Book picks similar to
Living City by Roberta Brandes Gratz
urban
urbanism
urban-planning
nonfiction
A Staten Island Love Letter 5: The forgotten Borough
Jahquel J. - 2019
Messiah may have done something that could end her relationship with her daughter and husband. Has she gone too far, or like usual Messiah, did she know what she was doing? Staten is stuck on trying to handle loving Liberty, even after she ended things, be a father to he and Chanel’s daughter, and be there for a pregnant Maliah as well. Can he juggle it all, while trying to be there for his big brother too?Justice felt like her life was over. What was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, ended up being one of the worst days. She thought her past with shitty men was over when it came to Priest. Can Priest redeem himself? Or is this the straw that broke the camel’s back, and Justice decides to call it quits?Liberty is fighting for her life. Will Staten come running to her rescue like the past? Or will he finally give Liberty what she has been wanting; space? If that’s not enough, Ty is falling for Liberty – hard. Is he willing to compete for Liberty’s heart, knowing it belongs to her ex, Staten?With Ghost’s condition and Samoor’s condition, Free is stretched thin trying to be brave and hold down the home front. Will it all be too much to handle, or will Free pull up her big girl pants and hold it down for her son and man? Find out in the finale of this series!
King
Tremayne Johnson - 2011
Subsequent to his father's troubles spilling over into their home-life, he and his mother migrated to the United States when Deon was only six years old. For the two immigrants, making a living in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn was not an easy task. Suhati, his mother, worked extremely hard trying to sustain a stable lifestyle and shield Deon from all the negativity that surrounded them. After an altercation Deon got into with a bully at school he befriended a neighborhood hustler by the name of Jayson "Jay-Roc" Washington. Jay-Roc familiarized Deon with the street-life and schooled him on the necessary skills needed to survive in the concrete jungle. He taught him that fear equals control and Deon soon adapted to his environment like a chameleon. It didn't take long before Deon became immersed in the exact same lifestyle his mother once tried to shelter him from. He was taking steps in the same shoes his father had previously walked in, down that similar extended road to danger and he was too blind to realize it. When he finally opens his eyes to what life is really about, is it too late? KING is a grimy, heart felt, street tale of lust, envy, and hate. When the pressure is applied, only the strong will subsist and everything done in the shadows will come to light. Love is blind, karma is real, and vengeance is the sweetest joy. How long will it take Deon to learn that jealousy destroys from within? Brace yourself for the ride of your life. He who embraces the crown is considered KING!
She Fell In Love With A Hitta 2
Antoinette Sherell - 2018
Will someone come to her rescue, or will she be left to fend for herself? Meanwhile, Adonis is left enraged at his girlfriend, Teagan, after she admits a truth that had already plagued his thoughts. Will his reaction cost them both their unborn child? Along with their newfound problems, there was still the issue of whether Gi’Dore will continue her blossoming love with Rico—putting the nail in the coffin of her and Achilles’ chaotic yet addictive love. Adonis cut his and Criss’ secret relationship loose, but will she manage to weasel her way back in? Then, there is Achilles... and he was determined to win Gi’Dore back at all cost. Find out what great lengths he’s willing to go to and if it will be enough for him to secure the love of his life.
Karmyn's Chance at Love
Bree - 2016
Karmyn is a girl who doesn’t know love. She never had any friends and barely spoke a word. Her mom was an addict who never showed her love. She was sent to live with her dad when she was just fourteen years old and Karmyn was happy with that. She found out she had an older brother and was excited to know that she had a family. A family to love her, embrace her and treat her like she belonged somewhere. Things never turn out as planned. Karmyn’s dad is a ruthless pimp with a past and his only interest in Karmyn is to sell her to the highest bidder. Because of the people closest to her, Karmyn thought she would never find love. She felt like love was hiding from her…. until she met Chance. Chance is a survivor. With no parents and an evil aunt, Chance has to do whatever he can to survive in the streets of Brooklyn. He meets Karmyn and he finds a friend in her. One night, he discovers that his boss has been killed, and he meets a lady that would change his life forever, Tru. She took him under her wing and treated him like family. He finally has a steady place to lay his head and to call home but it came with a price, his friendship with Karmyn. Will Chance be able to balance his new family and his friendship with Karmyn? Will he be the one to show Karmyn what it’s like to be in love or will he break her heart like everyone else in her life? Can he be Karmyn’s Chance at Love?
