Book picks similar to
Afro-Blue: Improvisations in African American Poetry and Culture by Tony Bolden


literary-criticism
music-genre-equity
african-american-literature
blues

He Beats Me


Rod Cornelius - 2017
    It wasn’t long after she cut herself off from all of her family and friends that Keon revealed his true abusive nature. Ashley quickly went from being the target of his affection to the target of his strikes and stomps. It’s not until Keon’s big move into the drug game goes tragically awry that he realizes the usefulness for Ashley again. The problem is, if he can’t get his plan to work, they all could end up dead.

The Family that Lies: Merci Restored


Lakisha Johnson - 2019
    Three years ago, Merci realized she’d been a part of something much bigger than she ever could have imagined. Sure, every family has their secrets, hidden truths and ties but Merci had no idea she’d been born into the family that lies ... without caring who it hurts! Now, years later, Merci finds herself in the midst of grief, a new baby and marriage while still learning how to pick up the broken pieces of her life. All while Melvin is still raising hell! In this special edition of The Family that Lies, there will be questions answered and new drama but I have to warn you ... there will also be tragedy, hurt and of course LIES!

The World Don't Owe Me Nothing: The Life and Times of Delta Bluesman Honeyboy Edwards


David "Honeyboy" Edwards - 1997
    From the son of a sharecropper to an itinerant bluesman, Honeyboy’s stories of good friends Charlie Patton, Big Walter Horton, Little Walter Jacobs, and Robert Johnson are a godsend to blues fans. History buffs will marvel at his unique perspective and firsthand accounts of the 1927 Mississippi River flood, vagrancy laws, makeshift courts in the back of seed stores, plantation life, and the Depression.

From the Back: The Thirst of a Sneaky Bitch


T.C. Littles - 2014
    But the thirst of a sneaky bitch breaks this friendship up. What lies will be told? What games will be played? What will be the ultimate play? After reading "From the Back", you'll most certainly be watching your back.

The Mothers' Board: Mothers Know Best


Lashaunda K. Jackson-Williams - 2016
     But hold everything! The Mothers’ Board has been quiet for too long, and they refuse to lay down after seeing their beloved pastor vanish. What follows is a rollicking adventure with the mothers sticking their noses in plenty of people’s business and causing a fuss wherever they go—whether it’s breaking and entering a house to search for clues … or investigating the seemingly psycho church secretary. Along the way, the mothers show a heap of God’s love to some hurting folks—and put the smack-down on the devil every chance they get. It’s their church, after all, and mothers know best!

The Basement


Shameek Speight - 2018
    ​Something dark and evil dwells in the basement. It roams the house, surrounds and traps you; then feed on your fears and flesh. No child is safe from what lives…in The Basement.

Wynter


Trenae' - 2018
    Her man ran the city, she lived in a home straight out of an urban fairytale, her bank account had no end and she was always rocking the finest of jewelry, clothing and bags. Women literally wanted to be Wynter, but all Wynter wanted to be was free. Loving Isaiah or Ice as the streets called, him wasn’t easy and came with a huge price. Wynter’s price was her best friend and sister, Rayne. Locking herself away from friends and the little family she had was Wynter’s solution to keep Isaiah’s violent behavior at bay. Being a prisoner in her own relationship came to an abrupt end and Wynter was finally able to be free. But not every fairytale has a happily ever after.

Meeting a man wasn’t in Wynter’s plans but that didn’t stop Supreme Harris from making sure those plans changed. The problem is, Supreme played by his own rules. Will Supreme be able to love Wynter pass the hurt or will he only help break her already fragile heart? With a new love on the horizon, people seem to forget that some love runs too deep to just walk away.

My Baby Daddy's Crazy New B**ch


Lady Lissa - 2018
    The two begin a heated relationship but within months of dating, Malayka finds herself with child. Breaking the news to Zion turns out to be more stressful than ever because they haven't been together that long. Being raised in a household without a father, Malayka wants more for her child. All she wants is for Zion to marry her so they can raise their child together. She strives to give her daughter the family that she never had. Zion also grew up without a father in his life, but finding out that Malayka is pregnant so early in their brand new relationship has him running for his life. After having a long talk with his mom and brother, he steps up to his responsibilities as a father, but refuses to be anything else to Malayka. But Malayka doesn't give up. She wants Zion and will stop at nothing to get him, even when he gets a brand new girlfriend. Will Malayka's concerns about the girlfriend prove to be true or will Zion think she's just a baby mama hung up on the baby daddy? Will Krystal prove to be the crazy bi**h that Malayka believes her to be? Or will she be the wifey that Zion always wanted. Find out in this hair raising first installment of My Baby Daddy's Crazy New Bi**h

The Diary of a Side Chick 2 (Side Chick Diaries)


Tamicka Higgins - 2015
     Still reeling from the discovery that she's pregnant with Tron's baby, Desirae wrestles with how to tell him. When he finally agrees to meet with her, she soon learns the club owner is in no way the fairytale father she'd dreamed he might be. Desirae's illusion of the man is shattered as he attempts to convince her to get rid of their child. When Tron's ex-girlfriend confronts Desirae, their argument quickly turns violent, landing the two behind bars. Forced to spend time with one another in jail, they get to talking, discovering together just how manipulative and shady the man they share really is. The former enemies shape an alliance, vowing that Tron will soon pay for his infidelities. Will Desirae find the courage to not only stand up to Tron, but to become more for her unborn child than just some man's side chick?

The Fist That Bound Me: A Stand Alone Novel


Trinity Dekane - 2017
    When Greg's abuse damn near kills Jade her sisters Corrina and Telissa step in and remove her from the home. As Jade deals with her hurtful past and her current abusive relationship she is introduced to a new way of life and new friends. She seems to adjust well to her new environment, but when the past starts to reel its ugly head Jade fights to stand her ground. Will she follow her heart and move forward or will she be snatched back into the depths of hell!

John Coltrane


Bill Cole - 1976
    By experimenting with new concepts of time, integrating Eastern philosophies into Western music, and exploring multiphonics and other new sounds on his saxophone, he opened avenues of expression that influenced musicians and composers from jazz to rock to avant-garde.Bill Cole focuses on two aspects of John Coltrane in this provocative study: Coltrane the musician and Coltrane the religious person. Deeply interrelated, both aspects are bound up with Coltrane's identification as an African- American. Coltrane accepted the traditional African belief in the magical powers of sound and connected his music to its African roots via a devout religiosity. Cole shows how Coltrane's influences extended from tribal tone languages to speeches by Martin Luther King, Jr. -- he even adapted King's rhythmic inflections into a saxophone solo.Bill Cole offers a lengthy musical analysis of Coltrane's career; it also includes a detailed discography with recording data and personnel and over two dozen photographs. Cole draws on quotes from Coltrane himself, transcriptions of his improvisations, analyses of his music, research into West African religion, and his own personal reminiscences of the man, to offer a stimulating perspective on Coltrane's music, life, and thought.

Louise Erdrich: Tracks, The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse, The Plague of Doves


Louise Erdrich - 2011
    

King Dingaling: An African American Erotica


Cumilla Jenkins - 2019
    Fuck Me. Those are words that Dakota “King Dangling” Jackson likes to hear. He earned his reputation during his porn star days, but everything they say about him is true. He’s a beast in the bedroom. Always has been. Always will be. But has he met his match? Along comes Skyy, and she’s not like any other woman Dakota has ever come across. She doesn’t want love. She just wants to cum. And Dakota was the perfect man for the job. But, somehow, sex always leads to something else. Someone always wants more. But both Dakota, and Skyy, have other lovers in the picture and none of them are willing to give them up without a fight. In this sexy, fast-paced read, find out if King Dingaling will ever get his Queen.

A Thin Line Between Lust and Hate


N'Dia Rae - 2018
     Life hasn’t always been easy for Chantè Sheppard. Growing up with an emotionally abusive mother, absent father and quirky personality left her ridiculed and teased when she was younger. Desperate to be perfect and become the most successful woman of her dreams, she buckled down and became a prominent attorney. Despite her career success, her love life has always severely lacked. When her fiancè of two years calls off their engagement, she decides that his life is no longer worth living. But a year later, she attempts at finding new love with someone from her past, Qassim. Things with Qassim go well at first but then take a dark turn. Chantè is obsessive with his entire being and will stop at nothing to make him hers. A Thin Line Between Lust and Hate is twisted, gut wrenching tell of obsession, love and drama. This is one book, you won’t be able to put down. This book also includes a bonus book.

The Confessions of Rick James: Memoirs of a Super Freak


Rick James - 2007
    Along with the fame, the Grammy Award, and superstardom came drug abuse and even felony convictions, all of which are chronicled in this gripping, posthumous tell-all of the funk revolution.