Guy Reads! Featuring H.N.I.C., Pure Bronx, Undisputed Truth, & Coming Home

Johnson, A. "Prodigy" & Savile, S. (2013). H.N.I.C.: An infamous novel. NY: Akashic/Infamous Books.
ISBN-13: 978-1-61775-232-2 | Paperback | 126 pages | $11.95 USD

If you don't have this novella in your library collection already, please be on the lookout for this 2013 release, H.N.I.C., penned by Hip Hop artist Prodigy of the group, Mobb Deep.

H.N.I.C. is sure to attract young adult male readers because of its snappy length as a novella, and its relatable characters, particularly the protagonist, Pappy, a hustler who happens to be a computer geek. Pappy wants to get out of the game but his best friend, Black, won't let him go. On the fake promise of a "one last heist", Pappy gets away with just his life, having to leave behind his past to strategically create his future, without Black. Black eventually catches up to Pappy, but time has moved on and the tables are turned as they fight to reign as the H.N.I.C. 

This novella is the launching release of the new publishing imprint, Infamous Books, in collaboration with the renowned independent publishing house, Akashic Books. H.N.I.C. is a good addition to a 16+ young adult collection in your school, public, or community-based library collection. The strong and thoughtful characterization of Pappy alongside the dark, pathologic antics of Black, provide a balanced lens to gaining an understanding of young manhood. The tension of good vs. evil between Pappy and Black will appeal to many male readers. There's also a romantic angle in the story that helps to soften the plot's edges. A nice, solid contribution to the hip hop / urban literature / street lit tradition, H.N.I.C. will circulate.

The Fall 2013 publishing season had quite a few important releases. Here are a few more titles that will be good "guy read" additions to your collections:

ISBN-13: 9781935883418 (A/YA)

ISBN-13: 9780399161285 (A/YA)

ISBN-13: 9781622500512 (YA)

Lastly, be sure to stock up on K'wan Foye's recently released, Animal 2: The Omen. StreetLiterature.com will be posting a full review of this read in the coming weeks.

NEW READ | Buck: A Memoir by MK Asante (2013)

Asante, M.K. (2013). Buck: A memoir. NY: Spiegel & Grau.
ISBN-13: 978-0812993417 | Hardcover | $25.00 USD

This memoir promises to be one of the most revered life stories depicting a contemporary young male coming-of-age in urban America, since Claude Brown's Manchild of the Promised Land and Piri Thomas' Down These Mean Streets. Author MK Asante is son of the founder of Afrocentricity, the legendary Black Studies scholar, Molefi Keti Asante. 

Born in Zimbabwe and raised in North Philadelphia, MK Asante paints a gripping portrait of what it means to be an American Black man coming of age in the streets of hip hop era Philadelphia. Asante is honest in his revelations of how family issues are often the "whys" for teens finding solace and identity in the streets. For those of us who follow the genre of Urban Literature, Asante's story is a welcome addition to the canon. Shucks, given its early stellar reception, this book may shove comparisons aside, to stand valiantly, on its own.

I particularly like the early review of Pierce Freelon (via Amazon.com) where he says: "MK has a fascinating story. His father is a famous scholar - the founder of Afrocentricity. His mother is drowning in prescription drugs and a broken household. His sister lives with dementia - literally in another universe. His role model is his older brother Uzi - constantly on the run from the law. And then you have Philly - the City of Brotherly Love - full of dime jawns, blunt smoke, hip hop, broken schools and young bucks. It takes [a] village to raise a child - and MK was BUCK wild!"

Book Description:

A rebellious boy’s journey through the wilds of urban America and the shrapnel of a self-destructing family—this is the riveting story of a generation told through one dazzlingly poetic new voice.

MK Asante was born in Zimbabwe to American parents: a mother who led the new nation’s dance company and a father who would soon become a revered pioneer in black studies. But things fell apart, and a decade later MK was in America, a teenager lost in a fog of drugs, sex, and violence on the streets of North Philadelphia. Now he was alone—his mother in a mental hospital, his father gone, his older brother locked up in a prison on the other side of the country—and forced to find his own way to survive physically, mentally, and spiritually, by any means necessary.

Buck is a powerful memoir of how a precocious kid educated himself through the most unconventional teachers—outlaws and eccentrics, rappers and mystic strangers, ghetto philosophers and strippers, and, eventually, an alternative school that transformed his life with a single blank sheet of paper. It’s a one-of-a-kind story about finding your purpose in life, and an inspiring tribute to the power of education, art, and love to heal and redeem us.

***************
Additionally, MK Asante is a poet, with two poetry books to his credit: Beautiful. And Ugly Too (2005) and Like Water Running Off My Back (2002). He's also previously published a treatise on Hip Hop entitled, It's Bigger Than Hip Hop: The Rise of the Post-Hip Hop Generation (2009). For more information on his publications, visit his website at: http://mkasante.com/books/buck/.  Asante is an Associate Professor at Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD.

K'wan's Masterpiece: Animal (2012)

K'wan. 2012. Animal. NY: Cash Money Content / Simon and Schuster. ISBN-13: 978-1936399253. $14.99 US. Paperback.

