Black History Month: Black Books #6

Welcome to the first annual Black History Month Hop hosted by Reflections of a Bookaholic and Mocha Girls Read a month long blogging event which focuses on giving black authors, books, and those who support them a month in the spotlight.

For the fourth week of the hop we have a few things planned for you. What’s a hop you ask?  At the bottom of each post you will find a list of other sites participating in the hop.  This way you can easily hop from one blog to another.

Weekly Topics for the Black History Month Hop
1st – 7th Black History Month Giveaway Hop
2nd – 4th Around Town
    5th – 11th The Business of Black Books
   12th – 18th  Black Love
    19th – 25th  Black Books
26th – 29th  The Best of…

We have a lot of giveaways going on right now from great Black authors.  All winners will be announced on 2/29/2012.

Reene Jacob’s “Regina’ Story” & “Brandon’s Story” (Ends 2/24)

Monda Webb’s “7:33am” (Ends 2/25)

Stephanie Norris’ Trouble in Paradise (Ends 2/28)

This is the week we introduce you to books by Black authors or with Black character.

32 Candles

Davie Jones—an ugly duckling growing up in small-town Mississippi with a mother who couldn’t get any meaner—is positive her life couldn’t be any worse. Just when she’s resigned herself to her fate, she sees a movie that will change her life—Sixteen Candles. But in her case, life doesn’t imitate art. Tormented in school and hopelessly in unrequited love with a handsome football player, Davie finds it bittersweet to dream of Molly Ringwald endings. When a cruel school prank goes too far, Davie leaves the life she knows and reinvents herself in the glittery world of Hollywood—as a beautiful and successful lounge singer. Just as she’s about to ride off into the L.A. sunset, the past comes back with a vengeance, threatening to crush Davie’s dreams—and break her heart again.
With wholly original characters and a cinematic storyline, 32 Candles introduces Ernessa T. Carter, a new voice in fiction with smarts, attitude, and sassiness to spare.

About the Author

Ernessa T. Carter has worked as an ESL teacher in Japan, a music journalist in Pittsburgh, a payroll administrator in Burbank, and a radio writer for American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest in Hollywood. She’s also a retired L.A. Derby Doll, a graduate of Smith College and Carnegie Mellon University’s MFA program, and 32 Candles is her first novel. Ernessa T. Carter blogs at www.fierceandnerdy.com. She now lives in Los Angeles.

Author’s Links 

32 Candles Official Website

Fierce and Nerdy Website

Earnessa could make it by here for an interview due to a pending deadline she is working towards.  So she will be giving away an  e-book copy of 32 Candles to one lucky winner.   This giveaway ends 2/28 and the winner will be announced on 2/29/2012. Open to International readers.  Just fill out the form below.  Good Luck! 

Check out the other blogs and the books they are talking about. Bloggers add your link to the linky as well. One lucky blogger will win a great prize for joining this week.

March Book of the Month: Assata – An Autobiography

“A compelling tale of the impact of white racism on a sensitive and powerful young black woman.”  – Library Journal

After all the books nominations and over 140 votes cast…Mocha Girls Read March book selection winner is Assata: An Autobiography.  Take a minute to see what this book and the author are all about.

Synopsis

On May 2, 1973, Black Panther Assata Shakur (aka Jo Anne Chesimard) lay in a hospital, close to death, handcuffed to her bed, while local state and federal police attempted to question her about the shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike that had claimed the life of a white state trooper.  Long a target of J. Edgar Hoover’s campaign to defame, infiltrate, and criminalize Black nationalist organizations and their leaders, Shakur was incarcerated for four years prior to her conviction on flimsy evidence in 1977 as an accomplice to murder.

This intensely personal and political autobiography bellies the fearsome image of JoAnne Chesimard long projected by the media and the stare.  With wit and candor, Assata Shakur recounts the experiences that led her to a life of activism and portrays the strengths, weakness, and eventual demise of Black and White revolutionary groups at he hands of government officials.  The result is a signal contribution to the literature about growing up Black in America that has already taken its place along side The Autobiography of Malcolm X and the works of Maya Angelou.

