LJ’s Word on Street Lit Vol. 2

Library Journal’s Word on Street Lit Vol. 2 Pick of the Month

Chunichi. Return of a Gangster’s Girl. Urban Bks., dist. by Kensington. 2007. 198p. ISBN 978-1-6016-2027-9. pap. $14.95. F
Verdict: The fourth installment in Essence best-selling author Chunichi’s saga about gangster girl Ceazia, now back home in Virginia, will be read by the legion fans who want to find out who plays game on who, who wins and who loses. Buy multiple copies, along with the other titles in the series: A Gangster’s Girl, Married to the Game, and The Naked Truth. The Gangster Girl’s Saga compiles all three novels into one volume.
Background: Ceazia is usually the bad girl in charge. A force to be reckoned with, she tells it like it is, does it the way she wants it done, and gets it the way she demands it. But not this time—the hood diva is given a reality check when her best gal pal, Diamond, spices up the competition in the men department, a challenge that sets Ceazia’s green eyes ablaze.

http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6539643.html

Reviews on:

  • DeVaughn, LaShonda. A Hood Chick’s Story
  • Endy. In My Hood II
  • King, Deja. Bitch Reloaded: Part 2
  • Mink, Meesah & De’Nesha Diamond. Desperate Hoodwives <;-)>
  • Pearson, Felicia “Snoop” & David Ritz. Grace After Midnight: A Memoir (*)
  • Poole, Daaimah S. & others. Diamond Playgirls
  • Sher, Sheri. Mercedes Ladies
  • Woods, Teri. True to the Game II: Gena (*)
  •  

Word on Street Lit Vol. 1

I will be including a  post with a link to the Library Journal’s new online column, Word on Street Lit, which reviews new urban fiction/street lit releases and gives a little insight (according to them) on the genre.  In every issue one book is spotlighted (i.e. The Pick of the Month) and I will repost that here. Follow the link for the rest of the reviews directly on Library Journal’s site.  They include a mix of major publishers, small presses, and self-published books.

–M.M.

Library Journal’s Word on Street Lit. Vol.1 Pick of the Month

K’wan. Still Hood. Griffin: St. Martin’s. 2007. c.352p. ISBN 978-0-312-36010-8. pap. $14.95. F
Verdict: The strength of K’wan’s novels lie in his use of street language and wordplay to establish a harsh realism. Cold-blooded killers, girls working the game, and innocents unaware of danger are all woven into this sequel to Hood Rat, which encompasses hot, hot sex and incredible violence. Buy multiple copies as there will be demand. Libraries launching a street-lit collection should immediately purchase this urban fiction star’s entire backlist. Library marketing campaign.
Background: K’wan’s large cast of characters have the odds against them as they struggle to remain true to their people and their ‘hood. Stacks Green, a hip-hop mogul from Texas, arrives in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood to participate in a video shoot that features new hip-hop sensation True. Hovering nearby are players Don-B and Black Ice, both with noses for quick cash. The less flamboyant Jah is a warrior working security for True. His honesty and nobility (he stays true to his boss and his woman) is admirable, but he’s challenged to maintain his street cred when the other players are anxious to take what they can.

 http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6530172.html 

  • Anthony, Mark. Reasonable Doubt
  • Birch, Dywane D. From My Soul to Yours
  • 50 Cent & Derrick R. Pledger. The Diamond District
  • Freeman, Wakiem. Down Low Sistahs
  • Washington, Jesse. Black Will Shoot
  • Weber, Carl. Something on the Side
  • Weeks, Kevin M. Is It Passion or Revenge?