K'wan is the author of over a dozen books, and upon reading his latest release, Animal, you start to realize that all the stories K'wan's told up to this point, was to prepare you for the story of Animal.

Animal is a redemption song. Animal is a love story: love rediscovered between lovers ... friends ... and family ... in the hood.

We first meet Animal in K'wan's Hood Rat series as a ruthless killer who extinguishes people with no remorse. Animal is a vigilante of sorts who metes out justice in ways that garner him as a force not just to be reckoned with; but to be deathly feared. The equalizing factor to his dark existence is his love for his woman, Gucci. Gucci loves Animal just as he is. In a series of stories they go through many ups and downs. In this story, Animal's story, they may have finally come to peace with one another, if Gucci can survive the war on the streets. In Animal's own story, here in this novel, we learn more about why Animal is the lonely soul that no one seems to be able to fully understand, but everyone fully fears. His redemption comes as a surprise to even Animal himself, but the redemption is a prodigal journey that has the potential to soothe the infamous assassin, once and for all.

A must-read for all street lit fans. This is street lit at its best. Add Animal to the pantheon of class street lit titles like The Coldest Winter Ever, True to the Game, Flyy Girl, A Street Girl Named Desire, and now ... Animal. Do not let the 400 pages deter you. Street Lit / Urban Fiction readers will read this novel as it is fast-paced action that doesn't stop. Buy multiple copies for your library as some of those copies will not be coming back. School library media specialists: this novel is appropriate for high schoolers.

In this video, K'wan explains his characterization of Animal:

K'wan is on social media at:
Twitter: #TEAMANIMAL

Facebook: #TEAMANIMAL

Facebook Group: K'wan's Readers 

New Reads: For Your Fall Collection

This article focuses on women authors telling women's stories in the hood. These titles will make nice additions to your fall collection for urban literature / street lit.


Miller, Karen Quinones. An Angry-Ass Black Woman. Gallery Books/Karen Hunter Publishing. NY, NY, 2012. ISBN: 978-1-451607826 | 288 pages | Paperback | $15.00 USD

Annotation (from back cover): This sassy, shocking autobiographical novel captures the racial tensions, the hardships, and the bonds that formed between families and neighbors growing up poor in Harlem.

Review: Karen Quinones Miller gives us an inside view of what it was like to grow up poor in Harlem, NY, during the 1960s and 1970s and emerge into womanhood with a rare courageousness for overcoming some dark adversities. Miller's story chronicles the hardships she experienced to pull herself up and out of poverty to become a renowned author.  The protagonist tells her story in a series of flashbacks captured as memories of a comatose Karen lying in a hospital bed. Immobilized, Karen's memory soars as she vividly recounts days growing up poor, and how that poverty affected herself and her siblings. From drug addiction and drug dealing to incest, rape, mental illness, and domestic violence, the protagonist Karen has seen it all, and thus has every reason to be an angry-assed black woman. Reminiscent of the classic Manchild in the Promised Land, Miller's story will appeal to young adult and adult readers who can relate to the harsh experiences that Karen was able to overcome. Highly recommended for all public library collections.

McGill, C. HBIC: Head Bitch in Charge - A Series. Synergy Publications. Brooklyn, NY, 2012. ISBN: 978-0-975298091 | 256 pages | Paperback | $14.95 USD

Annotation (from back cover): Take a walk in the shoes of Elle Mitchell. She came up in the church but quickly became fascinated with the underworld. The youngest sister of three, Elle has something to prove. Street smart and book smart, she will stop at nothing to get rich quick. Determined, Elle sets out to be the Head Bitch In Charge. 

Review: Caroline McGill is author of the popular tale, A Dollar Outta Fifteen Cent" (2004). In this first volume of her new series, HBIC, Elle is an ambitious young woman who grew up in the church, but forms a drug crew of herself, her sister Twyla, and their cousin, Needra, to make it big in the world. The three girls made a fearsome trio of drug dealers better known as HBIC. The group is determined to rule the streets and own their profit. However, they run into some ruthless competition, from the demonic Chelsea who enjoys torturing women, to their own cousin, Olan, who they eventually must leave behind. Laced with some violence and graphic sex scenes, HBIC, is a well-written and crafted novel that will gain the attention of adult readers of the genre. Recommended for adult collections in public libraries.

Todd, Cori. THE RED IN HER EYES. XLibris Corporation. 2011. ISBN: 978-1-465357175 | 210 pages | Paperback | $17.99 USD

Annotation (from back cover): All it took was one pleasure-filled dream to get Trystan's fantasies twisted around the man who once stood as the center of her life and the man of her dreams, Trey Armstrong. Now that he has resurfaced, she can't seem to shake the feeling that something just isn't right ... a feeling that only Trey can explain.

