Latest news with #CharmaineWilkerson
USA Today
4 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Left on Read in Wichita, Kansas has diverse books and wellness workshops
Independent bookstores are the heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities. Each week we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert and unique book recommendations. This week we have owner Latasha Eley Kelly of Left on Read in Wichita, Kansas, just in time for National Black Business Month. What's your store's story? Left on Read opened in November 2024 as a specialty bookstore focused on Black authors, stories and cultural narratives that don't always get the spotlight. It's a Black-owned, woman-owned space that blends literature, creativity and wellness. It offers curated books, community events and resources that affirm and empower. The store has an intimate but dynamic feel, designed to spark conversation, connection and a deeper appreciation for diverse storytelling. What makes your independent bookstore unique? Left on Read stands out as a bookstore that prioritizes Black voices while welcoming all who appreciate rich, diverse storytelling. Customers love the curated book selection, the cozy yet engaging atmosphere, and the sense of community it fosters. It's more than a place to buy books − it's a space for conversations, cultural connection and collective growth. From book clubs to wellness workshops, Left on Read serves as a hub for learning, creativity and empowerment. I'm most proud of creating a space where people feel seen, valued and inspired to engage with stories that reflect their experiences and expand their perspectives. What's your favorite section in your store? My favorite section is our Black Independent Author Showcase, which features books from self-published and independently published Black authors through our consignment program. This section gives authors a dedicated space to reach new readers while retaining more of their sales compared to traditional publishing and distribution channels. By spotlighting these books, we help amplify voices that often don't get mainstream shelf space, making it easier for customers to discover fresh perspectives and support Black writers directly. What book do you love to recommend to customers and why? I often recommend "Black Cake" by Charmaine Wilkerson because it's a beautifully layered story about family, secrets, and cultural identity. The novel weaves together past and present, exploring how history and heritage shape who we become. I recently hosted a local sorority chapter's book club meeting to discuss it, and the conversation was rich with reflections on generational ties, resilience and the ways food connects us to our roots. It's a novel that sparks meaningful dialogue and stays with readers long after they finish. What book do you think deserves more attention and why? One book that deserves more attention is "Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts" by Rebecca Hall. This powerful graphic history uncovers the often-overlooked role of Black women in leading resistance against slavery. Blending historical research with personal narrative, Hall brings these untold stories to life in a compelling and visually striking way. It's an essential read that challenges the way history has been recorded and reminds us of the strength and defiance of Black women who fought for freedom. Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important? Shopping at Left on Read – and other independent bookstores – means investing in spaces that center culture, community and conversation. We intentionally curate books that reflect the richness of Black stories and perspectives, ensuring that readers see themselves in the narratives they consume. Independent bookstores like ours create spaces for dialogue, learning and empowerment through author events, wellness workshops and community-driven programming. Supporting indie bookstores means keeping these spaces alive, where storytelling is about representation, healing and connection. What are some of your store's events, programs, or partnerships coming up that you would like to share? Of note, on July 17, we hosted a private screening and community discussion of "Sinners," the latest film directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan. Following the screening, we facilitated a conversation unpacking the film's cultural and historical layers, particularly its relevance to Black Southern identity and contemporary storytelling.
Condé Nast Traveler
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Condé Nast Traveler
Women Who Travel Book Club: 9 New Books to Dive Into This Summer
If you're in the midst of finalizing your vacation packing list, don't head to the beach or that hideaway Airbnb without tossing an exciting new read into your carry-on. So far, 2025 has proven to be a year with a bounty of great books. Victoria Lomasko's The Last Soviet Artist is a superb entry in graphic reportage. Charmaine Wilkerson returns with her sophomore novel Good Dirt. And Aisha Muharrar takes her screenwriting talents to the small page with her debut novel Loved One, which releases later this August. In this edition of the Women Who Travel book club, our editors are sharing the new books they just can't put down. Whether you choose to escape with another slam dunk from Taylor Jenkins Reid or delve deeper into the thornier sides of friendship, love, and parenthood, we've got you covered. Let us know what you're reading—and which great new books we've criminally missed—on Instagram or Facebook. Here, nine of our favorite reads to check out yourself this summer.
CBC
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
3 novels for fans of rich family dramas like The White Lotus
There's something about a classic wealthy family drama that draws viewers in time and time again. Shows like HBO's The White Lotus and Apple TV's Succession have everything that columnist Alicia Cox Thomson loves to watch, from messy family dynamics to hidden inheritances and high-stakes. "It almost gives us license to judge, to be a little catty. People love gossip, it's a human compulsion, right? And so when the people that we're talking about have a little more than we do it just adds a little snark," said Thomson. Thomson is a Toronto writer and regular columnist on The Next Chapter. She set out to find and recommend novels that matched this theme of the ultra rich family thriller, but this time featuring families of colour. Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson "[Wilkerson] really masterfully weaves all of these things together and a story about identity and healing and family trauma as well," said Thomson. Raised in a wealthy New England neighbourhood as the daughter of one of the only Black families, Ebby Freeman knows what it's like to have the eyes of high society turned on her. Good Dirt tells the story of the Freemans: of the son they lost years ago to gun violence, and the stoneware jar kept in their family for generations and once owned by an enslaved ancestor. When Ebby is left at the altar years later, she runs off to France to avoid public scrutiny and ends up uncovering more of her family's past that may come to help build her future. Charmaine Wilkerson is a Jamaican American writer best known for her novel Black Cake which was adapted as a Hulu series. She previously worked as a journalist and is now based in Italy. The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhelecha "There's an underlying family tragedy that I won't spoil that is also informing these siblings and their parents, a tragedy they don't speak about, but it taints them all and they need to figure that out. There's a lot going on, but it's a very traditional kind of thriller," said Thomson. The Inheritance follows the Agarwals, an affluent family from New Delhi who reunite on a family trip to a Scottish island. Raj, the patriarch is a successful businessman and his wife Shalini are joined by their three grown children: Myra, Aseem and Aisha and some of their partners. Between the son and heir, golden daughter and wild child youngest daughter all three of the siblings have ulterior motives to this trip. When the stakes are higher than ever, family secrets are sure to boil to the surface. Trisha Sakhlecha is an Indian writer and diplomat based between Berlin and London. She is the current Director of the Tagore Centre at the Embassy of India. The Inheritance is her first novel. The Wedding by Gurjinder Basran "Their cultures aren't the driving force of the plots, they just really underpin and enrich these stories like I really love hearing about all the food and all of the rituals in the wedding," said Thomson. In a Bollywood-inspired family drama, The Wedding transports readers to Surrey and Vancouver, B.C. in the lead-up to the lavish Sikh wedding between Devi and Baby. Offering glimpses into the lives of the wedding party, guests and the event staff making it all happen, the novel is all about community, tradition and the union of two people.
