|
African American Fiction & Non-Fiction April 2016
|
New and Recently Released Fiction
|
|
|
The Banks Sisters
by Nikki Turner
When their grandmother Me-Ma falls ill, quarreling sisters Mona, Bunny and Tallhya turn to a bank heist to pay the bills, and must stay ahead of law enforcement when they put the heat on.
|
|
|
Black Deutschland
by Darryl Pinckney
In the age of Reagan and AIDS in a city on the verge of tearing down its walls, Jed—a young, gay black man—arrives in Berlin where he, encountering outcasts, expats, intellectuals, artists and misfits on his way to adulthood, hopes to escape what it means to be a black male in America. By the author of High Cotton.
|
|
|
The Castle Cross the Magnet Carter: A Novel
by Kia Corthron
Following the course of American history from 1941 to the 21st century through the lives of four men—two white brothers from rural Alabama, and two black brothers from small-town Maryland—an epic volume, bridging the political and poetic, details an explosive and devastating encounter between two families during the early civil rights movement.
|
|
|
Dancing in the Baron's Shadow
by Fabienne Josaphat
"Haiti, 1965. The impoverished island nation's brutal dictator rules with an iron fist. As the regime threatens to crush them, two brothers fight to survive"--back cover.
|
|
|
Lovecraft Country
by Matt Ruff
Blends multiple genres in a visceral exploration of the Jim Crow era and its legacy, tracing the story of young Army vet Atticus Turner, who in 1954 Chicago travels with his publisher uncle and childhood friend to search for his missing father only to encounter human and supernatural terrors at the estate of a descendant of slave owners.
|
|
|
The Pastor's Husband
by Tiffany L Warren
Five years after female pastor Nya Hempstead incorrectly predicts that Felicia Caldwell is destined for Happily Ever After, a down-on-her-luck Felicia tracks down Nya in Dallas, determined to make her and her husband, Gregory's lives a living hell.
|
|
|
Queen Divas
by De'nesha Diamond
It's a scorched-earth, all-or-nothing war for Memphis' most merciless ride-or-die women, and even their survival skills are no guarantee; and once alliances splinter and explosive revelations rip apart their empire, one diva's revenge will become the ultimate deadly reign.
|
|
|
She's Not There: A Novel
by Joy Fielding
Haunted by the kidnapping of her infant 15 years earlier, Carole Shipley receives a phone call from a sweet-voiced girl claiming to be her lost daughter, an event that plunges Carole back into a world of heartbreak, suspicion and questions.
|
|
|
The System of Dante's Hell
by Imamu Amiri Baraka
The System Of Dante's Hell, originally published in 1965, is a remarkable narrative of childhood and youth, structured on the themes of Dante's Inferno: violence, incompetance, fraud and treachery. With a poet's skill Baraka creates the atmosphere of hell, and with dramatic power he reconstructs the brutality of the black slums of Newark, a small Southern town and New York City. The episodes contained within the novel represent both states of mind and states of the soul. The resultant work is lyrical, fragmentary and elusive.
|
|
|
Version Control
by Dexter Clarence Palmer
A woman deals with a strange and persistent sense of everything being slightly off, which may or may not be related to her scientist husband’s pet project, a “causality violation device” that might actually be working.
|
|
New and Recently Released Non-Fiction
|
|
|
Blackballed: the Black and White Politics of Race on America's Campuses
by Lawrence C Ross
A controversial assessment of racism in America's higher education institutions argues that today's colleges have become hostile spaces for African-American students, exposing racist practices in white fraternity systems, the segregation consequences of affirmative action programs and the upholding of racist alumni.
|
|
|
Catch A Star: Shining Through Adversity to Become a Champion
by Tamika Catchings
"Catch a Star" tells Tamika's story of overcoming: of leading the Indiana Fever to its first championship, being named one of the WNBA's top fifteen players in history, earning three Olympic gold medals, and founding the Catch the Stars Foundation to help young people achieve their dreams. Her story will inspire readers to face their doubts and fears, encouraging them to reach for their own stars, no matter what challenges come their way.
