Intelexual Media Book Club Vote #2 (Patreon)

For the second month of the Intelexual Media Book Club, we're deciding between two fiction books that provide insightful commentary on colorism, racism, the black experience, and black girlhood (while still being fun as hell to read). 

Last month's book club was a good start, but I'd like to try a new way to make sure there is more participation this go-round. (Speaking of, go leave a comment on the Assata discussion board!) From here on out, when providing a synopsis of the proposed selections for book club, I'll also add a short list of pros and cons and prices along with the average read time so that you guys can vote with your chest lol!

Option #1: Children of Blood and Bone (Tomi Adeyemi)

Synopsis: In this young adult fantasy novel based in the fictional country of Orisha, the ideas and attitudes that encompass racism are played out in a hierarchy between the oppressed, white-haired/dark-skinned Maji and the elite light-skinned Kosidan. Tomi Adeyemi infuses racial discourse with magic and the thrill of a quest for the main character, Zelie. Along with two friends she must find three sacred items to restore magic to Orisha and bring power to the Magi.

Pros: The book has been praised by endless news outlets this year. Apparently if you love Harry Potter or have an interest in Yoruba culture along with a joy for socio-political discourse, you'll love this book. I'm also inclined to add the fact that it's a young adult book (written in mind for 12-18 year olds) to this list of pros, because children's literature is severely underrated and still often manages to be insightful. This also of course means it will be an easier read packed with action that doesn't leave you feeling exhausted afterwards.

Cons: It's 525 pages, or roughly 11 hours of reading time, which is a little more than double the read time of The Bluest Eye. It's also the first book in a planned series, so it may leave you wanting for the sequel IMMEDIATELY with a cliffhanger.

Average Read Time: 11 Hours (525 Pages)

First Published: 2018

Average Pricing: $14+ on Amazon, $17+ on Thriftbooks

Option #2: The Bluest Eye (Toni Morrison)

Synopsis: In this debut classic by Toni Morrison, a 1940s black girl named Pecola who believes she's ugly prays and wishes for blue eyes so that she can not only be beautiful, but feel like she belongs in her largely white community of Lorain, Ohio. (Random, but one of my best friends is from there) Her friend Claudia is the exact opposite of her. The story, told creatively through flashbacks, explores how black children internalized racism and white beauty standards in an America with significantly reduced representation of the black race but also addresses controversial issues like racism, child sex abuse, incest, and poverty.

Pros: The book is a damned classic and was a bestseller that netted Toni Morrison The Nobel Prize in Literature.  

Cons: Potential triggers for incest and sex abuse survivors. While beautifully written, isn't an adventure tale. You will probably cry.

Average Read Time: 5 Hours (216 Pages)

First Published: 1970

Average Pricing: $14+ on Amazon, $4+ on Thriftbooks, Full book available on Scrib'd if you have a monthly $9 Membership. By the way, if you love reading, Scrib'd is an amazing online resource that grants you unlimited access to books, magazines, newspapers, and audiobooks. If you click this link, you'll receive two free months of Scrib'd! 

After mulling over the pros and cons, be sure to cast your vote by September 21st! If you're a $5+ patron and you'd like to be entered to win a copy of the selected book, simply leave a comment saying, "I Voted!"