Essence Magazine: The Best Books of 2007, Part One

Categories: Award Winners , African American

Essence Magazine has long been the source of bestseller lists for African-American readers.  The winners of the first annual Essence Literary Awards will be announced on February 8, 2008, and the list of nominated titles is impressive.  In addition to books in eight categories, there are two special awards: A Lifetime Achievement Award for Terry McMillan, and a Storyteller of the Year Award, which readers can vote on through January 15.  Up for the Storyteller Award are Tanarive Due, L.A. Banks, Lori Bryant-Woolridge, Trisha R. Thomas, and the sensational Eric Jerome Dickey.

Here is a sampling of the great books that have been nominated:

Fiction:  Casanegra by Blair Underwood, with Tanarive Due and Stephen Barnes

Memoir:  Alek: From Sudanese Refugee to International Supermodel by Alek Wek

Inspirational:  Do You! 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success by Russell Simmons

Nonfiction:  Friends: A Love Story by Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance

Current Affairs:  Twice As Good: Condoleeza Rice and Her Path to Power by Marcus Mabry

Photography:  Jewels: 50 Phenomenal Black Women Over 50 by Michael Cunningham

Children's books: Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine, illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Poetry:  Acolytes by Nikki Giovanni

Looks like an awesome reading list to me - I'll post another blog after the awards are announced on February 8.