First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

The First Ladies by Marie Benedict
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this stellar historical fiction about the lifelong friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt & Mary McCloud Bethune, both powerhouses striving together to change the world, people's racism, and the wrongs of history. Awesomely Narrated by Robin Miles and Tavia Gilbert, this is the Albright College Ladies January selection. This is a must read, I learned so much from these 2 strong women who bonded, collaborated, and tirelessly worked for civil rights. This is a must read!

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Black Bird in the Sky; The Story and Legacy of The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre by Brandy Colbert

Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre by Brandy Colbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this nonfiction book with my Albright College Book Club friends and also because I love anything Brandy Colbert writes. This is not an easy book to read as it lays bare the facts of the June 1, 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. There was and still is many falsehoods about what happened that day and why it was basically wiped out of history---a prosperous black community in the Greenwood District of Tulsa (which also had a white section) was burned, decimated (people & buildings) and not properly investigated after the fact by the white populace in control of everything---government, newspapers, schools. Colbert's account must be read by all---this is history that was not in the history books after it happened, but her painstaking research has shown again what white violence against blacks caused and propagated after and through to today as history that must be addressed, remedied and stopped.

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Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whtehead

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Dion Graham; I loved Graham's many voices, his sighs, his pitch was totally perfect as he tells Ray Carney's life in Harlem in the 1960's. Ray grew up with a bad news father but he studied hard and graduated college, won the girl (much to her parent's dismay) and now owns a furniture shop. And while Ray would like to stay growing the furniture shop, things, like his cousin Freddy and white cops murdering a black boy causing riots that have Ray doing some side work that is questionable (but it will make money). I loved the colorful characters, Ray's somber humor, the mishaps and missteps thrown in Ray's way. But most of all, I loved the way Ray thought, he was able to wriggle out of the "bad stuff" with well thought out connections and scenarios. I loved the time period, the culture, and the tight community as well as the vibrant Harlem life. A must read!

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The Colors of the Rain by R.L. Toalson

The Colors of the Rain by R.L. Toalson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to #jennlagarde for this stunner, compelling novel in verse on her Instagram Eight Amazeballs Novels in Verse recommendations!!! I could not put this book down; Paulie lives during 1972 as a 5th grader in Houston. His father, whom Paulie loved so much was killed and the details the adults tell him are very murky...his mom can't deal so he and his sister, Charlie, go to live with his aunt who is a school principal and has many secrets, too. I loved how art inspires Paulie, helps him deal, but so also do his grandparents, his aunt, his sister and his art teacher, Mr. Langley. It is the revelation of family secrets that help Paulie deal and become the kid his father and family would be proud of.

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The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this book, but so so difficult to read! Elwood was such a special kind of boy, raised by his strict, loving grandmother after his parents abandoned him as a young child. History in Elwood's Tallahassee is most definitely separate and not equal. We see early on how much everyone likes Elwood, but there is a sinister air hanging about this boy and as he works, goes to school and diligently follows MLK's thoughts, words and actions, looking forward to going to college classes...and that is where his story drops the reader into a world of hell known as juvenile reformatory called The Nickel Academy when he unknowingly accepts a ride in a stolen car. This school thrives on beatings, terror and killing...both white and black boys. Even Elwood's friendship with hard core Turner can't change his true self. I ached as I read each page and grew more and more fearful...and what an ending! I will be thinking about this book and recommending it to my friends for a long, long time.

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March Book One by John Robert Lewis

March: Book One by John Robert Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read March for 2 reasons; the Hub 2016 Challenge and Twitter Book Club for Feb (Social Justice) and March (graphic novels). This graphic novel touched me deeply, I loved the character of John Lewis, the way illustrations made you sick but also honored so many who fought/marched/demonstrated/served so ardently for civil rights then and now. It was so important to find out about the man who had so much to tell- his life in Washington, DC, his beginnings in Pike County Alabama as he loving raised chickens & practiced preaching to them and his pivotal role in the civil rights movement. A must read!

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Revolution by Deborah Wiles

Revolution by Deborah Wiles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this amazing audiobook as part of the 2015 Hub Challenge and what I enjoyed most was the interspersed Sixties speeches, news stories with Sunny's story of civil rights workers coming to her town in Mississippi and getting blacks out to vote. Seeing it from her teen viewpoint was key- she did not know about racism and segregation other than what she hears (they are invaders) but Sunny learns so much more that summer as events unfold, friendships are made and broken, and families are mended. I will want to get the book to see the pictures, but I loved this audiobook!

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