So, Um...Black Novels.

So, Um...Black Novels. Where the hell are they? When I'm not doing things I have to do (i.e. work), I like to sit back and read a good novel on occasion. Many of those novels are written by or about white people. There's nothing wrong with that, but every now and then it would be nice to read about some black folks or support some up and coming black writers. Well, I have failed miserably on this journey to find the great black novel, and it hasn't been from a lack of trying.

I'm sure some smart ass will ask me, "Why don't you go to a bookstore? Oh, and while you're at it, head to the section labeled African-American, you eeediot (Let's just pretend the smart ass was Ren lol)." Well, guess what, smart ass? I have looked and do you want to know what I see each time?

This:




and This:




Oh, and This:



Now, those books have black people in them, but they're of what I call the chit'lin variety. Before I offend anyone...well, more like "the one person that stumbled across this blog by mistake and left as quickly as they entered"...these books have their place in the world. I have read one or two myself, but overall, they're not my cup of tea. If you enjoy them, more power to ya. My issue is BALANCE. The bookstores don't seem to realize that every black person is not interested in reading about gangsters and gangstresses, ballers, groupies, video vixens, hot in the pants youth doing strange things for change, down low bruthas, bling, and other things heavily promoted on BET. If they aren't of they chit'lin variety, then they tend to be in of the super churchy variety and that gets a firm "No Thanks" from me.

If all else fails, there's always a Native Son or a Their Eyes Were Watching God on the shelf amongst all the chit'lin clutter, but I am not necessarily looking for that either. I want to read NEW material. I want to read the material that will become fodder for the next generation of English students and African Studies majors. Who are the new Ralph Ellisons? Who are the new Toni Morrisons?

I want NEW, GOOD writing from NEW, YOUNG, BLACK WRITERS who aren't perpetuating the stereotypes outsiders looking in often have of black people and have more to talk about than how good Jesus is. He is good, but he has a book. It's called the bible.

To the one person reading this, if you haven't exited the page already, can you help a sista out? What great black novels have you come across in the last 10 years? Maybe the bookstores around my way are just buggin' (Yes, I used buggin'...keep it moving people). Please point your girl in the right direction because this can't be life.