Literary Fiction by People of Color discussion

This folder is to let us know what you’re currently reading and if you’re enjoying it. Both fiction and non-fiction. Let’s go and happy reading!

I’m currently reading A More Perfect Party: The Night Shirley Chisholm and Diahann Carroll Reshaped Politics by Juanita Tolliver & our current discussion readHuman Acts by Han Kang.

I’m about 40% into Prrfect Party and I’m enjoying it. Chisholm was one fascinating woman. Indeed! I just started Han Kang and can’t really say at the moment.

The world is heavy and I’m reading fluff to escape. Right now reading “The Arrangement” by Robyn Harding. I’ve been on a thriller kick for a while.

Wanda wrote: "The world is heavy and I’m reading fluff to escape. Right now reading “The Arrangement” by Robyn Harding. I’ve been on a thriller kick for a while."

I certainly understand, Wanda. I’ll be reading lots of cozy mysteries for the next 4 years (at least). Although, I enjoy them anyway. I just picked up mail from my porch and there were 3 cozies for me to read. Yes! How is “The Arrangement?” Not familiar with it or the author.

I just finished a historical fiction book called The Unexpected Diva about a Black opera singer in 1850. Her name is Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield and she was quite accomplished. She tried to balance wanting to use her talents to support herself with also wanting to be part of the abolitionist movement. It was a nice read I always like learning about little known real people who made their mark in history.

Karen A wrote: "I just finished a historical fiction book called The Unexpected Diva about a Black opera singer in 1850. Her name is Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield and she was quite accomplished. She tried to balance..."

Oh yes. I have that book. I read the premise and enjoyed it. I also like reading novels based on actual people. I have another one on Ella Fitzgerald I need to get to.

ColumbusReads wrote: "Wanda wrote: "The world is heavy and I’m reading fluff to escape. Right now reading “The Arrangement” by Robyn Harding. I’ve been on a thriller kick for a while."

I certainly understand, Wanda. I’..."

I don’t usually read cozy mysteries but, coincidentally, I just finished one that I enjoyed about a private detective in New Delhi.

My review of The Case of the Elusive Bombay Duck by Tarquin Hall

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I’ve been hiding away with my books for the last several weeks. On the light side: lots of Donna Leon’s books with the Guido Brunetti character, Octavia Butler’s DAWN, and I just started Jo Nesbø’s newest — BLOOD TIES. And on the more serious side: I’ve recently finished Timothy Egan’s A FEVER IN THE HEARTLAND, Steven Mitchell’s GILGAMESH: A NEW ENGLISH VERSION, and Robert Jones’s THE PROPHETS. I’m also slowly working my way through Edward O. Wilson’s THE SOCIAL CONQUEST OF EARTH and David Blight’s biography of FREDERICK DOUGLASS.

Currently reading Standing Heavy by GauZ’! Found it hidden away in a pile of books that were on sale. It’s a satirical deconstruction of consumerism and colonialism.

Freedom is a constant struggle by Angela Y Davis.

Jet R wrote: "Currently reading Standing Heavy by GauZ’! Found it hidden away in a pile of books that were on sale. It’s a satirical deconstruction of consumerism and colonialism."

Are you enjoying it, Jet R?

Carol wrote: "Freedom is a constant struggle by Angela Y Davis."

What’s your thoughts on it? I have her autobiography that I still need to read. I heard it’s very good.

Faith wrote: "ColumbusReads wrote: "Wanda wrote: "The world is heavy and I’m reading fluff to escape. Right now reading “The Arrangement” by Robyn Harding. I’ve been on a thriller kick for a while."

I certainly..."

Thanks! I wasn’t familiar with this series.

Mary wrote: "I’ve been hiding away with my books for the last several weeks. On the light side: lots of Donna Leon’s books with the Guido Brunetti character, Octavia Butler’s DAWN, and I just started Jo Nesbø’s..."

Thanks, Mary. I’m also reading a mix of heavier stuff with more contemporary, lighter stuff. I like reading palate-cleansers especially when daily news becomes unbearable.

ColumbusReads: I recently discovered Angela Y Davis books. I knew she was a civil rights activist, but didn't know she had a PHD. She is one of my new favorite authors. I have also read Are Prisons Obsolete and gave it 5 stars. I am currently reading Women, Race & Class. I do have her autobiography on my TBR list. She educates and inspires me. I completed Freedom is a Constant Struggle this am ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. It deals with global issues including Palestine. I highly recommend her books that I have listed.

recently i've been stuck reading whatever my ap literature class is reading lol. we're reading pride and prejudice currently. i'm actually enjoying it though and am entertained by it, which is rare for an ap lit book.

I am currently reading The Encyclopedia of Critical Theories, a novel by John Fante, and a book about the virtues of Ramadan

I just finished lots of books this weekend, now I'm on The Abandoned Boat by Ken Bugul (from my African Studies class), Being Enough by Chicko N. Okazaki (a religious book), and La Flamme D'Une Femme par Alex Amit (inspired history of a woman in Vienne 1910)

Currently reading The Book Thief, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, and James. I’m new to the group so you will need to tell me how the discussion works! Thanks!

I have recently finished several books that are either 4 or 5 stars for stars for me and soothing to my soul.

Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People by Imani Perry - a wonderful well-research collection of essays of Black history, culture, and tradition with the color blue and how it is passed from generation evolving yet.

Casualties of Truth by Lauren Francis-Sharma - This book is so timely, and I am sure when the author was drafting this book she would not know that the book themes of honesty vs deception, political ethics, & personal integrity would resound so certainly as the characters in this book face these issues of oppression in the U.S. and the time of Truth & Reconciliation trials in South Africa as a South African is "governing" the U.S.

