Lawrence Picks: Conjure Women by Afia Atakora --- What to Read Now

Conjure Women

A Novel

by Atakora, Afia

Book - 2020

eBook & eAudiobk formats available Apr 7, 2020. Lyrical and character-wise with Rue at the center of this story; she’s coming-of-age and learning to b...Show more eBook & eAudiobk formats available Apr 7, 2020. Lyrical and character-wise with Rue at the center of this story; she’s coming-of-age and learning to be a midwife from her mom, May Belle. They are the Conjure Women on the southern plantation where they are enslaved. Mystical natural elements are revealed in vivid scenes as Rue searches for medicinal plants and mysterious foxes wonder the woods. With inspiring and compelling insight into human nature, community and the heartbreaking antebellum & reconstruction eras (before & after the U.S. Civil War), this book will offer rewarding discussions for book clubs! Thanks to publisher Random House, I was able to read this book in advance. This is Atakora's debut, published April 7, 2020. She was born in England to parents who immigrated from Ghana. Show less

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The Revisioners

A Novel

by Sexton, Margaret Wilkerson

Book - 2019

eBook available via Hoopla. This multi-generational saga, woven in alternating chapters of strong women rooted in New Orleans, Louisiana, is ultimately ho...Show more eBook available via Hoopla. This multi-generational saga, woven in alternating chapters of strong women rooted in New Orleans, Louisiana, is ultimately hopeful. This excerpt of the starred review in Publisher's Weekly makes this a must read for me: "A chilling plot twist reveals the insidious racial divide that stretches through the generations, but it’s the larger message that’s so timely. “Ain’t no use in hate,” Josephine’s mother advises. “Whatever you trying to get away from, hate just binds you to it.” This novel is both powerful and full of hope." Winner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, Published in November 2019 Show less

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The Water Dancer

A Novel

by Coates, Ta-Nehisi

Book - 2019

eBook & eAudiobk formats available. With water and memory, Hiram Walker becomes a powerful Underground Railroad conductor. This is Coats fiction debut...Show more eBook & eAudiobk formats available. With water and memory, Hiram Walker becomes a powerful Underground Railroad conductor. This is Coats fiction debut, influenced by Toni Morrison and E.L. Doctorow. Awarded the Audie Award for Literary Fiction & Classics, Published in September 2019 Show less

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Washington Black

by Edugyan, Esi

Book - 2018

eBook & eAudiobk formats available. Library Director Brad Allen wrote a persuasive feature-length recommendation of this book. A 19th century airship ...Show more eBook & eAudiobk formats available. Library Director Brad Allen wrote a persuasive feature-length recommendation of this book. A 19th century airship (steampunk) adventure! Edugyan is Canadian with Ghanaian heritage. Awarded the Scotiabank Giller Prize, Published in 2018 Show less

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Homegoing

A Novel

by Gyasi, Yaa

Book - 2016

eBook & eAudiobook available. Gyasi's debut novel is a family saga spanning over seven generations moves from 18th century Ghana & 20th century Ha...Show more eBook & eAudiobook available. Gyasi's debut novel is a family saga spanning over seven generations moves from 18th century Ghana & 20th century Harlem, New York. Awarded the American Book Award and the Audie Award for Literary Fiction & Classics, Published in 2016 Show less

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Blonde Roots

by Evaristo, Bernardine

Book - 2009

"...an astonishing, uncomfortable and beautiful alternative history that goes back several centuries to flip the slave trade, with “Aphrikans” enslav...Show more "...an astonishing, uncomfortable and beautiful alternative history that goes back several centuries to flip the slave trade, with “Aphrikans” enslaving the people of “Europa” and exporting many of them to “Amarika.” ~ excerpted from a starred review from Publisher's Weekly. This is Evaristo's debut; she is British with Nigerian heritage. Published in July 2008 Show less

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Song Yet Sung

by McBride, James

Unknown - 2008

A heroine with magical foresight and storytelling which connects to contemporary relevance and redemptive hope are reasons why I’m a solid fan of James Mc...Show more A heroine with magical foresight and storytelling which connects to contemporary relevance and redemptive hope are reasons why I’m a solid fan of James McBride! Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglas and communication on the Underground Railroad are also vibrantly portrayed. Published in February 2008 Show less

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The Salt Roads

by Hopkinson, Nalo

Book - 2003

Awarded the Gaylactic Spectrum Award For Best Novel, Published in 2004 Awarded the Gaylactic Spectrum Award For Best Novel, Published in 2004 Show less

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The Salt Roads by Nalo Hopkinson is available as a book, eBook & eAudiobook via Hoopla

https://www.hoopladigital.com/search?scope=everything&q=The%20Salt%20Roads

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Awarded the Gaylactic Spectrum Award For Best Novel, Published in 2004 Awarded the Gaylactic Spectrum Award For Best Novel, Published in 2004 Show less

The Known World

by Jones, Edward P.

Book - 2004

eBook & eAudiobook available via Hoopla. Awarded the Pulitzer Prize, Published in 2003 eBook & eAudiobook available via Hoopla. Awarded the Pulitzer Prize, Published in 2003 Show less

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Beloved

by Morrison, Toni

Book - 1987

eBook & eAudiobook available. Awarded the Pulitzer Prize, A powerful ghost story with real historical roots. First published in 1987 eBook & eAudiobook available. Awarded the Pulitzer Prize, A powerful ghost story with real historical roots. First published in 1987 Show less

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Kindred

by Butler, Octavia E.

Book - 2004?

eBook & eAudiobook formats available. Time travel into our bleak past injustices in slavery, via Butler’s sage & succinct writing style. Rochester, New York named Kindred their book of the year 2003. Published in 1979. eBook & eAudiobook formats available. Time travel into our bleak past injustices in slavery, via Butler’s sage & succinct writing style. Rochester, New York named Kindred their book of the year 2003. Published in 1979. Show less

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