Homecoming Weekend for schools like this is more personal than big colleges and is a strictly no-spouse zone especially if that spouse didn't attend NSU. We meet a variety of characters from Jimmy , whose ready to have the time of his life and escape from the drama of his wife Monica. Carter , a divorcee who has been having an affair with fellow former student Barbara for the last five years . He hopes to spend this weekend with her , but will he be supportive when he learns that she has left her husband for him and has made a move to New York to be closer to him ? Or will this ruin their affair as it bursts his no-strings attached fantasy ? Don, Jesse and Venita are on their way to the Homecoming Weekend when they are pulled over and it seems that Jesse's license has been suspended and he can't drive over state lines . Will the threesome make it to Homecoming Weekend and get to the bottom of the case of mistaken identity ? Tanisha hasn't set foot on the campus since the day she graduated, is she ready to face her past ? What will happen when the one guy she had a crush on turns out to be married to her University arch-nemesis Felicia. Will this be the time to finally get even with her ? Or has Tanisha captured the eye of ex-university boyfriend Michael's cousin Kwane ? Has love given Earl and Catherine a second chance to bloom ?
There is nothing quite like homecoming. It is a combination of a massive family reunion and festival, a sentimental and reaffirming annual experience that is laced with rekindled romances from years gone by, weekend flings and surprising revelations. Bunn paints high-definition images of the events as he takes you on the odyssey of five sets of friends back at their alma mater seeking satisfaction in different fashions. And while they arrive anticipating one thing, they end up with realities that place them in moral and ethical dilemmas—and the resolutions are as satisfying as a warm embrace from a dear old friend.
Homecoming Weekend is a tale that is told from a variety of point of views and so if you are not one for lots of characters, like myself you may struggle with it but if you love the variety and/or have experienced your very own Homecoming Weekend, then Curtis Bunn's new book is for you .
There is nothing quite like homecoming. It is a combination of a massive family reunion and festival, a sentimental and reaffirming annual experience that is laced with rekindled romances from years gone by, weekend flings and surprising revelations. Bunn paints high-definition images of the events as he takes you on the odyssey of five sets of friends back at their alma mater seeking satisfaction in different fashions. And while they arrive anticipating one thing, they end up with realities that place them in moral and ethical dilemmas—and the resolutions are as satisfying as a warm embrace from a dear old friend.
Homecoming Weekend is a tale that is told from a variety of point of views and so if you are not one for lots of characters, like myself you may struggle with it but if you love the variety and/or have experienced your very own Homecoming Weekend, then Curtis Bunn's new book is for you .
December 16, 2013
This book is a really good book fillled with suspense and drama. In the book there are sections each explianing a certian conflict. First, Tranise and Mary who are friends that haven't seen each other for 10 years see each other at homecoming, so they get excited. tranise is back and full of confidence and she wants to go and seee Brandon her crush that she had since highschool. Unfortunately she finds out that brandon is marriede to he arch nemesis and she is pregnant with his baby. besides alll that when she sees brandon he starts to flirt with her, even though Tranise likes the atttention she thinks its wrong for him to flirt with another women when he was marriede and expecting a baby. Brandon Also gets verry jelouse when he sees Tranise with Kwame, who tells Tranise that he had a crush on her since High school.
There is also a monica and Jimmy. Monica grows suspision of jimmy becouse she thinks that jimmy is does not want her to go to homecoming with him becouse he wants to go and have an affair with somone else. Jimmy tries to convince her that he will stay loyal and that homecoming is not about what she thinks its is. Its only time for him to reunite with with his old friends and have fun and reconnect. Jimmy tries to explain it to Monica that even if she goes she wont have any fun , but Monica is still insicure about herself therfore she does not trust Jimmy. A Section of the Booc talk about a group of friends Jesse, Don, and Denita , who travel to Homecoming together. Also there is a splash of Romance int the boock and a juicy twist. Cathrine and Earl shck everyone when they show up at homecoming as a couple in love. Barbora and carl who where suppost to be in love, a shocking news ends up driving them apart. Barbara has recently divorced her husband for carl and plans to move to New York City with her children so she can see Earl more often. But When she reveals this shocking news to carl. Carl is no longer thrilled. He is not happy that Barbara was moving to his city, even though he told her many times that he loved her.