Review: This is a love story about college sweethearts, Trystan and Trey, who try to reunite years later when they have grown to become different people in a different place and time. The author,  Cori Todd, frames this novel around R&B love songs. Each chapter is themed with a different song that helps to shape the context of the story as it unfolds. For example, chapter 32 is entitled "How Do I Breathe?" a song by the R&B singer, Mario. Todd's use of familiar music titles is an effective device that entices the reader to create background music in their mind as they read each chapter of the book. This technique makes reading the story more engaging and helps to keep the reader aware that they are in another world, a dream world, a fictional world of story. Older teens and adults will enjoy the passionate love story that is full of ups, downs, and turn-arounds. Recommended for older teens and adults in the urban literature collection; could also fit for the romance genre.

SLJ Positive Book Review for Readers Guide to Street Lit

From School Library Journal, July 2012:

MORRIS, Vanessa Irvin. The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Street Literature.168p. appendix. bibliog. index. websites. CIP. ALA. 2012. pap. $48. ISBN 978-0-8389-1110-5. LC 2011029685. 

Morris sets out to help public and school librarians gain an understanding of the content and history of street lit. In her introduction, she reiterates the need for this literature wherever there is demand, whether the collection is for teen or adult readers. She calls for librarians to be both knowledgeable about the genre and to be readers of it, and advocates for them not to judge or dismiss its fans. Morris sets the record straight that street lit is about more than drug dealers and domestic violence. It focuses primarily on African American characters and is about life and survival in inner-city, lower-income areas. She compares the genre to other early survival-story novels such as Daniel Defoe’sMoll Flanders and Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities. She suggests series titles, individual titles, both fiction and nonfiction, and lists a few Christian teen-friendly series. The book discusses the appeal, characteristics, the structure of the genre, and mentions themes and subgenres, YA recommendations, and tips for selection and readers’ advisory. In this comprehensive book, Morris provides excellent input to aid in collection development and includes a list of publishers.– Adrienne L. Strock, Maricopa County Library District, AZ

Review Source:
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/reviews/professionalreading/894713-320/professional_reviews_july_2012.html.csp#.UACA_l33Zd0.twitter

A Stacie Brisker Review: Swing Lowe, Sweet Chariote (2010)

SWING LOWE SWEET CHARIOTE  [Paperback]

Stella D Hall (Author)

Paperback: 238 pages

Publisher: Blacpanther publication (March 12, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0615352138

ISBN-13: 978-0615352138

Price: $13.95 USD

Swing Lowe Sweet Chariote is a chariot ride thru the city streets of Cleveland from the New Jack era of 1988 to the mid 1990’s. The readers of this book should find the character of Charoite Lowe to be a complicated mix of good girl gone bad. This “good girl gone bad” identity is a common theme in street lit, but somehow in the hands of a talented writer like Stella Hall, Charioted Lowe’s characterization is deeply textured and keeps the reader engaged to learn just what went wrong in this protagonist’s life.

Chariote is a straight laced, straight “A” student with a bright future ahead of her. Raised by her grandmother, Chariote is more than aware of the “game”. Her mother, Harriett, was a former prostitute and her late father was her mother’s pimp. Gram became a praying grandmother who tried to instill the value of a good education in Chariote and keep her on the right track. For Chariote, it was school, clothes, hanging out with her two girlfriends, Lilly and Shannon, and most of all, avoiding the neighborhood bad boy, Ace.

The drug game was weed and the money was good, but the game was about to change.  Maybe it was the death of her one of her girlfriends, her background, or the lure of the street, that changed Chariote. Whatever the cause, she’s ready for it. Like a fresh succulent peach swinging on the tree, Ace smells the nectar and he picks Chariote.  He pulls out what must have been festering inside of Chariote for a long time; the lust for power. Soon, Chariote is running the show, pulling the trigger and singing to her victims “Swing Low Sweet Chariot.” She handles her business her way and soon she garners more respect than Ace.

Not only is Hall’s novel a look at a young woman’s transformation, but it mirrors the decline of the inner city. “Swing Lowe” poignantly portrays the inner city’s transition from a weed based economy to a crack one during the New Jack era. -- Reviewed by Stacie Brisker, Librarian, Cleveland (OH) Public Library System, May 9, 2012.

Note: This novel is readily available for purchase via Amazon.com.

The Guardian (UK) Posts Article on Street Lit

Greetings! When you get a chance, this article is worth the read, and the comments section is building with some interesting op/eds. I want to thank my colleaguefriend, Kristina Graaff, for the headsup on this piece.

Click Image to Access Article

September 2011 Book Review: One Lyfe to Live by Erick S. Gray

Gray, Erick S. 2011. One Lyfe to Live: A Novel. NY: Deja Vu Publications. Paperback | $14.95 USD | ISBN-13: 978-0981729695 | 239 pages

Erick S. Gray can be considered one of the foremost pioneering authors in the street lit game. He is one of the earliest male authors to bring forth quality, interesting work. An author of approximately 8 novels and 13 collaborations (including the awesome series, The Streets of New York, with Shannon Holmes and Anthony Whyte), Erick S. Gray is a solid contributor to contemporary street literature.

