by Ashley Dickson-Ellison (@teachingtheapocalypse)
Here are three books coming out today that I'm excited to read!
Denny S. Bryce's Wild Women and the Blues
Description from Publisher:
"In a stirring and impeccably researched novel of Jazz-age Chicago in all its vibrant life, two stories intertwine nearly a hundred years apart, as a chorus girl and a film student deal with loss, forgiveness, and love... in all its joy, sadness, and imperfections.
“'Why would I talk to you about my life? I don't know you, and even if I did, I don't tell my story to just any boy with long hair, who probably smokes weed.You wanna hear about me.You gotta tell me something about you.To make this worth my while.'
"1925: Chicago is the jazz capital of the world, and the Dreamland Café is the ritziest black-and-tan club in town. Honoree Dalcour is a sharecropper’s daughter, willing to work hard and dance every night on her way to the top. Dreamland offers a path to the good life, socializing with celebrities like Louis Armstrong and filmmaker Oscar Micheaux. But Chicago is also awash in bootleg whiskey, gambling, and gangsters. And a young woman driven by ambition might risk more than she can stand to lose.
"2015: Film student Sawyer Hayes arrives at the bedside of 110-year-old Honoree Dalcour, still reeling from a devastating loss that has taken him right to the brink. Sawyer has rested all his hope on this frail but formidable woman, the only living link to the legendary Oscar Micheaux. If he’s right—if she can fill in the blanks in his research, perhaps he can complete his thesis and begin a new chapter in his life. But the links Honoree makes are not ones he’s expecting...
"Piece by piece, Honoree reveals her past and her secrets, while Sawyer fights tooth and nail to keep his. It’s a story of courage and ambition, hot jazz and illicit passions. And as past meets present, for Honoree, it’s a final chance to be truly heard and seen before it’s too late. No matter the cost..."
Why I want to read it: This book sounds phenomenal! Farrah Rochon mentioned reading this one in episode 143 when we talked with her about her novel The Boyfriend Project, and I remembered that description and the stunning cover from when she shared about it. I love stories that connect the present to past the way that this one does, and I'm intrigued to see how the story weaves together.
Kaitlyn Greenidge's Libertie
Description from Publisher:
"The critically acclaimed and Whiting Award–winning author of We Love You, Charlie Freeman returns with Libertie, an unforgettable story about one young Black girl’s attempt to find a place where she can be fully, and only, herself.
"Coming of age as a freeborn Black girl in Reconstruction-era Brooklyn, Libertie Sampson is all too aware that her purposeful mother, a practicing physician, has a vision for their future together: Libertie is to go to medical school and practice alongside her. But Libertie, drawn more to music than science, feels stifled by her mother’s choices and is hungry for something else—is there really only one way to have an autonomous life? And she is constantly reminded that, unlike her mother, who can pass, Libertie has skin that is too dark. When a young man from Haiti proposes to Libertie and promises she will be his equal on the island, she accepts, only to discover that she is still subordinate to him and all men. As she tries to parse what freedom actually means for a Black woman, Libertie struggles with where she might find it—for herself and for generations to come.
"Inspired by the life of one of the first Black female doctors in the United States and rich with historical detail, Kaitlyn Greenidge’s new and immersive novel will resonate with readers eager to understand our present through a deep, moving, and lyrical dive into our complicated past."
Why I want to read it: Jen shared about this one for an upcoming bookish check-in, and it sounded so fascinating. I am eager to read more historical fiction and especially love books that touch on the lives of real people. Check out Jen's review here!
Tanya Guerrero's All You Knead Is Love
Description from Publisher:
"Twelve-year-old Alba doesn't want to live with her estranged grandmother in Barcelona. "But her mother needs her to be far, far away from their home in New York City. Because this is the year that her mother is going to leave Alba's abusive father. Hopefully. If she's strong enough to finally, finally do it. "Alba is surprised to find that she loves Barcelona, forming a close relationship with her grandmother, meeting a supportive father figure, and making new friends. Most of all, she discovers a passion and talent for bread baking. When her beloved bakery is threatened with closure, Alba is determined to find a way to save it--and at the same time, she may just come up with a plan to make their family whole again. "From the author of How to Make Friends with the Sea comes a heartfelt story of finding one's chosen family, healing, and baking."
Why I want to read it: Readers may not know that I'm a bit of a sucker for puns, and this title makes me smile each time I read it. I also love the cover. I also love Barcelona, and I think it's important for middle-grade books to explore hard topics such as abusive relationships in an age-appropriate way for young readers. I definitely want to read this one!
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