coloredgirls


			More Like Wrestling: A Novel by Danyel Smith In her daring debut novel, former Vibe Magazine editor-in-chief Danyel Smith paints an intimate cityscape of Oakland, CA circa 1980. Zora Neale Hurston: A Life in Letters by Carla Kaplan This 800 plus page collection reveals more about this complex and brilliant woman than perhaps the entire body of her published works combined, including her notoriously unrevealing autobiography, Dust Tracks on the Road. The Autograph Man by Zadie Smith Short of producing the modern equivalent of the Bible, nothing can outshine the blinding luster of White Teeth`s success. Smith`s debut novel, published in 2000 to rave reviews, is a tough act to follow. There was bound to be resentment. Video: Stories by Meera Nair The story I most enjoyed was the very first titled, Video about a Muslim man who upon watching an American porn video showing a woman giving fellatio, is obsessed with the desire that his wife do the same to him. That Takes Ovaries! Bold Females and Their Brazen Acts by Rivka Solomon Having taken to task more than one guy for using parts of the female body to denote weakness, I was pleasantly surprised to see the title of a new anthology dedicated to girls with guts. Another World is Possible: Conversations in a Time of Terror by Jee Kim Angela Davis, Aaron McGruder, Rebecca Walker, Barbara Kingsolver and others respond to the events of September 11, 2001. Interesting Women: Stories by Andrea Lee Readers become privy to women of intelligence, sophistication, confidence and means. No one, thank god, is obsessing over her weight or falling to pieces because she can`t find a man. Fox Girl by Nora Keller Nora Okja Keller returns with a moving story about disillusioned dreams, piercing betrayal, and a struggle for identity. The Broke Diaries: The Completely True and Hilarious Misadventures of a Good Girl Gone Broke by Angela Nissel Nine dollars and ninety-five cents. That`s how much you`ll pay to own a copy of Angela Nissel`s book... Discretion by Elizabeth Nunez Nunez’s ability to sustain a narrative in this man’s voice is impressive and speaks to her willingness to step into a character who is unlike herself. Everyone can relate to losing a love that cracks the shell of the selves we used to be. The Vine of Desire by Chitra Divakaruni Divakaruni offers a satisfying sequel that continues where Sister of My Heart left off. It is easily followed by readers who have not read the first book. Invisible Woman: Growing Up Black in Germany by Ika Hugel-Marshall Ika Hugel-Marshall reminds readers that the roots of the African Diaspora extend into the least expected places. Yell-Oh Girls! : Emerging Voices Explore Culture, Identity and Growing Up Asian in America. by Vickie Nam The anthology journeys from childhood memories to critical analysis to activist in-your-face-Asian rebellion. Every Tongue Got to Confess: Negro Folk-Tales from the Gulf States by Zora Hurston In each tale, the speaker emerges as an empowered member of the community, transmitting knowledge that often means survival. Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush by Virginia Hamilton Gripping urban poetic language, attention to detail, and descriptive prose come together to create a mesmerizing and suspenseful story. Orange Laughter by Leone Ross Ross tells a good story in Orange Laughter, but she takes a maddeningly long time to get to the pulp beneath the peel. October Suite by Maxine Claire Clair ingeniously presents a narrative that is both challenging and rewarding, making the reader think about the choices we often make under duress or from a lack of love. Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson If you thought Star Trek`s Luitenent Uhuru and Mr. Sulu were about it as far as colored people in space and beyond, rest assured you`re dead wrong. Parable Of The Talents by Octavia Butler Small though it may be, Lauren`s Earthseed community is soon targeted as a threat to the new America. When Kambia Elaine Flew in From Neptune by Lori Willams The imaginative use of story in the portrayal of Kambia Elaine’s character is dramatic and effective. White Teeth by Zadie Smith Generating more buzz than a sadistic dentist and his drill, if you have not heard of Zadie Smith’s debut novel, White Teeth, by now, one might correctly assume that you live under a rock. Bruised Hibiscus by Elizabeth Nunez A spot on The New York Times bestseller list is an unlikely possibility for women of color writers, excepting a celebrated few those touched by Oprah. The Splintered Day by V. Mina Not only does V.K. Mina take a distinctly urban viewpoint, but she also makes sexuality of women of color and interracial connections the crux of her novel. Parable Of The Sower by Octavia Butler With creative clarity and startling insight, Butler blurs the line between today`s news headlines and tomorrow`s undefined future. The Prisoner`s Wife by Asha Bandele Prison life, becoming a prisoner`s wife, trying to touch through bars and whisper sweet things through plate glass windows. Sister of My Heart by Chitra Divakaruni In her work, I have found a favorite new writer. The Stories Of Eva Luna by Isabel Allende It`s like getting caught up in a love affair. Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America by Lori Tharps We`ve had the gentrification of our neighborhoods, our music and now our hair!