The Jubilee Reader Issue 15 - January/February 2025
The Jubilee Reader
Recent books by African American authors and writers from the African diaspora, along with works on related topics.
Issue 15 • January/February 2025
Fiction
The Accomplice
by Curtis Jackson
A female Texas Ranger works to expose a thief who steals the secrets of the rich and blackmails them for millions.
An Academy for Liars
by Alexis Henderson
A gifted young woman invited to attend a school of magic in Savannah learns to master her strange power of persuasion.
American Ghoul
by Michelle McGill-Vargas
A recently freed slave’s relationship with a vampire forces her to question whether she has exchanged one form of enslavement for another.
Bad Witches
by H. B. Akumiah
Three young women who discover that they are witches find themselves thrust into a world of spells, potions, and intrigue.
The Bitter Truth
by Shanora Williams
A woman whose husband is running for governor uncovers a startling secret when a mysterious woman appears on the campaign trail.
Curdle Creek
Blackheart Man
by
Nalo Hopkinson
A griot-in-training charged with collecting stories of how his people gained their freedom investigates a series of child kidnappings.
by Yvonne Battle-Felton
A middle-aged widow confronts dark secrets when she is transported through time and space to prove her obedience to her community.
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins
by P. Djèlí Clark
A professional assassin’s newest mission brings her face-to-face with a past she isn’t supposed to remember and a vow she can’t forget.
Devils Kill Devils
by Johnny Compton
A woman is shocked when her guardian angel murders someone she loves, and must embrace her inner evil if she wants to survive.
Dis//Integration
by William Melvin Kelley
Six connected stories chart the life of a man through his lifelong quest for intellectual fulfillment and true love.
The End of a Primitive by Chester Himes
The lives of a hard-drinking Black novelist and a divorced white woman spiral out of control during a single sex- and alcohol-filled 1950s weekend.
Exiled by Iron by Ehigbor Okosun
The Ending Fire
by Saara El-Arifi
Empires collide in the final installment of the fantasy trilogy that began with The Final Strife and continued in The Battle Drum
A queen must master social prejudice, corrupt advisors, and her own magic to save her kingdom in this follow-up to Forged By Blood.
The Fallen Fruit
by Shawntelle Madison
A woman must travel through time to end the family curse that has plagued her ancestors for generations.
The Family Business 7: New Orleans
by Carl Weber
New Orleans nightclub owners find themselves involved in a turf war between politicians, developers, and an underworld boss looking to make a name for himself.
Frequent Fliers
by
Noué Kirwan
A woman discovers her crush is engaged to her cousin, but agrees to be in the wedding party and begins a relationship with a fellow frequent flier.
Going Toe to Toe
by Yahrah St. John
A former ballerina discovers that the father of one of her dance students is the same man she enjoyed a one-night stand with while on vacation.
Jamaica
The Improvisers by Nicole Glover
A barnstorming pilot who once trafficked in magic navigates an alt-history Prohibition in pursuit of enchanted items.
Ginger and
Other
Concoctions by Nalo Hopkinson
A new collection of speculative fiction short stories from the author of Brown Girl in the Ring.
The Kill List by
Nadine Matheson
A London detective searches for a killer when DNA evidence exonerates the man who was convicted for them.
A Lakeside Reunion
by C. Chilove
A woman who returns home to attend her sister’s debutante ball must come to terms with what — and who — she has missed since leaving Florida.
A Legend in the Baking
by Jamie Wesley
A cupcake-baking football player responsible for a viral feminist rant finds unexpected love when he hires a social media manager.
Love After Midnight by Sister
Souljah
A woman recovering from a near-death experience must reconcile the temptations of sex, fun, and money with the idea of the afterlife.
Love and Sportsball
by Meka James
The new athletic trainer for a WNBA team discovers that her hot one-night stand is the team’s star player.
Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss
by Steven Barnes
Jedi Master Mace Windu travels to a remote planet on a mission to fulfill Qui-Gon’s last request.
Model Home by Rivers Solomon
Midnight Rooms by Donyae Coles
In 1840 England, the orphaned daughter of a white man and a Black woman is married off to a wealthy stranger and discovers that his pedigree hides terrifying secrets.
Three siblings return to their childhood home when their parents die and confront supernatural forces, in addition to the ghosts of segregation and racism.
Mr. Jimmy from Around the Way by
Jeffrey Blount
A disgraced billionaire is forced to confront his past in order to help the residents of his poverty-stricken Mississippi community have a future.