Giving My Heart To An Atlanta Street King
Londyn Lenz - 2017
The perfect life, the dream career, great friends and family who love her dearly, the sexy husband, and her beautiful baby girl Jaxon. But things are far from what they seem. Life for the successful, beautiful British is the furthest thing from what it seems. Although she’s married, her husband, Derrick seems to have a hard time remembering that he is. Heartbroken, alone and unhappy, British feels like she is on an emotional rollercoaster and cannot get off. That is until her best friends Kori and Ashley take her on a vacation to Jamaica, where she meets the intriguing Terrence King. Terrance has the streets of Atlanta on lock. Him, his brother Ty and their friends Ronny and Sleez make money as easy as it is to breathe. Unfortunately, jealousy, and larceny rears its ugly head, causing tension within the crew. Terrance’s nickname, Terror, precedes him well, when his gangsta is tested in more ways than one. Neither of the two are in search of each other, but when a simple trip to Jamaica brings British and Terrance together, sparks fly. Thing is, British is still married and Terrance is fresh out of a three year relationship. Will British finally walk away from the disaster she calls a marriage? Or will Derrick convince her to stay? Falling in love is the last thing on Terrance’s agenda. In spite of it all, will British’s mesmerizing ways pull emotions he buried long ago, out of him? Or will he devote one hundred percent of his time on the hustle and the drama rapidly unfolding within his squad, unfazed by British and her sultry ways? Find out how it all unfolds between the drama filled pages of Giving my Heart to An Atlanta Street King.
A Dope Boy Stole My Heart
Heiress - 2016
Drained from the drama, she lets go and embarks on a new job, new friends and maybe a new love interest. When old feelings come back and family secrets are revealed will this push Miaa further away from Cam or will it push her into his arms. Now that he is the Plug of Detroit, Killa Cam's life obstacles have only just begun. Balancing the streets, fatherhood and the love of his life is a challenge but he is prepared to overcome it by any means necessary. With this newfound maturity, will Cam be able to get what his heart desires or will the streets get in the way of his happiness. The story of Miaa and Killa Cam is back. Will they be able to move on from their love triangle drama and give love another try or will they decide that they are better off apart. When threats are made and truths are told, will they fight to be together or just become another unsuccessful love story. Find out in the finale of A Dope Boy Stole My Heart.
I Wanna Love Somebody 3: The Finale
Nique Luarks - 2017
Secrets are revealed, breaking bonds and exposing hurt she’d buried a long time ago. The only sure thing in her chaotic life is her blossoming love for Kai. He's everything she needs, and she's everything he's never had. But will Kai's past hinder their growth? Things seem to be finally falling into place for Kenya and Cole. They are both learning to love and trust again. Their only issue is Cole's hot temper and Kenya's rebellious nature. In order for them to work, someone has to be willing to compromise, but who? In this last installment of the I Wanna Love Somebody series, we say goodbye to the characters we have all grown attached to. But before they go, they teach us that love really does conquer all. And even though it can feel like a losing battle most times, we all wanna love somebody.
A Love That Belongs Together
Candi B. - 2018
She’s on her way to being great. Having the one person who has always supported her, was making it possible. She feels like there’s nothing that can stop her. What happens when she’s stopped, and lost? Regaining who she is unlocks secrets of epic proportions. What happens when the one who’s always been there for her, hurts her? Will who she once was crash and burn under all the scrutiny and drama surrounding her, or will she rise up and reign supreme? Jahquil Duvall is the one everyone wants. He’s the man who unlocks the realness of a song by placing it in motion. By being one of the biggest choreographers in the industry, his name holds weight. Dancing, and his woman, are his two greatest passions. Tragically, he loses one in the most unbelievable way. Restoring what he felt he’s lost, is the hardest thing, but at the same time, he feels it’s worth it. Fighting to get back what some deems as impossible, is a fight he doesn’t plan on losing. But when there’s an unknown force against him, will he prosper? Or will the damage done be too much to recover from? In this intriguing standalone, trials and tribulations push those to the point to prove whether ‘A Love That Belongs Together,’ is worth the fight.
Family Properties: Race, Real Estate, and the Exploitation of Black Urban America
Beryl Satter - 2009
In this powerful book, Beryl Satter identifies the true causes of the city's black slums and the ruin of urban neighborhoods throughout the country: not, as some have argued, black pathology, the culture of poverty, or white flight, but a widespread and institutionalized system of legal and financial exploitation.
In Satter's riveting account of a city in crisis, unscrupulous lawyers, slumlords, and speculators are pitched against religious reformers, community organizers, and an impassioned attorney who launched a crusade against the profiteers—the author's father, Mark J. Satter. At the heart of the struggle stand the black migrants who, having left the South with its legacy of sharecropping, suddenly find themselves caught in a new kind of debt peonage. Satter shows the interlocking forces at work in their oppression: the discriminatory practices of the banking industry; the federal policies that created the country's shameful "dual housing market"; the economic anxieties that fueled white violence; and the tempting profits to be made by preying on the city's most vulnerable population.
A monumental work of history, this tale of racism and real estate, politics and finance, will forever change our understanding of the forces that transformed urban America.
Hooked 4: Addicted to A Supreme Love
Bianca Marie - 2018
Can they make it? Supreme and Denim have been through so much in the short period of time that they have been together. With Denim clinging to life, Supreme doesn’t know if she’ll make it or not. He’s never been a praying man, but they say prayer works, and he’s praying to the high heavens that she comes out unscathed. Black can't seem to find Carmella anywhere, but when he finds out her location, secrets are revealed. Will he be able to withstand the betrayal? Unique has met Trap, and although he seems to be perfect for her, she still has some guards up. Trap is trying everything he can to break down the barriers to Unique’s heart, but it’s harder than it seems. These couples will take you on their last ride to find out if love is worth all the trials and tribulations that they’ve been through. Some couples will survive while others crumble, and new love will appear. When you're addicted to someone, it’s hard to shake them, and these couples are hooked.