Lyfe Benjamin is a young adult (about 20 years old) African American male living with his mom and his sister in Jamaica, Queens, New York, with a baby on the way. Unemployed and a high school drop out, Lyfe, is a restless soul, with little direction for his life. His older brothers are incarcerated or dead from street violence; his older sister is the wifey of the biggest and most dangerous drug lord in the area. He doesn't know who his father is. Lyfe's 2-bit street hustle with his childhood friends keeps digging him deeper and deeper into the scary abyss of the streets - his guardian angel is a crackhead older man, named Jimmy, who always has Lyfe's back.

A silver lining appears for Lyfe, in the form of a new girlfriend, Ayana, who is a college student from Kenya. Ayana inspires Lyfe to study for his GED, which prompts him to take a trip to the public library. (Yes - you read that right - Erick S. Gray sends Lyfe to the library to talk to a librarian. Gray devotes two pages to detail the reference interaction and Lyfe's experience as a patron. Yes - in a street lit novel.) Lyfe's road to redemption takes a U-turn when Ayana is called back to Nairobi, Kenya, due to the unexpected death of her father. This abandonment sends Lyfe back to what he knows best - the hood.

Upon his return back to Queens, action gets intense as Lyfe finds himself in the middle of various misunderstandings that turn violent. His sister gets caught in the cross-fire, and this sends Lyfe reeling. Lyfe further suffers betrayal after betrayal from his closest friends, which are heavy costs for the price of a drug war.

Does Lyfe make it through all the violence and turmoil? How does his actions impact his pending fatherhood? What does it mean to being living a life, for Lyfe? Lyfe lives fast and hard, and ultimately pays all prices charged to the game.

Gray's storytelling is superb in this novel. He depicts Lyfe's struggles and confusion with an authenticity in language and character development that is awesome. I found myself totally immersed in Lyfe's world and in his heart - gaining an understanding for who he was and why he made the choices he did. Gray makes it plain that one's circumstances greatly determines the life one lives. In the character of Lyfe, we have empathy for the hard ladder he has to climb in order to get up and out of an impoverished life. We are rooting for Lyfe as he slips and falls along the way.

Highly recommended for public library collections. Suitable for mature A/YA readers. A must have addition to any reputable street lit collection.

Erick S. Gray's next novel is a collaborative effort with esteemed street lit author, Anthony White. Entitled "America's Soul" is due for release October 25, 2011. "America's Soul" is the final installment to "Crave All Lose All"  (2008) and "Love and a Gangsta" (2009).


To connect with Erick S. Gray:

Facebook: Erick Gray
MySpace: Erick S Gray

Amazon Bookstore: http://astore.amazon.com

Publisher: http://dejavupublications.com/

Guest Review for: Blinding Mirror (2010)

Halima, Shelley. 2010. Blinding Mirror. Livonia, MI: Indie Gypsy. Paperback | $10.99 US | ISBN-13: 978-0578018928 | 321 pages

Book Description

Blinding Mirror is a dark and sexy thriller about a woman, Olivia Valente, who leaves behind her abusive and dysfunctional home, poverty and her racial identity to find the riches she s always dreamed of. Once she attains it she will keep it by any means necessary even if it means murder. Her insatiable greed leads her back into the lives of her estranged twin daughters just as they are to receive a hefty inheritance. But all their lives will be changed forever as Olivia's true identity and misdeeds come to light.

Book Review

Shelly Halima's latest novel, Blinding Mirror, is 321 pages of sheer bliss. This book lives up to its title, because it holds up a mirror to American life. The multi ethnic and mixed raced characters are all trying to forge their place in the American landscape. This is the saga of Olivia Valente, a heroine that a reader will enjoy hating. One cannot help but admire Olivia's driving ambition to leave her abusive life and recreate a new and improved self. One of the ways Olivia does this is to bypass her true racial background. The legacy of her choices will affect every action in the book, thus impacting the lives her daughters for years to come.

I think the mark of a good book is a writer’s ability to make the reader understand why the characters do what they do. Halima has definitely mastered this technique in her work. I would highly recommend Shelley Halima’s work to any patron, especially those who would like a change from the usual fare offered by many of Halima's contemporaries.

~~ The guest reviewer for this post is Stacie Brisker, who is a librarian for the Cleveland (OH) Public Library system. Thank you Stacie. ~~

August 2011 Book Review: Murderville by Ashley & JaQuavis (2011)

Ashley & JaQuavis. 2011. Murderville: The First of a Trilogy. NY: Cash Money Content. Paperback | $14.95 USD | ISBN-13: 978-1936399000 | 272 pages

Murderville is not whatever you think it is. You cannot look at the title or cover of this novel and assume that you know what the story is about. And that's the beauty of Street Lit as a genre - it reiterates the adage that you can NOT judge a book by its cover.

That is not to say that this book cover is less than - indeed, to the contrary. Just don't take one sweeping look at the cover art and the title and think it's the same 'ole, same 'ole ... because you will miss the complexity and richness of this story. Look at that book cover again: why is a blood-stained hand chosen to expose her beautiful face? Why is it entitled "Murderville"? Look ... and then crack open the book. Warning: make sure you have your day's slate clear, and a nice cup of whatever-you-like-to-sip (coffee, for me) next to you - get comfortable ... because this is a not-can-put-down type of read.

