street lit

An Excellent Year for K’wan | African American Fiction (and More)

The Street Lit Book Award Medal (SLBAM) committee of librarians acknowledges the best of the best from 2012 and author K’wan hits the trifecta! A useful third annual list and reader’s advisory tool.

Pop Authors with Cred | African American Fiction (And More)

Authors in this month’s column have tons of cred. In fact, they’re almost known by single names like pop culture celebrities Rihanna, Diddy, or Nas. Here we have Nikki, HoneyB, and Eric whose books are always snatched up by loyal readers.

It’s so cool when spot-on descriptions shoot a visual image into readers’ imaginations and demand to be shared. Thus a few examples of tell-it-like-it-is found in this month’s titles.

Tough Women, Tough Times | The Word on Street Lit

I’m often asked to name today’s top street lit authors. Look no further than Sister Souljah, Nisa Santiago, and Kiki Swinson, three writers who are surfing the wave of today’s urban fiction. Their intricate stories feature complex protagonists whose stone-cold faces belie the emotional tragedy they are enduring. Tough women, tough times, exciting reads. Pick [...]

Six Shades of Urban Fiction | The Word on Street Lit

Sexy street lit covers often have volumes flying off shelves. Yet savvy librarians can give circulation a professional nudge by presenting the story in pithy summaries. Here then are six-word descriptions of this month’s selections. Let’s call them Six Shades of Street Lit. Wild killer seeks revenge in Harlem. Crazy murderess stripper seduces, slays men. [...]

Trash-Talking Divas in Trouble | The Word on Street Lit

The ladies in this month’s selections often find themselves in a world of trouble. How do they cope with abusive relationships, backstabbing women, or the legal action involved with trying to get deadbeat dads to pay child support? Out of their mouths come nasty insults and snappy comebacks. You’re jokin’ but you’re not funny. He [...]