Hi dear friends,

This month’s topic is a favorite book written by a black author.

My first reaction was: OK but which author is black? I mean when I read a book I never pay attention to the author’s skin color! OK if the name is Hoang or Wang or …I can guess he is from Asian origin but …

So I had to look into my “read” shelves to find some books written by black authors!

And I have found several that I really liked.

So once again I will go with contenders and one winner.

Let’s keep this post simple and go straight throught the heart of the matter.

Contenders

1. Children of Blood and Bones by Tomi Adeyemi

I had the pleasure to get my book signed at YALC London this summer thanks to very helpful ladies in the queue to see her. Because let me say the queue was so huge that I was certain I would never meet Tomi Adeyemi within her alloted time!

I loved that book because Zelie was a strong heroine and embarked on a quest! The only flaw I found was the love story as it was unnecessary.

You can read my review if you click on the graphic.

2. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Do I really need to speak about that one? Starr is one of my favorite heroines because even if she is afraid she does what is right. I was so disappointed when I realized that the movie was going out only in our capital city!

3. Art & Soul and The Gravity of Us by Brittainy C Cherry.

Brittainy C Cherry is one of my favorite romance authors. She writes moving stories with incredible characters. They are flawed and vulnerable du you can relate very easily to their struggle. They also have incredibly bright souls. These two books are my favorites from her.

And now today’s winner is NOT a FICTIONAL story.

My winner is Becoming Michelle Obama by …Michelle Obama.

This was my first ever audiobook. It is 18 hours so yes I’ve been all “go big or go home” for a first. I still need to write my review but this book was fascinating. I loved listening to Michelle as she is narrating her own story.

Usually audiobooks don’t work for me as the voice is weird compared to the picture of the hero that I have in my head but here of course it fit perfectly!

I loved learning what her childhood was. How she met Barack and was not impressed by who she considered looked like a geek in his picture. I cried when I heard about her best friend’s death at 26, about her father’s illness, about her fight to become pregnant and the loss of her first baby.

I found really interesting to learn the “behind of the scene” for the president’s protection. The code names the presidential family was given.

I cheered when I learned all that Michelle tried to do as first lady to improve kid’s health, her fight against children’s obesity.

Michelle explained that there is no guide to become a first lady. You don’t have a set role. You define what you want to become.

Her encounters with the Queen of England, with Nelson  Mandela and many others.

One of her last parting words was ” To me, becoming isn’t arriving somewhere. It is a way to reach continuously to a better self. The journey never ends.”

I miss her terribly! She is a great lady.

Now it’s your turn. What are some of your favorite books writtend by black authors?

Thanks for reading!

Sophie