Book Reading in Chesapeake

Last week my reading at Russell Memorial Library was a memorable experience. I’m a reluctant public speaker at best but I do love reading good books to folks.  Even if it’s my own!  I read from Bodyguard and Who’s That Lady?

 

There were 3 other authors in addition to me and I loved each of their readings too.

 

Yvette Hines read from The Marriage Clause. It’s about an arranged marriage between two wealthy, powerful families. Chantal and Stephan are so wonderful you just want them to get together ASAP! But the problems they face are real and will keep you on the edge of your seat rooting for them.

 

Crystal B. Bright  read from her novel Revamped. The hero is a vampire with Obsessive/ compulsive Disorder. A vampire who can’t feed because of his fear of germs! Talk about funny! He commandeers the heroines services as a therapist to help him out. But Elaine has her own problems. And she’s not about to get involved with Seth and his crazy friends. This book is hilarious as well as sexy. Yum!

 

Jonathan Queen’s book is called Don’t Blame Me: The Convict Chronicles. This is based on his experiences in the federal prison. He has turned his life around and now uses his many talents to help youth. This book is awesome–eye opening and inspiring. You’ve gotta read it.

 

All three of these books will be well worth your time. They’re all available on Amazon.com or you local bookstore. I’ve included links to their websites so you can find out more about their work.

Statistics on African American readers.

I wonder what your opinion is?

  

GMI POLL: AFRICAN-AMERICAN CULTURE STUDY

African-American Literature
When asked why more African-American authors haven’t crossed over into the mainstream, less than a third of African-American respondents said mainstream readers are the problem because most actively avoid reading books written by African-American authors. 35% of respondents said the books are the problem: African-American authors just don’t appeal to most Americans. The largest number of respondents, nearly two-thirds, said African-American authors have seen very little crossover success because the books are only marketed and distributed to an African-American audience.

 I would agree with the last statement. We just haven’t done a good job of marketing to the mainstream audience. Only a few mega-authors are known and sought out by the general reading public.

Who Reads Romance Novels?

WHO READS ROMANCE?
Surveys find that :
most readers attended or graduated from college and more than half work outside the home.
Most romance fiction readers are between 31 and 40 years of age
Romance readers come from all races, all walks of life, all income levels.
About 41 million people read a romance in the past year, including 3.5 million men (about nine percent).
Seventy-seven percent of romance readers are Caucasian, 11 percent are African-American, and nine percent are Hispanic.