Category: Black Bookstore Adventures

Posted in Black Bookstore Adventures, Monthly Book Recommendations, On the Desk...

Dr. G’s Monthly Book Recommendations-July 2025

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Summer Breeze…Check….Sitting Poolside…Check…Good Book…Double Check!! Alright, good people, we are back with another edition of “Dr. G’s Monthly Book Recommendations”! As always, there is a little something for everyone, even the kiddos!!

Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels.com

Check out July’s Monthly Book Recommendations below:

  • You’ve Got a Place Here, Too: An Anthology of Black Love Stories Set at HBCUs ~Edited by Ebony Ladelle
  • If I Could Go Back ~Briana Johnson
  • The Girls Who Grew Big ~Leila Mottley
  • Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler ~Susana M. Morris
  • King of Ashes ~S.A. Cosby
  • Toni at Random: The Iconic Writer’s Legendary Editorship ~Dana A. Williams
  • I Got You: A Brother’s Promise ~Derrick Barnes
  • Swing Time ~Zadie Smith
  • Lonely Crowds ~Stephanie Wambugu

As always, don’t forget to support your local bookstores!! Matter fact, for all my Chicago readers, or if you need to build out your bookstore network, check out these Black-owned bookstores in the Chi:

Don’t forget you can always go back and check out previous lists in the “Resource” section of the website!

Posted in Black Bookstore Adventures, Feature Spotlight, Monthly Book Recommendations, On the Desk..., On The Radar, Resources

Dr. G’s Monthly Book Recommendations-July 2024

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

We are deep into the summer as we close out another HOT month! You know I could not leave you without another list of literary goodies!! Plus it’s Leo Season! As we continue to dive into Summer let me make sure I share some more finds to get you through the next month! This list is packed with lots of romance, thriller, coming of age, some poetry, a literary manifesto, and trust me every one is a page turner!! So let’s not delay the wait any longer!!

Check out July’s Monthly Book Recommendations below:

  • Midnight Rooms ~Donyae Coles
  • Bluff: Poems ~Danez Smith
  • Beyond Policing ~Philip V. McHarris
  • Blessings ~Chukwuebuka Ibeh
  • Red at the Bone ~Jacqueline Woodson
  • Did Everyone Have An Imaginary Friend? (Or Just Me): Adventures in Boyhood ~Jay Ellis
  • Sounds Like a Plan ~Pamela Samuel Young & Dwayne Alexander Smith
  • Bridges Instead of Walls: The Story of Mavis Staples ~Carole Boston Weatherford and Mavis Staples

And as always, Don’t forget to support your local bookstores!!

If you need a few recommendations check these out:

And just in case you needed this reminder ….. #ItsLeoSeason

Don’t forget you can always go back and check out previous lists in the “Resource” section of the website!

Posted in #30DaysofBlackJoy Series, Black Bookstore Adventures, Celebration, Feature Spotlight

#30DaysofBlackJoy…Day 22-Finding Black Joy in a Bookstore!!

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Today’s #BlackJoy Moment is about showcasing and highlighting the importance of Black-owned Bookstores!

During the 1960s and 1970s, many Black bookstores served as information centers for the Civil Rights and Black Power movement. Visitors would have access to a wealth of writing on Black culture, history, entertainment, and spirituality/religion. As public spaces, they also provide a space to feel free, organize thoughts collectively and individually, form communities, and support Black economics.

For me personally, Black Bookstores have become a space to work outside of my office, grab some yummy goodies and coffee, and link up with friends! Black Bookstores have also become a place to bring in authors for “Meet-N-Greet’s”, social gatherings, open-mic and game nights, and community dialogues!

Now as part of a personal mission a couple years back, I compiled a list of Black bookstores across the globe. This was done partly to provide a resource on the BFF site, to also set a personal goal of visiting as many as I could, and simply because I was just curious.

You can check out that list here !!

While on this journey of curiosity and joy, I have been able to visit a few local Black bookstores here in Richmond and the surrounding DMV, that I had to shout out!! See them below:

So make sure you check these out if you are in the area, or any on the above list!! You are bound to find a good book, meet some cool folks, find a place of peace, learn something new, and be a part of a good cause!!

We are moving and shaking through these weeks, but there is still more #BlackJoy to spread!! See you tomorrow!!

Portraits of Lorraine Hansberry (L), Maya Angelou, and Angela Davis are painted inside the Urban Reader Bookstore in Charlotte, NC
Posted in Black Bookstore Adventures, Feature Spotlight, On The Radar, Resources

Dr. G’s Black Bookstore Adventures-Mahogany Books (DC/MD)

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Made a quick trip to the DMV and finally got a chance to go and visit Mahogany Books!! Even picked up a few goodies :-)!

So if you are in the DMV area make sure to check out Mahogany Books!! I know I will definitely make a few return trips!!

And I look forward to sharing more Black Bookstore Adventure visits!!