Mysteries by Black Authors

On this episode I share my experience of listening to the audiobook version of 72 Hour Hold by Bebe Moore Campbell.

Pamela D'Pella is the narrator. She has a wonderful voice that captures the mood of the story.

This is the story of Keri Whitmore and her daughter Trina. It starts as Trina is turning 18 and the world is wide and wonderful for her, but a diagnosis of Bi-Polar disorder is about to shake their world apart.

• The challenge of having young adult child with a mental illness
• The challenges faced by a young adult with a mental disorder
• How mental illness is addressed or ignored in the black community
• The challenges faced by family members and person with a mental illness as they try to navigate their way through the healthcare system
• The challenge with other family members who cannot come to grips with the fact that someone they love has a mental illness
• The suspense as Keri takes drastic measures to get help for her daughter that is not within the guidelines prescribed by the health care industry

If you would like to get a better understanding of Bi-Polar Disorder, a good place to start is episode 92 of the Therapy for Black Girls podcasts. Dr. Joy is a licensed Psychologist in Atlanta, Georgia and her goal is to help you become the best possible version of yourself!

• Compelling story
• I cared about the characters
• Bebe Moore Campbell makes you feel every emotion of the mother and the tension she is under constantly
• The narrator's voice is wonderful. Deep, full of expression, just the right pace
• I gained greater insight into the challenges faced by persons with a mental disorder and their family.

I also give a brief update on my two reading challenges and a new directory of Black Mystery Authors on my website (www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com).

In this episode I am featuring the horror novella "The Ballad of Black Tom" and the graphic novel series "Destroyer" by Victor Lavalle.

• How did I find "The Ballad of Black Tom" by Victor Lavalle?
• Why do I like this book?
• More about Victor Lavalle's Destroyer series?

Click here to read the full show notes

In 2019, besides the 26+ books I will read for the podcast, I plan to participate in two challenges:

The Langston Hughes "Simple" Stories Reading Challenge

The Sherlock Holmes Chronological Reading Challenge

Chris Ferrie has created an innovative and fun line of books designed to introduce science to babies and when I say babies I mean infants. Chris Ferrie's books use colorful and simple images along with easy to understand language to explain concepts in Quantum Physics, Newtonian Physics, Chemistry and more. These books are designed for parents to read to their infants . By introducing babies to big ideas early, Chris believes that you can spark a lifelong interest in Science. In this episode we will learn more about this fascinating line of baby books and their creator.

Where can I get a copy and how many are there?

Go to the Fountain Bookstore's web site. They ship books to any state in the US. They have the full line of Chris Ferrie's books. Plus you will support a wonderful bookstore that is dedicated to connecting readers and authors. Let the good folks at the Fountain Bookstore know I sent you. I get no reward off of this except the pleasure of supporting a wonderful bookstore who introduced me to a wonderful series of books and hosted a great author events. That is reward enough.

The Fountain Bookstore

https://www.fountainbookstore.com/

Links to Chris Ferrie's web pages

https://www.sourcebooks.com/baby-university.html

https://csferrie.com/books/

The Amber Tamblyn author event at the Fountain Bookstore

https://www.fountainbookstore.com/event/amber-tamblyn-presents-any-man-special-guest-rekaya-gibson

For over 20 years I have shopped at Brett Hewitt's Positive Vibes store in Virginia Beach. One of the key things I know I can find in his store are wonderful books for African American children. Positive Vibes has a wide selection of books that I have given as gifts for nephews, nieces and friend's children. In this episode I want to feature four children's books I purchased from Brett's store.

Let's start with Natasha Anastasia Tarpley's "I Love My Hair". This is an excellent book for a parent of an infant. In this story Keyana's mother tells her all the ways that her hair is special and then Kenyana talks about the way she enjoys her different hair styles. The pictures and the story capture the loving relationship between Kenyana and her mother. This is a very short book that will be a favorite story for a child. The adult reading the story to a child will enjoy it and will love reading it to a child as much as the child will love reading it.

"I Love My Hair" has very thick pages so it can survive a little child's handling and chewing. The watercolor artwork by illustrator E. B. Lewis are wonderful and each picture captures the love and joy expressed in the story.

I love the way this book celebrates the beauty of a black girls' hair. This is an excellent gift for the parent of an infant girl.

The next book is Crystal Swain-Bates "I'm A Big Brother". The story focuses on the new world a young boy enters when his parents bring home his new baby brother. The new big brother tells us all the unique things about his new baby brother. Also, the differences between the baby and the older boy are described. It ends with the new big brother realizing that he will be a great big brother.

This is a useful book for parents of a small child and they have a new baby on the way. The illustrations feature a friendly family of African American, so children will see themselves in this book. I can see a parent using this story to prepare a child for the new role of big brother.

Another book I purchased from Positive Vibes is Margaree King Mitchell's "Uncle Jed's Barbershop is a wonderful story of perseverance, history and family love. The story follows Sarah Jean's beloved Uncle Jedediah and his lifelong desire to own his own barber shop. While telling this story, Margaree Mitchell share the history of the mid 1900's for African American families. This is a wonderful book for young readers because there is so much captured in this short story.

Not only will the reader get a picture of life in the past, you will see how black families worked together to make it through tough times and share the good times. This love is captured in the story and illustrations by James Ransome. Each page and illustration will bring back memories of beloved family members who played key roles in our lives. This is such a wonderful book. Anyone who reads this will be touched by this story of family love.

Finally, I want to talk about Tonya Bolden's book "Maritcha – A Nineteenth-Century American Girl". Ms. Bolden came across a memoir of Maritcha Remond Lyons who was born 1848 in Manhattan New York. This is a fascinating look at the life of a black family through the eyes of Maritcha during this period of history. It is great that it features a view of black life in the 1800's that is different from the life of rural black people in the south.

Tonya Bolden makes use of photos and illustrations from the time period to reinforce the story and make it real. This is a great book to share with a child. You will see the love of this family and perseverance in the face of life shattering tragedy. Tonya Bolden brings this valuable memoir to an audience of young readers and this will encourage further exploration into African American history.

If you are in the area, stop by Positive Vibes and see all the great books and say hi to Brett. He has been committed to connecting African American with products that reflect their culture and history. Go to Brett's site and use the contact form to let him know about a book you want.

6220 Indian River Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23464

(757) 523-1399

www.positivevibesva.com

www.facebook.com/PositiveVibesVA

I discuss two cozy mysteries by African American authors that are unique, addictive and fun. Barbara Neely's "Blanche on the Lam" and V.M. Burns "The Plot is Murder".

In this episode I talk about the following:

• What makes a mystery a cozy mystery www.cozy-mystery.com
• Barbara Neely's "Blanche on the Lam"
• V.M. Burns' "The Plot is Murder"
• Frankie's List is a great source to find mystery writers of color Diverse Authors: Frankie's List

Read more on I Found This Great Book

Barbara Neely's Amazon Page

V.M. Burns' Amazon Page