The Bibliophiles
An African American Reading Group
Mission Statement
About The Bibliophiles
2010 Reading List
Reading List Archives
If you would like to contact The Bibliophiles, kindly send e-mail to Inquiries@TheBibliophiles.org
THE BIBLIOPHILES
MISSION STATEMENT
It is the mission of The Bibliophiles
To promote, preserve and share the love of organized readings of literature of the African Diaspora to multigenerational groups so that its benefits may be derived throughout the globe and for future generations.
We set about this mission through active participation. We therefore devote ourselves to:
- Promoting and preserving literature of the African Diaspora.
- Helping individuals and organizations learn more about literature of the African Diaspora.
- Providing advocacy for writers and artists of the African Diaspora.
- Expanding private sector support for the publication, promotion and preservation of literature of the African Diaspora.
About The Bibliophiles
Our Reading Lists
If you would like to contact The Bibliophiles, kindly send an e-mail to Inquiries@TheBibliophiles.org
The Bibliophiles: An African American Reading Group
A BRIEF HISTORY
Founded in 1987 and incorporated in 1990, The Bibliophiles was born out of a mutual interest in sharing, promoting, and preserving the literature of the African Diaspora. Toni Morrison's Beloved was the catalyst that drew the founding members, two commuting colleagues, together who yearned to share the pent-up emotions the book evoked. The group of two very quickly became ten as mutual friends were invited to join the newly organized Bibliophiles to discuss books of historical and literary significance to African-Americans.
Today, The Bibliophiles are 19 women strong who include among their varied activities literary field trips, book signings, Kwanzaa celebrations, and Special Exhibition Docent Program for both The Newark Museum and The Montclair Art Museum. The proliferation of activities by The Bibliophiles has been noted by the press in articles published in Essence, American Visions, Emerge magazines as well as The Sunday New York Times. We have also been featured on radio and television.
As we begin our third decade we remain excited, invigorated, committed, and loving our books. We continue to meet every other month in each other's homes engaging in lively discussions, sharing and enjoying excellent meals together.
We provide our reading lists for your consideration as your group considers its reading selections or for your reading enjoyment and edification.
We wish you all good reading.
Mission Statement
Our Reading Lists
If you would like to contact The Bibliophiles, kindly send an e-mail to Inquiries@TheBibliophiles.org
THE BIBLIOPHILES READING LISTS
It is the practice of The Bibliophiles to establish a theme annually for our reading lists. We select the next year's reading upon agreeing upon a theme. Each member is encouraged to suggest titles and present them to the group for consideration. Through the democratic process, the group votes on each title with the top 6 being selected for the next year. In addition to the book titles, we also determine our hostesses and facilitators for the year.
While we read because we are truly book lovers, we are also products of the African Diaspora and have devoted our purpose to being students of the African Diaspora and advocates of rectifying errors in its portrayal and sharing our appreciation of its survivors around the globe.
Following you will find a variety of reading lists including some thematic ones. Feel free to use them or mix and match them to suit your needs. Links to author web pages are provided when available.
The lists are:
Bibliofavorites (2010 reading list)
Contemporary Social Issues, our examination of Contemporary Issues - year 4 (2009 reading list)
Contemporary Social Issues - year 3 (2008 reading list)
Contemporary Social Issues - year 2 (2007 reading list)
Contemporary Issues (2006 reading list)
By and About the Black Male, our exploration continues (2005 reading list)
By and About the Black Male (2004 reading list)
They Stood Up to be Counted (2003 reading list)
Past and Present Classics (2002 reading list)
BIBLIOFAVORITES
2010 marks the second decade of the 21st century and we decided that this year we would mark the new by re-reading the old. We selected books we have read previously. The criteria was any book we deemed to be a favorite of any member could be nominated -- whether it was part of our reading list history or not.
Book selection time, held in November, is always a fun meeting. Any title nominated must be "sold" to the group by the member suggesting it. We request that members bring a copy of the book to the November meeting for browsing by the rest of the group. Then as the recommended titles are identified the recommending member must make her "pitch".
Of course, the books are recommended within the context of the year's theme which was selected at the previous meeting in September.