Liberty and A'shai are 12-year-old children from Sierra Leone who meet by way of violent circumstances in Liberty's war-torn village. When their eyes meet in the midst of all the chaos and horror, it is an instant connection. The two are immediately on the run ... unbeknownst to them, they are on the run to Murderville...

Events quickly twist and turn, and the children find themselves as child slaves in present-day Americas (yes, you read that right), which leads them to ... the streets. They both embrace their fates with a sense of fortitude and resilience that is common of children in the hood...however, that fortitude and resilience is gained at a price to life and living ... Liberty and A'shai hold tightly to their love to make it through all they must face, confront and overcome, including the fact that Liberty is dying. A modern Romeo and Juliet tale, Murderville can proudly sit amongst the canonical of the classics. It is excellently written and developed, with important truths interspersed in this love story to educate us readers about some dark realities that many children live through on our planet - today.

Authors Ashley & JaQuavis deliver what they promised in their recent interview with StreetLiterature.com: with Murderville they have widened the horizon of street lit to encompass global issues and concerns that directly impact people living tough lives on the streets - everywhere. They eloquently illustrate how war - no matter what streets in what country on what continent - is a scourge that is affecting our children who then grow into adults still battling traumatic demons of their past. We learn that the stories of American children in the hood are not that different from the stories of street children everywhere - who all grow into adults that we, as a global society, are accountable for.

There is a subtle, deep, important message in Murderville that educates and entertains us simultaneously - no small feat. Shucks, this novel may even leave you speechless.

With Murderville being the first of a trilogy, it is going to be exciting to see what authors Ashley & JaQuavis have in store for Liberty and A'shai's story as the series continues to evolve and unfold. No doubt we have more interesting characters to meet! In the meantime, look again, read again - and learn. This novel is a must read.

Highly recommended for public and high school libraries (yes). This novel could be read in conjunction with Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (yes, really).

To connect with Ashley & JaQuavis:

Facebook: Authors Ashley JaQuavis

Twitter: @RealJaQuavis

Website: http://www.ashleyjaquavis.com/

Publisher: http://cashmoneycontent.com/

July 2011 Book Review: Wahida Clark's Justify My Thug

Clark, Wahida. 2011. Justify My Thug: A Novel. NY: Cash Money Content.
Paperback | $14.99 USD | ISBN-13: 978-1451617092 | 273 pages

Image credit: cashmoneycontent.com

Justify My Thug is the 5th installment in the Thug Love series that chronicles the ongoing dramatic lives of couples, Tasha and Trae, Angel and Kaylin, Jaz and Faheem, and Kyra and Marvin. The story picks up with Trae learning that his estranged wife, Tasha, had an affair with Kaylin's brother, Kyron. A lot of drama ensues with Angel and Tasha trying to keep things calm with Trae. Kaylin works hard to not get caught in the middle of this breach of loyalty from his brother, Kyron, to his best friend, Trae. In the meantime, Faheem's ex, Oni, mysteriously reappears on the scene, with a son, causing complications between Faheem and Jaz. Aside from drama with a pregnant Tasha, Trae is trying to get to the bottom of Kyra's disappearance. When he confronts Marvin on the situation, Trae is left with more questions than answers. 

The theme of the novel, reminds me of lyrics from Jay-Z's song, "Justify My Thug":

They say an eye for an eye, we both lose our sightAnd two wrongs don't make a rightBut when you been wrong and you know all along that it's just one lifeAt what point does one fight? (Good question right!) 

                                                                    (Source: azlyrics.com) 

Wahida Clark "does her thing" with this action-packed, yet nicely developed story. The continuous change of narrating voices will be manageable for readers who follow the series and know the characters. For newer readers, Clark makes up for the confusing shift in voice with adequate plot anchors and "catch up" characterizations. This novel's strength is the authentic, no-holds-barred street tone that Ms. Clark conveys so well. You are in the story, "like a movie in your head," as the saying goes. Some readers might cry foul at the continued demise of the Trae we all have grown to appreciate in earlier books of the series. However, Wahida keeps it real: this is an ongoing story about a group of people from the hood trying to live beyond the game, beyond the streets. The streets is a powerful 'monkey on the back' so to speak ... Trae's characterization in this installment depicts the struggle people often go through when confronting real life issues while trying to detox from a street mentality. It ain't always pretty ... and that's real.

Justify My Thug is about a group of friends settling karmic debts, and the way the Queen of Thug Love Fiction tells her stories, these characters are justified in doing so. If you don't have this novel in your collection yet, get it quickly. It will definitely circulate in public libraries.