Two years after her conviction, Assata Shakur escaped from prison.  She was given political asylum by Cuba, where she now resides.

Biography

Assata Olugbala Shakur (born July 16, 1947as JoAnne Deborah Byron, married name Chesimard) is an African-American activist and escaped convict who was a member of the Black Panther Party (BPP) and Black Liberation Army (BLA). Between 1971 and 1973, Shakur was accused of several crimes and made the subject of a multi-state manhunt.

In May 1973 Shakur was involved in a shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike, during which New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster and BLA member Zayd Malik Shakur were killed and Shakur and Trooper James Harper were wounded.  Between 1973 and 1977, Shakur was indicted in relation to six other alleged criminal incidents—charged with murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, bank robbery, and kidnapping—resulting in three acquittals and three dismissals. In 1977, she was convicted of the first-degree murder of Foerster and of seven other felonies related to the shootout.

Shakur was then incarcerated in several prisons, where her treatment drew criticism from some human rights groups. She escaped from prison in 1979 and has been living in Cuba in political asylum since 1984. Since May 2, 2005, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has classified her as a “domestic terrorist” and offered a $1 million reward for assistance in her capture. Attempts to extradite her have resulted in letters to the Pope and a Congressional resolution. Shakur is the step-aunt of the deceased hip hop icon Tupac Shakur (the sister of his stepfather, Mutulu Shakur). Her life has been portrayed in literature, film and song.

OFFICIAL ASSATA SHAKUR WEBSITE

Congratulations to Mocha Girl Assata for becoming Mocha Girls Read book for the month for March 2012.

Feel free to leave comments and thoughts here as you are reading the book. I’m looking forward to reading this book and hearing what everyone thinks of it.

Keep the pages turning!

♥Mocha Girl Alysia♥

Black History Month: Black Books

Welcome to the first annual Black History Month Hop hosted by Reflections of a Bookaholic and Mocha Girls Read a month long blogging event which focuses on giving black authors, books, and those who support them a month in the spotlight.

For the fourth week of the hop we have a few things planned for you. What’s a hop you ask?  At the bottom of each post you will find a list of other sites participating in the hop.  This way you can easily hop from one blog to another.

Weekly Topics for the Black History Month Hop
1st – 7th Black History Month Giveaway Hop
2nd – 4th Around Town
    5th – 11th The Business of Black Books
   12th – 18th  Black Love
    19th – 25th  Black Books
26th – 29th  The Best of…

We have a lot of giveaways going on right now from great Black authors.  All winners will be announced on 2/29/2012.

 Anna Black’s “Who Do I Run To?”  (Ends 2/19)

Terri D’s “Yesterday Lies” (Ends 2/20)

Beverly Jenkins’s Book (2 winners) (Ends 2/21)

Delaney Diamond’s “The Temptation of a Good Man” (Ends 2/22)

Reene Jacob’s “Regina’ Story” & “Brandon’s Story” (Ends 2/24)

Monda Webb’s “7:33am” (Ends 2/25)

This is the week we introduce you to books by Black authors or with Black character.

Princess Atelai and the Wishing Star

Princess Atelia And The Wishing Star is not an ordinary princess tale. Atelia is not like the other girls in her neighborhood and school. Some may consider her to be a tomboy. When faced with the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up”, in a class discussion, Atelia made an unexpected choice that caused her to be teased and taunted by her classmates.

Going through ups and downs, trying to be something that she’s not. Atelia soon realizes that she is okay with being who she is. My story touches on gender issues, self-esteem, and confident in a fun way. It’s very relatable to children on the elementary level. It’s a must have for your child’s personal library.

Snippet of Princess Atelia and the Wishing Star..