|
|
|
Diary of a F.A.T. (Fed Up and Tired) Girl
by Tanisha Thomas
The popular diva from Oxygen's reality TV show Bad Girls Club humorously describes her life from Brooklyn to Hollywood, her battles with her weight, her search for love and how she learned to make peace with herself.
|
|
|
Negroes and the Gun: the Black Tradition of Arms
by Nicholas Johnson
From the pre-Civil War to today, this book demonstrates a willingness of African-American men and women to use firearms when necessary to defend their families and communities, from Frederick Douglas's advice to keep a good revolver handy as defense against slave catchers to blacks against the KKK.
|
|
|
Pushout: the Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools
by Monique W. Morris
The author of Black Stats chronicles the experiences of school age black girls across the United States and discusses how to address policies, practices and a cultural illiteracy that push these students out of school and into unsafe and unstable futures.
|
|
|
The Third Reconstruction: Moral Mondays, Fusion Politics, and the Rise of a New Justice Movement
by William J. Barber
A modern-day civil rights champion tells the stirring story of how he helped start a movement to bridge America's racial divide. “A remarkable story about a great justice movement, led by an American prophet. Everyone interested in justice should read this book.” —James H. Cone, author of Risks of Faith. “This book lays bare his prophetic vision, historical analysis, and courageous praxis.” —Cornel West, author of Black Prophetic Fire.
|
|
New Orleans and the Early Pioneers of Jazz
Thursday, April 14,
6:30 pm
South Regional Library - Meeting Room
Looking At: Jazz, America's Art Form "explores the cultural and social history of jazz as it developed as an art form invented in early 20th century America. It has evolved into an enduring expression of creativity and innovation. The history of jazz is much more than the history of an extraordinary musical genre - it is also the story of central social, political and cultural issues of the 20th century that continue to play a part in our fledgling 21st. Looking At: Jazz, America's Art Form is a Film and Discussion project for non-profit organizations and libraries from National Video Resources and the National Endowment for the Humanities, in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center and the American Library Association."
|
|
|
Friends of the Durham Library Spring Book Sale
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, April 15 - April 17,
Main Library
Book sale opens Friday at 4:00 PM for members only - Join at the door! Saturday, 10 AM-4 PM - Everyone is welcome. Sunday, 2-5 PM - Everyone welcome to the bag sale.
|
|
Discovery Nook at Northgate Mall
Saturday, April 16,
12:30 pm
Northgate Mall
Durham County Library partners with Northgate to bring this dedicated kid-friendly, educational zone to the mall. The Nook offers stories, drama, local authors and fun with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
|
|
The Jazz Age and Harlem As A Center of Art
Thursday, April 21,
6:30 pm
South Regional Library - Meeting Room
Looking At: Jazz, America's Art Form "explores the cultural and social history of jazz as it developed as an art form invented in early 20th century America. It has evolved into an enduring expression of creativity and innovation. The history of jazz is much more than the history of an extraordinary musical genre - it is also the story of central social, political and cultural issues of the 20th century that continue to play a part in our fledgling 21st. Looking At: Jazz, America's Art Form is a Film and Discussion project for non-profit organizations and libraries from National Video Resources and the National Endowment for the Humanities, in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center and the American Library Association."
|
|
|
Meet the Author: Tiffany Warren
Saturday, May 21, 3:00 p.m.
South Regional Library - Meeting Room
Join Tiffany Warren for a heart-to-heart conversation about Inspirational fiction and her new book The Pastor's Wife. A book signing will follow the event.
|
|
Straight No Chaser: Jazz Listening with Robert Trowers
Thursday, April 21 & May 12,
7:00 pm
Stanford L. Warren Library - Meeting Room
Known for his selective ear and ability to pick out other jazz musicians on their own music, Down Beat Magazine interviewed trumpeter Miles Davis in 1964 in a random blind listening test. The ability to hear and understand the nuances of jazz today is just as important as it was in 1964. Join jazz trombonist and NCCU jazz department instructor Robert Trowers for a series of jazz music listening sessions.
