Book picks similar to
Belly Song and Other Poems by Etheridge Knight


poetry
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Hard 2: Thirst for Blood


Anjela Day - 2013
    Everything the legendary duo has built is on the line due to the jealously of past loves, friends and even family. Obtaining money, power, and respect is never easy, but The Alton’s prove it that holding on to it is even harder.

From the Projects to a Rich Thug's Mansion


Sonovia Alexander - 2017
    She was born into a life of poverty that she never asked for. Her mother dropped her off at the local fire station as a newborn and her father could have been any of the local crackheads that she passed by on the daily. Jumping from foster home to foster home and living a life that gave her nothing, she was tired of it, she wanted more. She deserved more– she desired to live the life of the rich and famous.  Nothing was more memorable than the day she met Boogie. Boogie had the paper, the cars, the money, and the drugs that could help her with her come up– until an unfortunate turn of events happen to Boogie. There’s a new dealer on the block… and her name is Swiss.

Practical Water


Brenda Hillman - 2009
    Not since Allen Ginsberg tried to levitate the Pentagon has American poetry seen the likes of the hallucinatory wit and moral clarity that Hillman brings to Washington in her poems about Congressional Hearings on the Iraq War. Here also--because it is about many kinds of power--is a sequence of twinned lyrics for the moon, governess of tides and night vision, for visible and invisible faces. Violence and the common world, fact and dream, science and magic, intuition and perception are reconfigured as the poet explores matters of spirit in political life and earthly fate. If it is time to weep by the waters of Babylon, it is also time to touch water's living currents. No one is reimagining the possibilities of lyric poetry with more inventiveness; this is masterful work by one of our finest poets.

Soul Food Sisterhood


Aisha Washington - 2013
    So follow the Jefferson girls as they try to navigate the choppy waters of the Atlanta dating scene.

Our Poison Horse


Derrick Brown - 2014
    Brown. Brown is the winner of the Texas Book of The Year Prize, 2013. The New York Times calls his work a rekindling of the faith in the shocking, weird and beautiful power of words. Brown finally sold the ship, The Sea Section, upon which he lived for years in the Long Beach harbor, after which he took to hunting for a city that was affordable and had a bustling writer s community. He landed in Austin, Texas and when the progress of that town got to be intense, he moved to the nearby countryside in Elgin, Texas, and from that pastoral setting came unfurling this new collection of his most personal work to date. Brown has been known as one of the most touring, well travelled living poets in America. He has based his whole writing career on changing peoples minds about poetry and he feels a quality, unforgettable live experience can achieve that. Brown told himself he needed a 10-year hiatus from writing poetry when he felt the well of creativity had dried up. 2 years ago, he wrote a one-hour long poetic play called Strange Light, commissioned by The Noord Nederlands Dans Group in Holland. The piece was performed by 14 dancers and accompanied by a live orchestra using music composed by fellow Americans, Emily Wells and Timmy Straw. While he was working on a new libretto for Wayne State University in Detroit, he was set up in a seemingly pastoral country setting, where, as Brown says, an incredible war broke out inside and out, such bright, massive storms, snakes, guns, howling wind, hard sun: all kinds of poems gushed forth. I gave in to the process and my best work to date was born, this will be my 5th book. Our Poison Horse touches on more autobiography than the romantic and fantastical that was so present in his past work. In Derrick Brown s words: I found a poetry in the real events that shaped or broke me. Every morning, I would quiet down, stare out into the field where we were watching our neighbors horse, a horse that was poisoned with pesticide by some local boys, a horse with massive scars all down its body from it s skin peeling from the poison sprayed upon it maliciously by some bastard kids. I watched the horse heal and finally come to me, and trust me and eat carrots. Something about that horse, Lacey, about it not trusting me and then warming up pulled something out of me that I didn t know I was ready for. There is a theme that in beautiful places, you will"

Chief and Freedom 2: Love In The Back of a Bando


Dama Cargle - 2017
    The consequences of their actions made everyone around them vulnerable to the wrath that was heading their way. Chief is riddled with bullets and his queen is missing. However, there wasn’t a man alive who was going to get away with shooting Lucci’s little brother and live to tell about it. He sets out on a warpath, and the entire state of New Jersey is his war zone. Anybody can get it. Things are falling apart with one enemy after the other revealing themselves and coming for the throne Chief sat upon. Freedom was new to Jersey, and since her arrival, the city has chewed her up and spit her out. Nonetheless, when Chief crowned her, she thought all was well with the world. She soon learns that there is a price that comes with being the wifey of the boss of the underworld. Because of Chief, she is now in the hands of the enemy where she endures the unimaginable pain. Things happen to her that she wouldn’t have wished on her worst enemy. Her captor is very familiar to her, and that leaves Freedom asking questions about what is really going on. Find out what happens when friends become enemies, and loyalty is tested. War has been declared, and the whole city is the battlefield.

