Capital BookFest in Charleston

Number 34

There is only one way to describe the Capital BookFest on November 6 at the Charleston County Library, “Phenomenal.” I have worked as a volunteer at the Charleston County Library for over two years and a board member of the Friends of the Charleston County Library, and I have never seen a library filled with so many people.  I was especially proud to see many African American families.  Unfortunately, there were lots of single women with their kids and not enough fathers and mothers together with their kids, but that is another story.  I just get pissed when I do not see enough black men taking an interest in reading for or with their kids.  Don’t get me the hell started, I can go on forever.

The Kids corner was filled to the edge with black children, which I just love to see.  So many young black children interested in books.  It was so good to see that many kids perusing books.  I and the children got a chance to sit and listen to Marjory Wentworth, writer of “Shackles,” Ms. Dinah Johnson, who is a beautiful black women inside and out, “Hair Dance.”  Cassandra Hill, “It’s Your Birthday,” who also did face painting for the children. My favorite character from Sesame Street, Gordon, Mr. Roscoe Orman, and many, many more.  

There were two young children, about 10 or 12 on the library’s computer and logged into Facebook and I overheard their conversation.  It still bothers me a little that so many kids younger than 18 know more about sex, drugs and rock and roll then I.  I did not learn many of what they were saying until I was close to 25 years old and married and I still don’t know half as much as they know.  I’m not sure if that is a good thing that kids know more and can tell more if something is wrong, but, what about their childhood?  Are any of them enjoying it?  Oh, well!! I cannot save the whole world, but I will try through books.

A free book was given out to the first 1,000 call “Indigo Blume and the Garden City” written by Kwame Alexander, the founder and producer of the Capital BookFest and illustrated by JahSun, a handsome young man who I met before at "That Big Book Sale" in October in Charleston.  (Girl, I volunteer every where.  I get a chance to meet authors, see a play and eat good food, which is important to me since I don’t have to pay and my ass is broke.  I’m as cheap as as Ding Dong!) It is a beautifully illustrated book with so many colors that gives a soothing read from page to page and if you do not feel like reading it out loud, it comes with a CD.  You need to buy it or get your friends to buy it and read it to your child.  He or she will really enjoy it and so will you.  It will also get you into the “Green” mode.  Go get it, it’s worth the money and time.  To get the book contact artistjahsun@yahoo.com and pay through paypal of $22.85.

Here are a few of the authors and their books as well as some other books from people who commented on my blog.  Thank You A Billion times for your comments.  In need them to make me a better writer and promoter of books. 

TANANARIVE DUE

BLOOD COLONY: A NOVEL - $11.99 - I am a big fan of Ms. Due’s books.  This is the continuing story of Fana and the other characters from Ms. Due’s other books, Living Blood - The Living Blood and My Soul to Keep My Soul to Keep.  The character Fana uses her blood to cure illnesses around the world, but of course some one, you know who as in all movies or books, the damn military establishment, thinks it’s illegal.  Aren’t they always trying to solve some crap and blow any and everything they can up?  Men and their toys.  Well, anyway, Fana and others set up a underground railroad to fight back and save people from AIDS.  
Click Here - Blood Colony

AlTONYA WASHINGTON 

THROUGH IT ALL - $1.00
Click Here - THROUGH IT ALL

LAYERS - $3.75 - - - Kamari Grade was a well-known troubleshooter for the most discerning clients. But when called to investigate one of the most powerful men in financing, she's thrown into the world of Huron Base. Financiers are usually polished in word and deed, but there was a sexy arrogance to Huron that blared former thug and it wasn't an image he wanted to forget. When the lovely troubleshooter crossed his path she was everything he loved about his life-challenge, drive, determination, strength, success, beauty...For a man who could acquire anything, the allure of such a conquest was irresistible.  Don't you just love romance?
Click Here - Layers


