Why is that? I mean, it's not that I don't want to read AA novels--I've read some fantastic stories in the past (Kindred by Octavia Butler is one of my all-time fav novels, actually). And it's not that I think the experience is just too far removed from my own as a white woman--I read Asian literature all the time, as well as historicals and futuristics, and those are quite decidedly different than my life.
To be honest, I think part of it is I'm not exposed to a lot of AA novels. And the other part is, I don't think to look specifically for it when I'm in a bookstore. It makes me sad to admit that, because I know I'm missing out on some stellar reads.
A few African American novels I've read in the past are:
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Native Son by Richard Wright
Kindred by Octavia Butler (this novel is AMAZING)
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (this is set in Africa, actually)
The Chaneysville Incident by David Bradley
The Conjure Man Dies by Rudolph Fisher
There are some others I can't remember off the top of my head (and actually, most of these I read in undergrad).
A couple of days ago, it hit me--it's been years since I've read an AA novel. That's far too long. And while the novels above are stellar examples of classic reads, I'm sure AA literature has evolved over time, and I'd love to read a few contemporary AA novels.
So, I've decided I'm going to take a trip to my local bookstore today and pick a few up.
Can anyone give me recommendations on AA novels you've read and loved? I'd especially love to get some recommendations for African American YA (Paula Chase Hyman is already on my to-buy list--I'm going to snag her novel So Not the Drama).
Thank you for your help!!
