BookReview
By Angela Haigler
Great Fiction and Nonficton Books for the Fall
“Walk with Me: A Biography of Fannie Lou Hamer”
“Black Girls Must Die Exhausted”
by Kate Clifford Lawson
In her debut novel, Jayne Allen writes the “Girlfriends” of the 2000s. Said to have been inspired by life in her 30s, Allen gives us characters that are rich in charm, humanity and humor. The main character, Tabitha, is an enviable everywoman who seems to have it all: great job, great boyfriend and wonderful friends. When life throws her a curveball, she dodges and weaves, then cracks the bat to serve it back. Allen aptly captures Black Girl Magic and Black Girl Reality with a genius swipe of her golden pen.
From the sharecropping fields to the fields of freedom, Fannie Lou Hamer found her voice through personal pain and a love for her people. This comprehensive new biography about the Human Rights icon offers new information from FBI files and Oval Office transcripts. Kate Clifford Lawson reports on it all with passion. Lawson, a white woman, is an American historian and Harriet Tubman scholar.
by Jayne Allen
“Give My Love to the Savages: Stories” by Chris Stuck
by Barbara Chase-Riboud
Does provocative Black satire interest you? Need a fresh new voice to bring the pain? Look no further than these nine stories from Chris Stuck’s inaugural short story collection, called a “Black man’s life in scenes.” Prepare to be shocked, poked and forced to examine what it means to be Black from an unapologetically black, unapologetically biracial and most definitely talented new male voice in fiction.
Born two years before Madame CJ Walker, Hannah Elias would also amass an amazing fortune. Elias owned four midtown New York properties, and a Central Park West mansion. Passing for white and labeled the “Negro enchantress,” Elias was involved in a salacious scandal. Her secret white lover sued her for blackmail, but she won. The award-winning author of Sally Hemmings once again presents real-life in a skillful way that feels like fiction.
For the young reader “Touchdown Time” by Bryson Best (Children’s Choice) In this heartwarming story, kid YouTuber Bryson Best gives a child’s perspective on why playtime with Daddy is important. Using his true-to-life experiences as the inspiration, Bryson shares how much he and his brother Brayden love spending time with and learning about sports from their father. This book is the perfect companion to young Bryson’s YouTube channel, “The Kid Knows Sports.” P
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Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com
“The Great Mrs. Elias”
