Happy birthday Ayana Gray! She is the New York Times bestselling author of the young adult fantasy Beasts trilogy, and the adult book I, Medusa.
365 Black Books Ralph Ellison Thursday
Born March 1, Ralph Ellison wrote the classic novel, Invisible Man. He also wrote other books and a few were published posthumously.
365 Black Books George Schuyler Monday
Born February 25, George Schuyler was American writer, journalist, and social commentary. He was known for the book, Black No More.
365 Black Books Sadeqa Johnson Sunday
Sadeqa Johnson came to Detroit Public Library to talk about her book, Keeper of the Lost Children. The story is centered around three characters who are somehow connected to an orphanage in Germany. History is interwoven as the readers learn about an orphanage that took care of mixed race children (white German women, African American men officers) in occupied Germany. In her talk, Ms. Johnson mentioned a documentary film titled Brown Babies which tells the stories of unwanted biracial and bicultural children.
365 Black Books Claude Brown Friday
Also born on February 23, Claude Brown, author of the classic Manchild in the Promised Land. He passed away in 2002. Before his death, he wrote three more books. Read more about this author here.
365 Black Books Ishmael Reed Monday
Ishmael Reed was born February 22 and is a poet, novelist, essayist, playwright, songwriter, public media commentator, lecturer and publisher. He has written more than 40 books, a few posted below. Read more about Ishmael Reed here.
365 Black Books Bebe Moore Campbell Wednesday
Bebe Moore Campbell was born February 18. She was a bestselling author of three books, Brothers and Sisters, What You Owe Me, and Singing in the Comeback Choir and an advocate for mental health and other issues. Here is a brief biography.
Here are some of her books:
365 Black Books Christian Fiction Sunday
More specifically Victoria Christoper Murray, the trailblazer Christian fiction writer. She has expanded her writing to include contemporary, teen, and historical fiction novels. Read more about her here. Below are just a few of her works.
365 Black Books Love Saturday
Today is Valentine’s Day. Love is in the air! Rochelle Alers, an award-winning and bestselling author knows a lot of love in the air and everywhere! Read more about this author here:
Here are just a few of her books:
365 Black Books: Erasure Wednesday
Earlier this month, our book club met to discuss the book Erasure by Percival Everett. Erasure was adapted to a movie titled “American Fiction.” I did not see the movie, although it did receive good reviews. Erasure is an excellent book and in my humble opinion, I think Percival Everett is brilliant. The complexity of characters, the theme of black identity, and what does not black enough mean, the publishing industry marketing of African American novels, family, love relationships, the novel within the novel just made this book part satire and very thought provoking. A must read!
NPR reviewed this book. Read the review here:
The CamaraIfe Maktaba 