Kazi 88.7 Fm Book Review

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Elizabeth Crook, author of the novel THE MADSTONE.  Set during Reconstruction in Texas in 1868, THE MADSTONE is an adventure story of a young frontiersman who helps a pregnant young mother and her child flee across Texas from outlaws bent on revenge. The outlaws are based on the historically true Swamp Fox gang which terrorized and killed blacks, and agents of the Freedmen’s Bureau, a federal agency which provided relief and helped formerly enslaved people become self-sufficient.  In the interview we discussed Crook's commitment to tell the whole truth about Texas history in her storytelling. She cites storytelling as her motivation, as it is both educational and compelling.  Elizabeth Crook, who is the author of six novels, received the prestigious Texas Writer Award from the Texas Book Festival in 2023.Sign-up for the Diverse Voices Book Review email notification of interviews available to listen to at https://forms.office.com/r/NtvGUfwUgb  

Diverse Voices Book Review contributor Amanda Moore interviewed Dr. Gregg Hecimovich, a Hutchins Family Fellow at Harvard University and professor of English at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. His new book, THE LIFE AND TIMES OF HANNAH CRAFT: The True Story of the Bondwoman's Narrative, explores how Hannah Crafts escaped enslavement, and became a gifted writer who wrote about the inconceivable reality of her life and others who were victims of an oppressive society in the American South years before the Civil War.  Considered to be the first Black woman to compose a novel, Hannah Crafts wrote a story that depicted the lives of enslaved people and the many struggles they encountered in their everyday lives. You can learn more about Dr. Hecimovich at http://www.furman.edu and follow him on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @gregghecimovich.

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Ytasha Womack, author of BLACK PANTHER: A Cultural Exploration.  In the interview, Womack discussed the impact of the Black Panther comics, and its significance within the context of Afrofuturism.  She also related the history of the Black Panther in Marvel comics, and how different writers have handled the character over the years, each bringing their own perspectives and cultural references to the stories.  Ytasha L. Womack is a critically acclaimed author, filmmaker, dancer, independent scholar, and champion of humanity and the imagination. Her book Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci Fi & Fantasy Culture (2013) is the leading primer on the exciting subject which bridges science fiction, futurisms, and culture. 

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed historian Dylan C. Penningroth, author of BEFORE THE MOVEMENT: The Hidden History of Civil Rights. In the interview, the discussion revolves around the presentation of black civil rights history and the importance of grassroots movements and everyday people's contributions. The conversation also delves into the start-up of Black associations and organizations, and the success of their organizations proving, contrary to the belief of white Americans, that Blacks have the capacity for self-governance, and were worthy of the vote and American democracy. Penningroth’s research for the book focused on county records across the south exploring the legal lives of Blacks. Dylan C. Penningroth is a professor of law and history at the University of California, Berkeley. Learn more about the book at https://bit.ly/3SI29T4.  Sign-up for the Diverse Voices Book Review newsletter.

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Femi Kayode, author of the novel GASLIGHT. The novel explores the story of the disappearance of the wife of the bishop of a mega church in Nigeria and the subsequent arrest of her husband on suspicion of murder. The novel delves into the church politics, corruption, and social and economic circumstances surrounding the rise of Pentecostal churches in Nigeria. In the interview Kayode said he aimed to create a character-driven story that sheds light on the complexities of the church. He added that the novel explores themes of spirituality, religion, economics, and politics, while providing insight into Nigerian culture and history. Learn more about the book at https://bit.ly/40KlmFs. Sign-up for the Diverse Voices Book Review email notification of interviews available to listen to at https://forms.office.com/r/NtvGUfwUgb   About the AuthorFemi Kayode trained as a clinical psychologist in Nigeria, before starting a career in advertising. He has created and

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Langston Collin Wilkins, author of WELCOME 2 HOUSTON: Hip Hop Heritage in Hustle Town.  A native of Houston, Wilkins returns to the city where he grew up to illuminate the complex relationship between place, identity, and music in Houston’s hip hop culture. Langston Collin Wilkins is an Assistant Professor of Folklore and African American Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research interests include African American folklife, African American music, urban folklore, car culture and public folklore.

Diverse Voices Book Review contributor Amanda Moore interviewed Yasmin Angoe, the author of the best-selling and award-winning Nena Knight thriller series.  Angoe published the final book in the trilogy, IT ENDS WITH KNIGHT, September 5, 2023. Angoe continues with the captivating tale of Nena Knight, a female assassin who has stepped into a new role as a leader within her organization.  Facing new obstacles in the present while confronting challenges from her past, Nena embarks upon a journey where her enemies may never be completely forgotten, but where she will definitely never be the same.  You can read more about her book at https://yasminangoe.com/Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewTwitter - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Ernest McMillan, author of the memoir STANDING: One Man's Odyssey During the Turbulent '60s.  “This memoir of one man's coming-of-age through the Civil Rights movement follows his childhood innocence of white supremacy during the 50’s to his awakening as a full-time organizer in the deep south, and the petrifying costs he was bound to pay.”Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewTwitter - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com

Diverse Voices Book Review contributor Amanda more interviewed Stephen Bright and James Kwak, authors of THE FEAR OF TOO MUCH JUSTICE: Race, Poverty, and the Persistence of Inequality in the Criminal Courts.Yale professor Stephen B. Bright and legal scholar James Kwak write a compelling narrative about the continuing injustices in America’s legal system.  The authors describe how the failure of our society to confront systemic issues such as racial bias, bigotry and unchecked prosecutorial power has led to substantial consequences where defendants are subjected to excessive punishment and innocent people plead guilty to crimes they did not commit. You can read more about their book on their website at http://www.thefearoftoomuchjustice.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewTwitter - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com

