Marcus Books in Trouble???

Say it is not so! Oakland based Marcus Books, the oldest Black owned bookstore in the US is facing foreclosure and possible auction.

Nations largest Black Bookstore FacesForeclosure
The Bay Area landmark, based in Oakland, has provided a wealth of resources on African American history and culture since 1960. But it's now in deep financial trouble, its future in jeopardy.

The store's manager says a Ponzi scheme and a subprime loan have landed the family-run business in foreclosure.

"I believe if there was not a Marcus Books you would not be able to find these resources anywhere else," said Blanche Richardson, the bookstore's manager. "Not in the libraries, certainly not in the schools."


I'm not sure how I feel about this. Actually, I am beyond disturbed by this. I've shopped at Marcus Books since I was a teen ager, attended book signings, joined their book clubs and more.
First Karibu, now Marcus Books. Geesh!

Witnessing History

There are no words to describe how I feel this morning so I'll simply post an email I sent to friends and family after the Iowa primary. We are witnessing history at this moment. Enough said.


Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 22:25:58 -0500
From: Me
To: Me
Subject: Primary Results - My thoughts

I haven't sent out one of my voting emails in a while. But, tonight, it feels appropriate I am thinking about my grandmother and what she would think if she were alive today.

When she died, my mom went through a lot of her papers and found some voting slips from the 40's and 50's. See, my grandmother voted in a time when Black people weren't supposed to. She wasn't highly educated or upper class. She was a maid, she caught the bus to the River Oaks area every day and worked in a white woman's kitchen. Voting was important enough to her that she was willing to PAY to exercise her right to vote. Poll taxes were 2.50 and she earned about 5.50 a day at the time. It is because of her that I will never take my right to vote for granted.

I think she's get a kick out of tonight's results. So, I don't care which candidate or party you support... please, support something. Be a part of the political process!

Michael Eric Dyson - Lunch Time Book Signing

Are you in the San Franciso Bay Area??

The Museum of the African Diaspora and Marcus Books present acclaimed public intellectual and bestselling author Michael Eric Dyson. Bring your brown bag lunch and join Professor Dyson for a lunchtime chat and book signing. Mr. Dyson will read excerpts from and sign copies of his latest book, April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King’s Death and How It Changed America.

Michael Eric Dyson was named by Ebony as one of the hundred most influential black Americans, is the author of sixteen books, including Holler if You Hear Me, Is Bill Cosby Right? and I May Not Get There With You: The True Martin Luther King Jr. in

April 30, 2008
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Salon
Free with Museum Admission

Museum of the African Diaspora
685 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA

The Great Book List - Part 3

2007 - Book List (Partial)

Ralph Ellison For One More Day New England White Diva's Last Curtain Call What a Woman Wants The Measure of a Man Plain Truth My Sister's Keeper 10th Circle The Kite Runner 1000 Splendid Suns The Audicity of Hope T is For Trespass Friends: A Love Story Left To Tell

Red River They Tell Me of Home The Wave The Pact Nineteen Minutes Mercy Picture Perfect We'll Never Tell The Wicked The Known World No Girl Needs a Husband 7 Days a Week Passport Diaries If The Shoe Fits Every Man For Herself

The Great Book List - Part 2

The Original Old Girl wrote a post week that caught my eye. She kept a list of all the books she read in 2007 and shared the list with us. The Original Old Girl has an ecletic list. A little mystery, sci-fi, Christian lit, contemporary fiction... some good stuff.

That posted made me pause. I read a LOT, but I have never taken the time to review what I've read in any given period. So while I compose my own list, what do you think? What did you read last year? Last month even. Check back this weekend for BlackLiterature's Great Book List 2007.

Poem In Your Pocket Day

Calling all poets!

April is National Poetry Month. Help celebrate the first National Poem In Your Pocket Day by selecting a favorite poem and sharing it with co-workers, family, and friends on April 17.

From the Academy of American Poets "Poems from pockets will be unfolded throughout the day with events in parks, libraries, schools, workplaces, and bookstores. Create your own Poem In Your Pocket Day event usingnational ideas below or let us know how you will celebrate Poem In Your Pocket Day by emailing npm@poets.org."

You an find out more at Poets.org

Where Have They Been?

I know. This blog doesn't get updated that often. That doesn't mean I've stopped reading. Lately, I've been wondering what's happened to some of my favorite authors. I thought I would throw the question out to the group. If you know, please share.

BarbaraNeely: The Blanche White series. All I need to say is that I love this woman. Blanche is Black, sassy and determined. By the looks of her website, BarbaraNeely has a LOT of fans who would love to catch up with Blanche White. Check out BarbaraNeely's website for more info.

Gar Anthony Haywood: Author of the Aaron Gunner series and the Loudermilk mysteries. The Loudermilks are retirees cruising the country in their recreational vehice. Joe and Dottie always get their man. Gunner is a LA private eye in an urban, gritty sense.

Valerie Wilson Wesley:
Tamara Haye was The female super sleuth in the mid-nineties. Smart, feminine, cool. It's good to see that she is still around. I would like to know what's happened to Penny Mickelbury, Pamela Thomas-Graham and Eleanor Taylor Bland.

Are you looking for updates from your favorite authors?