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African American Fiction & Non-FictionDecember 2014
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New and Recently Released Fiction
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Africa39: New Writing from Africa South of the Sahara
by Ellah Wakatama Allfrey
In 2014, UNESCO's World Book Capital is Port Harcourt, Nigeria--the first city in Africa to receive the designation by public bid. This makes it a special year for the Port Harcourt Book Festival, which will be in its seventh year, and bigger than ever. They are joining forces with the internationally renowned Hay Festival, which will bring to Port Harcourt its 39 Project--a competition to identify the thirty-nine most promising young talents under the age of forty in sub-Saharan Africa and the diaspora. It follows the success of Bogotá 39 in 2007 and Beirut 39 in 2010. Both recognized a number of authors who now have international profiles: in Bogotá, Adriana Lisboa, Alejandro Zambra, Juan Gabriel Vásquez, Daniel Alarcón, and Junot Díaz; in Beirut, Randa Jarrar, Joumana Haddad, Abdellah Taia, Samar Yazbek, and Faiza Guene. In Nigeria this year, the esteemed judges include leading-edge publisher Margaret Busby; novelist and playwright Elechi Amadi,writer and scholar Osonye Tess Onwueme, and Caine Prize winner Binyavanga Wainaina.For the second time, Bloomsbury is honored to be a part of the festivities, publishing worldwide Africa39 --a collection of brand new work from these talented thirty-nine.With an introduction by Wole Soyinka, Africa39 is a must-read for anyone curious about Africa today and Africa tomorrow, as envisioned through the eyes of its brightest literary stars.
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Americanah
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Separated by respective ambitions after falling in love in occupied Nigeria, beautiful Ifemelu experiences triumph and defeat in America while exploring new concepts of race, while Obinze endures an undocumented status in London until the pair is reunited in their homeland 15 years later, where they face the toughest decisions of their lives. By the award-winning author of Half of a Yellow Sun.
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Jala's Mask
by Mike Grinti
"For two hundred years the people of the Five-and-One Islands have survived by raiding the mainland. By shaping the reefs around their islands into magical ships, they can cross the great ocean, take what they want, and disappear where no normal ship canfollow. When Jala meets King Azi of the Five-and-One, she forgets everything her family told her to do. She was supposed to be meek and charming. She wasn't supposed to be herself. And she wasn't supposed to fall for him. When the king defies his familyand proposes to her, Jala finds herself the islands' new queen. Now she's cut off from her family and despised by the king's advisers. Even her feelings for Azi, that seemed so clear when they were alone, are anything but clear amid the politics of the islands' ruling families. On the second night after Jala's wedding, the islands are invaded by ships arriving on a tide of magical fog. One of the islands is left in ruin. Others haven't been heard from. And there might be more invaders on the way. If Jala can convince the noble families to work together, they might stand a chance, but she must choose between her family, her love for Azi, and saving her people."
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Power, Seduction & Scandal: a D.C. Novel
by Angela Winters
While Sherise searches for answers when a highly anticipated promotion is given to an incompetent rival, Billie confronts threats to her engagement and Erica lands at the center of a wrenching power struggle. By the best-selling author of Almost Doesn't Count.
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New and Recently Released Non-Fiction
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African American Book Club
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African American Book Club - The Coldest Winter Ever
Thursday, December 18, 7:00 pm
South Regional - Children's Program Room
Join us for a lively discussion of The Coldest Winter Ever, Sister Souljah's cautionary tale of a young girl struggling to survive in New York City.
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Anita Woodley's Boomerang
Sunday, December 7,
3:00 pm
Main Library - Auditorium
Award-winning actress/journalist Anita Woodley's new one-woman performance, Boomerang, examines her transformative trip to the rainforest in Cameroon, Africa. In 2010, while visiting the rainforest, Anita reunited with her maternal Tikar tribe in the Chiefdom of N'ditam Village. She was named Princess Bekang, which translates into Boomerang, because she was the first African-American of Tikar descent to return to their village. A discussion and mini-documentary showing will follow the show. Ancestry360 genealogist Demetrius Hunter will share valuable tools for tracing family history. Woodley has performed her shows Mama Juggs and The Men In Me at the library.