Murder in Berkeley Square by
Vanessa Riley
In 1806 England, a woman finds herself snowed in at a deadly dinner party and must uncover the identity of the murderer.
My Lesbian Novel
by Renee Gladman
A meta-fictional chronicle of an author’s attempt to explore the lesbian romance genre as a reader and a writer.
The Nightward
by
R. S. A. Garcia
A child princess and her bodyguard flee an attempted coup in a world where women warrior-magicians rule.
Now You Owe Me
by Aliah D. Wright
Twin killers who have abducted and killed coeds for years find that they are now the hunted when one of their victims escapes.
Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow
by Damilare Kuku
A 20-year-old Nigerian woman decides to have her bottom surgically enlarged and move to Lagos after her father dies.
A Pair of Wings
by Carole Hopson
The daughter of a former slave defies the racial and sexual barriers of the 1920s in pursuit of her passion for flying.
Passion for the Heist
by K’wan
A criminal convicted for the one crime he didn’t commit finds his life entwined with that of a beautiful robbery victim.
Promise Kept by K’wan
A woman on the run from a murder rap must face her past and a young man’s ambition may cost him his life.
The Rest of You
by Maame Blue
A massage therapist who can physically sense her clients’ trauma searches for long-forgotten memories after an encounter with a dangerous man.
Sky Full of Elephants
by Cebo Campbell
A man and his biracial daughter set off on a journey across an America where all white people have suddenly disappeared.
Society of Lies
by Lauren Ling Brown
A woman who refuses to believe that her sister’s death was an accident begins searching for clues to the truth and discovers connections to her own past.
This Cursed House
by
Del Sandeen
A woman who abandons her life in 1960s Chicago for a position with a mysterious family in New Orleans learns that they live under a curse, and that they think she can break it.
This Motherless Land
by Nikki May
In this retelling of Mansfield Park, a young Nigerian woman and her cousin must come to grips with their shared family history.
This World is Not Yours
by Kemi Ashing-Giwa
A woman fleeing her controlling family enlists in a colonization project on a distant planet.
Tough Crowd
by Andi Osho
An aspiring comedian finds romance and family in the arms of a single father with two children.
The Unicorn Woman
by Gayl Jones
A soldier who returns to the Jim Crow South following his service in World War II searches for an idealized and perhaps unfindable love.
We Came to Welcome You
by Vincent Tirado
A couple who move into a gated community contend with a pushy HOA, daily microaggressions, and a series of increasingly strange occurrences.
Whenever You’re Ready
by Rachel Runya Katz
Two old friends who are barely on speaking terms reconnect during a road trip, but must grapple with the issues that drove them apart.
Where the Dead Brides Gather
by Nuzo Onoh
A young Nigerian girl finds herself transported to the realm of dead brides, where she must learn to control her supernatural powers in order to protect those she loves.
Yorùbá Boy Running
by Biyi Bandele-Thomas
A fictionalized retelling of African linguist and clergyman Samuel Ajayi Crowther’s miraculous journey from slave to liberator.
Non-Fiction
Arts and Literature
AfroCentric Style: A Celebration of Blackness & Identity in Pop Culture
by Shirley Neal
A celebration of the Black identity in popular culture, featuring more than 100 photographs and commentary about Beyoncé, Black Lives Matter, Serena Williams, and more.
Alt-Nature
by Saretta Morgan
Poetry depicting the geography of the American Southwest, as well as the internal feelings and connections its landscapes inspire.
Et Cetera: An Illustrated Guide to Latin Phrases
by Maia Lee-Chin
An illustrated guide to memorable Latin phrases, including famous quotations on love, death, nature, politics, and more.
Migration Letters
by Nzadi Zimele Keita
55 poems drawn from the author’s experiences as a member of a Philadelphia family brought north by the Great Migration.
Plays for the Plague Year
by Suzan-Lori Parks
A collection of plays by Pulitzer Prize-winning Parks following the lives of one family through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Salvage: Readings from the Wreck
by Dionne Brand
Essays about English and American literature, and the colonial aesthetic that shaped the author’s sense of self and the world.
Biography and Memoir
Above the Noise: My Story of Chasing Calm
by DeMar DeRozan
Six-time NBA All-Star DeRozan recounts his public struggle with depression and his efforts to increase mental health awareness.
Armed with Good Intentions
by Wallace Peeples
Entrepreneur Wallo267 details his journey from a 20year prison sentence to his post-release success as an Instagram influencer.
The Chronicles of DOOM
by S. H. Fernando, Jr.
The story of enigmatic hip-hop artist MF DOOM’s rise to global fame and his lasting impact on the music world.
Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith by
Sydney McLaughlinLevrone
Two-time Olympic gold medalist McLaughlinLevrone shares how her Christian faith helped her overcome challenges.
Gather Me: A Memoir in Praise of the Books That Saved Me
by Glory Edim
The founder of the Well-Read Black Girl book club explores the transformative power of literature and community in finding one’s voice and identity.
Growing Up Urkel by Jaleel White
The actor who portrayed Steve Urkel on the sitcom Family Matters recounts his journey through the 1990s entertainment industry.
Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative
by
Keke Palmer
Emmy award-winning actress, producer, author, and television host Palmer discusses the challenges and successes of her life and career.
No One Gets to Fall Apart
by Sarah LaBrie
Seeking to forge a new future by better understanding the past, the author traces her family’s history of mental illness to see how it has affected her own life.
On a MOVE: Philadelphia’s Notorious Bombing and a Native Son’s Lifelong Battle for Justice
by Mike Africa, Jr.
The current director of MOVE, the civil liberties group that Philadelphia police bombed in 1985, recounts his quest to find purpose in the destruction left by the assault.
Pinnacle:
The Lost Paradise of Rasta
by Bill Howell
The son of the founder of the Rastafarian movement offers a firsthand account of the origins of the movement’s ideology and philosophy.
Playing from the Rough: A Personal Journey Through America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses
by Jimmie James
An oil executive who was born into poverty in Jim Crow Texas describes his quest to become the first person to play each of America’s 100 greatest golf courses in a single year.
Rage: On Being Queer, Black, Brilliant ... and Completely Over It
by Lester Fabian Brathwaite
Entertainment Weekly writer and former Out editor Brathwaite mingles memoir and cultural critique in this comic exploration of Blackness, queerness, and the American dream.
The Road is Good: How a Mother’s Strength Became a Daughter’s Purpose by Uzo Aduba
A coming-of-age memoir of immigrant identity from Nigerian-American actress Aduba.
Slaveroad
by
Sideshow: Living with Loss and Moving Forward with Faith
by Rickey Smiley
Comedian Smiley shares how he dealt with losing his father and son to overdoses by finding moments of peace.
John Edgar Wideman
Interconnected essays exploring the physical and psychological terrain linking enslaved Africans with their new home across the Atlantic.
Survival is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde by Alexis Pauline Gumbs
An exploration of the life, work, and enduring impact of the iconic writer.
Take Care of Them Like My Own: Faith, Fortitude, and a Surgeon’s
for Health Justice
by Ala Stanford
The founder of the Black Doctors Consortium highlights the racial injustices of the American healthcare system.
Fight
While I Have Your Attention: It’s Never Too Late for a New Beginning
by Lucille O’Neal
The mother of Shaquille O’Neal and founder of the Mothers of Professional Basketball Players Association shares her struggles, disappointments, and proudest accomplishments.
Who’s That Girl?
by Eve
The multiplatinum, Grammy Award-winning, Emmynominated rapper, actor, and entrepreneur recounts a life in the spotlight.
Cooking and Crafts
AfriCali: Recipes From My Jikoni
by Kiano Moju
A collection of recipes for weeknight meals and dinner party dishes that celebrates a fusion of Nigerian, Kenyan, and Californian cuisines.
Belly
Full: Exploring Caribbean Cuisine Through 11 Fundamental Ingredients and Over 100 Recipes by Lesley Enston
An exploration of Caribbean cuisine through 105 recipes based on eleven staple ingredients.
Bodega Bakes: Recipes for Sweets and Treats Inspired by My Corner Store
by Paola Velez
More than 100 Dominicaninspired recipes for tortas, cookies, brownies, frozen treats, and other baked goods.
Mostly Homemade: 100 Recipes to Help You Save Time and Money While Eating Better by Antoinette Johnson
100 budget-friendly recipes from the winner of America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation.
Our
South: Black Food Through My Lens by
Ashleigh Shanti
A James Beard Rising Star of the Year conducts a culinary journey through the various regions of the American South.
Sweet
Home Macramé by Casey
Alberti
Step-by-step instructions for making macramé wall hangings, jewelry, home decor, and more.
Essays
Magically
Black and Other Essays by Jerald Walker
A National Book Award finalist addresses topics such as incarceration, gentrification, and the rise of the MAGA movement.
The
Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates
The best-selling author of Between the World and Me explores how our realities are shaped by the stories we tell ourselves.
We’re Alone: Essays by
Edwidge Danticat
A collection of essays about the COVID-19 pandemic, recent events in Haiti, and more.
What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures
by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
Essays accompanied by data, poetry, and art that map the landscape of possible climate futures.
Health and Wellness
Generation M: Living Well in Perimenopause and Menopause
by Jessica Shepherd
A board-certified OB/GYN provides clinical insights, tips, and holistic guidance to assist women experiencing menopause.
Live Nourished: Make Peace with Food, Banish Body Shame, and Reclaim Joy
by Shana Minei Spence
A registered Dietitian Nutritionist attacks modern diet culture and proposes alternate ways to achieve positive relationships with food.
You Are Not Alone: For Parents and Caregivers
by Christine M. Crawford
A guide for parents, educators, and caregivers that provides guidance on navigating mental healthcare for children and teens.
History, Politics
and Government Government Reimagined by Lorraine CochranJohnson
DeKalb County CEO Cochran-Johnson looks at the dynamic components of modern government and discusses how leaders can achieve maximum organizational efficiency.
Morningside: The 1979 Greensboro Massacre and the Struggle for an American City’s Soul by Aran Shetterly
The story of the shocking 1979 racial tragedy in Greensboro, North Carolina, that left five people dead.
Savings and Trust: The Rise and Betrayal of the Freedman’s Bank
by Justene Hill Edwards
A history of the Freedman’s Bank, which collapsed nine years after its opening in 1865 and lost the money entrusted to it by its depositors.
The Garretts of Columbia
by David Nicholson
The multigenerational story of a remarkable South Carolina family, from the Reconstruction era through the Great Migration.
Personal Finance
Your Money Playbook: How to Earn More, Build Wealth, and Win at Life
by Brandon Copeland
Linebacker-turned-professor Copeland discusses his wealth-building strategies.
Religion
and Spirituality
The Black Utopians: Searching for Paradise and the Promised Land in America
by Aaron Robertson
A meditation on how Black Americans have envisioned utopia from the Reconstruction era to the present day.
Church Girl by Sarita T. Lyons
Bible teacher and psychotherapist Lyons explains how Black Christian women can flourish in today’s secular world.
How to Tell the Truth by Preston Perry
The co-host of the podcast “With The Perrys” recounts the story of how his life was transformed by his Christian faith.
Kingdom Kindness: A Movement to Bring Calm to the Culture by Tony Evans
Author and pastor Evans teaches Christians how to become a countercultural force by reflecting God’s kindness to the people around them.
Love, Auntie: Parables and Prayers for Sacred Belonging by
Shantell Hinton Hill
Ordained minister Hill provides parables, prayers, and prompts for those who feel that they do not belong to a larger group.
Face Forward: Reclaiming Hope When Everything Falls Apart
by Bethny Ricks
Former business executive Ricks blends her personal story and business experience to demonstrate how strength and faith can help navigate life’s challenges.
The Spirit of Justice: True Stories of Faith, Race, and Resistance by Jemar
Tisby
Best-selling author Tisby recounts the stories of how people of faith have resisted racism and crafted a legacy of hope and perseverance.
Undivided: The Quest for Racial Solidarity in an American Church by Hahrie Han
The story of how an evangelical church in Cincinnati tried to bridge the racial divide in its community.
Self-Help
A Black Woman’s Guide to Getting Free
by Tamara Winfrey Harris
The best-selling author of The Sisters Are Alright offers six pillars of living free as a Black woman.
Civil
Unity
by Shola Richards
Civility consultant Richards discusses how to address serious questions, disagree more effectively, and bridge the ideological divisions that define modern life.
Do You Still Talk to Grandma?
by Brit Barron
Motivational speaker Barron discusses how to retain one’s convictions without losing the relationships with the people one loves.
It’s Time to Give a FECK
by Chaz Ebert
An exploration of how forgiveness, empathy, compassion, and kindness are the keys to greater unity and humanity.
Social Science
Liberating Abortion
by Renee Bracey Sherman
A history of abortion that recenters people of color in order to argue that abortion must be liberated for all.
Loving
Corrections by adrienne maree brown
Best-selling author brown provides advice on how to be a trustworthy communicator while living in a highly divided society.
Revenge
of the Tipping
Point:
Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering by Malcolm Gladwell
Gladwell returns to revisit and reframe the lessons of The Tipping Point For back issues of The Jubilee Reader, click here or scan this QR code:
