Our April read is Jayne Allen’s Black Girls Must Die Exhausted: A Novel for Grown-Ups. “Black girls must die exhausted” is something that 33-year-old Tabitha Walker has heard her grandmother say before. Of course, her grandmother (who happens to be white) was referring to the 1950’s and what she observed in the nascent times of civil rights. With a coveted position as a local news reporter, Marc-- a “paper-perfect” boyfriend, and a standing Saturday morning appointment with a reliable hairstylist, Tabitha never imagined how this phrase could apply to her as a black girl in contemporary times – until everything changes.

Woke & Well-Read is going into our third season this fall, facilitated by Tiffany Foxworth. The group meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month, from 7 – 8:30 pm.

Woke & Well-Read will look at life through the eyes of African American authors. We will explore some of the legendary greats as well as contemporary favorites and writers who are up-and-coming. Our space will be open and respectful and also unafraid of the heated passions that arise when confronting issues faced by African American communities. The book club is open to everyone, and rooted in Black culture. We welcome diversity because we know that diverse ideas can birth fresh answers. The group expects that some of the books we read will challenge our understanding of our histories, some will explore popular topics in African American communities, and some will make us laugh heartily.