To connect with Wahida Clark:

Facebook: Wahida Clark

Twitter: @WahidaClark

Website: http://www.wahidaclark.org/

Good Reads Spotlight: In Case You Missed It - A Street Girl Named Desire (2007)

Image credit:
Alibris

Blue, Treasure E. 2007. A Street Girl Named Desire: A Novel. NY: One World. | Pbk-336 pgs | ISBN-13: 978-0345493286 $13.95USD | eBook:  978-0307498083 $9.99USD

AUTHOR BACKGROUND: Treasure E. Blue is, in my huge opinion, one of the best writers in Street Lit today - hands down. His writing is top-of-the-line literary, with very good character development and wonderfully paced storytelling. I appreciate the fact that Treasure Blue does not rush his storytelling. He brings you into his world of story and you are enchanted to sit, relax, and care about the lives of the characters he creates. Treasure E. Blue has four novels to his credit thus far, with his debut novel, Harlem Girl Lost (2006), now considered one of the top Street Lit novels of all time. The long awaited follow-up to Harlem Girl Lost, was released this past May 2011, Harlem Girl Lost 2; where on Amazon.com, it is holding at a steady 5-star rating boasting dozens of customer reviews. His 2008 release, Keyshia and Clyde, is the ultimate ride-or-die love story.

BOOK REVIEW: Desire was born, literally, on the streets of Harlem. An elderly woman, Miss Hattie Mae, comes to Desire (and her mother's) rescue, caring for baby Desire while her mother battles drug addiction. Eventually and unfortunately, Desire is turned over to foster care, and well, things quickly go downhill for her from there, with Desire being bounced from home to home, becoming resilient within the wrath of negligent, abusive caregivers.

To escape the unstable home lifestyle she endures, Desire grows up quickly in the dark realms of the streets. Fate weaves it so that by her mid-teens, Miss Hattie Mae saves Desire's life again, and for this, Desire gladly settles into a stable family life with Miss Hattie Mae and begins to attend church, where she learns that she can saaannggg (sing). A Hip Hop mogul discovers Desire's talent and lures her into the music world where life can be an even lonelier, colder, harsher reality than the streets. Overwhelmed by many abuses and betrayals in the business, Desire suffers a devastating rock bottom that is a seemingly endless abyss of despair. An unexpected guardian angel comes into Desire's life and gosh, things just kind of come full circle ... but not without some pragmatic "that's real" redemption and an 'ole fashioned beat down (or two). 

This excellently crafted story is a no-holds-barred tapestry of the realities of street life, showing the harshness of the streets, but also the harshness of everyday life even when you seemingly have everything the world has to offer. Author Treasure E. Blue also shows us that there is redemption in the streets via silent watchers in the form of neighbors and just plain 'ole good people who care about humanity and want to help others. With friends and family who refuse to give up on Desire and insist on loving her as she is, wounds and all, eventually Desire learns what we all must learn - that we are all right - just the way we are and we are ALL worthy to be loved.

If you don't have this novel and/or any other title by Author Treasure E. Blue (see titles below), your street lit collection has a huge void. A Street Girl Name Desire is "a must have," suitable for public and high school YA collections, ages 16 and up. I can see this novel working nicely in an English literature high school unit - for the courageous educator who would feel confident to stand for this work.

Lastly, if you want to learn how Treasure E. Blue credits the public library as having a huge impact on his life, check out his interview on AALBC.com.

TREASURE E. BLUE COLLECTION:

  

  

New Reads: Ice-T, Woods, & Souljah

Street Lit heavyweights are hitting the bookshelves this season with titles that will undoubtedly be of great interest to those who enjoy reading this wonderfully diverse literary genre. Here are my book reviews for 3 newly or soon-to-be-released titles:

Ice-T and Douglas Century. (April 19, 2011). Ice: A Memoir of of Gangster Life and Redemption from South Central to Hollywood. NY: One World/Ballantine. ISBN-13: 978-0345523280 | $25.00 hardcover | 272 pages.

Readers will enjoy Ice-T's straight-from-the-hip swagga in his memoir, Ice: A Memoir of Gangster Life and Redemption from South Central to Hollywood. The book is an intriguing insight into Ice-T's life as an only child born and reared in New Jersey, but sent to California, upon the death of his parents, to basically fend for himself as a young adult. Ice-T recounts his days as a young hustler and pimp on the streets of Los Angeles, his experiences in the US military (very interesting) and his subsequent entry into Hip Hop where he made his mark as a pioneer of Gangsta Rap. 

What is really refreshing about Ice-T's book is that his honesty and rawness doesn't hurt: it doesn't scar, it doesn't traumatize. He tells his truth as it T-Ice is, and he does it with a finesse that solidifies him as an "Ol' G," who commands much respect for his life choices and his willingness to understand and learn from his own decisions. This memoir conveys a depth of warm wisdom within the man, Ice-T.

Additionally, Ice-T shares interesting tidbits about his novice acting experience while filming the 1990's-era hit movie, "New Jack City." He also gives readers an understanding into how he, a former criminal, reconciles portraying a police detective, on the hit series, Law & Order: SVU. Ice-T offers a sober glimpse of Hollywood as a town of real people, not larger than life - just everyday good people with large, complicated jobs. Ice-T's memoir is a welcome addition to the Street Literature biography shelf. His story is worthy to be shelved alongside his idol's books, the original Ol' G himself, Iceberg Slim.

