Outwords Books Top Picks

Outwords Books Top Picks: February, 2012

In honor of Black History Month, in February the Outwords Books Top Picks will feature New & Noteworthy titles illuminating the African-American LGBT experience.

Please note: the titles listed below are just a sampling of title on display throughout the month of February.

For the Guys:

1.        “The Cross of Redemption: Uncollected Writings of James Baldwin”

           This collection offers Baldwin’s previously uncollected essays, profiles, reviews, and letters, fully displaying the breadth of his struggle to come to terms with the injustice and, worse, the immorality of life in a nation that prided itself on equality. Baldwin is biting and insightful in his critique of religious fundamentalism, the hypocrisy of the American art and cultural scene, the challenges of Black Nationalism, and the complexities of race and identity. Baldwin shows a masterful sweep of language and ideas and feelings that continues to resonate.

2.         “No One in the World," E. Lynn Harris & RM Johnson  

            E. Lynn Harris and RM Johnson unite with an insightful and emotional project that tackles themes of family, loyalty and identity. Cobi Winslow, a handsome district attorney learns that in order to inherit the wealth of his father’s estate and save the struggling family business, he must marry a woman before he turns thirty-five. The task becomes more convoluted when Cobi’s sister proposes to pay Austen Greer, a once-successful businesswoman, to be Cobi’s wife. As the clock runs down, Cobi’s attempts to save the family company through rash moves require life-altering sacrifices.

3.         “Visible Lives: Tribute to E. Lynn Harris,” James Earl Hardy, et al

            In a powerful tribute to bestselling author and literary icon E. Lynn Harris, bestselling authors and friends Terrance Dean, James Earl Hardy, and Stanley Bennett Clay honor him with sexy, original novellas in the genre he helped create--groundbreaking stories of black, gay men searching for love in a taboo world.

4.        “Mogul,” Terrence Dean

            After the sudden death of his father, Aaron clings to music as an escape. His love for music lands him at the estate of Larry “Pop” Singleton, a Hip Hop music mogul who sees something special in him. With the help of Pop and “the family,” Aaron finds success and starts his own music label. He’s signed and worked with some of the biggest Hip Hop artists in the country. One of them is Brooklyn native lyricist, “Tickman.” Together they are making sweet music together. However, at the pinnacle of his career, compromising photos of Aaron land on the desk of a national news program and for the first time he is at a crossroad in his career: come out publicly with his secret or watch his music empire crumble.

5.         “Transparent,” Don Lemmon

            In this unique memoir, Primetime CNN anchor Don Lemon takes readers behind the scenes of journalism, detailing his own struggle to become one of the most prominent African American men in television news—and inside some of the biggest stories of our times. Lemon digs deep, exposing his own family secrets and painful revelations. Then Lemon turns the same searing honesty on the news industry itself, taking the reader behind the scenes of September 11, 2001, the DC Snipers, the epidemic of AIDS in Africa, Hurricane Katrina, the election of Barack Obama, and the death of Michael Jackson among other events.

For the Gals:

1.         "Crossroads,” Skyy

            Skyy takes readers on another wild ride with former college friends Denise, Lena, and Cooley. These women still have the heart and the drama, but now they are all grown up. Denise, the sexy, soon-to-be pro basketball player can only hope that her emotional scars heal as fast as her physical injuries from the end of the school year. Lena has finally made up her mind. She knows who she wants. Cooley is finally far away from Memphis and all its heartache Denise, Lena, and Cooley have come to the Crossroads. Where will they lead?

2.         “Cyber Case,” Nikki Rashan

             Jovanna, a successful mortgage broker, and her criminal lawyer girlfriend, Melanie, have established a warm, tender, and secure relationship during the four years they’ve been together. But when business and friendship intertwine, the promise of their certain future is threatened. An online fixation turned temptation shakes up their once solid companionship. Will Melanie remain loyal to Jovanna, or will she succumb to an unanticipated and provocative online invitation?

3.         "Dangerous Pleasures,” Fiona Zedde

            Renee Matthews is ready for a purely physical connection, on her terms. An online ad leads to the first of many anonymous trysts. Renee knows these encounters are risky. Nothing has ever compared to such exhilarating desire--certainly not her ex, or the "perfect" potential boyfriend her parents keep pushing her way. But as the excitement escalates, so does the danger. And walking away from her midnight lover may be more difficult than Renee ever expected. . .

4.         “She Slipped and Fell,” Shonda

           Tina Jones is alluring and outspoken. Kendall Long is sexy, yet delicate. Whether separate or together, they cause quite a stir among the male population. An innocent fall, however, propels their friendship to a new plateau -- one where each is compelled to explore and confront her sexuality. Will Tina and Kendall risk stepping outside of their comfort zone into unfamiliar territory, defying society, God, and their families, in their quest to discover who they truly are?

5.         “The Other Side of Paradise,” Stacyann Chin

            No one knew Staceyann's mother was pregnant until a dangerously small baby was born on the floor of her grandmother's house in Jamaica, on Christmas Day. No one, except her grandmother, thought Staceyann would survive. It was her grandmother who nurtured and protected and provided for Staceyann and her older brother in the early years. But when the three were separated, Staceyann was thrust, alone, into an unfamiliar and dysfunctional home in Paradise, Jamaica. Told with grace, humor, and courage, Chin plumbs tender and unsettling memories as she writes about drifting from one home to the next, coming out as a lesbian, finding the man she believes to be her father, and ultimately, discovering her voice.