The Plug's Daughter


Nika Michelle - 2015
    Although he’s no lame, he doesn’t have a grandiose scheme to take over the drug game, or become a notorious street legend. He also doesn’t believe in flexing, having a reckless crew, being in the trap, or slanging on a corner. He simply chooses to lay low and maintain his weed hustle, only selling weight to a small, reliable clientele. His plug, Mendosa, is the exact opposite. He does run the streets of Atlanta as a huge supplier of weed and cocaine, and has since the nineties. Once Keenyn lays eyes on Mendosa’s twenty one year old daughter Jasenia, he’s caught up in her beauty and sophisticated aura. The only thing is, Mendosa feels that his daughter is off limits to any man; especially one he does business with. In his eyes his only daughter is cultured, pure and untouched. Little does he know, but “daddy’s little girl” is far from the angel that he thinks she is. Keenyn soon discovers that as well as the never ending drama that seems to come with his feelings for her. Not only is Mendosa a threat to him, but he finds out that Jasenia has a few deadly skeletons in her closet. Will those secrets cost him his life and to what lengths will he go to protect the plug’s daughter?

The Sins Of My Beretta 2


Trenae' - 2016
    What happens when jealous ex-lovers and demons from the past refuse to stay there? Unresolved issues keeping coming back until Sin has no choice but to face them head on.Putting a whole new meaning to the term “love triangle”, not being able to handle all of Ghost’s baby mama drama, Sin finds herself in the arms of the rugged youngster by the name of Rello. Can she forgive Ghost for his short-comings or will Rello Show her that all she needed was the love that only he can give?With Rock missing in action, will the ones that vowed to always love and protect him still be there or will what he’s hiding from them be too much to bear?On this final ride with the crew, you will see what it means to do anything in the name of love even if it means killing the ones closest to you.

Somethin' 'Bout His Thuggish Ways 2


K.C. Mills - 2018
    The universe wouldn’t be that cruel, would it? Mero knows that his life should come with a warning label, but never did he think that it would potentially cause such severe consequences. It seems as if he can’t catch a break, and there’s no way that he can allow the world around him to crumble while the ones he loves become collateral damage. Mauri is faced with the struggle of her life when her son's father allows his family to do the unthinkable. The only bright side to her dilemma is that one man loves her enough to be her solution by any means necessary. Khaleel and Mero find out that nothing is as black and white as it seems when they potentially have to change their plans to step down after righting a wrong that’s connected to their bloodline. Revenge may not always be the answer, but it certainly helps you sleep better at night. Lee feels that the world is playing a cruel joke on her when she learns that her dream has gone up in flames, but Joey is determined to help her create a new destiny. The only problem is that the streets seem to keep rearing its ugly head, so he’s torn between the person he loves and the life he chose. To make matters worse, family issues find a way into his already complicated life, causing him to draw a line in the sand that he knows will eventually be crossed. But when its time, will he be able to do what’s necessary? Sit back and relax while the drama builds, and what’s done in the dark begins to show in the light...

Wifed Up By A Street King 2: A Miami Love Story


Zarkia - 2019
    It’s available right here for your reading pleasure. In part one of this series, you were taken on an unforgettable ride with Author Zarkia. She is signed to Twyla T. Presents and her writing is very clever, and this story is unputdownable. ***WARNING*** This is not your typical, Urban Romance, Dope Boy, Thug Love, or Kingpin Savage book. Heart pounding. Nail biting. Gritty. Unique. Smart. Independent. Beautiful. Successful. Educated. Serena Milan Jacobs was all that and more. In book one we saw her past coming back to haunt her, leaving her with no other option but to seek protection in exchange for pursuing one of the city top dope dealers. Serena was able to keep up her end of the bargain even though she broke both of the rules. Rule #1: Don’t let that sucka catch you slippin’. Rule #2: Don’t fall in LOVE. She quickly finds herself caught between love and a hard place, with no clear direction in sight. Charlo wants to be the man of her dreams but he quickly learns that things are not as they seem when Serena confesses her love for another man, Demetri. What happens when family secrets are revealed, trust is broken, and the one who vowed to protect you is the reason you are staring death in the face? Zarkia brings you a clever, nail-biting, unforgettable African American Romance Tale with the highly anticipated finale of Wifed Up By A Street King: A Miami Love Story.