There is also a monica and Jimmy. Monica grows suspision of jimmy becouse she thinks that jimmy is does not want her to go to homecoming with him becouse he wants to go and have an affair with somone else. Jimmy tries to convince her that he will stay loyal and that homecoming is not about what she thinks its is. Its only time for him to reunite with with his old friends and have fun and reconnect. Jimmy tries to explain it to Monica that even if she goes she wont have any fun , but Monica is still insicure about herself therfore she does not trust Jimmy. A Section of the Booc talk about a group of friends Jesse, Don, and Denita , who travel to Homecoming together. Also there is a splash of Romance int the boock and a juicy twist. Cathrine and Earl shck everyone when they show up at homecoming as a couple in love. Barbora and carl who where suppost to be in love, a shocking news ends up driving them apart. Barbara has recently divorced her husband for carl and plans to move to New York City with her children so she can see Earl more often. But When she reveals this shocking news to carl. Carl is no longer thrilled. He is not happy that Barbara was moving to his city, even though he told her many times that he loved her.
November 1, 2012
I just finished reading Curtis Bunn’s newest release Homecoming Weekend. I dont know where to start…I love love love this book. The whole time I was reading it I was thinking to myself, ‘maybe I should have went to an HBCU’.
The setting for this story was Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia. Homecoming is a big event for alumni. It is a time where they can come back to the campus that helped shape them into the person that they are and to reconnect with people who were there during that time. Homecoming Weekendis a look at how several different people experience this annual event. Even though it was the same event, each of the characters came for different reasons and each left with a different lease on life. Some came to get a break from a nagging spouse, while others came in search of “the one that got away”. For me, the most memorable character was a minor character by the the name of Collette Simpson-Washington. Her part in the story was interesting was brief, but there is something about her that makes me want to hear more about her experience. There were love connections made, friendships strengthened…and overall a good time was had by all. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends. As a result of reading it, I am seriously considering a trip to homecoming at my alma mater!
The setting for this story was Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia. Homecoming is a big event for alumni. It is a time where they can come back to the campus that helped shape them into the person that they are and to reconnect with people who were there during that time. Homecoming Weekendis a look at how several different people experience this annual event. Even though it was the same event, each of the characters came for different reasons and each left with a different lease on life. Some came to get a break from a nagging spouse, while others came in search of “the one that got away”. For me, the most memorable character was a minor character by the the name of Collette Simpson-Washington. Her part in the story was interesting was brief, but there is something about her that makes me want to hear more about her experience. There were love connections made, friendships strengthened…and overall a good time was had by all. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends. As a result of reading it, I am seriously considering a trip to homecoming at my alma mater!
December 5, 2015
This was an interesting book, something different for me.
I was kind of lost at first (I'm more a 2 POV kind of girl) but as I got more into the story all started to explain itself. This was a fun and crazy read with some real life situations.
There are 4 different stories and they are from different age ranges. I really loved Earl and Catherine's story. It teaches us that real love can find us even if we are old and that not all men are the same like we saw from Earl at the golf game.
I was really sorry for Don. As he was at the apex of personal problems and he was using homecoming as a temporary getaway from which he was looking to find some happiness.
As for the others, they made me mad and they made me laugh. I really don't know how I feel about them so I'm not going to bother mentioning them ^_^
I was kind of lost at first (I'm more a 2 POV kind of girl) but as I got more into the story all started to explain itself. This was a fun and crazy read with some real life situations.
There are 4 different stories and they are from different age ranges. I really loved Earl and Catherine's story. It teaches us that real love can find us even if we are old and that not all men are the same like we saw from Earl at the golf game.
I was really sorry for Don. As he was at the apex of personal problems and he was using homecoming as a temporary getaway from which he was looking to find some happiness.
As for the others, they made me mad and they made me laugh. I really don't know how I feel about them so I'm not going to bother mentioning them ^_^
September 23, 2012
This was an excellent novel. It brought back so many memories of homecoming weekend when I use to go. It was always something going on that I always said could be a novel. Now Curtis Bunn has put it into writing. If you haven't already downloaded a copy for yourself do so now. You will not be disappointed.
January 11, 2013
He got the feeling of Homecoming right, but the stories were a little lacking, for me. I felt like there was a waisted storyline and other empty spaces. Not bad, but I was a little disappointed.
July 24, 2013
Great book reminded me a my days at Wilberforce University. We didn't have a football team but our Dawn Dance is reminiscent of Homecoming.
Read
October 2, 2013Loved it
February 25, 2014
BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 5, 2016
I felt like I was there!
November 18, 2017
For those of us that were unable to attend a HBCU, this book give us a glimpse into their homecoming weekend.
August 6, 2015
Really good read this was my second book from this author also enjoyed "truth is in the wine"
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews