Reading some of the "best of 2009" book lists I'm starting to wonder if African American authors aren't Highlanders. It seems like there can be only one of us per list (that is, if any of us are allowed through the golden gates at all). I have to say I feel a little sorry for Colson Whitehead. If there can be only one black author standing at the end of the game, you know it's going to be Dr. Morrison! (Actually.... Could she be...? Naaah!)
What books or authors would be on your Best of 2009 list? On your list there can be as many authors of color as you want! And let's show 'em how it's done: we'll even let white writers on our lists too. Of course, their books have to be really, really good. *wink*
My "Notable Books of 2009" include:
Before I Forget by Leonard Pitts Jr.
Black Water Rising by Attica Locke
Big Machine by Victor LaValle
Hold Love Strong by Matthew Aaron Goodman
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
I Am Not Sydney Portier by Percival Everett
The Invisible Mountain by Carolina de Robertis
Jailbait Zombies by Mario Acevedo
Kiss the Sky by Farai Chideya
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead
Short Girls by Bich Minh Nguyen
While I was feeling like a list-making fool, I created a list of 50 Black Book Gift Ideas at IndieBound. Fiction & nonfiction; a little something for almost everybody. I didn't include kids' books. If you want kids' books suggestions check out The Brown Book Shelf and Happy Nappy Bookseller. They know their stuff!
LOVE your list, have read many, made a list of the ones I have not read...thanks!
ReplyDeleteangelia
thanks for sharing...already printed out;-)
ReplyDeleteI have two of the books on your top ten list, but haven't read them yet. Now I'll move them closer to the top of the pile.
ReplyDeleteI'd have to say that I saved the best for last this year. I finally got my hands on Standing At The Scratch Line by Guy Johnson (Maya Angelou's son) and it is awesome.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness he wrote a sequel to it AND I don't have to wait for its release (I have that one too).
Other notables for me were We Were The Mulvaneys, The Glass Castle, and The Shack.
My top reads this year . . .
ReplyDeleteThe Shack
The Glass Castle
That Mean Old Yesterday
Three Cups of Tea
If The Creek Don't Rise
James Hannaham's "God Says No"!
ReplyDeleteHere is list I made last Nov. for Black book gift ideas for children to young adults.
ReplyDeleteIts been updated with 2009 titles
http://thehappynappybookseller.blogspot.com/2008/11/african-american-childrens-books-books.html
One novel I loved this year was Daughters of the Stone by Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa
Oooh, thanks for the list, Carleen. :-D Especially the list of 50. I made a list of the ones I haven't heard of either. Thanks for sharing. ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy 2009 list:
ReplyDeleteIn the Night of the Heat
Wounded
What Doesn't Kill You
Fireflies in December
Feminista
Children of the Waters
I love lists, and I'm just beginning to explore contemporary African American authors in the last few months, so seeing this post in my reader made me squeal. :D Off to check out your top 50!
ReplyDeleteGreat list, thanks for this! I love that you're created this much needed blog...
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