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Duke Ellington: Man, Myth, Music and the Eternal Sacred
Tuesday, December 9,
7:00 pm
Stanford L. Warren Library - Meeting Room
The last words of Edward Kennedy Ellington shortly before his death were: "Music is how I live, why I live and how I will be remembered." In this interactive lecture and listening session, jazz musician and historian Daoud A. Haroon will explore the social, historical and creative implications of jazz icon and visionary Duke Ellington on 20th century music and American cultural life.
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Religion in NC: Documenting Diversity, Enhancing Cultural Memory
Thursday, December 11,
7:00 pm
Southwest Library - Meeting Room
Join Ken Woo, Doctoral Fellow for Research and Education, Duke Divinity School Library, for an evening of stories from the Religion in North Carolina Digital Collection, a collaborative digitization project led by Duke, UNC and Wake Forest University. Religion in NC is the only digital collection of its kind, focusing on documents from the history of religion and religious bodies in one particular state. Come hear examples of the personal and community narratives preserved in the collection, which highlights the diversity of North Carolina's cultural past and preserves its memory for the benefit of current and future generations.
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Baile y Bomba Boriqua
Saturday, December 13,
3:00 pm
East Regional Library - Meeting Room
Enjoy a lecture demonstration on the unique music and dance form of Plena and Bomba from the island of Puerto Rico. An explanation of the drum and its origin in Africa will be discussed, along with its use for communication, entertainment and celebration purposes. The sounds of the different drums: bongo, conga and pandero, will be demonstrated, with a focus on the Bomba drum.
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From Willie Lynch to Michael Brown: Restoring Village Values in Black Boys
Tuesday, December 16,
7:00 pm
Stanford L. Warren Library - Meeting Room
Today in contemporary American life politicians,clergy, activists, youth advocates, law enforcement, educators and parents are pondering the socio-economic and socio-political ills that impact African American boys and their role in American society and a global world. In this lecture/discussion clinical psychologist and author Kwabena Faheem Ashanti looks at the historical, cultural and psychological legacy that has led to the demise of black men in American society.
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POETRY LIVE: Open Mic Nite
Thursday, December 18,
6:30 pm
Main Library - Auditorium
Come and share your original poetry, spoken word, or read your favorite poem. Different theme for each month. Event takes place in the Durham County Main Library Auditorium! Ages 12-Adult.
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LIBRARY CLOSED - WINTER HOLIDAY
Wednesday, December 24 - Friday, December 26, All Day
Durham County Libraries
All Durham County Library locations will be closed Wednesday, December 24 through Friday, December 26 for the winter holiday.
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Looking for More Great Books?
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My Next 5 For personalized reading recommendations from Durham County librarians, you may want to try My Next 5! Simply complete an online form to tell us a little about what genres, books, and authors you like (or dislike). A DCL librarian will review your submission and reply within three days with a list of the next five books you should read.
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NextReads e-Newsletters Subscribe to one of our NextReads e-newsletters to have reading recommendations delivered right to your inbox. Select from topics such as the weekly New York Times bestseller list, graphic novels recommendations, armchair traveler reads and so much more. Each newsletter comes with links directly to the library's catalog, so you can easily place holds on items that interest you. You can also sign up for a general DCL e-newsletter that highlights library news and upcoming events.
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NoveList
NoveList is a comprehensive database of fiction and nonfiction titles for all ages, including recommendations, articles, and lists for your fiction and nonfiction needs. Durham County Library cardholders can access NoveList from any computer. |
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If you are having trouble unsubscribing to this newsletter, please contact the Durham County Library at
919-560-0100, 300 N. Roxboro Street, Durham, NC 27702
librarywebmaster@durhamcountync.gov
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