Literary Fiction by People of Color discussion

Nadine wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Nadine wrote: "A book that's fallen by the wayside is Tonic and Balm - a couple of months ago several of us won an early copy from t..."

Hello, Nadine! Are we still on for discussing Tonic and Balm on the 18th? We can modify the reading schedule if you so desire. We had originally planned to discuss the entire book on the 18th but can change it if you like. I’ve read it and enjoyed it and certainly don’t mind rereading it.

Rosalie- what say you?

Columbus wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Nadine wrote: "A book that's fallen by the wayside is Tonic and Balm - a couple of months ago several of us won an ea..."

I'm ready to discuss the whole book on April 18 - how about you, Rosalie?

Nadine wrote: "I'm ready to discuss the whole book on April 18 - how about you, Rosalie?"

Yes indeed!

Dates Dates Dates...

Thursday - Tonic and Balm - Stephanie Allen. Entire book discussed day 1.

June 5th - The Narrows - Ann Petry Priyanka and I had originally planned this for an earlier date but life issues interrupted our buddy read.

Question: I just recently learned about Beverly Jackson and as I look through her books on GR I find I’m late to the party.
- Are her books LFPC-worthy? Not whether they are good or not but are they literary enough or fit in with our brand.
-any of them less-romancy than others or good for a buddy read, or not really. Seems like they straddle the line between romance and civil war fiction?

Columbus wrote: "Dates Dates Dates...

Thursday - Tonic and Balm - Stephanie Allen. Entire book discussed day 1.

June 5th - The Narrows - Ann Petry P..."

Columbus -

I think you mean Beverly Jenkins.
I love her work!
Ms. Jenkins is a masterful storyteller and all of her historical romance books are well-researched and include a bibliography so the reader can do more research.

Beverly wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Dates Dates Dates...

Thursday - Tonic and Balm - Stephanie Allen. Entire book discussed day 1.

June 5th - The Narrows - [author:An..."

Ok, yes, you see how green I am to her that I can’t even get her name right. Would you recommend any particular book by her?....also, she’s originally from Detroit. What!

I'm a journalist and I've interviewed Beverly Jenkins! She's great! Her stories are pretty much standard historical romances in the same vein as Harlequin, maybe a little more literary, but not much. That being said, I still recommend her books.

Columbus wrote: "Beverly wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Dates Dates Dates...

Thursday - Tonic and Balm - Stephanie Allen. Entire book discussed day 1.

June 5th - The Narrows which deals with Reconstruction era.

Here is a link to her website:
http://www.beverlyjenkins.net/web/

Is anyone interested in a buddy read of Angie Thomas’ On the Come Up, maybe June 1? I need to get back on the hold list at my library, which can be unpredictable for the hottest books...

Carol wrote: "Is anyone interested in a buddy read of Angie Thomas’ On the Come Up, maybe June 1? I need to get back on the hold list at my library, which can be unpredictable f..."
I own this one so let me know when you're ready.

Michelle wrote: "Carol wrote: "Is anyone interested in a buddy read of Angie Thomas’ On the Come Up, maybe June 1? I need to get back on the hold list at my library, which can be u..."

That’s great. Michelle. When my hold comes in, I’ll check back here and we can align on a start date. Thanks!

I'm in. I have the e-book; been waiting for a group/buddy read of On the Come Up. So June 1st???

Mo wrote: "I'm in. I have the e-book; been waiting for a group/buddy read of On the Come Up. So June 1st???"

Fantastic! June 1 is our target. We may push it a day or two when we get there if someone needs breathing room.

Graphic novel anyone? A day or two to read and a week to discuss. Right before the start of “The Narrows”

The Be-Bop Barbarians: A Graphic Novel by Gary Phillips. 1950’s Harlem, Jazz, Civil Rights Movement and the Red Scare. Crash, Bang, Boom!

Hi. I'm new to this but I'd love some company for Colson Whitehead's well reviewed upcoming novel, the Nickel Boys which is out next week (July 16).