Forever Mine: A Never Ending Love


Tynessa - 2018
    Despite the ache that once lived in her heart due to her and Tedric’s bad breakup, Makayla was able to find the strength and courage to move on, thanks to Jeff who’d helped her to love again. Jeff knew that linking himself to a king of the drug world like Tedric would change he and Makayla’s lives forever; he just had no clue how big of a change Tedric would bring after being reunited with Makayla. No matter how much she tells herself that Jeff is her everything and Tedric needs to remain in the past, Tedric makes it loud and clear that he doesn’t feel the same way. Will Makayla give in to temptation and allow Tedric to awaken a love she chose not to tell Jeff about, or will her love and loyalty for Jeff cause her to remain faithful and let the past remain just that, the past? All Tamar wanted was one night of hot, passionate sex with the notorious, Fabian Grant, a well-known drug dealer in Miami and also Tedric’s right hand man. Fabian had numerous one-night stands in his lifetime but had never come across a woman who made him want to go back for seconds. Tamar had broken the mold. Yet, because of his affiliation with drugs and her being a school principal, Tamar has no desire to see Fabian again. Little does she know, Fabian is accustomed to getting what he wants and refuses to let her break the mold twice. Quanna and Tuck have what seems like the perfect relationship. However, Tuck can’t ignore the feeling that something is preventing Quanna from giving him her all. Just like her best friend, Makayla, Quanna is having a hard time shaking her past, but the last thing she wants is for it to cost her future. While she thinks it best she handles everything on her own, she finds herself faced with an ultimatum that leaves her wondering where her loyalty truly lies. In Forever Mine, Tynessa takes you on a rollercoaster ride with this circle of friends and the drama that surrounds them. Sometimes love has a way of not letting you fully walk away, and some people just can’t help who they love.

In Love With The Connect


Ebony Diamonds - 2016
    After he beats her and leaves her for dead, she’s finally had enough. Barely escaping from him, Bella finds herself for the first time trying to make it on her own. That is until she runs into Domo. He’s fine as hell and one of the most powerful men in Miami. Domo turns her on in ways she didn’t think she could be. He brings her into his world, and she can’t help but fall into his web, and she hasn’t stopped falling ever since. Even though she starts over and moves on, she can’t seem to get Drew to leave her alone. After he tracks her down and rapes her, she becomes pregnant, and that pushes her further into Domo’s arm and under his protection. Domo offers her more than she could imagine, but also gives her more than she bargained for. He has a lot of secrets, and as they unravel, so will Bella. He isn’t Mr. Perfect, and she finds that out quickly and painfully. He has some bad boy ways and he wants her to step up and be the queen to his throne, and that came with sacrifices in his eyes. He loves her hard, and she can’t see herself without him no matter what or who he does. Will Bella sacrifice who she is to be who he wants her to become? Or will she finally have enough of the way he loves her and walk away for good, while leaving a trail of blood behind her?

No Weapon: Formed Against Me Shall Prosper


Andre Ray - 2016
    After being divorced for several years and being in her late forties she didn’t want to be alone any longer so she began to pray secretly for the Lord to send her a man who would love her and possibly be her husband. During a Sunday service little did she know the young man sitting next to her would change her life forever. His name is Malachi Steel who is a brown skin man she couldn’t keep her eyes off of. Malachi, on the other hand, didn’t come to church to hear the Word of the Lord, but to carry out the evil mission of pulling Sister Sandra Washington out of the hand of God and into a world that she would rather die than to live. Who sent this tall brown skin stranger into Sister Sandra Washington’s life? Meet Keisha who is straight from the hood and could care less if you live or died. Her connection to this whole twisted nightmare will come as a shock as the story comes to life before your very eyes. Will Sister Washington get the man she had been secretly praying for? Will Malachi Steel achieve his mission that if he failed would not sit well with Keisha? Will Keisha finally see her master plan come to life or will the Lord come in time to put a stop to this nightmare before it’s too late?

Nikki 2


George Sherman Hudson - 2013
    Forced to take over the business in Prime's absence, Nikki forms the BOSS BITCH CLIQUE and they flood the city with some of the best coke that money could buy. They quickly learn that fast money comes with hard lessons. Everything was looking up until The Reaper was added into the equation. Jareka aka The Reaper is frustrated and angry and when the she gets angry bodies fall. She wants the only person standing in her way of having Prime, the love of her life, dead. Now Nikki has to face off with the Reaper, and on top of that there's a wolf in sheep's clothing running within the crew. Nikki has her hands full and one slip could end her life. Kindle: http://goo.gl/xpEO3H