StreetLiterature.com recommendation: Highly recommended for all public libraries - A/YA. Academic libraries may find this book to be a valuable addition to the biography collection. Note: The book also received a starred review from Booklist. - Vanessa Irvin Morris.

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Teri Woods. (May 25, 2011). Dutch III: International Gangster. NY: Grand Central Publishing. ISBN-13: 978-0446551540 | $14.99 paperback | 240 pages.

Although author Kwame Teague released his version of Dutch 3: The Finale in 2007, I highly recommend Teri Woods' final installment in the ever-popular Dutch series.

Dutch III: International Gangster is an enjoyable mix of contemporary Street Lit and Bourne Supremacy-type espionage, with all the elements Woods has become known for - fast action, an educative yet intriguing plot that offers insights into legal and illegal socio-economic infrastructures, as well as larger than life characters (men and women) who are also characterized with vulnerabilities. 


What's exciting about Woods' Dutch III is that we are re-introduced to characters from the Nigerian scene, aaaannnnddddd, the old gang is back: Dutch, Angel, Craze, and Roc! With the old crew covering each other's backs, no one tells Dutch's story, like Teri Woods. It is evident that Woods cares about the readers' connection to her characters - she makes sure to tell a complete story: no one is forgotten; no one is left behind. And of course, there are crazy plot twists and unexpected surprises that are signature Woods style.

I anticipate that Street Lit fans will come looking for Dutch III: International Gangster once it drops on May 25, 2011. Since it is being released in paperback, I suggest purchasing multiple copies as this title may become a Street Lit hot pick.

StreetLiterature.com recommendation: Highly recommended for all public libraries - A/YA. University bookstores carrying Street Lit may do well with this title. - Vanessa Irvin Morris.

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Sister Souljah. (April 12, 2011). Midnight and the Meaning of Love. NY: Atria. | ISBN-13: 978-1439165355 | $26.99 US hardcover | 624 pages.

As you may recall, I greatly anticipated the release of Sister Souljah's new novel, Midnight and the Meaning of Love (MML), in my blog post, a few weeks ago. However, upon reading it, I am disappointed to report that MML is not the longly anticipated prequel/bridge novel to the classic, Coldest Winter Ever (CWE), but rather, it is a sequel to Midnight: A Gangster Love Story (MGL) . 

Note: this review, henceforth, contains *SPOILERS* to MML.

Midnight and the Meaning of Love (MML) continues Midnight's coming-of-age with the 15-year-old ninja warrior traveling alone to Japan to find his kidnapped 16-year-old bride, Akemi. 

The bottom line to this tale - Midnight finding Akemi - turns into Midnight also finding a second bride, 16-year-old Japanese/African American Chiasa, who is a lethal swordfighter, fluent in Japanese, and  interested in learning about Islam. 

The novel is a 624-paged quest,  taking readers on an international trek through the cultures and languages of Japan and South Korea, before Midnight and his 2 pregnant wives head back to Brooklyn - all within less than a month's time. 

With Midnight and the Meaning of Love, Souljah fans are still left with unanswered questions and missed-understandings about the story of Winter Santiaga and Midnight in CWE. The only time Souljah respects the readers enough to give them some answers to the unfinished story they've been anxiously awaiting reconciliation for over a decade (CWE was published in 1999) -  is when she depicts the first meeting of Midnight and Ricky Santiaga in MML's Book One, Chapter 22 - the chapter entitled, "Ricky Santiaga." 

Readers looking for a connection to CWE need only read the "Ricky Santiaga" chapter in MML to get a sense of continuity between Midnight and his affiliation with the Santiaga family. It is hoped that at some point in the near decade, that Sister Souljah will revisit the Santiaga family and unpack their story so that readers can learn from Souljah, whatever truths brought the Sudanese warrior Midnight half way around the world, not just once, but now twice, only to ultimately end up back in the hood as a lieutenant thug.

Note: Sister Souljah interview on Midnight and the Meaning of Love: 

http://www.livestream.com/atria

StreetLiterature.com recommendation: If possible, wait for the paperback. If you must, purchase one copy and/or enough to meet readers' demands. A/YA (caveat: graphic teen sex scenes). - Vanessa Irvin Morris.

NEW! Priceless Inspirations by Toya Carter

BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT BY LIBRARIAN, JOSEPH WILK. 

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION.

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Priceless Inspirations [Paperback]

Antonia Carter (Author), Lil Wayne (foreword)

Book Announcement

Lil Wayne recently posted to his Facebook that Antonia "Toya" Carter, his ex-wife and the mother of his child, has a new book about her experiences as a teenage mom (which features a foreword by Weezy himself), which comes out today, April 15, 2011. Farrah Gray Publishing doesn't seem to have gotten too much press in the standard review sources, so I wanted to pass along this potential "4P" title.

I can't say anything about its quality (I personally have no personal or professional connection to this publication beyond following Lil Wayne on Facebook and Twitter), but it's hard to argue against picking up this title for any teen or juvenile facility library collection.