CLARENCE NERO 

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING AIN’T BAD - $9.99 - - - Johnny and James survived the tough streets of New Orleans, but when Hurricane Katrina lays waste to their beloved Ninth Ward, they are forced to begin a new chapter in Washington DC. For Johnny, this means finally pursuing his dream of a becoming a student at the historic Wheatley College. James soon joins Johnny in the Nation’s Capitol but the strong connection that brought them together in prison is strained by the pressures of their new lives. Then Johnny’s brother Carl and his wife, Tiffany, introduce Johnny to the beautiful, sexy, and smart, Sheila Doggett with the intent of steering Johnny in a different direction. The entire family rallies around Johnny and Shelia’s budding friendship and Johnny prepares to join the frat that is a legacy in his family.  
Click Here - Too Much of a Good Thing Ain't Bad

JIMI IZRAEL

THE DENZEL PRINCIPLE: WHY BLACK WOMAN CAN’T FIND A GOOD BLACK MAN - $10.99 - - - Yes I read it, but I’m here to tell you that you will get pissed.  
Oh, well, such is life!!!  Yeah, Right!!!
Click Here - The Denzel Principle: Why Black Women Can't Find Good Black Men

Hey, I found another black woman mystery writer - BARBARA FLEMING.  A woman after my own heart since she lived Washington, DC, my birthplace.  Here’s a little on her.  Note, none of her books are in Kindle format, but still good. 

Like many African-American writers, Barbara Fleming is a product of the Deep South. She grew up in Alabama where she attended elementary and high school before graduating from college with a degree in psychology. Barbara also studied psychology at the graduate level with a concentration in the intellectual development of children. Barbara lived in the District of Columbia for ten years during which time she conceived the plot and the fictional hero of her three mystery novels: 


HOT STONES -  COLD DEATH - Hot Stones: Cold Death (A Matthew Alexander Mystery) 


MURDER ON THE GOLD COAST - Murder on the Gold Coast and 


MURDER AT THE CAROUSEL CLUB - Murder on the Gold Coast (A Matthew Alexander Mystery).


She set her mystery novels with her fictional hero, Detective Lieutenant Matthew Alexander, in the District of Columbia because she retains fond memories of the multi-racial, multi-cultural urban environment she experienced while living there. MURDER AT THE CAROUSEL CLUB is the third installment in the Matthew Alexander mystery series, but Barbara eagerly anticipates publishing many more stories involving her brash young hero, Detective Lieutenant Matthew Alexander of the District of Columbia Police Homicide Division. 

BETTYE GRIFFIN - 

A NEW KIND OF BLISS - $ 8.96 
Click Here - A New Kind of Bliss

THE PEOPLE NEXT DOOR - $4.47
Click Here - The People Next Door

IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK - $8.96
Click Here - If These Walls Could Talk

TROUBLE DOWN THE ROAD - $8.96 - -  Quote from Amazon. The oh-so-complicated passions and power plays in a Jacksonville, Fla., suburb emerge in Griffin's sticky melodrama (after The People Next Door) about just how low some women might go to snag a rich man, even if he belongs to someone else. Middle-aged Suzanne Betancourt is married to her former boss, radiologist Bradley Betancourt, and, in a frustrating twist of fate, lives next door to Bradley's ex-wife, Lisa, and her second husband and children. If that's not bad enough, she suspects that Micheline Trent, the young wife of Bradley's golfing buddy, wants her man. Micheline's got crazy baggage of her own, as do the neighbors down the street, whose son gets quickie married to Suzanne's pregnant sister. Readers may have trouble keeping up with the large cast and all the twists that Griffin packs into this tart and torrid tempest, but those who crave their drama fast and furious will surely enjoy.  
Click Here - Trouble Down The Road

Check our her blog at http://www.bettyegriffin.com


Ms. Griffin:  Thank you for your comments on my blog, I really, really appreciate it and will/have purchased some of your books. 

Thanks again and please, please let me know your comments.