Carole wrote: "Hi. I'm new to this but I'd love some company for Colson Whitehead's well reviewed upcoming novel, the Nickel Boys which is out next week (July 16)."

Hi Carole -

I can do a buddy read for The Nickel Boys.
I have anxiously waiting to read this book and today I picked up my copy from the library.

I do not know what your schedule is for reading The Nickel Boys, but I have return the book to the library by August 8th as there is a long hold list and I will not be able to renew.

Does anyone else want to join us?

Count me in. I have it...just haven't started it. I'm in a reading slump...hoping a buddy read of a highly praised novel will help.

Mocha Girl wrote: "Count me in. I have it...just haven't started it. I'm in a reading slump...hoping a buddy read of a highly praised novel will help."

Great!

Beverly wrote: "Carole wrote: "Hi. I'm new to this but I'd love some company for Colson Whitehead's well reviewed upcoming novel, the Nickel Boys which is out next week (July 16)."

Hi Carole -

I can do a buddy r..."

I am going set up the discussion thread for The Nickel Boys

I’m very excited about reading The Revisioners by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton. I really enjoyed A Kind of Freedom and have been anxiously awaiting this one. Let me know if someone would like to BR this soon.

Columbus wrote: "I’m very excited about reading The Revisioners by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton. I really enjoyed A Kind of Freedom and have been anxiously awaiting th..."

Well, "soon" is a relative term. (smile)

I am planning to read this book soon but have four books I need to finish before I start this book.

Also my library still has this book on order (I am #1 in queue). I have noticed that books published by Counterpoint take a little while after publication date to get this book in the system.

Hi - I was lucky to snag an ARC, read it and passed it on. I'll participate in the discussion from memory as I don't have the book anymore to reference.

Beverly wrote: "Columbus wrote: "I’m very excited about reading The Revisioners by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton. I really enjoyed A Kind of Freedom and have been anxi..."

Ok, let me know when you’re available to start it. I can hold off a bit.

Columbus wrote: "Beverly wrote: "Columbus wrote: "I’m very excited about reading The Revisioners by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton. I really enjoyed A Kind of Freedom an..."

Well, I have my copy of The Revisioners.
So I will start tonight.

I will open up the discussion thread.

I’d love company to read Girl, Woman, Other, by Bernardino Evaristo. The co-winner of the 2019 Booker Prize for Fiction: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4....

Carole wrote: "I’d love company to read Girl, Woman, Other, by Bernardino Evaristo. The co-winner of the 2019 Booker Prize for Fiction: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...."

This was a wonderfully conceived and executed novel - one of my favs of 2019! I hope you'll enjoy.

If anyone would like to BR Africaville by Jeffrey Colvin in the next several weeks, please let me know. (Before 2/5)

Romance in Marseille! Buried in the archives for over 90 years. The Harlem Renaissance master resurfaces. Buddy read for March 3rd, anyone?

Columbus wrote: "Romance in Marseille! Buried in the archives for over 90 years. The Harlem Renaissance master resurfaces. Buddy read for March 3rd, anyone?"

Columbus -

I had pre-ordered my print copy of the new edition and I have not received a confirmed shipping date yet.

I have tried a couple of other stores and there are different dates for the print copy to be in stock.

So I do not know if I will have the book by March 3rd.

Columbus wrote: "If anyone would like to BR Africaville by Jeffrey Colvin in the next several weeks, please let me know. (Before 2/5)"

HI Columbus. I'd like to read Africville by Jeffrey Colvin. I can read it next month or even April works.

Lata wrote: "Columbus wrote: "If anyone would like to BR Africaville by Jeffrey Colvin in the next several weeks, please let me know. (Before 2/5)"

HI Columbus. I'd like to re..."

Awesome! I can wait til April if that’s ok Lata. I really, really wanted to read this with someone. Thanks so much.