|
|
The Swing Era and Jazz as America's Popular Music
Thursday, April 28,
6:30 pm
South Regional Library - Meeting Room
Looking At: Jazz, America's Art Form "explores the cultural and social history of jazz as it developed as an art form invented in early 20th century America. It has evolved into an enduring expression of creativity and innovation. The history of jazz is much more than the history of an extraordinary musical genre - it is also the story of central social, political and cultural issues of the 20th century that continue to play a part in our fledgling 21st. Looking At: Jazz, America's Art Form is a Film and Discussion project for non-profit organizations and libraries from National Video Resources and the National Endowment for the Humanities, in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center and the American Library Association."
|
|
New World America and the Triple Whammy of Geographic Disadvantage
Monday, May 2,
7:00 pm
Stanford L. Warren Library - Meeting Room
Are N.C. school students ready for life and work in the 21st century? Will older Americans live to 200 years? Will robots take our jobs and do the work we have been trained to do? Will people of color be the majority in America impacting politics and socio-economic life? In this presentation demographer, futurist and UNC Kenan-Flagler Distinguished Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship James H. Johnson, Jr. will discuss the impact of demographic change on American life.
|
|
Computer & Technology Classes
|
|
Computer Classes
April & May,
2016
Check Your Local Library
Register at durhamcountylibrary.org/calendar/computer
Just learning how to use a computer? Need help typing or creating a document? Need to create a spreadsheet using Excel? Having a difficult time finding files on your computer? Looking for academic articles and resources? Need an online tutor or help studying for a test? Trying to figure out how to access the library's ebook, eaudiobook, and streaming video collections on your new tablet or device? Want to learn a new language? If you've answered yes to any of these questions, register for a class at one of the Durham County Libraries. We will be offering the following classes in April and May: Computer Basics, Internet Basics, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Resume Writing Workshops, Social Networking Basics, and Smart Phone Basics.
|
|
Yoga Reads and Deeds
Sunday, April 17, 24; May 1, 8, 15,
3:00 pm
North Regional Library - Meeting Room
Ever wanted to know what yoga is about? We will explore the Durham County Library's wonderful resources on yoga as we learn about the 8 principles of yoga and proper alignment of basic yoga poses at the wall. Please do not eat one hour prior to the class. Some yoga mats and blankets are available, but please feel free to bring your own. Namaste.
|
|
Down South Shuffle
Monday, April 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23,
6:30 pm
Southwest Library - Meeting Room
Need an excuse to get moving and get fit? Join Down South Shuffle for some line dancing and get some exercise. Down South Shuffle is open to all levels of dancers. Come for the first hour and practice your basic steps. Stay for the last half-hour to learn some advanced moves.
|
|
Looking for More Great Books? Contact your librarian or try...
|
|
|
My Next 5 For personalized reading recommendations from Durham County librarians, you may want to try My Next 5! Simply complete an online form to tell us a little about what genres, books, and authors you like (or dislike). A DCL librarian will review your submission and reply within three days with a list of the next five books you should read.
|
|
|
NextReads e-Newsletters Subscribe to one of our NextReads e-newsletters to have reading recommendations delivered right to your inbox. Select from topics such as the weekly New York Times bestseller list, graphic novels recommendations, armchair traveler reads and so much more. Each newsletter comes with links directly to the library's catalog, so you can easily place holds on items that interest you. You can also sign up for a general DCL e-newsletter that highlights library news and upcoming events.
|
|
|
NoveList
NoveList is a comprehensive database of fiction and nonfiction titles for all ages, including recommendations, articles, and lists for your fiction and nonfiction needs. Durham County Library cardholders can access NoveList from any computer. |
|
|
|
Links to Previous Newsletters
|
|
|
If you are having trouble unsubscribing to this newsletter, please contact the Durham County Library at
919-560-0100, 300 N. Roxboro Street, Durham, NC 27702
librarywebmaster@durhamcountync.gov
|
|
|