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Erica Ezeifedi, Associate Editor, is a transplant from Nashville, TN that has settled in the North East. In addition to being a writer, she has worked as a victim advocate and in public libraries, where she has focused on creating safe spaces for queer teens, mentorship, and providing test prep instruction free to students. Outside of work, much of her free time is spent looking for her next great read and planning her next snack.
Find her on Twitter at @Erica_Eze_.
View All posts by Erica Ezeifedi
Last week, Kamala Harris announced her new memoir, titled 107 Days. It covers her historic presidential run, which is great, but like…I’m still mourning, Kamala.
In other BIPOC book news, there’s a new indie workplace comedy series that follows a comic book shop. It’s called “The Comic Shop,” and it has a new trailer out.
There’s also a new, fiery-looking book coming out by the bestselling Jesse Q. Sutanto. It’s a cozy mystery with an older protagonist. There’s also a Black woman fantasy Kickstarter you should know about:
“Burning Phoenix Press is a micrographic novel publisher that focuses on the visual narratives created by Black women creatives. Founded by Sarah A. Macklin, Burning Phoenix Press was formed to increase the presence of Black women in the comic industry.”
As for the new books out this week, there is a translated book by a Brazilian author that looks at the class struggle in Brazil. For the other two I have listed, let’s just say that the vibes are surreal and effervescent.
People Like Us by Jason Mott
After 2021’s National Book Award-winning Hell of a Book, Mott’s latest is very much tied to his life, but also wildly different. It follows two Black writers who are trying to make it in a world torn apart by gun violence. Their storylines start to merge as people drink liquor out of award trophies, guns hover in the air, there are sea monster sightings, and even time travel. In this world, humor, sadness, and dreamlike experiences abound.
Mad Sisters of Esi by Tashan Mehta
This sounds like a trip. One I’m down for. Mehta weaves dreams and fables together to tell the story of Myung and Laleh, who keep the whale of babel. They spend their days in its cosmic chambers spinning folktales of themselves (which…valid), praying to a mysterious “Great Wisa.” But Myung wants more. She leaves the whale for a new world with transforming islands and ancient maps. The subsequent adventure she goes on transforms her, but it isn’t without its tragedy. Collective memory, surreal landscapes, and even a festival of madness all converge to make what I’ve seen described as what feels like an ancient creation story.
Solitaria by Eliana Alvez Cruz, Translated by Benjamin Brooks
Here, award-winning Afro Brazilian author Eliana Alvez Cruz brings us the story of a Black mother and daughter—Eunice and Mabel, respectively—who work as live-in maids for a wealthy family in a Brazilian city. With slavery still fresh in Brazil’s consciousness, Mabel begins to despise the invisibility she and her mother have perfected as they glide around in unnoticed service to the rich family they live with. Not only that, Mabel is growing sick of the confines of their lives, while Eunice is trapped by them because of all who depend on her. Then a little boy dies, and suddenly, Eunice may no longer be able to quietly accept the class differences she’s so long been ignoring.
All access members, continue below for more BIPOC books out this week
Erica Ezeifedi, Associate Editor, is a transplant from Nashville, TN that has settled in the North East. In addition to being a writer, she has worked as a victim advocate and in public libraries, where she has focused on creating safe spaces for queer teens, mentorship, and providing test prep instruction free to students. Outside of work, much of her free time is spent looking for her next great read and planning her next snack.
Find her on Twitter at @Erica_Eze_.
View All posts by Erica Ezeifedi
This Kind of Trouble by Tochi Eze- Historical Fiction, romance,
The Freedom Seeker by Ruchira Gupta- Middle grade fiction
A Place for Us by James Ransome- Picture book
Blessings and Disasters: A Story of Alabama by Alexis Okeowo- Memoir
Indian Country by Shobha Rao- Fiction
This Here Is Love by Princess Joy L. Perry- Historical fiction
Sunbirth by Han Yujoo- Sci fi
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