Fifteen (15) titles were recommended as Bibliofavorites. Only six (6) made the cut -- they are listed below. The remaining titles are also provided to demonstrate the richness of the list we had to chose from. There were no real losers just some that outshone others.
Of the six (6) chosen for 2010, four (4) had been on previous Bibliophiles reading lists; two (2) have not been read by the group previously.
We hope you enjoy our selection as much as we are sure to. And we know that Bibliofavorites will endure for at least one more year -- there are just too many terrific works to pass up.
- PUSH by Sapphire
- WILD SEED by Octavia E. Butler
- THE HOUSE AT SUGAR BEACH by Helene Cooper
- THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD by Zora Neale Hurston
- STANDING AT THE SCRATCH LINE by Guy Johnson
- LIFE IS SHORT BUT WIDE by J. California Cooper
Other Bibliofavorites suggested but not selected [this year].
- BELOVED by Toni Morrison
- BLACK MANHATTAN by James Weldon Johnson
- FINDING MARTHA’S VINEYARD: African Americans at Home on an Island by Jill Nelson
- THE FOUR AGREEMENTS: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz
- LEFT TO TELL: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibagiza
- THE POISONWOOD BIBLE by Barbara Kingsolver
- SISTERS OF THE YAM by bell hooks
- SONG OF SOLOMON by Toni Morrison
- TUMBLING by Diane McKinney-Whetstone
CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL - Year 4
2009 began with the historic inauguration of the first African-American President of the United States of America, President Barack Obama. A joyous and momentous occasion that we celebrated and continue to take pride in.
We continue to relish our interest in contemporary social issues, even more than before. This year we have selected six excellent titles for discussion.
- THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING DANGEROUS by David Dante Troutt
- POST TRAUMATIC SLAVE SYNDROME by Joy Leary
- ACCOUNTABLE by Tavis Smiley
- A MERCY by Toni Morrison
- SALVATION: BLACK PEOPLE IN LOVE by bell hooks
- A LESSON BEFORE DYING by Ernest Gaines
CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL ISSUES - Year 3
2008 finds The Bibliophiles remaining with the subject of contemporary social issues. We have chosen to read and discuss some of the compelling topics of the day in the States and on the Continent of Africa, in the form of both fiction and non-fiction. The topics include Biafra's independence struggle; the crisis of the Lost Boys of the Sudan; fame versus demonstrable power and the African-American athlete; a collection of essays on the social and political response to Hurricane Katrina; and the bonds of friendship between women.
- HALF OF A YELLOW SUN by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- COME ON PEOPLE: On the Path from Victims to Victors by William Cosby and Alvin F. Poussaint
- THEY POURED FIRE ON US FROM THE SKY: The true story of three Lost Boys from Sudan by Benson Deng, Alephonsion Dent, and Benjamin Ajak with Judy A. Bernstein
- AND ON THE EIGHTH DAY SHE RESTED by J. D. Mason
- FORTY MILLION DOLLAR SLAVES: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Black Athlete by William C. Rhoden
- AFTER THE STORM: Black Intellectuals Explore the Meaning of Hurricane Katrina by David Dante Troutt
CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL ISSUES - Year 2
Expanding upon our 2006 theme, the subject matter of contemporary social issues proved so compelling that we elected to explore the topic more fully.
That year we chose titles that explored a broad range of topics including class and race, homosexuality, political discourse, man's inhumanity to his fellow man, parenting, and finally the story of political and social ascension after the Civil War.
The titles, in the order we read them, are:
- A LOVE NOIRE by Erica Simone Turnipseed
- THE GREATEST TABOO:Homosexuality in the Black Community by Delroy Constantine Sims
- THE AUDACITY OF HOPE by Barack Obama
- LEFT TO TELL: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Lilagiza
- THE WARRIOR METHOD: A Parents' Guide to Rearing Healthy Black Boys by Raymond Winbush
- THE SENATOR AND THE SOCIALITE: The True Story of America's First Black Dynasty by Lawrence Otis Graham
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
Our 2006 reading list theme was based upon our view that there are cultural issues and social developments underway that we felt required our attention as we looked to the future.
