Ida B.

by Karen E. Quinones Miller

VISIT THE IDA B. WELLS-BARNETT TOWER, a subsided apartment building in Harlem that tenants consider both a sanctuary from the outside world, and prison form which they hope to someday break free.
25-year-old Brenda Carver is a welfare of four who longs to be a writer; Rosa Rivera is an aspiring actress who will let nothing stand in the way of her career; Sharif Goldsby is a political activist determined to change the world, starting with the Ida B.
There's also Miss Jackie, the middle-aged back-stabbing gossip; Vincent, the former bank robber turned scam artist; Mrs. Harris, the elderly neighborhood fence; and high-school honor student, Ricky, who aspires to be one of the scramblers on the corner, hawking crack to passers-by.
When one of the residents killer herself and two of her children, the tenants rally together and vow to take care of remaining child.
But that's the just the beginning of the tragedy that the residents of Ida B. will have to deal with. A shocking crime occurs in the building and everyone becomes suspect -- and with accusations flying, the tight community of Ida B. begins to collapse.

Genres: Fiction, African American

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Karen E. Quinones Miller is the author of the Essence best selling novels Satin Doll, I’m Telling, Using What You Got, Ida B., (nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction), Satin Nights, and Passin’.

Miller was born and raised in Harlem and dropped out of school in the 8th grade, but later finished her education and became a reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

In 1999 she self-published her first novel, Satin Doll, and sold 3,000 copies in just six weeks --and ultimately sold 28,000 copies in six months. The publishing rights to Satin Doll and a second book were ultimately sold at auction for a six-figure deal. She has subsequently been published by Simon & Schuster, Warner Books, and Grand Central Books.

Miller, who is included in the book Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African-American Women in Literature, is a frequent and accomplished public speaker. Miller has conducted numerous publishing/self-publishing workshops that have been attended by people nationwide.

But more than anything, Miller’s passion is writing. She used her publishing company – Oshun Publishing Company, Inc. – to publish Harlem Godfather: The Rap on my Husband, Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson -- the first biography written about the Harlem gangster who was depicted in the movies Cotton Club, Hoodlum and American Gangster – which she co-authored along with Bumpy’s 93-year-old widow, Mayme Johnson. Oshun Publishing also recently published Raw: An Erotic Street Tale by Shay, and Prey For Love by Leyton Wint.

Reviews

[Mattie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really wish this book had more attention. It is an extremely entertaining and gripping story. It follows the tenants of an old apartment building in New York and their lives that take place there. The characters deal with gentrification, racism, police brutality, homophobia, murder, etc.
I was able to relate to this story because I lived in a building until I was 8 very similar to Ida B. I was very excited to see a book discuss gentrification because the neighborhood I grew up in is (sadly) transforming into whole foods and shiny, tall skyscrapers and kicking out the original people that lived there.
The characters in this book are very developed and interesting. The story mainly follows Brenda-a young mother of four who dreams to write a book one day, Rosa- an aspiring actress with a strong will, and Sharif- a political activist who strives to help everyone in any way he can. Together Brenda, Rosa, Sharif, and the other tenants of Ida B. work together to solve a terrible crime and save their building.
I would highly recommend this book. It reminds me a lot of a book I read when I was little for class but I can't remember the name.. oof

[Nascha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Set in my hometown, Harlem, Ida B. is about the residents of a fictional apartment building located in East Harlem. The residents, a colorful cast of characters that include: Brenda Carver and her four children, Rosa Rivera, Sharif and so many more. A fast paced novel, Miller's dialogue is wonderful---so real and crisp, she really captures the voice of Harlem in her books. The plot is a little heart wrenching but the outcome is positive for all. When I read urban literature, I look to writers like Ms. Miller who capture the plight of urban life without glamorizing crime and giving hope to all those who read it. Sincerely enjoyed this one.

[Tara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was trying to get Ida B by Hannigan, and didn't double check the author... Oops. This book has a good rating, so I'm sure it teaches something about overcoming life, but I didn't make it past the first few pages - and I wish I didn't read that far. Way too much swearing, graphic vulgarity, and then crude sexual references thrown in - I have no idea what the rest of the book contains, but that was enough for me to close it. Always double check the author!

[Janaia · Rating 4 out of 5]

While visiting the US, I bought this book for $2. First off, it was good; no it’s not the best writing but the story line was interesting and it’s a quick read (on the plane ride home). Not a book to run out and add to your collection, but if you at the library; check it out. A trip to a different neighborhood than most of us is used to. Interesting.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this story about the tenants at Ida B, an apartment building in Harlem. With some very well developed characters, the author brings out the best in the community and shows how they come together even when they encounter tragedy and a shocking crime.

I would definitely recommend this book which captures the daily lives of a fictional group of residents.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

An OG in the black lit game, Karen E. Quinones Miller tells the story of the tenants living in the Ida B. Wells-Barnet housing project in Harlem, New York. The story is centered around a tight knit group of 3 childhood friends that came of age amidst a chaotic cast of neighbors, family and frienemies. The events that take place are tragic and happen so fast you barely see them coming which is how life is; I suppose. Brenda is a single mom to 4 kids this made me think of the film Claudine starring Diahann Carroll. Her best friends are Rosa an aspiring actress with drama on and off the stage and Shariff a militant man with a heart of gold and weakness for his people and community. Their worlds are constantly intertwined for the majority of the book and when they aren't, the story feels uneven. It's a decent quarantine read for sure.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about this close knit group who were more than tenants in a building, more like family who looked out for one another. Some parts dragged on for me and I was ready for them to get on with the juicy parts. It was a little too much dialogue I could have done without but it definitely had some hard hitting climatic scenes. The tragedy this small community saw was devastating, so much had occurred in a small amount of time, they didn't even gave time to recover from the previous blow it seemed. Overall I did like the concept if the story, made you think what would you do if faced with the decisions these young people were faced with.

[Racquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Most of all, it was hilariously funny to me. The lessons and meaningful relationships in this book also added to it being a great read. It's so funny to me though, that while reading this book, someone at the bus stop told me how they had read the book and loved it. Intrestingly enough, one of my really good friends was also reading it the same time I was. Would definately recommend. It was a cute book.

[Jeanna Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ida B. is the story of the Ida B. Wells projects in the Bronx, NY. The main character is a young woman who got pregnant at a very early age; and she has 3 children all by different men. But, she soon begins to really see herself worth and she begins to write stories about the housing projects and soon gets a book publishing contract

[Ms. Independent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. To see a community that come together to love, support, and protect it's own was a very good thing to read about. This book kept me interested with every single word. Has some great and lovable characters as well as those we love to have.

[Keyona · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was just...wack lol. I don't know how else to say it.No wonder I can't get rid of it..

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book so much that I could not put it down...as sad as it was.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

"chukles" at the first comment... you can't rate what you will never understand ...applauds the second reviewer!!! I stumbled upon this book and fell in love PERIOD!

[Kajun Kween · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very moving.

[‎raihanah alfawzan]

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