Mysteries by Black Authors

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".

YouTube is a great resource for everything from videos on how to unclog a toilet to cute pet videos. YouTube is also a great place for readers and lovers of books. There are a group of people who create videos about the books they have and want to read. The name of this community of video creators is BookTube and the people who create these videos call themselves BookTubers. I stumbled upon this community thanks to a Google search for information about a book. Think of BookTube as a giant book club where you can hang out and hear about the books others have read, engage in conversations about the books and make your own suggestions by using the comment section for a video. I have found this community to be a great resource to discover new books.

I want to share ten BookTubers I follow. Check them out and I am sure you will be please. Plus once you discover one BookTuber you like you will probably find others who sparks your interest.

Runwright Reads Host: Karen What I like about the channel:

• Karen is a very diverse reader who provides great book reviews
• Karen delivers valuable reviews of award winning books
• Hosts a book club via booktube where a book is selected and she holds a discussion via Google HangOuts

YouTube Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/user/facebookdiva Karen's Website: https://runwright.net/

Rincey Reads Host: Rincey Abraham What I lIke about the channel:

• Rincey is a very diverse reader. She consistently finds interesting books by authors of color.
• Her reviews are complete and interesting. She provides a complete picture of the book that helps a reader determine if this is the book for them.
• Rincey co-hosts the "Read or Dead" podcast with Katier McLain. A by-weekly podcast where they discuss mysteries and thrillers.

YouTube Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/user/rinceyreads

Brown girl Reading Host: Deirdre Borie What I like about the channel:

• Deirdre's reviews are very complete and take in all aspects of the book.
• She speaks from her heart. She will tell you why she likes or dislikes a book
• Deirdre's insights are very valuable in determining if a book is a good choice to all to your reading list.

YouTube Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/user/frenchiedee/featured

Bree Hill Host: Bree Hill What I like about the channel:

• A great source for reviews of literary fiction.
• Bree's channel exposes me to a very diverse library of books.
• Bree's reviews are a pleasure to listen to and very rich with information.

YouTube Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVMNI0Lh1yXja-zFVmekr0Q

Bookish Realm Host: Ashley What I like about the channel:

• Ashley covers all types of books including children's books and Manga.
• Ashley brings a lot of energy to her videos that inspires you to go read.
• I am so impressed by the number of books Ashley reads.

YouTube Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0tDaannkUjppw6o8HCA0Hg

Cimone Watson Host: Cimone Watson What I like about the channel:

• Cimone's videos provide insight in the book publishing process.
• Cimone helps readers understand genres and writing techniques.
• Cimone's videos are a great source for both readers and writers.

YouTube Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/user/bunbacheso/featured

Pretty Brown Eye Reader Host: Alisha What I like about the channel:

• Alisha has the most pleasant on-camera presence.
• Alisha covers poetry as well as literature
• Alisha videos with her sister are fun to watch as they talk about the different books they like.

YouTube Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdXA0kXgLIwcCjZ92LIChZw

SomedahSaySo Host: Deidre Somdah What I like about the channel:

• Deidre reviews coffee table books.
• I love her energy she brings to each video.
• Deidre's reviews are informative and encourage readers to explore the world of coffee table books.

YouTube Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpEORSVmcGRSowIuiQNRkVA

Onyx Pages Host: Njeri Campbell What I like about the channel:

• Njeri focuses on Afrofuturism, Science Fiction and magical Realism.
• Discusses the inclusion or absence of LBGTQ characters.
• Njeri's review system is the most information system I have ever seen.

YouTube Channel URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_reNHCI5mUeKGbvkN2_bTA

Dope Liberian Host: Jaz What I like about the channel:

• Jaz's love for all things books is wonderful.
• Her reviews are very informative and interesting.
• Jaz's video series with her sister about urban fiction changed my view of the genre.

Youtube Channell URL: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6NsGIcp3yyP7quvCpt62tA

In this episode I share ten BookTubers I follow. BookTube is a community of book readers who share videos on YouTube about the books they have read and want to read.

Thriller author Dwayne Alexander Smith joins me to talk about his great book "Forty Acres".

A suspenseful page turner that you will not be able to put down. Mix a secret society of black men, modern day slavery and one man's courage and you have the ingredients use by Dwayne Alexander Smith in "Forty Acres"

I loved reading this book. The pacing, the suspense and the courage to take on the horror of slavery from a totally new point of view made this book such a great read.

In this interview we talk about:

• Dwayne Alexander Smith's background as a writer
• How the idea for this story morphed over time
• How his writer friends though his final idea for the book would not work and how he took this as a challenge
• How the central character (Martin Grey) faces difficult choices throughout the book as he is put into corners and the story takes a turn in an unexpected direction
• Dwayne Alexander Smith explains his process creating a book with a page turner pacing
• We talk about the discussions that book clubs are having about Forty Acres and how some of the views expressed are a little disturbing
• We talk about the use of isolation that is felt by the central character and the courage it takes to stand with integrity in this situation
• How difficult it was to write a particular portion of the book due the horrible reality he had to capture in one scene. How difficult it was to put his mind in a place to write this portion of the book.
• Dwayne Alexander Smith shares some great news about the possibility of a sequel
• We then talk about his new book "The Unkind Hour". His new book that is another page turning thriller.