These developments included works that delved into how the African-American community does or does not deal with mental health challenges from Bebe Moore Campbell, the universality of Hip Hop as presented by Craig Watkins, and the complex discussions surrounding the issue of accountability as it pertains to reparations for African-Americans, presented by Raymond Winbush. Other works included Delores Phillips', "coming of age" first novel, a heralded second novel by Zadie Smith, and one more foray into our 2004-2005 theme, By and About The Black Male, with bell hooks' exploration of the dehumanization of Black Men.
The titles are presented in the order read.
- ON BEAUTY by Zadie Smith
- HIP HOP MATTERS by Craig Watkins
- THE DARKEST CHILD by Delores Phillips
- WE REAL COOL by bell hooks
- SHOULD AMERICA PAY? by Raymond Winbush
- 72 HOUR HOLD by Bebe Moore Campbell
The Bibliophiles were featured on NJN Public Television's Another View Bookshelf, hosted by Emmy-nominated and award winning Candace Kelley. The program was aired Tuesday, December 20, 2005 and rebroadcast on Friday, December 23, 2005.
BY AND ABOUT THE BLACK MALE
When we gathered in November 2004 to select our 2005 reading list, we concluded that we wanted to continue our exploration of the theme “By and About the Black Male”. We continued to read new and established works. See where 2005 takes us this year.
“BY AND ABOUT THE BLACK MALE” Reading List – 2005
- DREAMER by Charles Johnson
- THE SPOOK WHO SAT BY THE DOOR by Sam Greenlee
- THE MAN WHO CRIED I AM by John A. Williams
- THE BLACKBIRD PAPERS by Ian Smith
- THE BIG SEA by Langston Hughes
- DREAMS OF MY FATHER by Barack Obama
2005 ADDITIONAL TITLES
The following titles were recommended but did not 'make the cut' for the 2005 reading list. But members did feel strongly enough to recommend them for the group and we provide them here for your consideration.
- THE QUEST OF THE SILVER FLEECE by W.E.B. DuBois
- NO LONGER AT EASE by Chinua Achebe
- JOHN HENRY DAYS by Colson Whitehead
- DEMOCRACY MATTERS by Cornel West
- EVERYBODY SMOKES IN HELL by John Ridley
“BY AND ABOUT THE BLACK MALE” Reading List -- 2004
For 2004 we elected to read titles by and about the Black Male. And we wanted to read new as well as established authors.
- ECHOES OF A DISTANT SUMMER by Guy Johnson
- RACE MATTERS by Cornel West
- THE FIRST THING SMOKING by Nelson Eubanks
- RAISING FENCES by Michael Datcher
- THE KNOWN WORLD by Edward Jones
- The Bibliophiles were interviewed by The Star Ledger during their discussion of THE KNOWN WORLD. The interview was published in The Book Club column of The Star Ledger, October 31, 2004.
- A MAN OF THE PEOPLE by Chinua Achebe
THEY STOOD UP TO BE COUNTED Reading List -- 2003
- DAVID WALKER'S APPEAL AND GARNET'S ADDRESS by David Walker and Henry H. Garnet
- SOJOURNER TRUTH: A LIFE, A SYMBOL by Nell Painter
- THE MISEDUCATION OF THE NEGRO by Carter G. Woodson
- NIGGER HEAVEN by Carl Van Vechten
- STANDING AT THE SCRATCH LINE by Guy Johnson
- THE FIRE NEXT TIME by James Baldwin
PAST AND PRESENT CLASSICS -- 2002 Reading List
Our 2002 list included established and modern writers' works we had not read previously. For the classics we trust you will agree, for the others, time will tell.
