Settle in for an autumnal treat with these five titles, from the dual release of the highly anticipated “1619 Project” books to a familiar favorite of Knarrative’s Chief Architect Karen Hunter.
The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story
Over two years have passed since The New York Times “1619 Project,” helmed by Nikole Hannah-Jones, made waves with an illuminating reframing of American history. The ongoing initiative places “the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.”
Now two books by the project’s creator Hannah-Jones, who won a Pulitzer Prize for her work, will debut on store shelves Nov. 16.
“The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story” will significantly expand on the work of the original project through essays, poetry and fictional works. Totaling over fifty pieces by various esteemed authors and journalists, the book delves into the American legacy of enslavement and how that legacy impacts every facet of modern life.
The 1619 Project: Born on the Water
The second Nov. 16 release is a “lyrical picture book” for readers of all ages, penned by Hannah-Jones and “Piecing Me Together” Author Renée Watson with illustrations from Nikkolas Smith.
When a little girl is assigned a school project to fill out her family tree, she is unable to track her familial history past a few generations. Guided by her grandmother, the girl learns about the ship that brought enslaved Africans to what would become America in 1619. She learns that the history of her ancestors extends exponentially farther back than that day, and she discovers “how the people said to be born on the water survived.”
Noor
Hugo Award-winning science fiction author Nnedi Okorafor authored the highly acclaimed Binti trilogy of Africanfuturist novellas and writes for the Marvel Comics series Shuri.
Her upcoming novel “Noor” follows protagonist Anwuli Okwudili. Her nickname AO, which also stands for Artificial Organism, succinctly describes how unnatural she feels herself to be. After becoming disabled in a car accident, AO accepts herself as “a woman with a ton of major and necessary body augmentations.” When a trip to the market goes awry, AO finds herself on a journey across Northern Nigeria’s deserts and through a world of technological marvels that reveals “the future sometimes isn’t so predictable.”
The “Noor” is released on Nov. 16.
The Teller of Secrets
Ghanaian writer Bisi Adjapon’s novel “The Teller of Secrets” follows a young girl as she traverses a complex world of patriarchal oppression and self-discovery.
The novel, set in 1960’s Ghana, is available digitally and physically on Nov 16.
On The Come Up
Author of New York Times bestseller “The Hate U Give” Angie Thomas delivered another hit with her sophomore novel “On The Come Up.”
The 2019 release centers around a teen girl and the trials she faces while following her hip-hop dreams. Karen Hunter declared her love for the novel on her favorite five list on The Hub.News.
Support Black booksellers for old favorites and the upcoming November releases through Knarrative’s bookstore directory.