After recess, Atelia sat at her desk drawing superheroes until Mrs. Wellington the
English teacher got ready to start the lessons. “Good afternoon”, Mrs. Wellington
cheerfully said, “today we are going to have a class discussion on When I grow up,
I want to be a…. “Great”, Atelia depressingly thought to herself. She never
thought about what she wanted to be when she got older. All she cared about was
being ten. After listening to how Sabrina wants to be a nurse like her mom and
how Michael wants to be the most exciting lion tamer of all time, it was now
Atelia’s turn.

She thought and thought and thought some more, but she couldn’t think of what
she wanted to be. She glanced at Mrs. Wellington and saw her impatiently tapping
her fingernails against the desk. With a big smile Atelia blurted out “when I grow
up I want to be a princess!” “A princess!” one of the boys snickered. “Boys can’t
be princesses!” another boy teased. The class roared with laughter.

Lynette Roberts

Lynette Roberts was born and raised in Savannah, GA. Currently reside in Atlanta, GA. Growing up, writing was always one of her favorite pastimes. She self published her first book, Princess Atelia and the Wishing Star in early September 2010. However, the story was written in 2006. Lynette wants to represent a princess of color who was also a little girl, facing problems that many children deal with. This isn’t an ordinary princess tale, it touches on gender issues, self-esteem, and confidence in a fun and entertaining way. Princess Atelia and the Wishing Star www.princessatelia.blogspot.com

You can get a copy of Lynette’s book at Lulu.com which is a company that helps Authors self publish.

Check out the other blogs and the books they are talking about. Bloggers add your link to the linky as well. One lucky blogger will win a great prize for joining this week.

Black History Month: Black Love #1

Welcome to the first annual Black History Month Hop hosted by Reflections of a Bookaholic and Mocha Girls Read a month long blogging event which focuses on giving black authors, books, and those who support them a month in the spotlight.

For the third week of the hop we have a few things planned for you. What’s a hop you ask?  At the bottom of each post you will find a list of other sites participating in the hop.  This way you can easily hop from one blog to another.

Weekly Topics for the Black History Month Hop
1st – 7th Black History Month Giveaway Hop
2nd – 4th Around Town
    5th – 11th The Business of Black Books
   12th – 18th  Black Love
    19th – 25th  Black Books
26th – 29th  The Best of…

We have three giveaways going on right now from some great Black authors.  You can win a copy of Alice Walker’s “The Chicken Chronicles” by entering before 2/16.  Enter to win an e-copy of John Garrett’s “How to Deal Wit Stupid Clowns” comic book until 2/17/2012.  And don’t forget to enter Shelia Goss’s e-book “The Bad Twin” before 2/18/2012.   All winners will be announced on 2/29/2012.

This is the week of LOVE♥♥!  Black Love! (and all the craziness that encircles it)  This week we will be featuring black romance novels and the authors that write them.

Who Do I Run To? By Anna Black

Janiece Hawkins never thought she’d find herself facing a love triangle. More than that; a love triangle with a married man. KP, the man of her dreams swept her completely off her feet before telling her he was married with two kids. Too deep in love to let go, she became accustom to being KP’s other woman and didn’t have a problem with her role as KP’s mistress until she met Isaiah. Isaiah ready to commit and make Janiece his, he stops at nothing to win her over, even though Janiece is stuck on KP. Things spiral out of control when KP decides it’s time to leave Kimberly, his wife to be with Janiece. Drama kicks into high gear when Isaiah fights to have Janiece and Kimberly also fights to keep KP. The ultimate decision has to be made by Janiece. Who will she run to when she is ready to love?

