Black Coffee discussion

What are some AA Historical Fiction or Classics that have missed out on the fame they should have?

Books that have a shockingly low number of ratings (Fewer than 1,000 on Goodreads), but in your opinion should be much more well read.

I started a Listopia list for us

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...

Let's also limit it to books that have been published at least 3 years ago . Newer releases won't have many ratings anyway.

Group List



Sapphire's Grave by Hilda Gurley-Highgate
This Child's Gonna Live by Sarah E. Wright
Tempest Rising by Diane McKinney-Whetstone
A Taste of Honey: Stories by Jabari Asim
Betsey Brown by Ntozake Shange

My list so far

Sapphire's Grave by Hilda Gurley-Highgate

I have read this book at least 2 times and maybe 3.

This Child's Gonna Live by Sarah E. Wright

Group read here. Beautiful poetic prose.

Tempest Rising by Diane McKinney-Whetstone

She is an underrated author altogether. Love her books

Betsey Brown by Ntozake Shange

Would love to see this book more well known. Portrays a fairly happy AA family that I would love to see more well represented in literature.

A Taste of Honey: Stories by Jabari Asim

Another group read. Excellent storytelling.

Will add these to my TBR pile. Thanks, Londa

Londa -

Great idea.
And yes, you know I have some books to add to this list.

And while I commend that we are reading "forgotten" gems - also try to remember that often these books are "hidden" from us for a couple of reasons:
- many were published prior to ebooks (which keeps books around forever) and as such because many of these authors did not "make the numbers" that their publishers expected contracts were not renewed - so authors stopped writing and/or pursued other interests.

So that is why I think it is also important to read books being that are being published today so authors can continue to get published today. And also "ask" libraries to purchase the recently published books that we want to read. And yes, the libraries may not purchase all of the books that you request but it is once again another way to keep recently published books/authors out there.

I know I am also very guilty of not going back and rating and/or posting reviews/comments about books that I read before GoodReads. I am often lax in posting ratings/comments for recently read books.

Happy Reading!

Thanks Beverly! I knew you would have plenty to add.

I thought this would be in good company with all of your new lists/threads.

Once I figured out how to do it, I started requesting my library purchase books ALL THE TIME. I should be on the payroll. LOL 90% of the time, they order what I ask for.

A couple of hidden gems off the time of head.

David Anthony Durhamwrote a couple of excellent historical fiction books which featured Black males as the main character.

Gabriel's Story
Walk Through Darkness
Pride of Carthage Pride of Carthage Pride of Carthage (This book does have about 800 rating but that could be because it is about Hannibal and looks at his actions in Europe - but does a great job of telling Hannibal's story from his pov)

Here are a couple of other hidden gems:
I am Not Sidney Poitier
Unburnable: A Novel
The River Where Blood Is Born
Chasing Sophea: A Novel
The Full Matilda: A Novel
Like Trees, Walking
Stand the Storm

Aahhhhh I want to add so many books! But I'm not up for going back and looking at publication dates! I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this conversation though!

Thanks Beverly! I have added some to my to-read list already.

This cover is so gorgeous! Read the preview and it sounds very Morrisonesque to me. I might have to read that one very soon.

And this one
is about an area very close to where I grew up. I can see it shooting to the top of my list too.

This was a great idea Londa. I love Listopia and refer to it often. If I can think of any I will definitely be adding.

I thought of one!

Fifth Born by Zelda Lockhart

Here is a couple more:

Douglass' Women
How could I forget this book. This is a well-written historical fiction. I have recommended this book many times and the feedback has been good.

The Fall of Rome

Daddy Was a Number Runner

And if you like mother/daughter relationship books:
Daughter
Third Girl from the Left

Thanks Beverly & kisha!

Since I started the Listopia list, anyone can add their choices, or vote for the ones they agree with.

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...

I"m headed to vote now

Yes, I just voted on a list of books that Beverly sent me. I also need to write more reviews.