Teen's Choice Book Show (TCBS) host Maya Hay interviewed Jennifer Baker, author of Forgive Me Not. In this episode, the topics of forgiveness, the criminal justice system, diversity in YA books, and the process of writing are explored!Insta: @teenschoicebookshowEmail: teenschoicebookshow@gmail.com

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Denise Mina, author of the Philip Marlowe novel THE SECOND MURDERER. "In THE SECOND MURDERER, Denise Mina becomes the first woman to recreate Raymond Chandler’s infamous detective, delivering a clever and timely new take on Philip Marlowe, as well as a propulsive, dark, and witty mystery all its own."Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewTwitter - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Nancy Bilyeau, author of THE ORCHID HOUR. Set in 1923 in New York City, THE ORCHID HOUR is a historical mystery novel that brings to life the age of alcohol prohibition, the rise of violence, gangs, and police corruption through the eyes of its 23 years-old female protagonist Zia, an Italian immigrant and widower whose father-in-law is murdered. The novel is populated with historical figures including Salvatore Luciana, better known as Lucky Luciano, J. Edgar Hoover, and others.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewTwitter - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com

Diverse Voices Book Review contributor Amanda Moore interviewed Walter Greason and Damian Darrell Jerry, editors of ILLMATIC CONSEQUENCES: The Clapback to Opponents of Critical Race Theory.  A collection of essays, “ILLMATIC CONSEQUENCES combines social science and hip-hop studies to address disinformation and propaganda that distorted political discourse after the 2020 election.”

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed poet Amanda Johnston, author of the poetry collection ANOTHER WAY TO SAY ENTER. She is a writer, artist, and the 2024 Texas Poet Laureate. Born in East St. Louis, IL, and raised in Austin, TX, she began writing poetry while living in Kentucky. Her writing is published widely, and she has presented at numerous literary conferences and events. Johnston is also founder of Torch Literary Arts, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established to publish and promote creative writing by Black women.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewTwitter - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.comWeb site: https://diversevoicesbookreview.wordpress.com/ 

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Rachel Howzell Hall, author of WHAT NEVER HAPPENED. Set on the Catalina Islands in California, the protagonist "Colette “Coco” Weber has relocated to her Catalina Island home, where, twenty years before, she was the sole survivor of a deadly home invasion. All Coco wants is to see her aunt Gwen, get as far away from her ex as possible, and get back to her craft—writing obituaries." In the interview Hall explained how her novel explored the problematic issues that can plague friendships between black and white women, and the barriers erected to keep Blacks away from Catalina Island when the Wrigley family purchased it in 1919.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewTwitter - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.comWeb site: https://diversevoicesbookreview.wordpress.com/ 

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Eli Merritt, author of DISUNION AMONG OURSELVES: The Perilous Politics of the American Revolution. DISUNION AMONG OURSELVES  tells the story of the deep political divisions that beset the Continental Congress during the American Revolution. So fractious were the founders’ political fights that they feared the War of Independence might end in disunion and civil war. In our interview, Merritt discussed the relevance of this history to the challenges American democracy faces today, and the dark path demagogues our driving America to. Eli Merritt is a political historian at Vanderbilt University where he researches the ethics of democracy, the interface of demagogues and democracy, and the founding principles of the United States.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewTwitter - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.comWeb site: https://diversevoicesbookreview.wordpress.co

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed James Lee Burke, author of FLAGS ON THE BAYOU.   Set in Civil War era Louisiana, Burke’s novel provides a kaleidoscope of narrators that reveals the violence, pain, suffering, conflict, and beliefs that haunt the characters in this epic story.  Be sure to click on the hotlink  of James Lee Burke to learn more about the novel and author.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewTwitter - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com

In a two-part show, Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay first interviews Richard Z. Santos, editor of A NIGHT OF SCREENS: Latino Horror Stories, and Ruben Degollado, who contributed the story Migrants to the collection. In part two of the show, he interviewed Flor Salcedo, who authored the story La Llorona Happenings for the collection. The horror stories—and four poems—contains a wide range of styles, themes and authors. Creepy creatures roam the pages, including La Llorona and the Chupacabras in fresh takes on Latin American lore, as well as ghosts, zombies and shadow selves.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewTwitter - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Kevin Strait and Kinshasha Holman Conwill, co-editors of AFROFUTURISM: A History of Black Futures.  The book is based on the exhibition of the same name at the National Museum for African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. The exhibition, according to its web site “immerses visitors in a conversation that reimagines, reinterprets and reclaims the past and present for a more empowering future for African Americans.” Kevin Strait  is a museum curator who has worked on the permanent exhibitions "Musical Crossroads" and the "Power of Place,” as well as leading the Afrofuturism exhibition. Kinshasha Holman Conwill is deputy director emerita of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewTwitter - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed S.A. Cosby, author of the novel ALL THE SINNERS BLEED, published June 2023.  In the novel, the first Black sheriff of a small town in Virginia responds to a school shooting but discovers there are even more sinister town secrets and a serial killer on the loose.  Cosby said in our interview that ALL THE SINNERS BLEED was his attempt to talk about justice, race, and violence in the face of evil, and faith. With faith, he wanted to explore how the Sheriff, who is agnostic, and his father, who is a church going Christian, could have a strong relationship without being dismissive of each other despite their different opinions on faith.  Click the book title hot link for ALL THE SINNERS BLEED web page.  Please subscribe to Hopeton Hay Podcasts on your podcast streaming service of your choice.Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media:Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreviewInstagram - @diverse_voices_book_reviewTwitter - @diversebookshayEmail: hbh@diversevoicesbookre