Wifetress: One Man's Wife, Another Man's Mistress
Melinda Graves - 2015
But she will soon out and someone is going to pay!Aliyah is attempting to put her life back together after an unsuccessful suicide attempt due to a horrific husband when someone from her past gives her a reason to live. Will Carlos let that happen?
Lost In That Hood Love
K.C. Mills - 2018
More money than he can spend in a lifetime and women at his beck and call. In less than twenty-four hours, Cage's priorities change with the birth of his son, which he wasn’t expecting, and a chance encounter with a woman who quickly piques his interest. They say you find what you need when you stop looking, and that is definitely the case when Cage crosses paths with Desai. Not to mention the fact that his twin brother is still heavily in the streets, placing Cage, in the middle of a situation that is threatening to pull him back into the life he promised to never return to. Can Cage learn to balance his new responsibilities and keep the drama at bay, or will he be forced to choose between responsibilities and love? Crane Andrews is still deep in the streets and had no plans to quit living the fast life anytime soon. Although Crane loves and is very much dedicated to his fiance, he often finds himself sharing a bed with other women. Until now, he has always been able to keep that side of his life hidden. When paths cross, and his worlds collide, Crane has to do damage control. Chaos from the streets slithers into the mix of the drama in his personal life, and Crane quickly realizes that it might all be too much to handle on his own. These twin brothers have always had each other's back, and nothing has changed for them other than the fact that there may be another Andrews who needs the same protection. Will they be able to maintain balance, or will the chaos of it all be too much and take them under?
Tampering with A Thug's Heart 2
Coco Shawnde - 2018
Louis with heavy news. He has to make a decision that possibly could cost him. It seems his past has come back to haunt him after years of maturing into a new man. Tiphani has been through a lot as it is, but the intruder that robbed Israel home is set on making her life more miserable than ever before. Being hospitalized isn't her only setback, and it's a family effort to assure she has a full recovery. Depression sinks in under her new circumstances that may be permanent, and it drives a wedge between her and Israel. Israel has to accept all the new changes and stand tall through it all. Nothing between the two feels like it used to, and they both can attest to it. Tiphani learns soon that with change, she has to make adjustments. The question is, will she be able to? Israel wants nothing but the best for Tiphani, even if he has to let the love of his life go free. But, then again, he knows he can't allow her to go too far. When the tension grows unbearable, Tiphani does the unthinkable that pushes Israel over the edge. Indulge in the turning events and see how problems are resolved as more fall through.
Married to a Boss 2
Lucinda John - 2015
After going through a series of betrayals, the men will do anything to protect their family and business. With Ralph laying on his death bed, Lisa is out for blood as she seeks for revenge and mourns her lost.Faces from the past returns and cause more havoc, sending the fellasinto beast mode. Lies are revealed, hearts are broken, and trustbecomes an issue as the ladies; Lala, Honey Lisa, and Cinnamon, livethe life as being Married To a Boss. Will it all be worth it? or willthe trials break them all apart?
Trippin' Off A Crazy Hood Love
Kelly Marie - 2018
There are no women who would do anything to have a balling boss or street king. And there are no dope boys! This is a story about love and how unpredictable it really can be. Meet Immanuel ‘Manny’ West, a pretty boy, ladies’ man, who prides himself on bagging the baddest women Harlem has to offer. He is a player and makes no apologies for it. His reputation as the man who loves too many bitches to settle down doesn’t stop women from throwing themselves at him. He knows he has a rep to keep and would rather die than be seen with a chick who wasn’t up to his standards… that was until he crossed paths with Rai-Elle. Rai-Elle isn’t your typical hood beauty that catches all the niggas’ eyes, the one who the bad boy sees and just has to have no matter what. No, Rai-Elle or just Rai, as she liked to be called, spent most of her life being invisible. And when people did see her, they saw a dude from her tomboyish looks and swag. What started out as a defense mechanism ends up being the same thing that Manny likes about her, even though he doesn’t want to. Will he knock down that wall she so desperately hangs on to or will he allow his friends, his rep and the pressures of life to walk away from the one woman who may not look like she fits him but is everything he ever needed nonetheless? Then there is Gideon West, Manny’s younger brother, who is following in his brother’s footsteps of having the baddest females on his arm. One day he comes across Lyriq, a chick who could never get the time of day from him just from how she looked and dressed. A friend dares Gideon to talk to her, and not being one to back down, he accepts the dare. But unintentionally, he ends up falling for Lyriq in a way he never saw coming. But what happens when Lyriq discovers the truth just as Gideon finds himself unable to live without this girl? Find out what happens when these two brothers encounter women they never thought they would even look twice at and try to deal with the way they are trippin’ off a crazy hood love.