Beverly wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Romance in Marseille! Buried in the archives for over 90 years. The Harlem Renaissance master resurfaces. Buddy read for March 3rd, anyone?"

Columbus -

I had pre-..."

Beverly, I contacted Penguin Classics and the publicist for Romance said the books publication date is for sure TODAY. She said she will check into any issues with orders and/or pre-orders and to let her know of any other problems we may have. They are excited that we chose this book to discuss as well.

Columbus wrote: "Beverly wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Romance in Marseille! Buried in the archives for over 90 years. The Harlem Renaissance master resurfaces. Buddy read for March 3rd, anyone?"

Columb..."

Also, would you mind letting me know when you receive it or if it continues to be delayed? I can get back to her.

April definitely works for me, Columbus. I’ve wanted to read this since I read the reviews for it last month.

Add me to the Africaville BR. I've been meaning to read since December.

Great Lata and Mo, I’ll open a thread now and prepare for it. I’ll keep my copy on ice til then. Lol

ColumbusReads wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Beverly wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Romance in Marseille! Buried in the archives for over 90 years. The Harlem Renaissance master resurfaces. Buddy read for March 3rd,..."

I got a notice today that I will receive my copy of Romance in Marseille on Wed. Feb. 26th.

Beverly wrote: "ColumbusReads wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Beverly wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Romance in Marseille! Buried in the archives for over 90 years. The Harlem Renaissance master resurfaces. Bud..."

Oh great, Beverly. I got mine on Saturday so I’ll be ready.

Hi folks! I have only read the book "A Gathering of Old Men" by Ernest Gaines and meant to read more by him, especially with his recent passing. I just picked up a paperback of "A Lesson Before Dying" and wondered if anybody wanted to do a buddy read with me? I probably won't be able to get to it until the last week in March, though!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Sarah wrote: "Hi folks! I have only read the book "A Gathering of Old Men" by Ernest Gaines and meant to read more by him, especially with his recent passing. I just picked up a paperback of "A Lesson Before Dyi..."

Sarah I could start April 1 if that is good for you. I have been meaning to read it for sometime. Good motivation.

〰️Beth〰️ wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Hi folks! I have only read the book "A Gathering of Old Men" by Ernest Gaines and meant to read more by him, especially with his recent passing. I just picked up a paperback of "A Les..."
Yay!

〰️Beth〰️ wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Hi folks! I have only read the book "A Gathering of Old Men" by Ernest Gaines and meant to read more by him, especially with his recent passing. I just picked up a paperback of "A Les..."

Beth, are you still good to start April 1?

And a moderator will be setting up a folder for us?

Sarah wrote: "〰️Beth〰️ wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Hi folks! I have only read the book "A Gathering of Old Men" by Ernest Gaines and meant to read more by him, especially with his recent passing. I just picked up a pa..."

Ladies -

Here is the link to the discussion thread for A Gathering of Old Men.

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

Sarah wrote: "〰️Beth〰️ wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Hi folks! I have only read the book "A Gathering of Old Men" by Ernest Gaines and meant to read more by him, especially with his recent passing. I just picked up a pa..."
Hi Beverly: It was probably confusing because we talked about "Gathering" but we actually wanted to do a buddy read of "A Lesson Before Dying." can the folder be updated? Thank you!

Sarah wrote: "Sarah wrote: "〰️Beth〰️ wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Hi folks! I have only read the book "A Gathering of Old Men" by Ernest Gaines and meant to read more by him, especially with his recent passing. I just ..."

The discussion thread folder has been changed to read - A Lesson Before Dying.

Sorry about that!

Enjoy!

ColumbusReads wrote: "Great Lata and Mo, I’ll open a thread now and prepare for it. I’ll keep my copy on ice til then. Lol"

Are we still on for this month? Africaville?

I’m going to read Africville this month. Might be a few weeks, but definitely this month.

I have a copy...just give me the reading outline/agenda and I'll try to make it happen.

Is the 20th ok or you want it earlier?

Fine with me.