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson - great read but I especially loved the look
into & research of the enslaved persons who produced pottery from clay and the research into Black men as sailors. a story that once solidifies that oral history/storytelling are as valid as written stories.

Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present by Fareed Zakaria - this was an audio book for me - liked how the author looks at the past to explain the present and how all the puzzles of the countries of the world fit into what we are seeing today.

I'm currently reading No Human Involved: The Serial Murder of Black Women and Girls and the Deadly Cost of Police Indifference by Cheryl L. Neely, Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez, and Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler!
They are all so so good. Nonfiction to learn, Anita de Monte audiobook for my library's staff bookclub, and Parable of the Talents because I LOVED Parable of the Sower!
I recommend all of them :)

Beverly wrote: "I have recently finished several books that are either 4 or 5 stars for stars for me and soothing to my soul.

Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People by [author:..."

Some good selections here. I have both Casualties Of Truth & Black In Blues and intend to read Good Dirt as well. I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never read any Imani Perry at all and that’s just crazy. I want to read her biography of Lorraine Hansberry which I’ve heard from friends is amazing. Have you read it? I have the other biography on her, Radical Vision, I think it’s called. I heard the Perry one may be superior.

Reading In Search of Our Mother's Gardens by Alice Walker.In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens: Womanist Prose

Inga wrote: "Reading In Search of Our Mother's Gardens by Alice Walker.In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens: Womanist Prose"


If anyone wants to discuss... I would love to!

recently i finished kindred and am now on to the attic child by lola jaye.

Just finished The Reformatory by Tananarive Due and All The Devils are Here by Mark Dawson.

Both were good reads. The Reformatory is a heavier read. It’s a fictionalized version of The Dozier School for Boys with some unexpected elements. All The Devilsare Here is more of a break. Its book #4 of The Atticus Finch series. Cop/detective series based on Ireland.

Still reading American Fascism by Chris Hedges. Well written and very informative so far.

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken. Halfway in.

I'm currently reading Utopia by Thomas More for my AP Literature class. I'm enjoying the discussions we're having in class more than I am the actual book, but the book is good too lol.

Just finished Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins today! I read the whole book in less than 4 hours

I am currently enthralled by Harlem Rhapsody by
Victoria Christopher Murray. This historical fiction is definitely keeping my interest.

Hi, All: I've recently finished Sultaneta, by Alexandre Dumas, and found it a bit shocking, in terms of his contempt for what he routinely termed 'les asiastiques' despite knowing that back in that time, that's how it was. I try to avoid reading in English because I have so little time to keep up my other languages, but I have finally found a good PD copy of Paul Laurence Dunbar's The Sport of the Gods and I intend to make time to read and review it shortly.

Take Care,
Ni

Just finished Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson. I love it.

I thoroughly enjoyed Dark Sons by Nikki Grimes

Just finished Isaac's Song by Daniel Black. Awesome read and I enjoy his writing style.

Just finished The Greatest Lie of All. Now starting The Sable Cloak

I'm currently listening to Dieu Dispose, Vol. 1 by Alexandre Dumas, Sr. and it is incredible. Even better than the prequel, Le Trou de l'enfer : suivi de Dieu dispose.

Ni

I just finished The Life of Herod the Great by Zora Neal Hurston. This book highlighted the complexities, multiple layers of human beings, and different views of history. Her notes and letters (included in the book) suggest that she could not qualify the accepted tale of Herod in the Old and New Testaments. If you decide to read this, you will come to your conclusions. This is a reflective account of a life that was condemned without much evidence. I was grateful to be able to read her letters and notes on this book to understand her viewpoint.

Currently reading two books: Middlemarch and All Tomorrows by Nemo Ramjet ( a friend recommended this one to me)

Hey, everyone! New to the group. But I just started reading Black Scare / Red Scare: Theorizing Capitalist Racism in the United States
Happy Friday!

Wanda wrote: "The world is heavy and I’m reading fluff to escape. Right now reading “The Arrangement” by Robyn Harding. I’ve been on a thriller kick for a while."

I'm with you on that. I'm reading something heavy currently but in-between each one I have to read something easy. I've been on a Jack Reacher kick but I'm going to try what you're reading. I love thriller.

Currently reading The Secret World of Maggie Grey by Granger

I'm currently reading, When Crack Was King: A People's History of a Misunderstood Era by Donovan X. Ramsey

and The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Beneath the Swamp's Shadow

A historical fiction novel highlighting the 1958 battle against the KKK when hundreds Lumbee and Tuscarora Indians ousted the Klan from tribal territory.

My review of Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Hello, New to the group. I am currently reading, The Forbidden by L.A. Banks which is part of a series I am reading.

Currently reading The Family Business series by Carl Weber for the second time.

Darryl wrote: "Wanda wrote: "The world is heavy and I’m reading fluff to escape. Right now reading “The Arrangement” by Robyn Harding. I’ve been on a thriller kick for a while."

I'm with you on that. I'm reading..."

Let me know what you think!

Wanda wrote: "Currently reading The Family Business series by Carl Weber for the second time."

Wanda, I loved that book series. I also love the tv series, but the books are better.

Watched a show about this book this morning. Plan to pick it up at the bookstore. Hope is is good so that I can purchase copies for several family members who have been artisans back in the day.

A short history of Black Craft in 10 objects by Robell Awake

https://www.wabe.org/atlanta-based-ca...

tierra de luz i'm reading of Lucia Asue Mbomio