c.2021, Hanover Square Press $27.99 / $34.99 Canad 496 pages Finders Keepers. It's all yours now, that cool, unique, surprise thing that suddenly turned up and you laid claim to it. What once was lost is yours now. Finders keepers, except, as in the new novel "The Jigsaw Man" by Nadine Matheson, what's found is a dead body. Looking as though it was about to pay … [Read more...] about “The Jigsaw Man: A Novel” by Nadine Matheson
Book Reviews
“We Are Each Other’s Harvest: Celebrating African American Farmers, Land, and Legacy” by Natalie Baszile
c.2021, Amistad $29.99 / $36.99 Canada 368 pages One little hole in the ground. That’s all it takes, as big around as your little finger, a pencil eraser, a coffee stirrer. A tiny fissure in the Earth, that’s what you need to grow dinner next week or next winter, flowers for your table, sustenance for your animals or, as in the new book “We Are Each Other’s Harvest” by … [Read more...] about “We Are Each Other’s Harvest: Celebrating African American Farmers, Land, and Legacy” by Natalie Baszile
“Comeback Season: My Unlikely Story of Friendship with the Greatest Living Negro League Baseball Players” by Cam Perron with Nick Chiles, foreword by Hank Aaron
c.2021, Gallery Books $27.00 / $36.00 Canada 272 pages Your teeth got a good workout. Yep, as a kid, you wanted those certain hard-to-find, favorite-player baseball cards but you didn’t want to be wasteful. Because you’d do anything to get the cards, you spent your change, hoped you’d be lucky, and you chewed a lot of gum. In the new book “Comeback Season” by Cam Perron … [Read more...] about “Comeback Season: My Unlikely Story of Friendship with the Greatest Living Negro League Baseball Players” by Cam Perron with Nick Chiles, foreword by Hank Aaron
“This is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism” by Don Lemon
c.2021, Little, Brown $28.00 / $35.00 Canada 224 pages This really makes your blood boil. This. The racism gone amok, discrimination, the protests that don’t seem to work, nobody’s listening. You’re hot under the collar over it all, totally inflamed, ready for real action, and in “This Is the Fire” by Don Lemon, you’ll find some sometimes-warm, sometimes-scorching … [Read more...] about “This is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism” by Don Lemon
“Women with Money” by Jean Chatzky
c.2019, Grand Central $28.00 / $36.00 Canada 288 pages Find a penny, pick it up. The rest of that little ditty promises luck but whatever. You don’t see a penny as worth much, but how do you perceive money as a whole? In the new book, “Women with Money” by Jean Chatzky, the answer to that question may lead you to a better relationship with your wallet. Statistics don’t … [Read more...] about “Women with Money” by Jean Chatzky
True Stories of Black History that inspire
Black History was the brainchild of historian Carter G. Woodson. Since 1976, the month of February has been officially designated as Black History month. In my column, I will share a list of books from my late husband’s personal library. Nathan was an avid reader. He enjoyed reading about the contributions and achievements of His people. He was a proud Black veteran and … [Read more...] about True Stories of Black History that inspire
Spotlight on Michelle Obama
Over the years there has been few women of color who have caught the attention of the American public quite like our former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama. Unlike previous First Ladies who were mostly seen on the arm of the President during state affairs, Mrs. Obama used her unique position to improve the health of American schools and families. She has become a … [Read more...] about Spotlight on Michelle Obama
“The Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture, Disability, and Other Reasons to Fall in Love with Me” by Keah Brown
It’s what’s inside that counts. There’s a sentiment you’ve heard since you were a small child: don’t judge someone by their outward appearances. Look at their mind, see their heart, know who they are before you decide how you’ll act. As in the new book The Pretty One by Keah Brown, look past what they can’t do, and see what they can. Keah Brown is cute. Check it: … [Read more...] about “The Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture, Disability, and Other Reasons to Fall in Love with Me” by Keah Brown
“The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table” by Minda Harts
Your seat is down there, right at the end. You know, though, it’s not close enough to where you want to be. You need to be where decisions are made and careers are launched. No, your place at the table is close to the head and with The Memo by Minda Harts you’ll see how to get there. Several years ago, a book circulated among businesswomen that advised them to “lean in,” … [Read more...] about “The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table” by Minda Harts
“The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates
You can’t breathe. There’s really no describing the panic when that happens. Your ribs struggle to rise, your chest feels like it’s being stomped, you’re on fire, and your brain screams. Your arms flail. Your hands grasp at nothing, and then – ahhhhh, you gasp. And in the new novel, “The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, nothing’s better than the first breath of freedom’s … [Read more...] about “The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates