Some would say that stopping by the bookstore and grabbing a book off the shelf to read has slowly became a thing of the past due to everything now being so virtual. However there are some who still love the idea of holding that book in your hand and kicking back to drift off using nothing but pure imagination!
Growing up as a teen, I loved to read books and I would spend hours and nearly skip dinner just to find out what was happening on the next page of the book that had stolen my attention at the time.
I recall reading hundreds of books over the years and today I will share with you my top 5 favorite books that I feel everyone should read or at least have in their collection for urban literature! Now this was extremely hard to put together because I love so many books, however I’m sure you will enjoy these, and if you have not read them then today is the day to check them out!
SULA by Toni Morrison
Book Synopsis: Two girls who grow up to become women. Two friends who become something worse than enemies. In this brilliantly imagined novel, Toni Morrison tells the story of Nel Wright and Sula Peace, who meet as children in the small town of Medallion, Ohio. Their devotion is fierce enough to withstand bullies and the burden of a dreadful secret. It endures even after Nel has grown up to be a pillar of the black community and Sula has become a pariah. But their friendship ends in an unforgivable betrayal—or does it end?
I love all books by Toni Morrison! #RIP Queen!
I discovered this amazing book in college when it was assigned to me to do a research paper on. I loved the story! The English teacher who assigned it was also the first teacher & last to ever rip up my paper in front of the class, Yikes, leading me to take my writing more serious.
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
Book Synopsis: The book’s nameless narrator describes growing up in a black community in the South, attending a Negro college from which he is expelled, moving to New York and becoming the chief spokesman of the Harlem branch of “the Brotherhood”, before retreating amid violence and confusion to the basement lair of the Invisible Man he imagines himself to be. Originally published in 1952 as the first novel by a then unknown author, it remained on the bestseller list for sixteen weeks, won the National Book Award for fiction, and established Ralph Ellison as one of the key writers of the century.
I discovered this book my junior year of high school. Something about the story line captured my attention and I felt it was a book that could be found relatable to both men and women in the black community because we all feel invisible at times in this world.
The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah
Book Synopsis: Ghetto-born, Winter is the young, wealthy daughter of a prominent Brooklyn drug-dealing family. Quick-witted, sexy, and business-minded, she knows and loves the streets like the curves of her own body. But when a cold Winter wind blows her life in a direction she doesn’t want to go, her street smarts and seductive skills are put to the test of a lifetime. Unwilling to lose, this ghetto girl will do anything to stay on top.
It was 1999, I was 15, and I remember hardly being able to put this book down. I was literally sneaking reads in between my classwork with my friends asking me what all was happening next in the book! Be sure to read the entire series on this! Life After Death.
Flyy Girl by Omar Tyree
Book Synopsis: From a fresh new voice with talent to burn comes this brash bitter sweet novel about Tracy Ellison, a young girl with knockout looks, slanted hazel eyes, tall hair, and attitude, as she comes of age during the hip-hop era. Motivated by the material life, Tracy, her friends, and the young men who will do anything to get next to them are plunged into a world of violence, gratuitous sex, and heartbreak. Slowly, Tracy begins to examine her life, her goals, and her sexuality—as she evolves from a Flyy Girl into a woman.
This book came out in 1993, but I discovered it my 6th grade year and honey I thought I wanted to be a flyy girl with the trendy fashion and jewelry and flyy hair but of course I was far from that which made the book even more interesting to the nerdy version of me at that time. If you have not read this, then you are missing out and by the way, its a sequel to it, For The Love of Money!
He’s Just A Friend by Mary B. Morrison
Book Synopsis: Fancy Taylor wants to settle down. And after dating twenty-six men in fifty-two weeks, she knows all too well that married men are bad news. Unfortunately, irresistible Byron Van Lee—who has a big car, big income, big ego, and big you-know-what—neglects to mention his wife and kids until after Fancy falls for him big time. Determined to make Byron hers, Fancy dreams up an outrageous scheme to break up his marriage. Meanwhile, she turns to Desmond Brown for a shoulder to cry on. Desmond, aka Mr. Reliable, is always there to pick up the pieces or fill an empty Saturday night—and since he’s a mechanic, he can fix Fancy’s car, too. But she’s reluctant to let blue-collar Desmond get too close. To Fancy, he’s just a friend. To love-struck Desmond, Fancy is everything.Now, Fancy’s about to find out that the best-laid plans will not only get her laid but also knocked up. Suddenly she has issues. Job issues. Family issues. Love issues. And, haunted by the fear that she’s turning out just like her promiscuous mother, Fancy has to face some hard choices. Should she reach for yet another falling star—or her best friend Desmond? The answers she needs can only be found in her own heart.
Can we say drama?! I read this book shortly after graduating high school in 2003 and let’s just say I loved the drama but I also felt every girl had that one guy who was “just a friend” but we all knew it was more to it. Now of course I wasn’t doing half the stuff Fancy was, but her life was crazy so be prepared to get stuck trying to cook, clean and all while trying to hold on to this book! This book is based off a series of others so be sure to start from the beginning with Soulmates Dissipate, its like 8 books in this series!
There are so many books I love when it comes to urban literature so I might be nice and hip you all to some more faves from me next week! If you have read any of these books then comment your thoughts on them below!
– Tanisha D. Davis
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