- THE LIVING IS EASY by Dorothy West
- THE WIND DONE GONE by Alice Randall
- IF YOU CAN'T BE FREE, BE A MYSTERY: IN SEARCH OF BILLIE HOLIDAY by Farah Jasmine
- JUBILEE by Margaret Walker
- THE BLUEST EYE by Toni Morrison
- A DAY OF ABSENCE by
2002 ADDITIONAL READING
While as a group we read 6 works per year, individually we read many other works and regularly recommend additional titles, especially if we feel we were forced to omit good works from our list, as was the case in 2002. Other title suggestions include the following:
- BETWEEN THE SHEETS by Juanita Bynum
- BREAKING BARRIERS by Angella Current
- THE MAN WHO CRIED I AM by John A. Williams
- THE MISEDUCATION OF THE NEGRO by Carter G. Woodson
- MY SOUL TO KEEP by
- THE NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS by Frederick Douglass
- RACE TRAP by Bob Johnson
- SOJOURNER TRUTH: A LIFE, A SYMBOL by Nell Painter
- SOUL ON ICE by Eldridge Cleaver
- STANDING AT THE SCRATCH LINE by Guy Johnson
- UNCLE TOM'S CABIN by Harriet Beecher Stowe
- YESTERDAY WILL MAKE YOU CRY by
THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
Naturally we have read the classics of the Harlem Renaissance. Here we revisited author's and some works we read previously.
- THE INVISIBLE MAN by Ralph Ellison
- CANE by Jean Toomer
- THE STREET by Ann Petry
- SIMPLE by Langston Hughes
-
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF AN EX-COLORED MAN by James Weldon Johnson
ADDITIONAL READING FOR THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
- BLACK MANHATTAN by James Weldon Johnson
- THE BIG SEA by Langston Hughes
- THE BLACKER THE BERRY by Wallace Thurman
- NOT WITHOUT LAUGHTER by Langston Hughes
- THE WAYS OF WHITE FOLK by Langston Hughes
- QUICKSAND by Nella Larson
- PASSING by Nella Larson
- PHILADELPHIA NEGRO by W.E.B. DuBois, et al
- NIGGER HEAVEN by Carl Van Vechten
- THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE REMEMBERED by Arna Bontemps
BIOGRAPHIES & EX-PATRIATES
- ANOTHER COUNTRY by James Baldwin
- BALM IN GILEAD by Sarah Lawrence-Lightfoot
- TUMBLING by Diane McKinney Whetstone
- JOSEPHINE BAKER by Jean Claude Baker
- DAEMONIC GENIUS by Alice Walker
- WHY I LEFT AMERICA & OTHER ESSAYS by Oliver W. Harrington
- WALKING WITH THE WIND by John Lewis
- DUST TRACKS ON THE ROAD by Zora Neale Hurston
- THE HORNES: AN AMERICAN FAMILY by Gail Lumet Buckley
- THE PICTURE TAKING MAN by Jim Haskins
- REMEMBERING SLAVERY by Ira Berline, Marc Favreau and Steven E. Miller
- CRUSADE FOR JUSTICE by Ida B. Wells
SLAVERY
Where would we be without studying the Middle Passage and the abhorrent state of slavery?
- MIDDLE PASSAGE by Charles Johnson
- BEFORE THE MAYFLOWER by Lerone Bennett
- CELIA: A SLAVE by McLauren
- SISTERS OF THE YAM by
- BELOVED by Toni Morrison
- FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM by John Hope Franklin
BELIEF SYSTEMS
In 2001 we elected to learn more about traditional North American belief systems and expand our knowledge about other African Diaspora belief systems. This was one of our more enlightening reading lists. We recommend it.
- PARABLE OF THE TALENT by Octavia Butler
- BLACK THEOLOGY & BLACK POWER by James Cone
- AFRICAN RELIGIONS & PHILOSOPHIES by John S. Mbiti
- THE AMEN CORNER by James Baldwin
- THE ALTER OF MY SOUL: THE LIVING TRADITIONS OF SANTERIA by Martha Moreno Vega
- SLAVE RELIGION, THE INVISIBLE INSTITUTION IN THE ANTEBELLUM SOUTH by Albert J. Raboteau
SOME GOOD BOOKS
Sometimes we have elected to read an eclectic collection of books. It can include any and all types of books, as they following demonstrates. A little biography, a little popular fiction, science fiction, whatever!
- PUSH by Sapphire
- COFFEE WILL MAKE YOU BLACK by April Sinclair
- PIECE OF MIND by J.
- EYES ON THE PRIZE by Juan Williams
- LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE by Laura Esquivel
- THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE: THE LIFE OF FANNIE LOU HAMER by Kay Mills
Mission Statement
About The Bibliophiles
If you would like to contact The Bibliophiles, kindly send an e-mail to Inquiries@TheBibliophiles.org
updated January 19, 2010
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