Wednesday, February 12, 2020

urban fiction


Reader’s Advisory Roundtable
February 12, 2020
Homewood Library
Urban Fiction

Mark your calendar for our next meeting on Wednesday, April 8th at 9am at the Irondale Library for a discussion of audiobooks.

Attendance:
Holley W – Emmet O’Neal Library
Samuel R – BPL Springville Road Library
Mary Anne E – BPL Central/Southern History 
Veronica C – Homewood Library
Laura T – Homewood Library
Judith W – Homewood Library
Leslie W – Homewood Library
Riana M – Pinson Library


Handout:
Leon, Aya de. “It's Time for Urban Fiction to Get Some Literary Respect.” CrimeReads, 3 July 2019, crimereads.com/its-time-for-urban-fiction-to-get-some-literary-respect/.

Image result for uptown theif aya de leon
In this sexy, heart-stopping tale, one smart, sizzling mami robs the rich and protects the exploited--until one heist too many puts everything at stake. . .

Marisol Rivera barely survived being abused with nowhere to turn. So there's nothing she won't do to keep her Lower East Side women's health clinic open and give disadvantaged women new lives. Running an exclusive escort service for New York City's rich and powerful 1% is the perfect way to bankroll her business--not to mention the perfect cover for robbing corrupt CEOs. And when times get even tougher, pulling a heist on a mega-billionaire will secure the clinic's future--and her gorgeous crew's--for good. . .

There's just one problem: Marisol didn't anticipate bad news even more dangerous than her curves. A seductive ex-cop who's too close for comfort, and a powerful thug with a score to settle, are turning Marisol's precise planning and seductive fail-safes into insidious traps. Now this beautiful modern-day Robin Hood will have to play some lethal wild cards without rules or limits to save those she loves--and live to steal another day. . .

Holley, Emmet O’Neal Library

Image result for heist 2 kiki swinson
The Heist 2 by Kiki Swinson and De’nesha Diamond

The Last Heist
 KIKI SWINSON
Shannon Marshall gambled that betraying her husband’s biggest heist ever was her way out of the game for good.  Losing that bet put her in lockdown—and at the top of Todd Marshall’s revenge-fueled hit list. Now she’ll work every seductive move and lethal play to survive. ’Cause when it comes to wreaking her own vengeance, this devious beauty isn’t taking any prisoners …

Caked Up
DE’NESHA DIAMOND
Harlem Banks already has twenty-five million reasons to break out of the federal pen. But saving his desperately ill daughter is at the top of his list, even as he’s racing his ex-partner-in-crime to his stashed loot … while U.S. Marshals are hot on his trail. His only chance is the one woman he can’t stop loving—even if she’s the one endgame he’ll never escape …

Samuel, Springville Road Library

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The Demise of Alexis Vancamp by Karen Williams

Twenty-four-year-old Alexis Vancamp has the world at her feet. She is young, beautiful, educated and adored by her family, fiancé and friends.  Just when she thinks her life is set, in walks sexy, thugged-out Santana. A dangerous man with a dark secret, a past and a plan: To get Alexis under his thumb.  Despite the warnings from the people around her, Alexis finds herself drawn to this man, who is no good for her and leads her down a destructive path. To have him means to lose everything. None of this bothers Alexis as long as she has him in her world.  Santana turns her away from her family and friends. Alexis's sheltered life dissipates as she finds herself wrapped up in deceit, violence, lies and trouble with the law.  Despite losing almost everything, Alexis refuses to let Santana go.  A secret is revealed that will blow Alexis away. But will she let him go before it's too late?

Samuel, Springville Road Library

Image result for the coldest winter ever sister souljah
The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah

Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.

Renowned hip-hop artist, political activist, and bestselling author Sister Souljah brings the streets of New York to life in a powerful and utterly unforgettable first novel.

I came busting into the world during one of New York's worst snowstorms, so my mother named me Winter. Ghetto-born, Winter is the young, wealthy daughter of a prominent Brooklyn drug-dealing family. Quick-witted, sexy, and business-minded, she knows and loves the streets like the curves of her own body. But when a cold Winter wind blows her life in a direction she doesn't want to go, her street smarts and seductive skills are put to the test of a lifetime. Unwilling to lose, this ghetto girl will do anything to stay on top.

Riana, Pinson Library

Image result for not so pure and simple by lamar giles
Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles

An Indie Next List Pick!

In his first contemporary teen novel, critically acclaimed author and two-time Edgar Award finalist Lamar Giles spotlights the consequences of societal pressure, confronts toxic masculinity, and explores the complexity of what it means to be a “real man.”

Del has had a crush on Kiera Westing since kindergarten. And now, during their junior year, she’s finally available. So when Kiera volunteers for an opportunity at their church, Del’s right behind her. Though he quickly realizes he’s inadvertently signed up for a Purity Pledge.

His dad thinks his wires are crossed, and his best friend, Qwan, doesn’t believe any girl is worth the long game. But Del’s not about to lose his dream girl, and that’s where fellow pledger Jameer comes in. He can put in the good word. In exchange, Del just has to get answers to the Pledgers’ questions…about sex ed.

With other boys circling Kiera like sharks, Del needs to make his move fast. But as he plots and plans, he neglects to ask the most important question: What does Kiera want? He can’t think about that too much, though, because once he gets the girl, it’ll all sort itself out. Right?

Holley, Emmet O’Neal

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