About the Author

Talented and inspiring is the best way to describe this Chicago Native. Now You Wanna Come Back is her debut novel and it has earned Anna, her bestselling author title and has done its duty as a page turning introduction for Anna. She has showed herself to be ready for the literary world by winning the 2011 African American Literary Award for Best Anthology of the Year for her contribution to the erotic anthology Between the Sheets. Her second novel Luck of the Draw is holding its own; being one of Amazon’s best selling Kindle books for several months. Her love for writing began about ten years ago with poems and short stories and now she is ready to wow readers with her page turning plots, by giving readers stories that will make them laugh, maybe cry, but definitely reflect. This new authoress is here to make a mark in the literary world, so readers get ready. She recently released her third romance page turner Who Do I Run To and it has already received several five star reviews. She currently lives in Texas with her husband Chris and her daughter Tyra and it is her pleasure to share her written words with you.

Buy the book:  Amazon.com

Visit Anna’s Website www.annablack.net

www.annablackfans.com

www.delphinepublications.com

www.facebook.com/ABlackAuthoress

GIVEAWAY!!!

Enter to win a paperback copy of “Who Do I Run To?”  Giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on 2/19/12.  Winner will be announced on 2/29/2012.  Good Luck!!

Check out the other blogs and the books on “Black Love” they are talking about.  Bloggers add your link to the linky as well.  One lucky blogger will win a great prize for joining this week.

Black History Month: Business of Black Books #4

Welcome to the first annual Black History Month Hop hosted by Reflections of a Bookaholic and Mocha Girls Read a month-long blogging event which focuses on giving black authors, books, and those who support them a month in the spotlight.

For the second week of the hop we have a few things planned for you. What’s a hop you ask?  At the bottom of each post you will find a list of other sites participating in the hop.  This way you can easily hop from one blog to another.

Weekly Topics for the Black History Month Hop

1st – 7th Black History Month Giveaway Hop (Closed)

2nd – 4th Around Town

    5th – 11th The Business of Black Books

   12th – 18th  Black Love

    19th – 25th  Black Books

26th – 29th  The Best of…

From the 5th to the 11th of February are the “Business of Black Books” segments of the Black History Month Hop where we be talking to the authors, publishers, bloggers and people who help black authors meet readers.  Today, I wanted you all to read a review of a Mocha Girl Book Blogger on a new and interested book.  From reading this review, you will see why authors need, love and crave reviews from bloggers and readers just as much as they crave the income.

The Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Reviewed by Wendy  G  Ewurum blogger of Fabulosity Reads

THE STORY:  Fifteen-year-old Kambili’s world is circumscribed by the high walls and frangipani trees of her family compound. Her wealthy Catholic father, under whose shadow Kambili lives, while generous and politically active in the community, is repressive and fanatically religious at home.

When Nigeria begins to fall apart under a military coup, Kambili’s father sends her and her brother away to stay with their aunt, a University professor, whose house is noisy and full of laughter. There, Kambili and her brother discover a life and love beyond the confines of their father’s authority. The visit will lift the silence from their world and, in time, give rise to devotion and defiance that reveal themselves in profound and unexpected ways. This is a book about the promise of freedom; about the blurred lines between childhood and adulthood; between love and hatred, between the old gods and the new.

WHO’S WHO?

• Kambili is a fifteen year old girl growing up in Nigeria. She is also the narrator who takes us through her life with her family.
• Jaja is her older brother. He is becomes a significant figure in the story as he shows early rebellion towards his father very early in the story.
• Papa (his name is Eugene), a tyrant and religious bigot who looks down on his people in favour of the white man in Nigeria.
• Mama suffers her husband’s extreme cruelty in silence as she tries to hold her family together.

THIS WAS HOT….