You can follow Dwayne Alexander Smith on his web site, Facebook page and on Twitter

Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/Dwayne-Alexander-Smith/e/B00L96G4FO/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1529035508&sr=8-1

Web Page: www.writtenbysmith.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/writtenbysmith/

Twitter: twitter.com/writtenbysmith

Thriller author Dwayne Alexander Smith joins me to talk about his great book "Forty Acres".

A suspenseful page turner that you will not be able to put down. Mix a secret society of black men, modern day slavery and one man's courage and you have the ingredients use by Dwayne Alexander Smith in "Forty Acres"

The novel Vengeance Bound by Justina Ireland is very interesting story of a supernatural struggle that involves the Greek mythological figures of the Furies and one young lady. Set in a modern world, Justina Ireland uses the characters and background story of the Furies to paint a suspenseful and thrilling story.

Cory Graff is a young lady who just wants to be a normal teenager, finish high school, and kill the one person who did her a very great injustice. However, she has these three companions, the Furies, who she must control because they have a habit of killing men who are guilty of evil. How do you stay normal and under the radar when you have a dead body of an abuser at your feet? What happens when the Furies want to hunt, and their pull is so great that you cannot help but go along with them? What happens when you find love, but you have this great secret that would drive anyone away?

I listened to the audiobook version of Vengeance Bound and I enjoyed it. Eve Bianco is the narrator and I think her voice was perfect for this story. Her pacing and voicing of the characters were right on point.

My favorite things about the book are the subtle use of suspense and the contrast between the central character's supernatural struggle and the triteness of high school life.

This is a good read that keeps your attention all the way through the book. Sight warning, if you do not like violence or are sensitive to abusive situations, then this might be a little too much for you. Justina handles this content in a very good way and only uses it when necessary to move the story. This is a good read for people who like magical realism or thrillers.

Justina Ireland is one of the executive editors of FIYAH Literary Magazine. A magazine dedicated to speculative short fiction by black authors. I love this magazine. She also has a new book coming out in April 2018, Dread Nation.

Justina Ireland's Website

My book discussion of Vengeance Bound by Justina Ireland. A suspenseful novel that features the Greek Furies, a supernatural struggle, a love story and the universal drama all high schoolers have faced.

In this episode I discuss the following:

1. What do I like to read
2. 1. Mysteries
   2. Science Fiction
   3. Horror
   4. History
   5. Biographies - in particular jazz artists
   6. Literary Fiction
   
   
   1. Always wanted to but did not do
   2. Setting obtainable goals - small steps to climb a mountain
   3. Read at least 50 short stories this year
   4. Read all the Simple stories by Langston Hughes
   5. Read at least 12 books that have been on my To Be Read List for years
   6. Listen to 12 audio books by and about African Americans
   7. Read a graphic novel or series each month
   
   
3. My reading history and my goals for this year
   1. Music on My Mind - Willie The Lion Smith
   2. Langston Hughes - Simple Stories - year long project
   3. Short stories from three mystery anthologies
   4. Short stories from Fiyah Magazine, the Forever Vacancy anthology and Black Girl Magic Lit Magazine
   5. Finish graphic novel series "Destroyer" by Victor LaValle
   6. Finish the audio book Vengeance Bound by Justina Ireland
   
   
4. Where am I starting
   1. YouTuber/BookTuber Denise D. Cooper created this challenge for readers
   2. Find Denise's videos here: https://www.youtube.com/user/Deliciouswisdom
      1. In 2018 read books by African American Authors
      2. Read at least 2 books by African American women
      3. At least one book by an independent author
      4. Try to purchase books from black owned bookstores
      
      
   3. Requirements
   
   
5. Participation in the #BlackOut2018
6. Go to www.ifoundthisgreatbook.com/subscribe to subscribe to the podcast
7. Have a great reading day

I share my plan to read 12 books, 50+ short stories, complete 12 audio books by African American authors. I also discuss the #blackout2018 reading challenge.

Kathy Strahs - Innovative Cookbooks For Delicious, Convenient and Fun Meals

Author Kathy Strahs is an innovative author of cookbooks that teach people how to use common items to create wonderful and convenient meals. Kathy shows us how to take that appliance or dish that has been gathering dust and use it to produce some delicious and innovative meals.

• We learn how Kathy Strahs started her blog and its growth into a published cookbook.
• Kathy talks about her first book "The Ultimate Panini Press Cookbook" and how you can create some really interesting dishes that will surprise you.
• We talk about how Kathy was inspired by her use of the common 8 x 8 inch cooking dish to create a new cook book. We also talk about Kathy Strahs' self-publishing journey.
• Kathy's most recent book is a fun book of activities and recipes children and parents can use to take the lemonade stand to a whole new level.
• We finish up by talking about Kathy's publishing company Burnt Cheese Press.

Kathy Strahs' website and social media links

Burnt Cheese Publishing: https://www.burntcheesepress.com/

Twitter: @kathystrahs

Facebook: @burncheesepress

Instagram: kathystrahs

Kathy's Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/Kathy-Strahs/e/B00BKO7828/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1510527652&sr=8-1