FRIENDSHIP AND SISTERHOOD TIE five Black women together from their California childhood through tumultuous lives. SOLID B

CLARETTA STREET
Brown Bear Books
2017

MASTER OF HARLEM NOIR Chester B. Himes’s extraordinary life captured in a stunningly detailed biography. A MINUS

CHESTER B. HIMES (HARDCOVER)
W. W. Norton & Company
2017

A HARD-WON SOBRIETY after a long trail of drink, drugs, lies, and theft celebrates the friendship of survivors. SOLID B

HALFWAY (HARDCOVER)
Scribner Book Company
2018

GLORIOUSLY RICH FANTASY sets shape-shifters against magic users in an African kingdom. Lots of action! B PLUS

THE KISHI (TALES FROM ESOWON BOOK 1)
Bandele Books
2018

NEW YORK’S ANCIENT MAGIC takes a brutal toll on a young family. Terrifying blend of the everyday and the supernatural! A MINUS

THE CHANGELING (HARDCOVER)
Spiegel & Grau
2017

FRANK, BEGUILING MEMOIR of a writer’s life with bipolar disorder combines irreverent wit, a reporter’s sharp eye. B PLUS

MENTAL: LITHIUM, LOVE AND LOSING MY MIND
Blue Rider Press
2017

A POST-APOCALYPTIC TEXAS ROAD trip blends alien tech with Mexican and Indigenous lore. Wild stuff! B PLUS

MIGUEL TRAVELER #1: THE MAN FROM TEXAS
Brave Mission Publishing
2018

FUNNY, INSIGHTFUL, CHARMING exploration of animal personalities and emotions from a wildlife biologist. B PLUS

MOUSY CATS AND SHEEPISH COYOTES : THE SCIENCE OF ANIMAL PERSONALITIES
Beacon Press
2017

LOVE IN A TIME OF INJUSTICE: a cruel twist of fate leaves a wake of shattered Black families. Heartbreaking and wise. SOLID A

AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE
Algonquin Books
2018

RE-IMAGINING UNCLE TOM’S CABIN from the enslaved characters’ point of view; Eliza’s book is touching, thoughtful. SOLID B

HARRIET (BURNING UNCLE TOM’S CABIN)
Bright Sons Media
2017