• Had I not read The Pursuit of Happiness by Douglas Kennedy at the beginning of last year, I would say this is the most emotionally charged and disturbing book I have ever read in my life. But as I have, I can’t help but feel that this book is the African version of the Pursuit of Happiness. What is therefore HOT for me is that I could I could compare this debut novel by Adichie with the likes of writing veterans such as Kennedy.
• I love Chimamanda’s writing style. Her language use is simple and yet is constantly weaving rich and colourful emotional tapestries. This brings to mind the overwhelming sadness I experienced as I came to realised the severely abusive conditions under which the mother and children are subjected to by the father, to the extend that he was responsible for two miscarriages and cruel and unusual forms of child discipline. It being an exceedingly patriarchal society, you also come to wonder if this is the norm in most traditional Nigerian households.
• I was extremely entertained by some of Kambilli and her grandfathers opinions and prejudices of the missionaries that came to Nigeria with their God. Here are some lovely ones:

In this quote Kambilli describes a moment in a church service given by her white priest (Father Benedict) whom, after seven years, the congregation still refers to as “our new priest”:

“Perhaps they would not if he had not been white. He still looked new. The colours of his face, the colours of condensed milk and a cut-open soursop, had not tanned at all in the fierce heat of seven Nigerian harmattans. And his British nose was still as pinched and as narrow as it always was, the same nose that had had me worried that he did not get enough air when he first came to Enugu. 

Her grandfather is a traditionalist and does not understand the concept of the Western God and here says:

One day I said to them (them are the missionaries): Where is this God you worship? They said that he was like Chukwu, that he was in the sky. I asked then, Who is the person that was killed, the one that hangs on the wood outside the mission? They said he was the son but that the son and father are equal. It was then that I knew that the white man was mad. The father and the son are equal? Tufia! Do you not see? That is why Eugene can disregard me, because he thinks we are equal.

• Whenever I read a book written by a Nigerian author I realize how closely linked to reality the story is. So much so that I never know where the fiction begins or ends. In Purple Hibiscus, Chimamanda does not deliberately seek to portray the bits of Nigeria and Nigerians which paint the best light but rather shows the darkness as well using a diversity of characters to portray the hypocrisy and corruption that permeates all spheres.

NOT SO HOT:

• Towards the end I you see a shift in the personalities of the children towards their parents and I would have liked to see things come to a more obvious head instead of having the surprise of the father being poisoned to death by the mother so quickly and quietly.
• There is generous use of Nigerian terms which I wish were also featured in a glossary section. I feel that these could hamper the readers experience because for me to get the meaning and understand the context I had to ask my husband most times for translation (he is west African and the language is his).

OVERALL:  Purple Hibiscus is one hectic book. It is by turns heart warming,, heart wrenching, dark and uplifting. Its real, honest, and I guarantee more than one sniffle.  As disturbing a book as it is, it is also quite unforgettable.I loved it.

Rating:  4.75/5

Have you read this book?  What do you think of the review?  Would you buy this book now that you have read this?

Join the link or just go to the link to see the other people are talkin’ about.

Book Signing: Sheryl Mallory-Johnson

Greetings Book Club Members!

You are invited to attend an exciting Book Signing Event with contemporary fiction author Sheryl Mallory-Johnson to celebrate the release of her latest novel, “Love & Regrets.” Described as an addicting page-turner, “Love & Regrets” follows the lives of three dynamic women – CARMEN, TEMPEST, DANA – and their struggles with commitment, family drama, betrayal, secrets, and love that spirals out of control.

The “Love & Regrets” Book Signing Event will be held at Zahra’s Books N Things, one of LA’s most beloved black-owned bookstores, on Saturday, Feb. 11 (3:00  – 6:00 pm). The event will feature an engaging conversation with Sheryl and an exclusive preview from the novel presented by actress Lyn Alicia Henderson (“Days of Our Lives”, “ER”). Sheryl will also be on hand to autograph books.

Book Club Members in attendance will also get the opportunity to sign up to have Sheryl personally attend your Book Club meeting to discuss “Love & Regrets.”

Don’t miss this great opportunity to celebrate great talent and to support one of LA’s most beloved BLACK-OWNED bookstores.

Please RSVP to Lakeitcha Thomas at lthomas@lippingroup.com.  In the meantime, feel free to stop by and connect with Sheryl on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/SherylMalloryJohnson

 Happy Reading!

Lakeitcha Thomas

Click the picture to enlarge