The Street Lit Book Award Medal Committee comprises of a group of volunteer librarians and library workers from across the U.S. who work with Street Lit and its readers in public and school libraries. The Committee collected, discussed, and nominated titles based on library patron popularity, book club interest, and overall reception of the story as a valuable addition to the Street Literature genre. Three rounds of nominations resulted in the following winners for 2010 publications: 

2011 Street Lit Book Award Medal Winner is: Decoded by Jay-Z

Honor Books (in order of scoring):

Damaged by Kia DuPree

Welfare Wifeys by K'wan

The Streets Keep Calling by Chunichi

Diary of a Young Girl by Mark Anthony 

A full write up of the awards with committee comments and committee member bios can be accessed at the Street Literature blog,

 http://www.streetliterature.com

Tags: Awards, Reviews, Street Lit

The Free Library of Philadelphia received the set of 50 translated books of modern Japanese fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels thanks to a grant from Toyota Motor Corporation to the American Library Association.

The translated work of award winning authors (through Vertical Publishing) provide a great sampling of popular works from Japan in many genre- fiction, fantasy, mystery, horror, historical, Manga, etc. 

Here is the link to the list of books included in the set, with a short author biography and summary: http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/iro/iroactivities/japanesebookdonation.cfm

When I attended the Harlem Book Fair recently, I spoke with local Philly author, Karen E. Quinones Miller, who has started her own publishing company.  The Free Library of Philadelphia has ordered these new titles (click on the link to reserve):

The Guide to Becoming the Sensuous Black Woman (And Drive Your Man Wild In and Out of Bed!)

Harlem Godfather: The Rap on my Husband, Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson

We own her other books already. To find or place a reserve on any Karen E. Quinones Miller novel, click on the hyperlink for each title:

Passin'

Ida B.

Satin doll

Uptown dreams

Satin nights

I'm telling

Using what you got

Diamond playgirls

I also attended a panel discussion on the topic of "Gay & Lesbian Writers: Breaking Surface."  The moderator, Troy Johnson (Founder - AALBC.com) and panelists, Terrance Dean (Hiding in Hip Hop: On the Down Low in the Entertainment Industry--From Music to Hollywood) and Linda Villarosa (Passing for Black), discussed: “Are publishers out of step with consumer demand?” Gay and Lesbian fiction continue to sell in record numbers, yet Zane's current title, Purple Panties, has been refused for bookstore signings, an online magazine has declined support, and a major online book club service has "passed" on offering it to their members. Is it because it is a collection of lesbian erotica?

Stay tuned for an announcement of an Author Event with Terrance Dean.

(All books mentioned are currently owned by the Free Library or are on order)

Tags: African American, Reviews, Street Lit

Romance Writers of America have just announced the winners of the 2008 RITA awards:

RITA awards, named after RWA's first president, Rita Clay Estrada, are presented annually to the best published romance novels of the year.  We have copies of all the winners (or on order) at the Free Library of Philadelphia:  

Best First Book: Dead Girls Are Easy by Terri Garey

Historical Romance: Lessons of Desire by Madeline Hunter

Regency Historical Romance: The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn 

Paranormal Romance: Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward

Novel with Strong Romantic Elements: Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn

Romantic Suspense: Ice Blue by Anne Stuart

Young Adult Romance: Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Contemporary Single Title Romance: Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgins

Contemporary Series Romance: Snowbound by Janice Kay Johnson

Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure: Treasure by Helen

Inspirational Romance: A Touch of Grace by Linda Goodnight

Romance Novella: “Born in My Heart” by Jennifer Greene in Like Mother, Like Daughter

Tags: Awards, Romance