A Book Review is a brief overview that includes the reader’s interpretation of the piece of work. Although it is opinion, the reviewer should support her views by giving specific examples and/or evidence from the text.

A Day Late and a Dollar Short	Men Cry in the Dark	Got to be Real	Satin Doll
Sugar	Church Folk	Pipe Dream	Cane River

A Day Late and a Dollar Short

Terry McMillan's A Day Late and A Dollar Short epitomizes "family". The Price family, although fictional, represents most families in America. Their addictions, problems and concerns are universal. Viola the family's matriarch worries out loud about her estranged husband Cecil; her divorced and successful daughter, Paris; her jailbird son, Lewis; her angry at the world daughter, Charlotte, and her dependent daughter, Janelle. Of course there are two sides to every story. That's what's so interesting about this novel; you get to hear both. McMillan does an incredible job of giving her characters a voice. After hearing Viola, the reader gets to hear the husband and children's version of the same story. Alcohol and drug addictions, molestation, infidelity, death and divorce are all realities for the Price family. At first glance, they appear dysfunctional, but a closer look reveals the love and perseverance that helps them to triumph. This is a phenomenal novel about family, healing and redemption.

Review written by Member Bernadette Jones
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Men Cry in the Dark

This intriguing novel by Michael Baisden, author of Maintenance Man and Never Satisfied, How and Why Men Cheat, will cause the reader to look closely at his or herself and relationship. Four long-time friends are the main characters. Derrick is a single, intelligent, foine, bachelor looking for a strong, self-assured woman who compliments him in every way. At least he thinks that’s what he wants! Then there’s Tony, a single-parent who is trying to provide his child with a stable, loving home. He is about to marry Tracie and settle down, but the mother of his child has other plans. Big Ben is looking for love in all the wrong places and with the wrong women. He attracts young women who are gold-diggers and looking to make him their Sugar Daddy. Finally, Mark refuses to date black women because of the pain and rejection that he has suffered in the past. These characters are funny and interesting and you probably know somebody who reminds you of each of them. Told from a male’s perspective, this novel is great book for controversial discussions about men, women, and all of our relationship woes.

Review written by Member Avis Williams
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Got to be Real

In this book, four well-known male authors come together to create a collection of unforgettable short stories. Unfortunately, however, this was not their best work. Colin Channer’s tale about a music producer, his ex-wife, and a bi-racial pop star was far too long with an abundance of unnecessary details. Generally an Eric Jerome Dickey fan, I was equally disappointed in his south-of-the-border pseudo-love story. It just didn’t flow well. On a more positive note though, E. Lynn Harris and Marcus Major both told engaging tales of relationship woes. I was particularly impressed by Marcus Major’s "Kenya and Amir". The dialogue was funny and intriguing. Overall, this book did not live up to my high expectations. However, as an avid reader and fan, I still look forward to future works from these authors.

Review written by Member Avis Williams
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Satin Doll

The author Karen Miller brings together four friends who grew up in Harlem and are different in nearly all aspects their of lives. She shows how each of them affects the life of the main character, Regina Harris. Regina is desperate to escape the hardships of her past in Harlem and to live a better life. Although she attempts to keep her Harlem friends and her rugged past separate from her success as a journalist, she becomes involved with Charles Whitfield, an attorney from a prominent family in Philadelphia. Being in a relationship with, and ultimately marrying Charles, strains this effort. The drama was unbelievable and made for an exciting read! I really enjoyed the book overall, however, I felt that the ending could have been more realistic.

Review written by Member Tamisha Cunningham
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Sugar

Sugar Lacey was born with a tarnished silver spoon in her mouth. Left to be raised in a brothel, the bitterness of what was on that spoon permeated her life. From her youth, she earned her living in the depths, but found comfort and love anyway, if only for a short time. This story is webbed with sadness, betrayal, murder and finally, even hope. It will keep you turning the pages for more and more you will certainly get!

Review written by Member Phyllis Turner
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Church Folk

Outstanding first novel!!! This book was truly a fantastic read. The main characters, Theophilus and Essie, as well as the setting, the South in the early 1960s, set the foundation for a well-written and well-developed story line. Church Folk shows a side of the Black church that we may wish did not exist. As an up and coming pastor, Theophilus has his work cut out for him. Corruption and deceit abound and put him, as well as his denomination, in turmoil. This book was a page turner, if I've ever read one!

Review written by Member Avis Williams
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Pipe Dream

In this debut novel, Solomon Jones takes the reader deep into the dark, drug-filled world of violence and injustice. When a prominent Puerto Rican politician is shot to death in a crack house, four out of luck crack addicts become suspects: Leroy, a petty theft, Black, his smarter buddy, Pookie, Leroy’s “friend”, and Clarisse, a nurse who has recently become addicted to crack. As they desperately run for their lives, each character opens up to reveal how they arrived at this point. Their street savvy is tested as the cops try to wrap up the case quick and easy while concealing their own hidden agenda. This novel is ideal for readers who enjoy mysteries and crime fiction. Most of our members do not! Still, Pipe Dream is a compelling, fast-paced, but somewhat predictable read. If you enjoy this particular genre, give it try!

Review written by Member Avis Williams
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Cane River

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