When Bootstraps Aren't Enough

April 28, 2010

Why two new black self-help books don't get it right. No, conversate isn't a word. And yes, there are some things that black folks need to stop doing. But there's a difference between enabling and empathy.

Schizophrenia as Political Weapon

The disease turned from a benign illness to a violent disease in the 1960s, just as black men joined protests against racism.

Happy 35th Birthday, Black Book!

The scrapbook of African-American history that Toni Morrison calls “a requirement for our national health” is still as beautiful and maddening as ever.   PLUS: See our scrapbook of images from The Black Book.

The Root's Summer Book List

Whether you like to spend the summer escaping with some juicy drama, learning tips for self-enhancement or getting caught up in beautiful wordplay, Books on the Root has compiled 30 reading suggestions to match any speed.

Why Don’t You Follow Me? Authors on Twitter

Writers are connecting with their readers, 140 characters at a time.  

If We Ruled the (Literary) World

For the debut of her column “Books on The Root,” columnist Felicia Pride asks nine black writers to weigh in on the state of book publishing.

The Root's Global Book List

Need a good book? Well, take a look at a roundup of great literature from across the black Diaspora.

The Prose of Passion

Nikki Giovanni on love's antidote. Steve Harvey on acting like a lady and thinking like a man. Here are eleven great stories on love and relationships.

My Father, the Tragic Hero

How I beat my addiction to make my dad pay for his.

The Root's Fall Book List

What to read while the leaves are falling.

Conversation for the Dinner Table

November 25, 2009

Lit news to help you sound informed or create a much-needed diversion at the dinner table.

Reading List: The Poetry Edition

A selection of new titles by real poets.

Publishing with the Stars

New books by Kanye West, Tracy Morgan, Andre Agassi, Sheri Shepherd and more.

Producing Precious

Lisa Cortés, an executive producer of Precious, talks about the representation of black women in film, healing, and the work of Octavia Butler.

Blacks Are Still Achieving Firsts?

How many more firsts do blacks have to achieve? Why are writers of color always compared to other writers of color? Sarah Jessica Parker as a representative of arts and humanities? A roundup of lit-related questions.

Amazon and Wal-Mart Price War: Good or Bad For Book Consumers?

Two megastores are discounting books. Good for consumer pockets? Bad for books?

Too Much Sarah Palin?

Why is there so much interest in reading about Palin?

No Coloreds Allowed? Book Party Turns Racist?

Turned-away partygoers are seeking one billion after being denied entry into author Teri Woods' book party.

I Didn't Work This Hard Just to Get Married

Newsflash: Not all women want to get married and single women can be happy too.

Reading List: The Intellectual Edition

New biography of Thelonious Monk, memoir from Cornel West, and other books to feed the mind.