books
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An Ida B. Wells Biography, Written by Her Great-Grandaughter, Will Be Released in 2021
Michelle Duster, author, educator, and the great-granddaughter of pioneering journalist and activist Ida B. Wells, announced that she will be publishing a biography about her great-grandmother’s extraordinary life and career. Ida B. the Queen is slated to be released in February 2021, according to One Signal Publishers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. “After working…
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Bakari Sellers' Invisible Black America
I know Bakari Sellers. Before I even read his upcoming memoir, I knew his life story like the back of my hand. We’re practically cousins. We were both raised in eerily similar South Carolina towns. Sellers grew up in Denmark, S.C., where my family briefly ran a small diner where people regularly ordered “liver pudd’n”—a…
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'My Memory Is Intact': Will André Leon Talley's Memoir Confirm That the Devil Does Indeed Wear Prada?
Now, we’re not ones to gossip, so you didn’t hear this from us, but word on the catwalk is that André Leon Talley is planning to serve some tea with his new memoir, The Chiffon Trenches. In fact, we’ve been hearing increasing buzz about some of the juicier bits of Talley’s tell-all, which he hopes…
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Kobe Bryant's Latest Children's Book Tops New York Times Bestseller List
The legacy of Kobe Bryant continues to live on. The legendary athlete, Oscar-winner and author has added another New York Times bestselling book to his long list of accomplishments. According to Deadline, Bryant’s latest page-turner in his Wizenard series of books titled Season One hit No. 1 on the coveted list. The series caters to…
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Samuel L. Jackson's Spirited Reading of 'Stay The F**k' At Home' Should Brighten Your Day
Actor Samuel L. Jackson is just as fed up with being indoors day in and day out as the rest of us. He recently stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! (well, from his home) to remind us of the importance of staying safe amidst the COVID-19 brouhaha in a way only Sam L. can. Jackson presented…
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Colin Kaepernick Launches Book Publishing Company, Reveals Plans to Release Memoir in 2020
I’ve said for a while now that I can’t wait to read the inevitable Colin Kaepernick memoir about the trials and tribulations he’s faced throughout his life, and apparently the exiled quarterback can no longer wait, either. Variety reports that the untitled memoir will be released sometime this year as part of a multi-project deal…
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#BlackStoriesHavePower: Barnes & Noble Suspends Plans to Publish Diverse Editions After Backlash
On this week’s episode of “Books in Blackface,” the book retailer Barnes & Noble decided to “suspend” its controversial Diverse Editions series that was supposed to launch Wednesday in Honor of Black History Month. The series, spearheaded by the chain’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, was a planned rerelease of beloved classics with…
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To Those Who Knew Him, the Latest Nipsey Hussle Tribute—a Book Club—Is Probably the Most Fitting
In the months since Nipsey Hussle’s death, countless tributes have surfaced as his family, friends, and fans have come to grips with such an unexpected loss. Murals have popped up throughout Los Angeles and award shows have celebrated his legacy, but one of the most unique ways his memory lives on is through a book…
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Booked, Busy and Black: The Root's Favorite Reads of 2019
With all the writing we do here at The Root, it’s a wonder we find time to read. But for many members of our staff, books remain our first love, so while we reflect on the highlights of 2019, we’re also reminded of some of the great reads we encountered this year. From memoirs to…
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![Cinema-In-Chief: Just Mercy and Watchmen Among Barack Obama's Favorite Films and TV Shows of 2019 [Updated]](https://assets-server.theroot.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/25194747/yi5ho50lr6keou9u04bc-300x169.png)
Cinema-In-Chief: Just Mercy and Watchmen Among Barack Obama's Favorite Films and TV Shows of 2019 [Updated]
We’re coming to the end of a year (and decade) and it’s time for Barack Obama’s tradition of sharing his faves! When Obama isn’t golfing or still kissing babies (you can take the politician off of the campaign trail, but…), he likes to chill and watch movies and binge television, just like us. This weekend,…