Product Description

On her hit television show 'Tiny and Toya', Antonia 'Toya' Carter seems to be living the good life: she has a beautiful home, good friends, and is pursuing her dreams in fashion design. But hers has been a life of peaks and valleys. Abandoned by her parents as a child, she was passed from family member to family member as her mother sank deeper into her drug addiction. Feeling unloved and unwelcomed, Toya fell into the arms of a 15-year-old rising musical star—Dwayne Michael Carter, known these days as the rapper 'Lil Wayne'-- and ended up pregnant at the tender age of 14.

In Priceless Inspirations, Toya takes the reader through the pain of being a teenage mother struggling to raise a child while still a child herself—without the benefit of the guidance of her own mother. Using the words she recorded in the journals she kept as a teen—and the wisdom she has gained in the years since—Toya bares her own struggles, using them to offer young women real and heartfelt understanding and advice about sex, relationships, motherhood and growing up.

  *   Reading level: Ages 9-12
  *   Paperback: 240 pages
  *   Publisher: Farrah Gray Publishing, Inc. (April 15, 2011)
  *   Language: English
  *   ISBN-10: 0982702760
  *   ISBN-13: 978-0982702765

Joseph Wilk is a Teen Specialist with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA.

Guest Review for: Thug Lovin' by Wahida Clark (2009)

Greetings All! This is a re-post from Say It Rah-shay's Book Review of Wahida Clark's Thug Lovin', Part 4 (2009). Reprinted with permission.

Image source: aalbc.com

Guest Review: Between the Covers: Thug Lovin'

by Rachee (say it Rah-shay) Fagg

Street Lit luminary Wahida Clark's fourth book, Thug Lovin',  of the Thug Love series was the first I had read. In this installment, Trae and Tasha have left the game headed to California where they hope to start a new life. Along the way shenanigans ensue and the game pulls them back in and tears them apart.

Although this urban fiction (Clark's words, per her website) is not my normal genre: when I chose Thug Lovin' I actually thought I was getting a novel about basketball players and their women. However, reading about Trae and Tasha's confused, action-packed relationship left me both wanting to read more of Wahida's books while at the same time, wanting to hide this book from my kid.

It's a pretty quick read. There were some characters that seemed to have been added on without being previously introduced or characters that had been briefly mentioned thrust from minor character status to a major role. 

Aside from navigating the characterizations, Thug Lovin' was a good read. I appreciated that the characters didn't invite any sympathy. Their actions were so over the top that I didn't worry about who, if any of them, had a happy ending. From this reading, I have gone back to read the other books in the series. I am curious to see where the story of these ladies and their men begins.

This book is definitely not for everyone. Graphic sex scenes had me blushing. But for my own personal library check out, I enjoyed it, and will read another.

Rachee Fagg is a Children's Librarian with the Delaware County (PA) Library System. Her award-winning blog, Say It Rah-Shay, features reviews of books for all ages as well as interesting and often humorous commentary on her love for life and crocheting. Rachee is also a member of the PAALA Librarian Book Club.

Image source: goodreads.com

StreetLiterature.com note: Look out for the 5th installment in the Thug Love series, Justify My Thug, due to drop, April 26, 2011.

Guest Review for: Diary of a Young Girl (2010)

Book Review by Connie Farley

Mark Anthony's "Diary of a Young Girl" is a great book about a young woman coming to terms with all the harm she caused. Mark Anthony is an intense writer of novels such as "Dogism", "Lady's Night" and the ever popular "Streets of New York" series which is a collaboration with several writers such as Anthony Whyte, Shannon Holmes, and Erick Gray.

"Diary of a Young Girl' tells a story of a young girl who was dealt a bad hand at a very young age. A life of abuse led the protagonist, Shayla, to make bad choices. She worked in a strip club illegally. She was a little con-artist. Finally, her world came crashing down on her when she was raped and left for dead. Did she learn her lesson??? No!!!!! She falsely accused a man of rape.

Like other young people who have caused a lot of damage out of response from being damaged, Shayla ultimately decided to take responsibility for her life, and grow up. Like the notorious  Scarlett O'Hara, "I'll just think about that tomorrow," Shayla pulled herself up by her bootstraps leaving the past behind.  She went to college. She started a career. But sometimes the past has a funny way of knocking on your door when you least expect it. 

Mark Anthony has crafted a powerful novel about a damaged child causing great pain, and seeking a life of redemption, free from that pain. A highly recommended read for young adults, aged 16 and up, and adults. A good addition to public library and high school library collections.

~~ Connie Farley ~~ has been a reference technician for the St. Louis (MO) Public Library system for over a decade. She runs an Urban Lit book club, whose members hail from several African and Caribbean nations. Connie is also serving on the inaugural committee for the 2010 Street Lit Book Award. 

NYT Blog Post About Paul Langan Publishing Bluford Series

This is an important article to read.

It brings up issues of authorship and publishing in terms of race and culture. We've been talking about this in the last few posts here on the streetliterature blog. Be sure to check out the comments, too.

Image source: townsendpress.com